Michelle Fee Honored as Florida’s Only Travel Agency Business Leader
Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, has established herself once again as a powerful female executive with a spot on the 2018 Florida Trend 500 influential power list. The list recognizes a range of Florida’s most prestigious business leaders for their impact in Florida’s industries, especially those with compelling rise-to-power stories. Fee is ranked among the strongest CEOs in hospitality and tourism including, Carnival Cruise’s Arnold Donald, Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Richard Fain and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ Frank Del Rio.
When Fee first started Cruise Planners in 1994, she did not expect to become a travel agent franchisor with more than 2,000 travel agents throughout the United States. Fee believed that the world of travel was changing and saw an opportunity to help travel agents adapt ahead of the curve by investing in technology, great leaders and helping travel agents succeed. Fee has created a rock-solid business model with a strong focus on innovative technology that drives powerful marketing and propels Cruise Planners franchisees to the top. This year, Fee, along with Cruise Planners Home Office Team, travel agents and executive team are kick-starting the company’s 25th anniversary celebrations, which will be full of the brand’s signature “CruisitudeTM”.
“The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that I have created a company where people can earn a living, all while working remotely and being their own boss,” Fee said. “We create the ability for our agents to work from any smart device, whenever and wherever.”
Cruise Planners is a driving force in the travel industry due to its solid business structure, a nationwide network of Cruise Planners’ travel agents and innovative and growing Home Office Team. Fee has placed her mark on the travel industry recently being named the No. 2 women-owned business in South Florida as ranked by South Florida Business Journal and receiving the Ernest & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for hospitality and leisure in Florida. Cruise Planners will continue to flourish in the travel industry as Cruise Planners agents build successful businesses.
Beyond business, Fee is actively involved in charitable giving through the company’s philanthropy, CP Cares. Through various fundraising opportunities, Cruise Planners has helped raise more than $1.5 million and Fee was named Woman of the Year for the South Florida chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She maintains a commitment to helping the community while positively impacting people’s lives and spreading positive Cruisitude.
“Michelle is truly the most caring and passionate leader – it’s remarkable to see how she has developed this company by continuing to inspire franchise owners, drive sales and putting people first,” said Vicky Garcia, Cruise Planners COO and Fee’s business partner. “I am so proud that I get to work alongside and witness the growth and success of our award-winning network with not only my mentor, but my best friend too.”
