"We are thrilled to recognize World Travel Holdings as our National Account Partner of the Year," said Dondra Ritzenthaler, Senior Vice President of Sales, Celebrity Cruises. "Day in and day out, the WTH team demonstrates nothing but professionalism and a desire to succeed, and it is a pleasure to partner with such a terrific group of people."
WTH owns and operates several cruise brands including Fort Lauderdale-based Cruises Inc. Cruises Inc. is the original host agency with nearly 500 independent contractors selling cruise vacations. With this brand, WTH is the nation's leading retailer of cruise travel.
In conjunction with World Travel Holdings (WTH), CruiseOne - the world's largest retailer of cruise travel - received the 2007 President's Award and distinction of Royal Caribbean International's (RCI) "Partner of the Year."
Adam Goldstein, President of RCI, presented the cruise line's top honor to David Crooks, Vice President of Cruise Product and Supplier Relations, who accepted on behalf of CruiseOne's more than 500 Franchise Owners.
Brad Tolkin, President of CruiseOne and Co-Chairman/Co-CEO of World Travel Holdings, commented on this major achievement.
"It is a tremendous honor for us to receive one of the most prestigious awards in the travel industry. Royal Caribbean International has been a very reliable partner for us, and I am glad to know that the feeling is mutual. I'm also very proud of all of our great employees at CruiseOne and World Travel Holdings. Our extraordinary relationship with Royal Caribbean International is the result of a team effort and every day, I feel appreciative to work with such a talented, dedicated, professional group of people."
During the presentation, Goldstein recognized CruiseOne and WTH as Royal Caribbean's "go to account" with an "undisputed presence in the industry." In particular, he commended the team's ability to drive tremendous sales results on numerous occasions and in a variety of situations. Goldstein also cited multiple times when the CruiseOne and WTH team went "above and beyond other partners."
CruiseOne was recently ranked as the top cruise agency franchise in the prestigious Entrepreneur Magazine Franchise 500 survey. In fact, CruiseOne has been ranked consistently in Entrepreneur's Top 500 Franchises since 1998.
We have held many different rankings including Top Home Based Franchise, Top Low Cost Franchise, and ranked in part of the Fastest growing Franchises.
For the second year in a row, World Travel Holdings, ranked at number seventeen, has been named to Travel Weekly's 2008 Power List.
CruiseOne, was ranked Number four (#4) on Travel Weekly's Top 8 Travel Franchisors list.
Franchise Times - Top 200 Franchise Systems - Since 2000
Dun & Bradstreet's All Business Allstar Franchise Award - Rank #181
Franchise Info Site - Top 100
Celebrity Cruises - Elite Travel Partner since 2007
Carnival Cruise Line - Pinnacle Club - Every year since - 1999
Norwegian Cruise Line - President's Elite Club - Member
Oceania Cruises - Cruise Connoisseur Club - 2007
Holland America Line - Centurion Club
Crystal Cruises - Platinum Partner
Cunard Line - Inner Circle Member
Apple Vacations - Premier Award
Globus - Premier Agency Partner
Sandals - Top Producer