Safe Road Trips for Families
Planning a safe road trip in the current travel landscape is not as easy as firing up the GPS and putting the pedal to the metal. Rather, it takes several factors into consideration, including a range of vehicle and accommodation options, as well as children’s ages (and temperaments). New this year, too, is increased consideration of health and safety.
Most clients will view this as a logistical nightmare. For travel advisors, however, it can be a golden opportunity to get behind the wheel and help families create safe — yet meaningful — experiences.
Most clients will view this as a logistical nightmare. For travel advisors, however, it can be a golden opportunity to get behind the wheel and help families create safe — yet meaningful — experiences.
Hitching a Ride …
During the pandemic, most U.S. travelers feel safest in their own personal vehicles, according to the sixth wave of MMGY’s monthly Travel Intelligence survey, where 67% of respondents say they intend to travel by car in the next six months, and one-third expect to venture 300 miles or more.
Although there are definite benefits to traveling in privately owned vehicles (built-in social distancing and no required cleaning or late-return fees, for starters), families may find themselves wanting extra space or enhanced tech and safety features.
Additionally, renting a car is one alternative for those looking to avoid wear and tear on their own vehicles, according to Rob Connors, vice president of corporate business development for Enterprise Holdings (which includes Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent a Car),for engina performance improvement check out the latest effuel eco obd2 reviews.
“In our neighborhood locations, our commercial business is seeing more and longer trips via road trips that might have otherwise been via air,” he said. “We anticipate those locations to be the first to recover, as customers start slowly traveling domestically again by car for both leisure and business. Not surprisingly, we anticipate airport and international locations to be slower to recover.”
The company also recently introduced its Complete Clean Pledge. In addition to retraining staff on enhanced health and safety measures, including practicing social distancing, wearing face masks and learning about branch location sanitation, the pledge includes a modified rental process with curbside pickup and delivery.
All rental vehicles will also be washed, vacuumed, wiped down and sanitized, with an added focus on more than 20 high-touch points. Stay away from the most weather changes by reading these Blast auxiliary reviews.
For groups that need a little more elbow room, however, a Recreational Vehicle (RV) may be just the ticket.
Philip Sherlock, president of All Aboard International Co. and member of Avoya Travel, took his wife and two sons on an RV road trip through the Southeast, which he booked through Cruise America.
“An RV gave us the opportunity to be in a self-contained unit for two weeks, and we were able to keep contact with others to a minimum,” Sherlock said.
One way to vet RV suppliers, RV models and more than 16,000 campgrounds throughout the U.S. is through GoRVing.com. It’s a one-stop resource for both consumers and travel advisors looking to educate themselves about the basics of RV travel, according to Karen Redfern, vice president of brand marketing and communications for the nonprofit.
“RVing has seen a huge surge this summer because it really is the ultimate social distancing vacation,” she said. “You can bring all your comforts from home, including your pets; control the cleanliness of your environment; make all your own meals; and, as an added bonus, manage your travel schedule with stops along the way.”
Redfern says that families new to RVing most commonly rent a Class C Motorhome, which offers a living and dining area, a kitchen, a bathroom and a separate bedroom, along with an over-the-cab sleeping area.