Between unfamiliar road rules, strange signs, local customs and the daunting concept of driving on the other side of the road, getting behind the wheel in a foreign destination can be intimidating. While often practical from a logistical standpoint, even the most seasoned jetsetters might feel a pang of anxiety when renting a car in a new-to-them city or country. That’s where Tripiamo comes in, a company specializing in certified online driving guides for international travelers.
“Tripiamo was inspired by a problem I saw again and again in travel: people are excited to explore a destination by car, but many feel unprepared or nervous when it comes to actually driving in another country,” said John Cortese, founder & CEO of Tripiamo. “I created Tripiamo to help travelers feel more confident, informed, and ready before they arrive, so they can enjoy the freedom of the journey rather than fear it.”
Covering topics like “Driving Mistakes,” “Tickets & Fines,” “Vehicle Damage & Injury” and “Stressful Situations” in Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom, vacationers who utilize Tripiamo guides ahead of time will find themselves prepared for what driving’s really like in their destination of choice before dotting the “I’s” and crossing the “T’s” on a rental car contract.
“Through short, self-paced lessons, practical guidance, and immersive video driving practice, travelers can better understand local road rules, signage, and driving norms,” said Cortese. “When people know what to expect, they feel calmer, make better decisions and are better able to enjoy their trip. On average, we’ve seen travelers’ confidence increase from 36 out of 100 before using Tripiamo to 86 out of 100 after using it.”
According to Cortese, the feedback he receives from users is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. “We’ve had travelers tell us they never thought they’d be able to drive in a country like Ireland or on the opposite side of the road, but after using Tripiamo, they felt confident enough to rent a car and experience the country in a way they otherwise would have missed,” he said. “We’ve also heard from travelers who told us the guide made them feel dramatically safer and more prepared. For us, that is what it’s all about: improving the travel experience and helping people explore further with greater confidence.”
By now, you might be wondering if Tripiamo works with travel advisors, to which Cortese said, “absolutely, yes.” Tripiamo supports advisors in two ways: 1) By allowing them to become affiliates and earn commissions by sharing Tripiamo with their clients through a custom link, and 2) By acting as a value-add or gift advisors can give to clients who book self-drive itineraries, in which case the Tripiamo team can assist with setting up direct guide access.
While guides are currently limited to Europe and the UK, Cortese says Tripiamo is growing. “We are seeing demand from travelers going to many parts of the world, and we plan to continue expanding into more destinations over time,” he said. “The next guide on our list is the United States, which will help international visitors feel more confident and prepared driving here as well.”
Advisors can visit tripiamo.com/affiliates or email info@tripiamo.com for more information.
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