Dream Vacations travel agency franchise launches 14th annual “Operation Vetrepreneur:
Become Your Own General” contest®
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Leading travel agency franchise Dream Vacations is recruiting military veterans to enlist in its 14th annual, award-winning “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” contest and is accepting entries from now through September 1, 2025. The number one franchise opportunity for veterans will award three military veterans a free travel agency franchise, continuing a tradition that has given away 64 franchises valued at more than $787,200 dollars since the contest began in 2012.
Photo Cutline: (From Left to Right) Brad Tolkin, Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of World Travel Holdings Inc.; U.S. Army Veteran Josh Bauer of Saint Cloud, Minn.; U.S. Army Veteran David Conklin of Spring, Texas; U.S. Navy Veteran Jonathan Oringdulph of Elkins, W.Va.; Debbie Fiorino, Chief Operating Officer of Dream Vacations.
For the first time, Dream Vacations franchise is partnering with Carnival Cruise Line® to provide this year’s three recipients with a complimentary Carnival cruise that includes an ocean view stateroom for two on sailings up to eight days, as part of their grand prize package.
“At Carnival, honoring our military members and their families is a part of who we are. Our commitment goes beyond a single moment – it’s about creating a lasting tradition of gratitude,” said Janet Wygert, senior vice president of sales and trade marketing for Carnival Cruise Line. “From our Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, a popular venue on many of our ships that are dedicated to honoring our military heroes, to appreciation gatherings on every sailing and year-round community support for nonprofits and veterans, we strive to show our appreciation in meaningful ways. Through this partnership with Dream Vacations, we’re proud to give even more military members the chance to relax and recharge with the kind of fun only Carnival can deliver.”
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 start date and are residents of the U.S. To participate, candidates must complete an online entry form and an introductory phone interview with a Franchise Development Manager. Candidates will be required to submit a candidate profile, business plan and video. Finalists will be invited to participate in follow-up phone interviews before the winners are selected. The entry form and all contest details can be found at www.operationvetrepreneur.com.
Three winners will be notified in September 2025. Each grand prize is valued at $12,300 and includes the Carnival cruise and complimentary Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $10,500 initial start-up fee and monthly administrative service fees for the first year. After completing Dream Vacations’ New Franchisee Training, the winners will be armed with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their next journey as small business owners creating dream vacations.
“I’ve always had a passion for travel, especially cruising, and I’ve relished in the fact that cruise lines like Carnival go above and beyond to honor veterans. They do this not just through words and discounts, but through meaningful connections with veterans in onboard ceremonies and gatherings that create a real sense of community,” said Josh Bauer, Minnesota Army National Guard veteran and one of the 2024 Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General winners from Saint Cloud, Minn. “Dream Vacations didn’t just open a door, they flung it open by flying us to training, providing the necessary tools to own and operate a home-based travel agency, and then continuing to surround us with unmatched support. Now, just months into launching my franchise, I’m not only planning dream vacations but also sharing my cruise experiences with fellow veterans and educators, helping them discover the joy and incredible power of travel.”
Military veterans and Gold Star families interested in starting a work-from-home business immediately can purchase a Dream Vacations travel agency business now at a 30 percent discount, receive an enlistment package valued no less than $5,000 and will have their administrative fees waived which is valued at $1,800. In addition to having access to the Command Center, an internal portal with veteran-specific training and veteran-themed marketing assets, all veterans and Gold Star families receive a waived training fee for a business partner and the ability to hire active-duty military spouses and veterans as associates at a discount. Additional veteran incentives include the ability to move residences and stay in business, travel discounts for military customers and access to veteran networking groups.
“At Dream Vacations, we’re proud to honor our military heroes—not just with words, but with real opportunities,” said 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, we’re more energized than ever to support veterans in building a successful future. This partnership strengthens our mission to give back to those who’ve served by helping them launch their own travel businesses and gain the freedom and flexibility they deserve.”
The only travel franchise to receive a 5 STAR-ranking from the International Franchise Association’s VetFran initiative, Dream Vacations proudly supports military veterans and is consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a veteran-friendly franchise. Dream Vacations has ranked first or second out of 150 franchises nationwide in Entrepreneur magazine’s top franchise for veterans since 2017. Other recent number one rankings include Military Times and Forbes. In 2024, Dream Vacations was named the No. 1 travel agency franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for adapting and evolving when facing the unique challenges and changes that shaped the franchise industry over the last year. Additional recognitions include inclusion on G.I. Jobs annual “Hot Franchises for Veterans,” US Veterans magazine’s “Top Veteran-Friendly Companies”, USA Today’s “50 Top Franchises for Military Veterans” and recognition by MSC Cruises in its Seaside Salute Award. The “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” program won gold from the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards and the IFA Franchising Gives Back Awards.
Military veterans with a passion for travel and entrepreneurship who are interested in opening a Dream Vacations travel franchise and want to be considered as a candidate for the “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” contest, please visit www.OperationVetrepreneur.com or call 888-249-8235.
About Dream Vacations
Travel agents with the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise Dream Vacations have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while offering the best value. A member of the International Franchise Association, Dream Vacations is part of World Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, a top-ranking status, by all the major cruise lines as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans. For more information about Dream Vacations, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. Like Dream Vacations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DreamVacationsFranchise, follow on Instagram at @official_dream_vacations and watch its videos at http://www.youtube.com/DreamVacationsBusiness.
ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
Carnival Cruise Line, part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is the first cruise line to sail over 100 million guests and is proud to be known as America’s Cruise Line, for carrying more Americans and serving more U.S. homeports than any other. Since its founding in 1972, Carnival has continually revolutionized the cruise industry and popularized the cruise vacation as an affordable and fun travel option. Carnival operates from 13 U.S. and two Australian homeports, as well as seasonally from Europe and employs more than 50,000 team members representing 120 nationalities.
Carnival’s fleet of 29 ships reflects an exciting period of growth that continues with the addition of five ships through 2033: a fourth and fifth Excel class ship scheduled for 2027 and 2028 respectively; followed by three additional new ships from an innovative new class currently under development. Carnival’s next new guest offering will be the all-new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, set to debut on Grand Bahama this summer.
MEDIA CONTACT: [email protected]
Begins July 4th, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. ET and ends September 1st, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Void where prohibited by law. Must be 18 or older at the start of the Contest, have a computer and internet connection, be a legal resident of the US or DC and a former member in good standing of one of the six branches of the U.S. military who is retired, off active duty and/or was honorably discharged prior to the start date of the Contest. If selected as winners, Contestants must commit to a 5-year Dream Vacations home-based franchise, which requires attendance at a New Franchisee Training Class and a starting investment capital (for more information, go to www.dreamvacationsfranchise.com or call 888-441-2542). Only one (1) submission per contestant. To enter, complete the online entry form on our website (www.operationvetrepreneur.com). If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview, Semi-Finalists must submit a video, Dream Vacations candidate profile, and a minimum 300 – 1,200-word business plan. Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules. Only complete, valid submissions will be accepted. Sponsored by Dream Vacations, 1201 W. Cypress Creek Rd. Ste. 100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. See [www.OperationVetrepreneur.com] for complete Rules and details.
Media Contact:
Michael Cadigan
Public Relations Manager, Dream Vacations
[email protected]
(954)985-3627
SOURCE Dream Vacations
