5 minute read
EXPEDIA CRUISES
Eric Tan and his wife, Penny Lim, are cruise enthusiasts; they have taken 186 voyages, with another planned later this year. Their combined knowledge is invaluable for Expedia Cruises’ clients who book ocean adventures and land holidays through the Kerrisdale storefront.
Expedia Cruises represents all cruise lines but focuses on luxury lines such as Oceania Cruises, which offers ‘the finest cuisine at sea,’ another of the couple’s passions.
Eric is Expedia Cruises Kerrisdale’s director of communications and incentives, a fancy title he created. Penny is one of the cruise consultants who works remotely. She works alongside their business partner, Christine Macdougall, who runs the franchise with manager Gayle Tan (no relation to Eric).
The couple moved from Winnipeg to Vancouver in 1984. They settled in Kerrisdale, where they still live. Eric says, “Those were exciting times as we were 26 and looking forward to our new life on the West Coast.”
Eric worked in pharmaceutical sales while Penny pursued her dream of becoming a travel agent. She was employed at Jordan and Sons travel agency until an opportunity knocked in 1987. Harvey White, former Kerrisdale Royal Bank manager, approached them to become partners in a CruiseShipCenters franchise.
“It was a risk being the first cruise-only agency in Canada before cruising was cool. It was a time when cruising was for the newlywed and nearly dead.”
1996 was a pivotal year for the business. A young webmaster named Paul Drummond approached CruiseShipCenters Kerrisdale to create one of the first travel websites that focused on the Alaska cruise market.
“These were the early days of the internet, and we didn’t have a clue about websites. We decided to give it a try to see what would happen,” says Eric.
Their business exploded with an online presence.
“We were getting top sales awards due to our fast and incredible success. In 2000, we sold the retail part of our business, now with the fourth owner, Christine, to focus on our growing online business.”
Expedia Inc. acquired CruiseShipCenters in 2004 and changed the name to Expedia Cruises. Shortly after, they also purchased Eric’s online agency and brought Penny and Eric as employees to the corporate head office for 16 years.
When COVID-19 arrived in 2020, their department closed. “The silver lining was Expedia kindly let me take my team of nine salaried and 15 independent agents to Kerrisdale, where we joined forces with Christine’s staff. We were back home where we had begun 33 years ago. Stronger together, we have persevered for the past three years and in May celebrated 36 years in this business perfectly positioned in Kerrisdale village,” says Eric.
At one point, 13 travel agencies were competing in Kerrisdale. Today only two fullservice travel agencies remain, and another handles inbound travel from Asia.
“High lease rates forced some travel agencies to close over the years, and other independent agencies closed due to owners retiring or moving out of the community.”
With pent-up demand to travel, June 2023 was the highest-producing month in the history of the business!
Eric says, “COVID hurt, but we are back with a vengeance. There were three hundred franchises before the pandemic and 250 afterwards. The people who hung on are reaping the rewards as cruising is more popular than ever.”
Eric indicates 100 new ships are coming in the next five to seven years. He says, “River, ocean and expedition ships are being delivered like babies.” Safe travel protocols have carried over onboard ships thanks to lessons learned during the pandemic.
Boomers are a growing market, and multigenerational (grandchildren, parents and grandparents) travel is extremely popular.
One of Eric’s top recommendations is the Caribbean. He says, “New ports are opening, and with the region’s warm weather and beaches, it can’t be beat. Europe is also very popular. I feel it’s the best place to cruise due to its diversity in cultures, history, and cuisines.”
He notes, “Asia and South America are also becoming more popular as people expand their horizons. Our customers are seeking longer and more exotic trips.”
Eric and Penny are always ready for their next adventure. They will set off to Singapore on a 20-day cruise from Dubai in December. They recently returned from a cruise through the Great Lakes with two couples they met on a Crystal Cruise in 1993; they have travelled together annually, except during the height of the pandemic.
“Penny and I usually go with friends or family to create memories and have even better experiences. It’s a great way to see the world and make friends.”
We invite you to come into the Kerrisdale office to begin the fun of planning your travels with our highly knowledgeable team,” says Eric.
Expedia Cruises
5768 East Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6M 4M4
Phone 604-266-1118
www.expediacruises.com/kerrisdale
Story by Sarah Gordon. August 2023. Palla Media.
