Milestone marks a new standard in travel advisor training and professional certification

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (November 14th, 2025) – Dream Vacations has set a new standard in travel industry education, becoming the first Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Premier Agency Member (PAM) to earn CLIA elective credits for their franchise training program. Charity Santiago, Vice President of Training and Events, made the announcement during Friday’s general session of the 2025 Dream Vacations National Conference.

This unprecedented recognition underscores the depth and quality of the Dream Vacations Initial Training curriculum, which guides new franchise owners through business setup, travel industry fundamentals, sales mastery, and the use of proprietary booking tools.

The evaluation process, conducted by CLIA’s Senior Manager of Industry Training, Maria Fonseca, assessed the program’s multi-phase structure—including online foundational learning, live instructor-led training, and an onboard ship inspection. As a result, participants who complete the program now earn 40 CLIA elective credits and one ship inspection credit, fulfilling more than half of the requirements toward achieving CLIA’s prestigious Certified Cruise Counselor (CCC) certification.

“This milestone underscores our mission to elevate professional standards in cruise sales and support our CLIA Premier Members with forward-thinking recognition of educational excellence,” said Charles Sylvia, ECC, vice president, industry and trade relations, CLIA. “By awarding elective credits to Dream Vacations’ Initial Training, we’re empowering new franchise owners to accelerate their careers and reinforcing the value of certified cruise travel expertise across our community.”

The redesigned training program reflects a thoughtful approach to supporting franchisees in their dual roles as both business owners and travel advisors. Phase 1 focuses on Franchise Foundations, covering key topics like business setup, ethics, and operational excellence, while Phase 2 transitions advisors into confident sellers through instructor-led sessions on sales techniques, destination expertise, and Cruise Control, the franchisor’s proprietary booking engine.

“We’ve redefined what professional travel education looks like,” said Charity Santiago, vice president of training and events for Dream Vacations. “From day one, you gain CLIA elective credits, real-world experience, and structured learning that blends foundational business skills with travel expertise. This isn’t orientation—it’s a launchpad for building a profitable travel business with recognized industry credentials and a competitive edge.”

As a CLIA Premier Agency Member, Dream Vacations advisors also receive four complimentary CLIA courses, further accelerating their progress toward certification and professional mastery. Together, these opportunities empower franchise owners with both practical knowledge and recognized credentials—giving them a significant competitive advantage as they grow their businesses.

For more information about franchising opportunities with Dream Vacations, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com.

About Dream Vacations

Dream Vacations is a home-based travel agency franchise that gives its advisors everything they need to plan smooth and memorable vacations for their clients—all while delivering great value. As part of World Travel Holdings and a proud member of the International Franchise Association, Dream Vacations has earned top honors, including franchise partner of the year from major cruise lines. The franchise is also nationally recognized for its strong commitment to supporting military veterans. For more details, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. You can also connect with Dream Vacations on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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