Florida Tour Operator Goes Creative, Offering Drive-by Sightseeing Tours

Unlike standard years of pre-holiday booking rush, Paige Balsinger of Fort Myers, Florida, struggles to keep business afloat amidst the ongoing health crisis. The tour department manager of All Around Charters and Tours found an innovative solution to overcome the lockdown challenges.

Redesigning Tour Creatively

Most of the popular venues are not welcoming guests for safety reasons. Since group reservations aren’t allowed, Balsinger redesigned the tour package and introduced drive-by sighting tours. Bus and Motorcar News reported.
The creative solution is the right mix of fun, thrill, and of course, the income. Travelers enjoy sighting and enjoy quality foods at meal stops at food trucks.

She shared her creative idea of building business in 2020 at the United Motorcoach Association Town Hall session.  Paige elaborated that guests want to travel, so they started organizing sightseeing trips, according to the portal.

The areas covered in the drive-by tours are historic buildings, alligators in the Everglades, and murals in St. Petersburg, she said.

“We’re just trying to get people out without having to go to venues, which aren’t taking group reservations.”  Balsinger said.

Sightseeing with Safety

Self-isolation, social-distancing is a new experience for most of the people. She shared her insights on her interaction with churches and other groups. She said that people are eager to go on safe outings together.

“People want to see each other. They really want to start to get out and travel, and they’re comfortable together,”  Balsinger said.

She also offers customized drive-in sightseeing tours to her longtime clients. Her company is using social media effectively to spread the words.

“The social media has just gone over very, very well,” she said.

Since safety is the also top priority for guests, the company is using the free UMA’s AssurCLEAN Program to ensure maximum safety during travel.