…

Reading Time: 4 minute

Leading travel agency franchise Dream Vacations is recruiting military veterans to join its 13th annual, award-winning “.Operation Vetrepreneur: Be Your Own Normal” contest. The contest is open for entries now through September 2, 2024. As part of a nationwide contest, Dream Vacations will award free franchises to three veterans. Since 2012, the initiative has awarded 61 franchises valued at more than $700,000.

Celebrating Veteran Entrepreneurship

“At Dream Vacations, we are deeply committed to supporting our veterans. We always aim to go the extra mile for our military heroes and their families,” said Drew Daly, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Dream Vacations. “Through our annual Operation Vetrepreneur contest, we are excited to help veterans achieve their dreams of owning a business and finding success for themselves and their families. This is our way of saying thank you and giving back to those who serve our country with honor.

Contest Eligibility and Participation

The Dream Vacations Franchise Contest is open to former members of any of the six branches of the U.S. military (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard) who are retired, off active duty, and/or honorably discharged prior to the contest opening date. To participate provided and be a US resident, candidates must complete an online entry form and an initial phone interview with a Franchise Development Manager. Candidates have to submit candidate profile, business plan and video. Finalists will be invited to participate in a follow-up phone interview before winners are selected.

Prize details

Three winners will be notified in September 2024. Each Grand Prize is valued at $12,300 and includes a complimentary Dream Vacations franchise with an initial start-up fee of $10,500 for the first year and a monthly administrative service fee waiver. After completing Dream Vacations’ new franchisee training, winners will be equipped with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their journey as small business owners creating dream vacations.

Testimonials from previous winners

“Melissa and I have always had an interest in the travel industry. The Dream Vacations Entrepreneur Contest seemed like an opportunity to make it a reality. We thought it was great that the company would not only honor veterans with their words, but put their money where their mouth is in the form of a franchise,” said Ron Hargrove, a United States Navy veteran and one of the 2023 operations. Vetrepreneur: Yours from Genoa, Ill. “We were shocked to find out that we won, and even more surprised to find out that they would fly us in for training and provide us with so many tools to succeed. Only a few months after we officially launched our franchise.” are, and we have exceeded our own expectations thanks to the training and support teams at Dream Vacations!”

Franchising Opportunities for Veterans

According to the Department of Defense, more than 200,000 military veterans are entering the civilian workforce every day, and Dream Vacations recognizes that franchising provides a unique opportunity to leverage traits acquired in the military and translate them into entrepreneurship. These include teamwork, critical thinking, leadership and self-discipline. Those who have served in the armed forces also have an innate desire to serve others and see the world, which are important aspects of being a successful travel franchise owner.

Additional Veteran Incentives

Military veterans and Gold Star families interested in starting a work-from-home business right away can purchase a Dream Vacations travel agency business now at a 30 percent discount, receive an enlistment package worth less than $5,000, and have their administrative fees waived. will come , valued at $1,800. In addition to accessing a command center, veteran-specific training and an internal portal with veteran-themed marketing assets, all veterans and Gold Star families receive waived training fees for the ability to hire business partners and active-duty military spouses. And veterans as associates at discounts. Additional veteran incentives include the ability to move residences and remain in business, travel discounts for military customers, and access to veteran networking groups.

Recognitions and Awards

The only travel franchise to receive a 5-star ranking from the International Franchise Association’s Veterans initiative, Dream Vacations proudly supports military veterans and is consistently recognized as a veteran-friendly franchise by leading industry publications. Dream Vacations was named a top franchise for veterans by Entrepreneur magazine in 2021, and ranked first or second out of 150 franchises nationwide since 2017. Other recent number one rankings include Military Times and Forbes. In 2024, Dream Vacations was named by Entrepreneur magazine as the No. 1 travel agency franchise for adapting and growing while facing the unique challenges and changes that have shaped the franchise industry over the course of 1 year. Additional recognitions include GI Jobs’ annual “Hot Franchises for Veterans,” US Veterans Magazine’s “Top Veteran-Friendly Companies,” USA Today’s “50 Top Franchises for Military Veterans,” and inclusion by MSC Cruises in its Seaside Salute Award. The “Operation Vetrepreneur: Be Your Own General” program won gold at the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards and the IFA Franchising Gives Back Awards.

About the dream vacation

Travel agents with top-rated home-based travel agency franchise Dream Vacations have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their clients while offering the best value. A member of the International Franchise Association, Dream Vacations is part of World Travel Holdings and has been awarded Franchise Partner of the Year, a top ranking by all major cruise lines, as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans.