A successful Richmond travel agency franchise is setting up shop in South Delta.
Expedia CruiseShipCenters opened its South Delta location in Ladner Harbour Centre on Monday and the team of consultants is ready to help with your dream vacation.
Franchise owners Carole Petersen and Gina Holvick have been friends for 30 years. The pair worked in banking together for many years before deciding to make the leap to the travel industry.
They started their first CruiseShipCenters franchise in Richmond in 1992. Making the move to serve Ladner and Tsawwassen directly just made sense, said Petersen, since many of the customers they serve at the Richmond location live in this area.
When the partners opened in Richmond, it was the sixth CruiseShipCenters location. Five years ago, the chain partnered with popular online travel site Expedia.ca to become Expedia CruiseShipCenters and today there are more than 150 franchises in Canada and the U.S.
Last year Expedia CruiseShipCenters/ Richmond was honoured as the Franchisee of the Year.
The agency is a fulfillment centre for all cruises booked through the website, as well as BCAA. Petersen said they are also affiliated with Aeroplan so members can earn and redeem miles through the local location.
Despite the name, Expedia CruiseShipCenters is a full-service travel agency that can assist with any travel plans.
Holvick said booking travel through an agency instead of online gives customers peace of mind that their plans are insured through B.C. Consumer Protection, as well as access to the consultants' extensive travel knowledge.
"All our consultants have travelled," she said, adding she and Petersen have both been on more than 100 cruises.
Expedia CruiseShipCenters is also backed by considerable buying power, which allows the company to offer competitive pricing.
"We provide outstanding customer service while still maintaining exceptional value," Petersen said.
While the area's newest travel agency is already open for business, a special grand opening is scheduled for Sept. 8 at 2: 30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
For more information about Expedia CruiseShipCenters, call 604-946-7444 or visit www. cruiseshipcenters.ca/southdelta.
