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TravelMole Interview: Darla Cook, vice president, Forever Resorts
Travel agents have been instrumental in helping the houseboat business grow. And that’s no surprise to Darla Cook, vice president of Forever Resorts, who told TravelMole: “Our most economical boats start at $1,000 for a weekend, and the larger ones go for $5500 a week during high season. So agents at 10% are making a lot more than when they book a $50-a-night hotel room.” The Arizona-based Forever Resorts started out in 1981 renting houseboats at two properties. Today, the company has houseboat rentals in ten national parks, forests and or recreation areas throughout the US. Part of the growing popularity of houseboat rentals is affordability, said Ms Cook. Boats can accommodate up to ten people. “Today, you can also expect to find all of the creature comforts you’d expect in a vacation home such as a TV, full kitchen, air conditioning and so on,” said Ms Cook. Boats also have one feature not usually found even in upscale resorts: an upper deck waterslide. But there’s also the bucolic nature of house boating, she added. “You’re spending quality time with friends and loved ones,” she said. Families often join up to ensure a full crew. The best-known cruises are probably on Lake Mead in Nevada, but there are many other areas such as the Ozarks, many areas in the state of California and even Branson, Missouri, where Forever Resort boats can be rented. A driver’s license is required to rent the boats, but Ms Cook said being a captain is easy. The company also offers a quick instruction course. Ms Cook said travel agents often help in planning the trips, which do require buying groceries and other necessary items prior to setting sail. “Once they do that, there’s not much that can go wrong unless they run out of food,” said Ms Cook. Report by David Wilkening
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