Buzz
Your vacation next month is approaching, and it’s time to consider unconventional options, like hiring a companion to join you. Yes, you heard that correctly.
The tourism industry is evolving with increasingly peculiar trends. New and unusual business models are emerging as travelers are willing to spend on these unique experiences. Here are ten odd things people are renting while traveling abroad.
10. Hire Someone to Wait in Line for You
A Timex study revealed that Americans spend about 37 billion hours annually waiting in lines, equating to roughly six months of a person’s life. Interestingly, it’s not the duration but factors like fairness, mismanaged expectations, and perceptions of time that frustrate people. Danish engineer A.K. Erlang’s mathematical model on queuing behavior highlights these psychological aspects.
In today’s fast-paced world, time is a precious commodity, especially during vacations. No one wants to spend hours waiting in long lines, like those stretching blocks for the city’s best ramen. Fortunately, services like New York City’s Same Ole Line Dudes offer professionals to wait in line for you. Imagine the extra time you’ll gain to explore the city while someone else holds your spot.
9. Hire a Professional Photographer
Is a trip truly complete without sharing it on social media? Capturing memorable moments has become a key part of any vacation. Research shows how social media influences travel motivations, reshaping both why people travel and how the tourism industry operates. The rise of the “digital nomad” era has introduced a new dimension to travel, driven by the desire to share experiences online.
If you’re a solo traveler craving stunning photos for your social media, renting a photographer might be the perfect solution. Companies like Flytographer provide professional photography services in over 150 countries. Their photographers are carefully vetted, ensuring top-notch quality. A 60-minute session costs around $350, and as a bonus, their local expertise can lead you to hidden gems in the city.
8. Rent a Companion
Solo travel has surged by 42 percent in the last two years, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Exploring the world is often more enjoyable with a companion. However, finding friends who have the time, funds, and enthusiasm to join you on global adventures can be tough. Fortunately, in 2019, solutions like Rent A Friend exist to bridge this gap.
This platform offers a unique service where users can hire local companions worldwide. For just $10 an hour, you can rent a friend to guide you through a city or join you on an adventure. With over 500,000 individuals available globally, this innovative concept is both practical and accessible.
7. Rent Driveways and Parking Spots
The sharing economy, popularized by platforms like Airbnb and Uber, continues to expand. New peer-to-peer models have emerged, including Just Park, a London-based company addressing the challenge of finding parking spaces.
In tourist-heavy areas or unfamiliar towns, parking can be chaotic and frustrating. Just Park connects travelers with property owners in the UK who rent out unused driveways. This system ensures peace of mind, eliminating the risk of fines, towing, or endless searches for parking in busy cities.
6. Rent a Bicycle Anywhere Across the Globe
For travelers seeking to stay active, reduce their carbon footprint, and avoid traffic, Spinlister is the ideal solution. The company reports a significant rise in bike rentals for tourism in New York, with around 450,000 daily bike trips.
Spinlister is an online platform that links bike owners with renters worldwide. Owners list their bikes, and renters can find one in their desired location for about $40 a day. This global bike-sharing service boasts millions of users in countless countries.
5. Hire a Pilgrim to Complete a Religious Journey on Your Behalf
Pilgrimages often evoke images of solitary journeys through deserts, guided solely by faith and reflection toward a sacred destination. Traditionally, these journeys are undertaken for religious purposes, often on foot, to sites of profound significance. In the Middle Ages, wealthy individuals who couldn’t undertake pilgrimages themselves would hire others to go in their stead. Today, a Portuguese man is reviving this practice by completing pilgrimages on behalf of others.
Carlos Gil offers to complete pilgrimages in your name for €2,500. To ensure authenticity, he provides certificates stamped at various sacred sites along the route. Now, there’s no excuse not to fulfill your spiritual journey.
4. Rent Unused Luggage Space from Travelers
In an era of steep baggage fees and import taxes, it feels wasteful to leave luggage space unused. San Francisco-based Grabr identified this gap and created a platform where travelers can offer their extra luggage space to others willing to pay for it.
This innovative service allows travelers to transport items for third parties, eliminating export costs and making use of otherwise wasted luggage space. It’s a unique way to monetize your travels while helping others. Who knew forgetting a coat could turn into a profitable opportunity?
3. A Designer Bag Featuring a Nintendo DS
Yes, you read that right. Some designer handbags now come with a Nintendo DS included. Instead of spending thousands on luxury bags for travel or special events, women are renting them from platforms like From Bags To Riches. While renting designer accessories makes sense, the inclusion of a Nintendo DS adds an unexpected twist.
In 2008, Nintendo partnered with From Bags To Riches to offer handbags with a DS included. Picture this: You’re traveling in style with a designer bag, and with a DS in hand, even the longest plane trips become entertaining.
2. Rent Camping Equipment
How many of you have camping gear collecting dust in the garage, untouched for years? A growing trend among travelers is renting camping equipment from people like you, ensuring unused gear gets a second life.
Platforms like Outdoors Geek and Mountain Side Gear Rental enable users to browse available camping gear in their area and negotiate prices directly with owners. From sleeping bags and tents to kayaks and backpacks, you can find nearly every essential item for your outdoor adventures.
1. Rent a Suitcase Packed with Clothes
Countless articles on YouTube, Google, and travel blogs offer advice on packing a suitcase like a pro. Yet, mastering this skill remains elusive for many. Enter unPack, a company leveraging the sharing economy to simplify travel. If you can rent a ride or stay in a stranger’s home, why not borrow their clothes too?
The service lets users create an online profile detailing their style and brand preferences, ensuring a personalized suitcase for their trip. The luggage is delivered to your hotel, eliminating the hassle of packing altogether. Their goal? To revolutionize travel by making packing a thing of the past.
