Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Innkeepers Signal Summer Travel Season Hotter Than Ever

ST. LOUIS, MO--(Marketwired - May 14, 2013) - As Memorial Day weekend approaches, some of the people who put us on the highways by day and provide cozy settings for us to rest during the night are anticipating a substantially busier summer travel season.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the largest rental car brand with more than 5,500 neighborhood offices, reports that its leisure business grew last year by nearly seven percent, and that advance reservations for Memorial Day weekend are up 18 percent compared to this time last year.

Additionally, a recent survey of bed and breakfast operators found that nearly 60 percent are experiencing an increase in inquiries for May and June reservations -- and that 70 percent expect to be sold out by Memorial Day weekend. The bed and breakfasts surveyed are members of the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII).

"Renting cars has become a Memorial Day travel ritual," said Steve Short, vice president, Enterprise Rent-A-Car. "For many families, a road trip is the most affordable option when it comes to travel, and whether renting a car to add space for luggage and passengers or to save miles on a daily commuter vehicle, it's a convenient way to get individuals from point A to point B."

To assist individuals as they plan their summer getaways, Enterprise has teamed with Emmy Award-winning journalist and travel expert Rudy Maxa -- also known as "The Savvy Traveler" -- to offer tips for those hitting the road this season:

• You don't have to travel to distant parts to enjoy a vacation - If you live in the Upper Midwest, consider northern Minnesota, where Lake Superior resorts and pristine forests beckon. If you're based in Northern California, head south. Live in Southern California? Head north. New Englanders have Montreal on their doorstep, and Mid-Atlantic residents have the beaches of the Delmarva Peninsula. Consider renting a car for these road trips to create a true vacation feel.
  
  
• Conduct some travel research offline - The Internet has been a boon for travelers, but sometimes there is too much information out there, which can cause confusion. As a workaround, for a modest fee, consider hiring a travel writer who is familiar with the place you want to visit to suggest a custom vacation based on your interests.
  
  
• Accumulate award miles and points the smart way - Explore the lesser-known world of resources that publish free, regular advice to help individuals accumulate hundreds of thousands of miles and points. Further, car rental loyalty programs can yield free rentals when needed most. For example, Enterprise Rent-A-Car's loyalty program, Enterprise Plus, allows members to earn points that are redeemable at any time for free rental days on any available vehicle at participating locations throughout North America.
  
  

"This travel season could very well be the busiest we've seen in the past five years," said Maxa. "Whether individuals are planning great escapes or smaller-scale getaways, based on what I am hearing and the data I've seen, I do anticipate more people will be hitting the road this season."

For more details and to view additional tips from Rudy, visit http://aboutus.enterprise.com/summertravel.

Enterprise goes the extra mile by picking up travelers at their homes and providing a vehicle to suit their individual travel needs -- whether it's renting a fuel efficient car to enjoy cost savings or a roomier model to fit the family. Enterprise operates more than twice as many locations as its nearest U.S. competitor and continues to lead the home-city market.

About Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Founded in 1957 and known for an extensive network of home-city and airport locations, everyday low rates and outstanding customer service, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an internationally recognized brand that has been named to BusinessWeek magazine's annual list of "Customer Service Champs" in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates not only as a key provider for insurance replacement, weekend getaways and special occasions, but also as a local transportation alternative.