Our Story
Hi, I'm Wes Rowland, Founder of Great Vacations, Inc. And like most of you, I didn't begin my career in the travel industry.
But back in 1995, after an unexpected career change (I was laid off!), I found myself in need of a new occupation. A friend in the travel industry suggested "cruise travel." I was hooked. I knew I could sell, I loved to travel, and I liked the idea of working from home and being my own boss. The Cruise Experts Agency was born.
It was a tremendous opportunity, but it wasn't easy getting started. I didn't have much experience running my own business and the logistics of managing reservations, billing commissions, etc., often had me pulling my hair out late into the night.
I loved travel and I loved selling, but I hated the details.
Fortunately, my good friend Andy Melilli was an expert in business operation (the piece I was missing). Andy had spent 13 years in commercial real estate development and another 16 years in international organizational development, consulting to business in dozens of countries around the world.
We got together to launch an internet presence in CruiseExperts.com in September 2004 and over the next few years became very successful as an international internet agency.
In 2008, and through a mutual friend, we met Michelle Lowery. Michelle had been in the travel industry for years and had successfully assisted in the development of one of the largest home-based agent networks in the country. She agreed to com onboard and the Great Vacations! Hosting Program was born.
Today, our focus is on giving our independent travel consultants the tools, support and infrastructure they need to be as effective and profitable as possible. Most importantly, we offer the kind of close, mentoring relationship necessary for home-based consultants success. For more on how you can begin improving your success as an independent agent download our free report, How to Succeed as an Independent Travel Agent.
Best wishes,
Founder and President
Great Vacations, Inc.
