Expedia CruiseShipCenters’ Orange County office was recognized as the top third-year location at the company’s annual conference in November. The Laguna Hills center, the only one in Southern California, also was inducted into the company’s Presidents Circle of top-performing franchises.
Travel consultant Jane Shobe, of Laguna Hills, reached Diamond-level recognition in the company’s Navigators Club of top-performing consultants.
Susan and Chris Meyer sailed out of New York City on the Norwegian Breakaway for Expedia CruiseShipCenters’ annual conference.
The awards are based on travel booking thresholds for the 188 locations and 4,000 travel consultants across the U.S. and Canada. The Laguna Hills store has more than $3.3 million in bookings for 2014 — $1.1 million of that by Shobe.
“Those numbers reflect the value of our Expedia prices with a concierge service promise,” said franchise partner Chris Meyer. “We are proud that our outstanding growth has accelerated with repeat business and referrals, evidence that our expertise and connections are improving customers’ travel.”
Expedia CruiseShipCenters is the fast-growing storefront division of Expedia, Inc., the Bellevue, Wash.-based global travel giant that also operates Expedia.com and several other travel brands. CruisesShipCenters consultants are trained to navigate the dizzying web of cruise lines, ships and stateroom choices as well as hotel companies and tour operators to ensure that the itinerary is the right fit for a client’s unique needs and desires.
“At first, some people think it counterintuitive to be opening travel stores in the digital age,” Meyer said. “The Internet has surely empowered consumers with information and enabled Expedia to grow into the world’s largest online agency.
“But everything is not as simple and straightforward as a flight or hotel room for a couple of nights,” he said. “That’s why most people prefer to work with an expert when planning their precious vacation time. And when you can do that at a better value than by doing it yourself, it’s a no-brainer. That’s why people are coming back and referring family and friends. That’s why Expedia CruiseShipCenters is on a steep growth trajectory in Orange County and across the continent.”
Travel booked through Expedia CruiseShipCenters usually includes exclusive Expedia Extras, making the net cost of the travel less than anywhere else, including the Internet, Meyer said.
Meyer said he is always looking for passionate travelers with an entrepreneurial spirit go through Expedia’s consultant training program.
Expedia CruiseShipCenters is at 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills.
