News

For Immediate Release

Expedia CruiseShipCenters Redefines the Travel Agent
Mobile Agent Program Depicts Future of the Industry

The audience of travel agents who gathered for CruiseWorld 2010 and the Home Based Travel Agent Show and Conference were treated to a clear picture of the industry’s future by Michael Drever, CEO & Founder of Expedia CruiseShipCenters.

Drever explained why the term “home-based” doesn’t reflect the true nature of the more than 3,000 independent agents who are part of the Expedia CruiseShipCenters family. “We all work from our home office from time to time”, said Drever. “That doesn’t necessarily mean we are home-based”.

“The title, Expedia^® CruiseShipCenters^® Mobile Agent™ creates confidence in our customers by blending the most recognized brand in travel with a concept they are very familiar with: mobile service,” said Drever. As examples, he pointed to mortgage brokers, accountants, real estate agents and other professionals who work from home offices but do not refer to themselves as home-based.

Drever explained how the new term applies to his organization. “It is a more proactive term that shows our agents are professionals out there selling and servicing their customers, not waiting at home for the phone to ring.”

One of the most unique aspects of the Expedia CruiseShipCenters Mobile Agent is that they are actually hosted by one of the company’s 122 retail agencies giving them the best of both worlds. “Since our CruiseDesk system is web based, agents can literally work from anywhere in the world, whether they are in the office, on a cruise ship or meeting a client at their home.”

Drever’s comments were very well received by the audience as the company’s booth at the trade show was flooded with agents eager to learn more.