Magic Johnson Starts Home-Based Travel Agency

MagicJohnsonTG is a partnership with CruiseShipCenters, GOGO Worldwide Vacations and Royal Caribbean International. The company is targeted at  African-American, Hispanic and Asian- American franchisees and customers. MagicJohnsonTG aims to cultivate organic growth in the minority travel segment and incite entrepreneurs from Urban America.

Minority travel has grown at a quicker rate than overall U.S. travel volume, with a four percent increase among African-Americans, a 10 percent increase among Asian-Americans and a 20 percent increase among U.S. Hispanics(i).

"This is an amazing business opportunity for developing entrepreneurs," says Michael Drever, President and CEO of CruiseShipCenters International Inc. "The strength of the Magic Johnson brand powered by CruiseShipCenters' Marketing and Technology systems provides an unprecedented formula for success. When you add the knowledge base and resources of Royal Caribbean and GOGO, you get a sense of how this venture will have a major impact on the travel industry and Urban American economy."

Headquartered in Miami, MagicJohnsonTG features home-based franchises throughout North America consisting of a comprehensive "business in a box" -- a cutting-edge, integrated agent desktop comprised of a customizable agent- level website, contact management database and e-marketing suite with permission-based marketing being the key component of the software. The franchise also includes a complete training program, including 40 hours of correspondence coursework, one week of on-site introductory training and one week of advanced training onboard a Royal Caribbean ship.

"Magic Johnson Travel Group was created with the goal of building a network of culturally diverse home-based travel agents, who sell to their communities, neighbors and friends," says Earvin "Magic" Johnson, CEO, Magic Johnson Enterprises. "I have been privileged to partner with three well respected companies in the travel industry. My company's role is to provide a trusted voice for Urban America and to pass along entrepreneurial economic empowerment to those communities."

Magic Johnson Enterprises is the No. 1 brand in Urban America with a star- studded, successful portfolio of nationwide franchises, including Starbucks, Burger King, 24 Hour Fitness, Washington Mutual Home Loan Centers, AMC/Magic Johnson Movie Theatres and T.G.I. Friday's. Through targeted investments in key markets, Magic Johnson Enterprises franchise networks serve more than 32 million consumers annually in 163 locations in 19 states across the United States.