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Open Road Holidays offers unique — and budget-friendly — trips for families, as well as adults with special needs.
Two Tulsa travel agencies are finding a new path to success by partnering in a new venture, Open Road Holidays.
It began when Michael Kraft, of Kraftours Sightseeing Corp., was in the midst of taking over the 50-year-old family business. His father had served as the travel planner for the company (his mother ran the office and did other administrative tasks). Because the younger Kraft’s experience was with vehicle operations, he needed someone with expertise in tour design and management to round out the company. One day, Jan Jones, owner of Prefer Choice Travel, called to ask about Kraft’s charters for a group trip she was planning.
After a couple of meetings, they decided that becoming partners would benefit each of their businesses. Jones has experience with tours, while Kraft has technical and managerial experience with the coach fleet itself. The result: a division for guided motor coach tours called Open Road Holidays.
In April, Open Road Holidays began offering European-style charters to families on a budget and to high-functioning adults with special needs, including mental and physical disabilities. The company now offers three spring, three summer and three fall European-style charters.
“It’s a great, economical way to see the U.S.,” Jones says.
Travelers can book early with a deposit and pay a little each month; plus, traveling by charter is less expensive than buying airline tickets for each member of the family, Jones says. Because of Jones’ and Kraft’s connections with hotels and attractions, their clients receive a group rate, saving dollars across the board.
“It’s not a one-stop relationship for us,” says Kraft, general manager of Kraftours. “They know we will be back, so they give us great service.”
Deluxe charters to New England for the fall foliage, Christmas shopping in New York City, family trips to Disney World and day or weekend trips to Branson and Dallas are a few of the trips from which clients can choose. Each trip includes deluxe accommodations, meals, events, attractions, games on board and a licensed tour guide to answer questions and give details about the towns. The stops along the way are based on local festivals and unique sites in town.
Jones, a 20-year veteran of the travel industry, appreciates the beauty of North America and is excited for others to see it, too.
“The hills in Arkansas remind me of the hills in England,” she says. “Open Road will offer the community access to all the services and the same motor coach tours that are in Europe.”
“And we don’t make you take off your shoes,” Kraft adds. “There is security but no baggage fees, and you don’t have to arrive two hours before leaving.”
Adults with special needs can take advantage of similar trips. Groups with special needs have many details to consider, Jones says, such as booking ground-floor rooms, finding accommodations with secured swimming pools and other safety issues.
“The logistics are daunting, but together we have the talent to put it all together,” she says.
Jones and Kraft want to give back to the community by offering the group trips and sponsoring a mid-summer day trip. The mid-summer day trip is offered free, on a first-come, first-serve basis, to those who qualify as high-functioning ambulatory adults. Jones also offers cruises, European vacations and trips to Disney World for adults with special needs.
“It’s good for them to get out for a vacation and they enjoy it,” she says.
The founders of Open Road Holidays are maintaining their separate businesses but expect that in a couple of years, Open Road Holidays will engulf them.
“We expect it to grow very nicely,” Jones says. “The challenge of it is building and thinking outside the box.”
For more information, travel deals and itineraries, visit www.openroadholidays.com or call Jan Jones at 688-2401.
