Car sharing is a service that allows individuals to rent vehicles for short periods, usually by the hour. Some car sharing companies also allow travelers to make multiple stops during their rental or offer long-term rentals for extended vacation travel.

While more people choose car sharing over traditional car rentals for their vacation travel, some businesses are hesitant to join this trend because they do not recognize the benefits of incorporating these services into their business plans. Businesses should consider several factors before deciding whether or not they want to introduce or continue offering car sharing services. The following elements represent some of the most important considerations when selecting a car sharing program:

Promotions

A business offering car sharing should offer promotions to customers interested in using this service during their stay. Some of these promotions could include discounts for members of partnering organizations, coupons, or free time with a rental. These incentives can help businesses attract new customers and retain long-time visitors who use car sharing services while traveling in locations they might not ordinarily visit.

Community Education

Many people are unfamiliar with how they can use car sharing services while traveling, so educating customers is key for businesses that want to attract new customers or retain old ones. This becomes particularly important when elevating the company's status in the local community since outsiders may be more familiar with car sharing than locals who regularly participate.

Rental Opportunities

While most vacationers using car sharing services such as Avail car sharing use these rentals as an alternative to their cars during travel, there is also potential for partnering with car rental companies to provide opportunities for travelers to rent vehicles. Companies offering rental options could discount customers who use car sharing services to travel between destinations.

Promotion of the Car Sharing Company

Businesses can use their marketing resources to promote car sharing companies through advertisements on social media, websites, or other promotional venues. Car sharing companies should look for ways to partner with travel companies, including offering discounts or special incentives for customers who choose to use car-sharing services while traveling on vacation.

Collaboration Opportunities

As a company uses its resources and new offers to attract business from people using car sharing services during their travels, it's important to begin thinking about future opportunities for collaboration between the business and those looking to rent cars through various programs. This could come in partnerships with car rental agencies or advertising opportunities for companies using this service.

The Future of Car Sharing

It's important to remember that car sharing services are constantly changing, which can be an opportunity for businesses offering rentals during travel. As new offers become available, these companies should evaluate how they might use this service with their offerings or marketing tools. For example, some companies incorporate features like roof racks to hold extra luggage - a feature that could appeal to travelers who want the convenience of their vehicle without having to rent equipment when visiting certain destinations. In addition, cars being provided through these services offer fuel-efficient models, which could help attract environmentally-conscious travelers to businesses offering rentals during travel.

As the popularity of car sharing programs continues to grow, companies who want to keep pace with this trend should begin developing a strategy for attracting new customers and retaining loyal customers by partnering with car sharing companies. This can include providing incentives or discounts to those who choose car-sharing services while traveling on vacation, promoting the use of car-sharing services via social media or other tools, or participating in community initiatives that demonstrate commitment to the local tourism industry.

Businesses should also consider how they might be able to work together with car rental agencies and advertising opportunities for companies using this service. As these services continue to develop, businesses can begin thinking about how they might use car sharing services to benefit their business in the future.