Room for a Hoon Agent?
Discussion
I was wondering if there is an opportunity for a travel agent to set up a website or some such offering great driving weekends. Im thinking, a pre planned route of driving roads, hotel accommodation, maybe a few extra attactions, to create some sort of package.
Surely theres enough enthusiasts out there who are short of time or knowledge, who would pay a small premium for a ready designed hoon. I dont mean a group or convey thing like PH nirvanna, just somewhere to buy a ready made hoon, which you know will contain great roads and great hotels. Thoughts?
Surely theres enough enthusiasts out there who are short of time or knowledge, who would pay a small premium for a ready designed hoon. I dont mean a group or convey thing like PH nirvanna, just somewhere to buy a ready made hoon, which you know will contain great roads and great hotels. Thoughts?
I'm in Chamonix now on the final night of another Alpine trip, I had been wondering the exact same thing and came to the exact same conclusion as Thecrackfox! (yes TCF I did Bonette again, Chamonix to Auron via Val D'Isere and Briancon in one blast was quite a day)
It's just too risky dealing with complete strangers of mixed ability and testosterone!
Plus it would probably become quite clear that going for a "hoon" on public roads was becoming a bit "organised" which probably wouldn't go down that well (and that's before the green loons started)
I've got the BORING BORING BORING bit to do tmrw!
(start a business transporting people's cars to the interesting parts of Europe please because I can't be arsed to drive back)
It's just too risky dealing with complete strangers of mixed ability and testosterone!
Plus it would probably become quite clear that going for a "hoon" on public roads was becoming a bit "organised" which probably wouldn't go down that well (and that's before the green loons started)
I've got the BORING BORING BORING bit to do tmrw!
(start a business transporting people's cars to the interesting parts of Europe please because I can't be arsed to drive back)
Some specialist sports/luxury car hire companies offer this, although of course customers are using them primarily to hire the car.
I would guess that your best shot is probably at the high-end market, and you'd need to offer something fairly unique and special; perhaps along the lines of a concierge service - reservations at sold-out restaurants, etc.
I would guess that your best shot is probably at the high-end market, and you'd need to offer something fairly unique and special; perhaps along the lines of a concierge service - reservations at sold-out restaurants, etc.
Guess that explains why this is so expensive:
http://www.circuit-days.co.uk/tracks.asp?venueid=3...
and surprisingly it's sold out!
I spent about what they will spend with fuel and add ons but took a month and got the Le Mans 24 hours, a week in an apartment in Italy and the mountain passes.
Funny what some folk will pay for more company and 3 nights in a 5 star hotel.
http://www.circuit-days.co.uk/tracks.asp?venueid=3...
and surprisingly it's sold out!
I spent about what they will spend with fuel and add ons but took a month and got the Le Mans 24 hours, a week in an apartment in Italy and the mountain passes.
Funny what some folk will pay for more company and 3 nights in a 5 star hotel.
"Funny what some folk will pay for more company and 3 nights in a 5 star hotel."
Cant work out how to quote only bits of peoples posts.
It does seem that these "accompanied" tours do command a huge premium over a standard holiday for essentially the added extras off, the group expeirence and a lead car.
which is why I was thinking there could be room for a niche agent offering self drive tour holidays to individuals rather than groups.
As an agent, I would think it possible to charge an £8 per night surcharge to book a researched car freindly hotel, and maybe another £25 per day for routeplanning and routebook. So basically for a 7 day tour package I would charge £230 over what somebody could do for themselves.
As a buyer I think paying £200 for someone to book and research 7 hotels, and plan a great driving route is good value. Knowing that every mile and hotel has been researched exclusively for driving pleasure.
I was thinking of a catchy name, like "BillyNoMatesDeathCrashToursAbroad.com
Cant work out how to quote only bits of peoples posts.
It does seem that these "accompanied" tours do command a huge premium over a standard holiday for essentially the added extras off, the group expeirence and a lead car.
which is why I was thinking there could be room for a niche agent offering self drive tour holidays to individuals rather than groups.
As an agent, I would think it possible to charge an £8 per night surcharge to book a researched car freindly hotel, and maybe another £25 per day for routeplanning and routebook. So basically for a 7 day tour package I would charge £230 over what somebody could do for themselves.
As a buyer I think paying £200 for someone to book and research 7 hotels, and plan a great driving route is good value. Knowing that every mile and hotel has been researched exclusively for driving pleasure.
I was thinking of a catchy name, like "BillyNoMatesDeathCrashToursAbroad.com
don logan said:
I'm in Chamonix now on the final night of another Alpine trip, I had been wondering the exact same thing and came to the exact same conclusion as Thecrackfox! (yes TCF I did Bonette again, Chamonix to Auron via Val D'Isere and Briancon in one blast was quite a day)
It's just too risky dealing with complete strangers of mixed ability and testosterone!
Plus it would probably become quite clear that going for a "hoon" on public roads was becoming a bit "organised" which probably wouldn't go down that well (and that's before the green loons started)
I've got the BORING BORING BORING bit to do tmrw!
(start a business transporting people's cars to the interesting parts of Europe please because I can't be arsed to drive back)
Last summer I drove Chamonix - Martigny - Besancon - Reims (then Calais - Tunnel - Bath) to avoid too many motorways on the journey back in the Caterham.It's just too risky dealing with complete strangers of mixed ability and testosterone!
Plus it would probably become quite clear that going for a "hoon" on public roads was becoming a bit "organised" which probably wouldn't go down that well (and that's before the green loons started)
I've got the BORING BORING BORING bit to do tmrw!
(start a business transporting people's cars to the interesting parts of Europe please because I can't be arsed to drive back)
whythem said:
"Funny what some folk will pay for more company and 3 nights in a 5 star hotel."
Cant work out how to quote only bits of peoples posts.
It does seem that these "accompanied" tours do command a huge premium over a standard holiday for essentially the added extras off, the group expeirence and a lead car.
which is why I was thinking there could be room for a niche agent offering self drive tour holidays to individuals rather than groups.
As an agent, I would think it possible to charge an £8 per night surcharge to book a researched car freindly hotel, and maybe another £25 per day for routeplanning and routebook. So basically for a 7 day tour package I would charge £230 over what somebody could do for themselves.
As a buyer I think paying £200 for someone to book and research 7 hotels, and plan a great driving route is good value. Knowing that every mile and hotel has been researched exclusively for driving pleasure.
I was thinking of a catchy name, like "BillyNoMatesDeathCrashToursAbroad.com
Well, I wish you luck with it if you go ahead with it. Personally, I would like the idea of a group tour but just couldn't justify spending that kind of money. Cant work out how to quote only bits of peoples posts.
It does seem that these "accompanied" tours do command a huge premium over a standard holiday for essentially the added extras off, the group expeirence and a lead car.
which is why I was thinking there could be room for a niche agent offering self drive tour holidays to individuals rather than groups.
As an agent, I would think it possible to charge an £8 per night surcharge to book a researched car freindly hotel, and maybe another £25 per day for routeplanning and routebook. So basically for a 7 day tour package I would charge £230 over what somebody could do for themselves.
As a buyer I think paying £200 for someone to book and research 7 hotels, and plan a great driving route is good value. Knowing that every mile and hotel has been researched exclusively for driving pleasure.
I was thinking of a catchy name, like "BillyNoMatesDeathCrashToursAbroad.com
Not sure what their margins are but I wouldn't necessarily need a 5 star hotel!!
whythem said:
As an agent, I would think it possible to charge an £8 per night surcharge to book a researched car freindly hotel, and maybe another £25 per day for routeplanning and routebook. So basically for a 7 day tour package I would charge £230 over what somebody could do for themselves.
Don't underestimate the time, energy and expense required to properly research a route. It's also a cut-throat business 
Actually, we offer that service ourselves.
We know not everyone wants to join our convoy, can't necessarily makes the dates we pick or want to pay for the added benefits of the lead/chase cars, the walkie talkies, Tom Toms etc.
So for that reason we offer the option of booking hotels and arranging routes with tom tom files included, we charge varying rates depending on how much work we have to do, but often the deals we get at the hotels tend to cover the costs of our services.
Happy to chat about it, or send us a mail if that's of interest.
We know not everyone wants to join our convoy, can't necessarily makes the dates we pick or want to pay for the added benefits of the lead/chase cars, the walkie talkies, Tom Toms etc.
So for that reason we offer the option of booking hotels and arranging routes with tom tom files included, we charge varying rates depending on how much work we have to do, but often the deals we get at the hotels tend to cover the costs of our services.
Happy to chat about it, or send us a mail if that's of interest.
whythem said:
As an agent, I would think it possible to charge an £8 per night surcharge to book a researched car freindly hotel, and maybe another £25 per day for routeplanning and routebook. So basically for a 7 day tour package I would charge £230 over what somebody could do for themselves.
Looked into this about 3 years ago, for a guided tour or 'package' tour the start up costs and liabilities operating from the UK are horrendous.By booking the hotels you become liable for their services, you have a duty of care for your customers whilst they are driving on foreign roads, so insurance costs are mahoosive, http://www.netlawman.co.uk/info/holiday-packages-o...
Did think about selling the routes with a recommended travel date and recommended hotels so like minded folk could meet up but circumnavigate costs but imo it would be unworkable.
Also considered a tailored route service, ie the customer specifies the what where and when they want to see/ be/ timescale and the roads they are happy driving and I provide a route with hotel recommendations with possible discounts/ local attractions on route etc, all of which they book themselves. But again there are so many free planning tools on the net/ sights such as Pistonheads and to me planning is half the fun.
Decided in the end unless you could offset customers cost to you with possible hotel discounts and provide the service for under £100 then you are unlikely to get customers, groups would only pay once etc and there is relatively low demand so even to cover costs would be a struggle, advertising, web hosting, printing etc etc
Edited by skodamanpat on Wednesday 21st September 18:15
Edited by skodamanpat on Wednesday 21st September 18:17
whythem said:
I've read through the PTR 96 regs before and to comply with them fully is a nightmare which can only be solved with massive amounts of cash, although it appears there are many companies who trade successfully who make no mention on thier sites of compliance.
That's OK until something goes wrong, feeling lucky? .......... Punk. 
We found the PTR to be pretty helpful actually, especially when we were restructuring, complying with them isn't expensive if you're all above board.
Our Tour operator liability insurers wouldn't insure us if we didn't comply.
but going back to the point about being a hoon agent, there really isn't that much demand for it which is why we don't push the service much.
Most people will either go out and do the research themselves - which can be quite time consuming, but ultimately rewarding or go on something organised, which is all about the fun of driving with others. there's not that much in the middle.
Our Tour operator liability insurers wouldn't insure us if we didn't comply.
but going back to the point about being a hoon agent, there really isn't that much demand for it which is why we don't push the service much.
Most people will either go out and do the research themselves - which can be quite time consuming, but ultimately rewarding or go on something organised, which is all about the fun of driving with others. there's not that much in the middle.
I takes a lot more than you'd think to organise a driving trip. Group trips are brilliant and you get the social gatherings in the evenings. Harsh has found out that its not easy. Just look at the level service he provides now compared to a few years ago. The sat navs need to be the same and commercial radios are needed before you even start to deal with breakdowns, lost customers who missed a turn etc. It's not easy.
The best is Driving Adventures for a fast driving holiday with your other half. The roads are great and driving not too long.
For pure driving with great hotels and a mates type driving adventure I'd recommend Harsh. His customer relationship skills are great and the hotels reflect his excellent taste.
The best is Driving Adventures for a fast driving holiday with your other half. The roads are great and driving not too long.
For pure driving with great hotels and a mates type driving adventure I'd recommend Harsh. His customer relationship skills are great and the hotels reflect his excellent taste.
johnbear said:
I takes a lot more than you'd think to organise a driving trip. Group trips are brilliant and you get the social gatherings in the evenings. Harsh has found out that its not easy. Just look at the level service he provides now compared to a few years ago. The sat navs need to be the same and commercial radios are needed before you even start to deal with breakdowns, lost customers who missed a turn etc. It's not easy.
The best is Driving Adventures for a fast driving holiday with your other half. The roads are great and driving not too long.
For pure driving with great hotels and a mates type driving adventure I'd recommend Harsh. His customer relationship skills are great and the hotels reflect his excellent taste.
Hi John, The best is Driving Adventures for a fast driving holiday with your other half. The roads are great and driving not too long.
For pure driving with great hotels and a mates type driving adventure I'd recommend Harsh. His customer relationship skills are great and the hotels reflect his excellent taste.
Thanks for the compliments...much appreciated.
You're right, the trips we run now are a world apart from 2 years ago, in fact we now run different trips aimed at either pure driving or the more relaxed couples stuff, and yes providing licensed walkie talkies and SAt navs were some of the lessons learnt from your feedback.
hope you and the crew are well.
Going back to the OP's question, i think John's observations are spot on.....a guided tour is a lot of hard work, and just being an agent also carries a lot of responsibility and upfront costs.
Put it this way, if i was doing this to make money i'd do much better spending my time on my other businesses. I do this just for fun, it pays for itself but no more than that. but i'm happy as it means i get the enjoyment of going on tour with other petrolheads.
As a commercial venture, well, the points have already been made. You'd have to go in properly with the big boys and aim high-end, and I don't think that's what you really had in mind.
What your idea does cry out for is for the creation of a proper web resource for Hoonage Planning. Something of a cross between this very subforum and TripAdvisor. Recommended routes could have google map directions with a matching tomtom itinerary file, interesting places to see en route, recommended lunch and overnight stops, picture gallery etc. It could all work through user reviews which are then analysed and filtered to bring the concensus to the fore. Check back at any long 'Highlands Tour' thread on here and that is exactly what is going on, just in a less structured format.
Bear in mind too that your recommended route, across say Northumberland, might differ somewhat to mine, when you take into account people's different driving styles/preferences, car types and perceptions.
You've also got to tread that fine line between advertising great touring routes and advocating road racing - see the issues that crop up on the Evo Triangle thread.
It would take some commitment to set up, but if it could become the PH of the driving routes world it could become a fantastic resource for petrolheads like us. And anyway, I find the route planning almost as enjoyable as the driving.
What your idea does cry out for is for the creation of a proper web resource for Hoonage Planning. Something of a cross between this very subforum and TripAdvisor. Recommended routes could have google map directions with a matching tomtom itinerary file, interesting places to see en route, recommended lunch and overnight stops, picture gallery etc. It could all work through user reviews which are then analysed and filtered to bring the concensus to the fore. Check back at any long 'Highlands Tour' thread on here and that is exactly what is going on, just in a less structured format.
Bear in mind too that your recommended route, across say Northumberland, might differ somewhat to mine, when you take into account people's different driving styles/preferences, car types and perceptions.
You've also got to tread that fine line between advertising great touring routes and advocating road racing - see the issues that crop up on the Evo Triangle thread.
It would take some commitment to set up, but if it could become the PH of the driving routes world it could become a fantastic resource for petrolheads like us. And anyway, I find the route planning almost as enjoyable as the driving.
Mostro said:
What your idea does cry out for is for the creation of a proper web resource for Hoonage Planning.
I think this idea has plenty of merit. EVO have started a small monthly feature on highlighting good driving routes, this could easily be expanded to include hotel/restaurant/photo opportunity listings.You could make it pay if you could find an affiliate scheme to get a kick-back if people book into any of the hotels recommended/listed on the site.
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