Summer 2020 was unofficially named the year of the RV with a recent study proclaiming over 25 million Americans hit the open road in their recreational vehicle this summer in search of a fun-filled vacation. However, with the end of summer in sight, many of these "45-foot vacations on wheels" will be out of service, prompting Hotels.com to help road warriors experience buyer's remorse.
The popular hotel brand debuted a new RV-theme promotion to "appraise" RVs in exchange for stays on Hotels.com worth up to $5,000. To enter the contest, head over to the Hotels.com webpage to submit a photo and/or video of their RV. The judging criteria depends on the condition of the RV with the poorer conditions winning more hotel nights, the creating of the submission, and the fit to the theme.
RV-Themed Hotel Promotions
Hotels.com is Trading "#VanLife Fails for #HoteLife Wins"
Trend Themes
1. RV Travel - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop innovative services or technologies that enhance the RV travel experience, such as advanced navigation systems or eco-friendly RVs.
2. Promotional Campaigns - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create unique and engaging promotional campaigns that attract customers and drive brand awareness, like appraising RVs for hotel stays.
3. Experiential Marketing - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore immersive experiential marketing strategies that allow customers to engage with brands in a memorable way, such as themed photo and video contests.
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate RV-themed accommodations into the hospitality industry, offering travelers unique stay options with all necessary amenities.
2. Travel and Tourism - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop specialized travel services tailored for RV travelers, such as curated itineraries, personalized recommendations, and exclusive RV parks.
3. Digital Marketing - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Utilize innovative digital marketing tactics to target and engage with the growing RV travel audience, such as social media campaigns and influencer partnerships.