Top Travel Franchises to Buy During COVID-19

Working in the travel and leisure industry can be a fun and rewarding experience. Not only do you get to know different markets all over the world, but you can help people plan a vacation that will provide them with lifelong memories. Though the ability to travel is currently limited because of the COVID-19 pandemic, pent-up demand to explore is causing many Americans to start dreaming about their next adventure already.

If you’ve been dreaming of a new career in the travel industry, now might be the right time for you to get ahead of the game. These travel franchises are worth checking out for your next career opportunity.

Dream Vacations

Investment Range: $1,795 - $20,300

Units: 1,553

Dream Vacations — a CruiseOne company — has been in business for over twenty-eight years and grown to roughly 1,500 franchise owners in that time. The international company is the world’s largest seller of cruise vacations and is renowned for its premier service within travel franchising. 

Aside from being frequently recognized for excellence within the industry, the brand offers remote working opportunities — an almost necessary working environment these days — and is a low-cost, low-investment business model that is perfect for new business owners looking to grow. The brand also offers robust marketing options for all its franchisees.

Cruise Planners

Initial Investment Range: $2,295 - $23,367

Units: 2,570

For twenty-six years, Cruise Planners has been providing franchisees with the opportunity to start a travel agency and work from anywhere in the world. The brand is well known for the top-tier service and the high-level training they provide to all new franchisees.

The cost of entry is low, and, while COVID-19 continues to disrupt the travel industry, franchise fees have been lowered to $4,000. The brand also provides leading marketing and advertising tools to all new franchisees.

Property Management Inc. 

Investment Range: $42,550 to $166,600

Units: 260+

Property Management Inc. (PMI) is a rapidly growing franchise that provides expert property management services and solutions across four pillars: residential, commercial, association and short-term rental management. At this time, short-term rentals are flourishing for PMI as more people are looking for safe vacation rentals they can use to get away from the city while working remotely or just to go on a long vacation.

Travel Leaders

Initial Investment Range: $2,270 – $16,910

Units: ~ 7,000

Travel Leaders Network has been around for thirty years and has grown to nearly 7,000 locations in North America alone, with annual revenue of $17 billion. The brand boasts two focus areas, business and leisure, and is regularly listed on the Travel Week annual Power List.

The brand offers different levels of commitment for new franchise members and supports their franchisees with extensive marketing and advertising tools. The brand is also well known for its training for new franchisees to ensure their long-term success with the brand.

Expedia CruiseShipCenters

Investment Range: $169,950 - $299,650

Units: 300+

Expedia CruiseShipCenters has been franchising since 1987 and is part of the Expedia Inc. family of brands. The brand also offers vacation packages, tours, expeditions and travel insurance — a particularly diversified business model compared to many cruise-focused brands.

The brand further stands out with its omnichannel retail model that provides a smooth booking experience for customers. Franchisees can source leads from their personalized website, walk-ins, general marketing and from Expedia.com’s online services.