CruiseOne & Cruises Inc., the nation’s leading cruise travel retail network as part of World Travel Holdings, today announced that during their October 2010 National Conference aboard Norwegian Epic, the companies raised $20,000 for The Nature Conservancy.  Each year, CruiseOne & Cruises Inc. partners with a charitable organization in tandem with their National Conference, which gathers franchise owners, independent contractors, associates and supplier-side senior executives for one of the industry’s top annual educational forums.

“We are thrilled to announce that we have raised $20,000 for this year’s chosen charitable organization, The Nature Conservancy,” said Dwain Wall, senior vice president and general manager of CruiseOne & Cruises Inc. “I personally have been so touched by the efforts of The Nature Conservancy and their plight during the recent oil spill crisis, and I am honored that CruiseOne & Cruises Inc. – and all of our partners – are able to play a part in the recovery process.”

The partnership between CruiseOne & Cruises Inc. and The Nature Conservancy was announced at the first general session during the companies’ 2010 National Conference.  Attendees watched a touching video that expressed the dire need to protect and support helpless wildlife suffering in the Gulf Coast. Proceeds were raised throughout the week during a silent auction, with prize donations from various attending suppliers, as well as individual donations from attending cruise specialists and corporate executives.

“CruiseOne & Cruises Inc. and The Nature Conservancy have a shared interest in the health and vitality of our marine environment, whether it is for the protection of plants and animals that live there or for us, the people who so richly benefit from our oceans,” said Jim McDuffie, Director of Philanthropy for The Nature Conservancy.  “This contribution of $20,000, which is among the largest we have received in Florida, will help us begin the important work of restoration along the Gulf Coast.”