Don’t Lose the Sale: Pitching Creative Road Trips as a Summer Vacation Alternative in Response to Airfare Pricing

Image: Driving over a bridge during road trip (photo by Lauren Bowman)
Image: Driving over a bridge during road trip (photo by Lauren Bowman)
Terika L. Haynes
by Terika L. Haynes
Last updated: 9:50 AM ET, Thu June 22, 2023

Summer is here and one of the most popular travel seasons is in full swing. However, with airfare prices soaring, some travelers may be left with no choice but to reconsider their plans.

According to Money.com, flight prices for this summer are higher than they have been in five years. If you have clients who are experiencing ‘sticker shock’, don't despair! Before you lose the sale, pitch them the idea of taking a creative road trip! 

Road trips can be a great way to spend less money on getting to the vacation destination, and they can also be a lot of fun. Your clients can explore new places, experience amazing scenery, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Need some ideas to share with your clients? Here are a few options for pitching creative road trips as the solution to the soaring costs of airfare:

 

  1. Detour with intention: Encourage your clients to skip the major highways and take alternative routes. This will allow them to explore new areas and see new sites. Just be sure to recommend that they travel those paths during the day as there may be less resources available during night travel. When you suggest alternative routes, tailor your suggestions to your client's specific interests. For example, if your client loves hiking, you could highlight national parks that may be along the alternative route.

  2. Try an EV adventure: Instead of road tripping in a traditional gas vehicle, propose that your clients step outside of their box and rent an electric vehicle. Ask them to get their co-pilot and other passengers involved and challenge the riders to find the charging stations along the way. Hertz along with a few other rental car companies now have EV options available for clients to rent.

  3. Roll out with an RV: Road tripping with an RV can also be a great way to explore new destinations. Renting an RV can add adventure to your client’s road trip and also help them save on accommodations costs. Companies like Cruise America and Cabana are good options for RV and campervan rentals.

Although it may take more travel time than a flight, road trips can be a great way to save money and have a fun and memorable summer vacation. The road trip vacation alternative also gives you the opportunity to upsell your clients on their accommodations if they are saving money from avoiding airfare. 

When your clients are faced with the exorbitant airfare prices that may stifle their dreams of summer vacations, we mustn't lose hope.

Instead, let us embrace the concept of creative road trips as an alternative that can reinvigorate their sense of wanderlust, ignite their spirit of adventure, and forge unforgettable memories. By tapping into our imaginations and exploring the wealth of opportunities, we can help our clients discover a world of hidden treasures and experiences waiting to be uncovered. This summer, don't let your clients be deterred by airfare prices; instead, pitch that road trip that will take them on a journey of a lifetime. 


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Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

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Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

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CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

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