Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® Expects Wave of Franchise Growth in 2016

Cruise Industry Leader Looks to Build upon its Record Setting 2015

BELLEVUE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Expedia
CruiseShipCenters – part of Expedia, Inc., one of the largest travel
companies in the world – ended 2015 on a high note with substantial
growth into new U.S. markets in addition to being named a top franchise
opportunity. In 2015, the retail travel company met 33 percent
year-over-year distribution channel growth when it awarded a record 40
new travel agency franchises. The brand looks to propel growth plans
even farther in 2016.

Expedia CruiseShipCenters recently made the move to a new Expedia
Inc.-owned headquarters in Vancouver, nearly triple the size of the
previous location, allowing the company to continue growing its network
and its support team, which now includes more than 100 employees. Major
cruise lines took note of Expedia CruiseShipCenters’ successful 2015 as
well. Royal Caribbean International named the company its 2015 Canadian
Partner of the Year and Norwegian Cruise Line recognized the brand as
its Marketing Partner of the Year.

Building on the momentum of Expedia CruiseShipCenters’ record setting
year, the brand is looking to award 45 new franchises in 2016. The
leading travel company is seeking franchise partners in the metropolitan
and surrounding areas of New York, with 35 franchise locations
available, Orlando, with nine locations available, Los Angeles with 20
locations available, San Francisco with 14 locations available, Atlanta
with 13 locations available, and Seattle with 15 locations
available. Within easy driving distance of cruise departure ports, these
cities have demographics that provide the ideal foundation for a new
travel agency franchise. By 2020, Matthew Eichhorst, President of
Expedia CruiseShipCenters, believes the company will tout 500 retail
locations in total with 300 in the United States and 200 in Canada.

Propelling the exceptional growth of Expedia CruiseShipCenters is the
overall growth of the cruise industry. According to Cruise Lines
International Association (CLIA), 24 million passengers are expected to
cruise in 2016, a dramatic increase from 15 million just 10 years prior
in 2006. CLIA notes member cruise lines are scheduled to debut 27 new
ocean, river and specialty ships in 2016 alone for a total investment of
more than $6.5 billion. In addition, travel agents are experiencing a
higher demand for cruise travel, with eight out of 10 CLIA member travel
agents expecting an increase in sales in 2016 over last year.

“In 2015 Expedia CruiseShipCenters grew in number of locations, but we
also grew in our ability to navigate spectacular vacation experiences
for even more customers,” said Eichhorst. “We introduced powerful new
sales technology for our agents, which has increased cruise inquiries
significantly, and we now have the ability to offer our customers reward
points through the Expedia®+ program. The cruise industry is thriving
and now generates a remarkable $119.9 billion – Expedia
CruiseShipCenters is also trending upward and I look forward to seeing
where our growth takes us in 2016.”

As a result of its ongoing success, the brand has earned a spot in
Franchise Business Review’s Top
50 Franchise Opportunities in 2016 for large franchise brands, which
is based entirely on franchisee satisfaction. The brand was also
recently named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2015 Franchise 500®. With a
current network of 219 independently owned franchise locations that
support over 4,100 Vacation Consultants across North America, the brand
will continue to flourish as a global leader in cruise and vacation
sales.

For more information on the franchise opportunity, visit www.expediafranchise.com.

About Expedia CruiseShipCenters

Expedia CruiseShipCenters provides exceptional value and expert advice
for travelers booking cruises and vacations through its network of 219
retail travel agency franchises. As part of the Expedia, Inc. family of
brands, the company’s 4,100 Vacation Consultants sell a wide range of
vacation products including cruises, flights, hotels, vacation packages,
tours, excursions and more. The company has been navigating spectacular
vacation experiences for customers across North America for more than 29
years. For more information on Expedia CruiseShipCenters, visit www.expediafranchise.com.

Expedia is either a registered trademark or trademark of Expedia, Inc.
in the United States and/or other countries. Other logos or product and
company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective
owners. © 2016 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST # 2029030-50 and
CST # 20893-43

Contacts

Fishman Public Relations
Mandi Gualtieri, 847-945-1300
agualtieri@fishmanpr.com