As Expedia Cruises continues to expand and drive innovation in the travel industry, President Matthew Eichhorst was recently honored with the prestigious “Legend of the West” award at the 2025 WAVE Awards. Hosted by TravelAge West and voted on by its readers, Eichhorst received the award at a ceremony that took place on June 5 at The Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey, California.
The second annual Legend of the West Award, sponsored by Azamara, recognizes an individual who has made a significant impact on travel and tourism in the Western United States and beyond. This year’s recipient was Matthew Eichhorst, recognizing his leadership and contributions to the travel industry.
“I’m honored to receive an award of this magnitude,” said Eichhorst. “Expedia Cruises has always been a brand that pushes boundaries to grow and innovate within the travel industry. It’s been a true privilege to be part of a company that not only embraces growth but actively drives it.”
Eichhorst began his career cleaning swimming pools before moving into the tech industry, eventually partnering with Expedia Cruises to help structure the business for growth. What began as a consulting role led to an equity stake and a permanent leadership position, where he has since driven the brand’s expansion and long-term success.
Expedia Cruises has received several other recognitions including Franchise Business Review’s 2025 Top 200 Franchises, 2025 Top Franchises for Women, and 2024 Top Franchises for Veterans; Expedia Cruises was also ranked on the 2025 Culture100 Awards and was named to Franchise Direct’s 2025 Top 100 Franchises list.