Dream Vacations travel agency franchise is once again opening its doors to military veterans with its 14th annual “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” contest.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — For those who’ve served, a new mission awaits. Dream Vacations, a leading travel agency franchise, is rolling out the premium welcome mat for military veterans with its 14th annual “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” contest. Applications are now open, welcoming entries through September 1, 2025. This prestigious contest, recognized as a top franchise opportunity for veterans, will award three lucky individuals a complimentary travel agency franchise. This initiative continues a remarkable legacy, having already gifted 64 franchises valued at over $787,200 since its inception in 2012.
Military Veterans Answer the Call to Own Their Own Travel Business
This year marks an exciting collaboration as Dream Vacations teams up with Carnival Cruise Line® to elevate the grand prize. The three winning veterans will not only receive a new franchise but will also embark on a complimentary Carnival cruise for two, complete with an ocean-view stateroom on sailings up to eight days – a truly fitting reward for their service.
“At Carnival, honoring our military members and their families is deeply ingrained in our culture. Our commitment is not fleeting; it’s about fostering a lasting tradition of gratitude,” shared Janet Wygert, senior vice president of sales and trade marketing for Carnival Cruise Line. “From our popular Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, designed to celebrate our military heroes on many of our ships, to appreciation events on every sailing and year-round support for veteran non-profits, we are dedicated to showing our appreciation in tangible ways. This partnership with Dream Vacations allows us to empower even more military members to enjoy the relaxation and fun that only Carnival can provide.”
The “Operation Vetrepreneur” contest is open to all former members of the U.S. military, including the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Applicants must be retired, no longer on active duty, or have received an honorable discharge prior to the contest start date and be U.S. residents. The participation process involves completing an online entry form and an initial phone interview with a Franchise Development Manager. Candidates will then need to submit a comprehensive candidate profile, a business plan, and a compelling video. Leading contenders will progress to follow-up interviews before the final winners are chosen. To learn more and submit an entry, interested veterans can visit www.operationvetrepreneur.com.
The grand prize package is valued at $12,300 and includes the exclusive Carnival cruise. Crucially, it also covers the full waiver of the $10,500 initial franchise start-up fee and the first year’s administrative service fees for a Dream Vacations franchise. Upon completion of Dream Vacations’ comprehensive New Franchisee Training, the winners will be fully equipped with the strategic knowledge and operational tools to launch their entrepreneurial journeys as successful small business owners, expertly crafting dream vacations for clients.
“I pursued a career in travel because I’ve always had a deep passion for it, especially cruising. I’ve always admired how cruise lines like Carnival go the extra mile to honor veterans, not just with words or discounts, but through meaningful onboard engagements that foster a true sense of community,” stated Josh Bauer, a Minnesota Army National Guard veteran and a 2024 “Operation Vetrepreneur” winner from Saint Cloud, Minn. “Dream Vacations didn’t just open a door; they blew it wide open. They flew us to training, provided us with all the essential resources to run a home-based travel agency, and continued to offer unparalleled support. Just a few months into launching my franchise, I’m not only planning incredible trips, but I’m also sharing my firsthand cruise experiences with fellow veterans and educators, inspiring them to discover the profound joy and transformative power of travel.”
For military veterans and Gold Star families eager to establish a work-from-home business immediately, Dream Vacations is offering a special incentive. They can purchase a travel agency business at a 30 percent discount, receive an “enlistment package” valued at a minimum of $5,000, and benefit from waived administrative fees worth $1,800. Beyond this, participants gain access to the Command Center, an internal platform providing veteran-specific training and marketing materials. Active-duty military spouses and veterans can also be hired as associates at a reduced rate. Additional veteran-focused perks include flexible relocation benefits, travel discounts for military clients, and entry into valuable veteran networking groups.
“At Dream Vacations, we are profoundly committed to honoring our military heroes, moving beyond mere platitudes to offer genuine, life-changing opportunities,” remarked Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager of Dream Vacations. “With Carnival joining us as a partner for the 2025 ‘Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General’ contest, our dedication to equipping veterans for a prosperous future is amplified. This collaboration significantly strengthens our mission to give back to those who have served, enabling them to build their own successful travel businesses and secure the freedom and flexibility they have earned.”
Distinguished as the only travel franchise to earn a 5 STAR ranking from the International Franchise Association’s VetFran initiative, Dream Vacations is a consistent advocate for military veterans and is widely recognized by leading industry publications as a veteran-friendly franchise. The brand has maintained a top-tier ranking for veteran support in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Top Franchises for Veterans” list since 2017, consistently placing first or second among 150 national franchises. Further accolades include top rankings from Military Times and Forbes. In 2024, Entrepreneur magazine specifically recognized Dream Vacations as the number one travel agency franchise for its adaptability and growth in navigating the dynamic franchise landscape. The brand has also been consistently featured on lists such as G.I. Jobs‘ “Hot Franchises for Veterans,” US Veterans magazine’s “Top Veteran-Friendly Companies,” and USA Today‘s “50 Top Franchises for Military Veterans.” Additionally, MSC Cruises has honored Dream Vacations with its Seaside Salute Award. The “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” program itself has garnered prestigious gold awards from the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards and the IFA Franchising Gives Back Awards.
Military veterans with a flair for travel and a drive for entrepreneurship who aspire to launch a Dream Vacations travel franchise and wish to be considered for the “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” contest should visit www.OperationVetrepreneur.com or contact the franchise team directly at 888-249-8235.
About Dream Vacations
Dream Vacations is a top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise renowned for empowering its travel agents with the resources needed to curate seamless, memorable vacation experiences while delivering exceptional value. As a proud member of the International Franchise Association and part of World Travel Holdings, Dream Vacations has earned prestigious “franchise partner of the year” awards from major cruise lines and has garnered national recognition for its unwavering commitment to supporting military veterans. For more insights into Dream Vacations, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. Engage with Dream Vacations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DreamVacationsFranchise, follow them on Instagram at @official_dream_vacations, and explore their video content at http://www.youtube.com/DreamVacationsBusiness.
ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
Carnival Cruise Line, a cornerstone of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), stands as the pioneering cruise line to have welcomed over 100 million guests aboard. Widely recognized as “America’s Cruise Line,” Carnival leads the industry by carrying more Americans and operating from more U.S. homeports than any other cruise line. Since its establishment in 1972, Carnival has consistently redefined the cruise experience, popularizing the cruise vacation as an accessible and exhilarating travel option. The company operates a formidable fleet from 13 U.S. and two Australian homeports, with seasonal deployments in Europe, and employs a diverse workforce of over 50,000 team members representing 120 nationalities.
Carnival’s current fleet comprises 29 ships, poised for further expansion with five new vessels scheduled to join by 2033. This includes two additional Excel class ships set to debut in 2027 and 2028, followed by three innovative new ships currently under development. Looking ahead, Carnival is set to unveil its latest guest experience, Celebration Key, an all-new exclusive destination set to open on Grand Bahama this summer.
MEDIA CONTACT: [email protected]
This contest runs from July 4, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. ET through September 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Void where prohibited by law. Entrants must be at least 18 years old at the contest start, possess a computer and internet access, be a legal resident of the U.S. or D.C., and must have been a former member in good standing of one of the six branches of the U.S. military, having retired, been released from active duty, or honorably discharged prior to the contest start date. If selected as a winner, contestants must commit to a 5-year Dream Vacations home-based franchise agreement, which includes mandatory attendance at a New Franchisee Training Class and requires available starting investment capital. For more details, visit www.dreamvacationsfranchise.com or call 888-441-2542. **Only one submission per contestant is permitted.** To enter, complete the online entry form at www.operationvetrepreneur.com. Qualified candidates who advance past the initial phone interview will be invited to submit a video submission, a Dream Vacations candidate profile, and a business plan ranging from 300 to 1,200 words, adhering to the Submission Guidelines outlined in the Official Rules. Only complete and valid submissions will be considered. This contest is sponsored by Dream Vacations, located at 1201 W. Cypress Creek Rd. Ste. 100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. Please refer to www.OperationVetrepreneur.com for the complete Official Rules and details.
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