Cruise Planners Transforms Professional Development with Latest Technology Investment
Coral Springs, Fla. (PRWEB) April 12, 2017 -- Committed to providing the latest tools and continual, specialized training to its network of more than 1,800 franchise owners, Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, has launched Cruisitude™ Academy, a brand new virtual learning tool for Cruise Planners travel advisors. Cruisitude Academy is the company’s latest investment in technology with more than 150 courses representing 700 hours of customized learning experiences.
Created to be mobile responsive, the Cruisitude Academy learning platform is accessible via a mobile device and desktop computer, as well as an iPad mobile app. As a state-of-the-art, modern learning management system, the new platform offers home-based travel advisors access to exclusive content anytime, anywhere in short, digestible segments averaging 15-20 minutes in length.
“We know that the most effective travel advisors are constantly learning, but we also understand that our franchisees are busy, so we designed the new Cruisitude Academy to fit their schedules,” said Vicky Garcia, COO and co-owner of Cruise Planners. “Cruisitude Academy gives our travel advisors a flexible and engaging way to stay up-to-date on the latest technology and marketing tools available through Cruise Planners and the hottest offerings from our travel industry partners.”
Learning modules will cover a range of topics at varying levels of expertise, facilitating professional development for Cruise Planners travel agents from new franchisees to Millionaire Club members. Along with academic modules, live weekly webinars presented by the Cruise Planners home office team and travel industry partners will be available and stored for later viewing.
With Cruisitude Academy, Cruise Planners’ business development coaches will also be able to view franchisees’ progress and make personalized course recommendations.
Cruisitude Academy is the latest project championed by an expanded Training and Development Team led by Stacy Lowman. Lowman joined the team earlier this year to continue the focus on franchise professional development. Cruise Planners’ new virtual associate training program also launched in January, allowing franchise owners’ associates the ability to complete the onboarding and training process from home at a flexible pace. Since its recent debut, more than 70 associates have already successfully completed the intensive associate program. The team also continues to provide support for in-person intensive boot camps and engaging regional trainings offered throughout the country.
“By continually investing in new technology, marketing programs and tools, Cruise Planners remains highly committed to the success of each of our franchisees,” said Garcia. “Our agents don’t just work from home, they work from cruise ships, coffee shops and even airports, and we are committed to providing the resources they need, when and where they need them, to best serve their clients and remain at the top of the travel industry.”
About Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative
Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, is the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry. Cruise Planners operates a network of more than 1,800 franchise owners who independently book amazing vacation and travel experiences for their clients. The Florida-based Home Office Team positions a nation-wide network of franchise owners for success by providing innovative marketing, booking and technology tools, as well as professional development and hands-on training with the industry’s top executives. The company continues to be lauded and has been named the No.1 travel franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for 14 consecutive years. Cruise Planners was recently featured in Entrepreneur as one of the top 30 franchise innovators in technology, has been consistently named as one of the Top Women-Owned Businesses by the South Florida Business Journal, is on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America, has been ranked as the #1 travel franchise by Franchise Business Review for 6 years in a row, and was recognized as one of the Top Workplaces by the Sun Sentinel since it started ranking companies.
Headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla. with more than 22 years of experience, Cruise Planners has achieved top producer status with every major cruise line. Accolades include numerous Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly, American Express Travel Representative Excellence Award for 13 consecutive years (2004-2016), American Express Agency of the Year (2010), Royal Caribbean International Chairman’s Award (2015), Royal Caribbean International President’s Award for Overall Achievement (2012, 2014 and 2016), Royal Caribbean International Home-Based Partner of the Year (2007-2013), Norwegian Cruise Line Elite Agency of the Year (2016), Norwegian Cruise Line Franchise Agency of the Year (2011-2015), Celebrity Cruises Home-Based Partner of the Year (2016), Celebrity Cruises Field Sales Account of the Year (2015), Celebrity Cruises Home-Based Account of the Year (2013-2014) and Celebrity Cruises Southeast Region Travel Agent Partner of the Year (2010), Travel Impressions Best of the Best Globe Award (2008-2016), Sandals Top Host – Worldwide, Globus Family of Brands Premier Agency Partner (2009-2016), Platinum Circle Member with Viking River Cruises (2009-2015), Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Top Producer (2008-2014) and Regent Seven Seas Cruises Top Producer. Cruise Planners is one of the Top 50 franchises for Veterans according to GI magazine, the Top Franchise Brand for Veterans according to Franchise Business Review, has been named one of the Top 25 franchises for African-Americans by Black Enterprise magazine and is a member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association. For more information, visit http://www.cruiseplanners.com.
Stay in touch: Media can stay up-to-date with Cruise Planners by visiting our media room, following us on Twitter @Cruisitude or on Facebook. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should locate a travel advisor near them. For those interested in becoming a franchise owner, please visit the Cruise Planners franchise website.
Sara Matulonis, Cruise Planners, http://www.cruiseplanners.com, +1 (954) 344-8060 Ext: 218, [email protected]
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