Geographic specific travel agency services provided to motorists through toll free numbers.
Motorists traveling through a specific geographical regions such as cities or the Finger Lakes of upstate New York would see roadside signs advertising free travel information and offering a toll free number to call from a cell phone.
When motorists call the toll free number they are connected to a local call center populated with knowledgeable travel advisors. The travel advisors would offer the following:
- Hotel reservations
- Restaurant reservations
- Campground reservations
- Information about and directions to attractions
- Emergency road service
- Travel advice
Assumptions
- Travel agencies are seeking new revenue sources as a result of cut backs or total elimination of airline reservation income.
- Travel agencies are already equipped to make reservations.
- Travel agencies have access to travel information, especially about their own cities.
- Visitor bureaus are always looking for ways to increase tourism to their locales. The needs of the visitor bureaus and the motorists could both be profitably satisfied through such a service.
- The service makes use of existing technologies.
- The concept has been proven by General Motors and Ford Motor Company. General Motors offers a fee-based satellite-based communications service to its customers. This service enables their customers to request road side service, travel information, and location information.
Profit
- Reservation fees
- Membership fees