On August 25, 2024, SwapTheRoad was highlighted on the Capital program on M6, presented by Julien Courbet. The theme of the show was “the XXL motorhome business”, a booming industry.
During the episode, the French channel’s flagship presenter described motorhome swapping as “the new deal” and “a booming sector”… This statement underlines the rapid emergence of this practice, which enables owners of recreational vehicles to exchange them with other enthusiasts, thus reducing the costs associated with conventional purchase or rental.
SwapTheRoad, the platform specializing in the exchange of motorhomes and vans between private individuals, was honored in front of more than 1.8 million viewers… By giving birth to this new usage, the French startup not only enables its members to travel at lower cost, but also to discover destinations around the world without worrying about the costs of maintaining or acquiring a motorhome. The report highlighted this approach to making the most of one’s vehicle, which is often under-utilized by its owners. The travelling couple behind this new concept have set their sights on offering SwapTheRoad users a unique travel experience!
In a market where motorhomes and converted vans are growing in popularity, SwapTheRoad stands out for its collaborative approach… Indeed, while sales of new and used motorhomes are expected to reach between 90,000 and 100,000 units by 2024, the co-founders are now offering owners the possibility of exchanging their vehicle, thus providing a more flexible and sustainable alternative for this type of travel. A model that responds to growing consumer demand for economical and ecological solutions, in line with current concerns about the environmental impact of vehicle travel!
The Capital teams highlighted the growing interest in this form of sharing, explaining that motorhome swapping follows the same logic as house swapping, a trend well known to followers of the collaborative economy…
This tried-and-tested sharing model is becoming an increasingly popular alternative for travelers looking for more authentic and accessible experiences!
By drawing this parallel with home exchange, the show perfectly illustrates the evolution of travel practices towards greater flexibility and resource sharing. Following the example of platforms such as HomeExchange, which enable individuals to swap their accommodation to travel at lower cost, SwapTheRoad offers a similar solution in the field of leisure vehicles.
Owners of vans, panel vans, motorhomes or vehicles with roof tents can now exchange their vehicles with other users, enabling them to travel in comfort, without the constraints of buying or renting.
And just as with residences, travelers are demanding more personalized vacations, without sacrificing affordability. The exchange also enables them to make more rational use of resources, in a context where motorhomes are often under-utilized for a large part of the year. What’s more, for them it’s a more ecological solution than transporting their own vehicle or buying a new one…
SwapTheRoad is part of this trend, not only facilitating the exchange of vehicles between private individuals, but also building trust within its community. By enabling users to travel more easily and at lower cost, the platform meets the new expectations of contemporary travelers, who are increasingly sensitive to the sharing economy and sustainable solutions. The booming motorhome market is thus becoming fertile ground for these new modes of collaborative consumption.
And because SwapTheRoad was created BY and FOR recreational vehicle owners, the two founders Sandrine & Julien, as full members, lead by example… That day, in front of the Capital cameras, they lent their motorhome to a family from California on a road trip through Europe!
In the end, M6 viewers not only learned about a new way to travel, but also how this passionate couple came to launch what may well become a French nugget…
In the spring of 2020, they were confined to South America when they decided to create SwapTheRoad…
Armed with their own experience and driven by their desire to help their three children discover the world, they then imagined the platform from Paraguay and officially launched it in 2021 on their return to France.
Three years later, the platform boasts over 300 vehicles in 28 destinations. But for Sandrine & Julien, “the road has only just begun”… Now that they’ve proved that their concept allows people to travel differently, they intend to move up a gear, surround themselves with more people and democratize this new way of traveling!
Until now, they have been meeting vanlifers and travelers at trade fairs in France. They are now preparing to do the same in Europe, and then around the world…
It’s possible, so take the opportunity to discover the tourism of tomorrow by clicking on the following link:
SwapTheRoad in the Capital TV show
As you can see, choosing SwapTheRoad means opting for an innovative solution that’s not only more economical, but also more sustainable and fully aligned with the expectations of today’s holidaymakers!
At the heart of the passion for freedom on wheels is an unmissable event in France: the Vanlife Expo.
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Sophie and Daniel have temporarily exchanged their converted vehicle for a trip to the other side of the world!
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