Published in Travel Weekly

July 19, 1999

Internet is a rich source for mobile homes

The Internet is potentially a rich source of information about hard-to-find or atypical travel products.

One area of opportunity is RV and camper rentals. Once thought of as only for retired couples, RVs and campers are increasingly popular among younger couples and families.

European tour operators have offered RV rentals in their product lines for years, but independent travelers have started booking in greater numbers.

RV Rental suppliers are utilizing the Net as an effective way to present information about their vehicles and services.

Looking at a few of these sites will surprise and impress you if you haven't been inside an RV or Camper in the past few years.

Sleeping anywhere from two to five (or even six) people, these state-of-the-art vehicles can include flush toilets, showers, sinks, stoves, refrigerators, microwaves and ovens.

Suppliers can also provide all bedding and cooking utensils, and they might even rent you mountain bikes for a healthy diversion once renters reach their destination.

The following is a sampling of RV rental suppliers in various countries around the world, along with one general resource for locating other suppliers.

All of the listed suppliers have a commission policy for travel agencies that book their clients.

Here is your chance to give your clients the opportunity to be their own tour guide with all the amenities of home (that is, a home they can take anywhere they like!).

Deutsche Reisemobil
Germany
http://www.drm.de/e_index2.html

Go West Campers
Vancouver BC and Calgary AB CANADA
http://www.go-west.com

Maui Rentals
Sydney AUSTRALIA Auckland NEW ZEALAND and Johannesburg SOUTH AFRICA
http://www.maui-rentals.com

Moturis
California, Nevada, Colorado, Florida, New Jersey USA
http://www.moturis.com

RVLink
United States, Canada and Mexico
http://www.rvlink.com/rvl_rent.html

Greg Merkley is president of Evanston, Ill.-based Travel Technology & Magic, which owns and operates the PositiveSpace on-line directory for travel agents at www.positivespace.com. All of these sites are listed on PositiveSpace.