Franchise Deep Dive: Dream Vacations' Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

Dream Vacations is a low-cost, home-based travel and hospitality franchise that offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to operate and run their own travel agency right from the comfort of their homes. The brand offers deals to individuals or businesses who are looking to plan trips. It provides its customers with hotel deals, travel insurance, cruises and other travel-related experiences.

Dream Vacations is operated under the purview of World Travel Holdings Inc. , and was founded in 1991. The brand is headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

As a result of its offerings, Dream Vacations is frequently recognized for excellence within the industry and is consistently ranked on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 lists .

Franchise overview

As of August 2023, there are currently over 1,570 Dream Vacations franchises in operation.

Dream Vacations’ business model is centered around providing entrepreneurs with the ability to run a travel agency from their homes. As mentioned, the brand is all-encompassing and offers a wide range of vacation experiences.

Prospective franchise owners are not required to have any travel or industry-related experience before signing on. The franchise provides all the training, knowledge and tools necessary to begin working as a travel agent. Once a franchise is purchased, the agents just need a computer with an internet connection and a phone to successfully launch their business. Franchisees are then able to generate revenue through commissions on travel bookings.

Additionally, the brand is a low-cost investment. Owners are able to work remotely, removing the need for inventory or any overhead, making it an attractive opportunity. Dream Vacations lists the following as benefits of becoming a franchisee:

• Dream Vacations claims to be the only travel franchise to fully fund a quarterly sweepstakes for its growth.
• It also holds virtual events and has free marketing tools to ensure owners have a growing database of customers.
• The brand makes an effort to help its owners recruit associates to work alongside them, helping individual businesses reach their full potential.
• Dream Vacations utilizes its tools and resources to help owners identify leads, build their database and engage with customers.
• Franchise owners are provided with ample franchise training, 24/7 on-demand support and proven systems for the entire duration of their ownership.

Dream Vacations does not have a publicly available Item 19. The brand says its owners earn commissions on sales from a wide variety of vacations, travel insurance and excursions. To learn more, contact the team about reading the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), which will state the total earnings of any company or franchise-owned unit as a reference.

Investment costs

Apart from its franchise fee, Dream Vacations does not make its total initial investment information publicly available. However, according to Vetted Biz , the cost to open a Dream Vacations franchise ranges from $11,800 to $21,000.

This investment is broken down into the following costs:

• Initial Franchise Fee: $10,500
• Training Expenses: $200 to $250
• Additional Signatories/Associates Training and Travel: $0 to $645
• Office Equipment and Furniture: $0 to $1,500
• Initial Office Supplies: $50 to $300
• Computer Hardware/Software Equipment: $0 to $2,500
• Insurance, Legal and Accounting: $150 to $1,000
• Permits, Franchises, Bonds and Memberships: $150 to $500
• Initial Promotion and Advertising: $250 to $1,200
• Criminal and Civil Background Check: $0 to $30
• Additional Funds (Three Months): $500 to $2,500
• Financing Application Fee: $0 to $75

Franchise owners must also pay an ongoing royalty fee of up to 3% of annual commissionable sales and a 3% travel insurance royalty fee.

Fees and discounts

The initial franchise fee required to open a Dream Vacations franchise is $10,500. However, the brand offers a variety of different discounts to support entrepreneurs who wish to enter the world of business ownership. As of August 2023, the brand lists the following discounts on its consumer-facing website :

• For eligible candidates, the brand is offering 10% off its franchise fee, totaling a onetime fee of $9,450.

• Active and retired first responders, medical professionals and educators are eligible for a 20% discount on the initial franchise fee, totaling $8,400.

• Eligible military members and their families can start a Dream Vacations franchise for as little as $3,500 down.

• Experienced travel and hospitality professionals are eligible for a discount ranging from 70% to 95%.

• Brad Tolkin — Co-Chairman and CEO

• Debbie Fiorino — Chief Operating Officer

• Drew Daly — Senior Vice President and General Manager

• Joelle Delva — Vice President, Operations

• Sean Tolkin — Vice President of Land Strategy and Network Performance

• Sandi Szalay — Vice President, Information Technology

• Alicia Linden — Vice President of Consumer and Recruitment Marketing