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For some travelers, the prospect of a Mexico drive vacation is nothing short of daunting. Most notably, they worry about safety issues on the road, as well as getting hopelessly lost.
No one is more cognizant of those concerns than Ivan Ibarra del Rio, Avis' inbound business director for Mexico, who is quick to not only dispel those misperceptions but also promote the myriad rewards of Avis road trips.
"People think driving in Mexico is dangerous, but it's not," Ibarra said during an interview at Tianguis Turistico in Acapulco. "Driving in our leisure destinations is safe and easy."
He used the Cancun and Riviera Maya region as a case in point. "It's just one protected road, so there's no way you can get lost," he said. Also, Avis will provide travelers with affordable GPS units upon request.
From Ibarra's perspective, vacationers interested in authentic travel experiences would be well served to opt for Mexican drive vacations. "Mexico is a beautiful country, and it has amazing towns that you'll never see if you just stay in an all-inclusive resort," he said.
With Avis, drive vacations offer other benefits as well. In Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Los Cabos and Mazatlan, for instance, the company offers clients 30 percent discounts on greens fees at range of signature golf course, some with fees as high as $250 per person. "Thirty percent off $250 is substantial," said Ibarra.
Avis also offers discounts at Cancun and Riviera Maya theme parks, including Xel-ha, Xcaret, Xplor and Xoximilco.
Avis also distinguishes itself from the competition with its young fleet - no car is in the fleet more than 18 months - and its transparency in regard to pricing, said Ibarra, adding that some of the company's competitors employ pricing strategies that mask mandatory costs and fees. "With Avis, there are no gimmicks or hidden fees."
Avis also pays agents commissions that start at 10 percent, rising higher based on volume. "Travel agents can make much more money selling cars than airline tickets," Ibarra said. Also, agents can rest assured that their clients will be in good hands when they arrive at Avis locations. "It's important that our people tell clients where they can go with the car. They suggests route to people," he said.
Avis, which has been operating in Mexico since 1963, features more than 80 locations in 26 cities throughout Mexico.
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