Will your summer vacation be ruined because of this key shortage?

After the year that wasn’t, many people are longing for that epic summer vacation. With vaccination cards in hand, some potential travelers are ready to venture outside of the local bubble. But, is one major travel component thwarting that epic getaway? It might be more problematic than you think.

Recently, Priceline shared its predicted trends for the summer travel season. While it seems that travelers are ready to hit the open road, everything might not necessarily be smooth sailing. A few speed bumps might make that vacation seem more like a scene from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

Still, many people are ready to make up for 2020. According to Priceline CEO Brett Keller, “not only are leisure travelers desperate to make up for lost travel opportunities in 2020 but the slow recovery of business travel and the broad availability of deals will fuel even more leisure demand.”

If people want that summer vacation, what obstacle is in their way?

Similar to a toddler that wants all the toys but doesn’t understand why some items are can’t be his, one glitch can hamper that summer vacation plan. As seen in a recent Today Show report, there is a shortage of rental cars. Since some rental car companies sold off part of their inventory last year, the number of cars that are available fewer.

According to Priceline, one of the top travel trends for this summer is local exploration. The brand believes that 70% of car rentals will be used for in-state travel. With locals using cars, people coming into town may be out of luck.

Although a few people might resort to non-traditional rental cars, it begs the question, what can be done if there aren’t any cars. The best solution might be to plan far in advance. While many people might like spur of the moment, that approach might not be possible.

The other option would be to pick a location that doesn’t require a lot of transportation. Just maybe that trip to the beach resort might make a smart choice. Sometimes stepping away from the busy schedule might be a good thing.

While the lack of rental cars might be a wrinkle in that summer vacation plan, it doesn’t mean that another summer has to be spent on the couch. With a little planning, that getaway is waiting to be enjoyed.

What are your summer plans? Are you ready to vacation?