The Complete History of Amafi Caravaning
About us
We are Eugenia and Fernando, founders of Amafi Caravaning . The company was born from an opportunity we saw in April 2015 when we wanted to rent a motorhome in Spain to travel around Europe in August. We contacted almost 60 companies and individuals and couldn't find anything. The only alternative was to rent a motorhome in Marseille, France, from a French couple. We drove the 500km from Barcelona to Marseille, left our car parked on the street, and began our adventure of traveling almost 6,000km through France, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. It was a very practical and useful place.
Traveling with our children, with our grandmother, in the summer, and with the freedom that a motorhome offers, we discovered amazing places, incredible views, campsites, and parking areas exclusively for motorhomes. And we also realized that we wanted many other people to enjoy this way of traveling.
Upon returning to Barcelona, we conducted market research and confirmed our suspicions: there was an unmet demand for campervan or motorhome rentals. That's where our entrepreneurial journey began. We developed the business plan in collaboration with Barcelona Activa, a Barcelona City Council agency that assists entrepreneurs in analyzing business implementation strategies.
With the Business Plan in hand, we visited banks like Caixabank and BBVA and obtained the necessary loans to buy the first four motorhomes of the Ilusion brand.
The marketing strategy was clear from the start: to stand out from other RV rental companies with a premium, all-inclusive service . The vision was to offer Airbnb-style RV rentals. This means having the RV ready and fully equipped, with a welcome gift and a luxurious reception.
That's why we decided to buy premium quality motorhomes and also super equip them, like nobody else did, with solar panel, awning, bike rack, TV, diesel heating and hot water, GPS, large refrigerator, additional security locks, etc.
And so that customers can enjoy themselves from the very first minute, we're giving them a free supermarket purchase as a welcome gift, so they don't have to worry about a thing.
The first rental was quite a challenge: an Argentinian couple, Roxana and David, who wanted to experience Europe in a different way and pick it up at Barcelona airport. And boy, did they succeed! They had a fantastic time and recommended us to all their friends.
That first year was a great learning experience for us, getting to know the business in depth and its full potential. Many satisfied customers, happy with their vacations and the personalized, direct, and friendly service.
In the second year, we needed to continue growing and providing new opportunities. We purchased four more motorhomes, bringing our fleet to eight. We expanded our offering with low-profile motorhomes from the Ilusion brand and overcab motorhomes from the Elnagh brand.
We include a tablet in each motorhome with video tutorials, user manuals, recommendations, etc., so that if any questions arise, all the information is available digitally and at hand.
We added a unique service to the motorhome and car rental market at the time: a Wi-Fi network inside the motorhome, allowing users to browse the internet with any device throughout Europe. This was highly valued by customers with children, and especially by foreigners who didn't have roaming coverage on their devices.
The fleet continued to grow , and since 2018 we have had fifteen motorhomes, offering something for everyone: overcab, low-profile, and for 4, 5, 6, and 7 people. We provide a variety of options for both families and groups of friends.
In 2021 we created a Travel Guide , which you can access from the app or our website and has all the information a caravanner needs when arriving at their destination: city map, weather, what to visit, motorhome and camping areas, restaurants, gas stations, pharmacies, hospitals, etc., all in one place.
By summer 2024, we will have a fleet of 30 motorhomes and have launched an AI-powered roadside assistance chatbot. This automation instantly resolves any needs a customer may have during their trip.
At Amafi Caravaning we strive every day to ensure our customers enjoy their holidays just as they have dreamed of them their whole lives.
Purpose
Have the best vacation of your life.
Vision
To be the number one motorhome rental company by offering the customer a unique service that makes their trip unforgettable.
Mission
To provide an innovative motorhome rental service to make the trip a unique experience, promoting nature-based, outdoor and sustainable tourism.
Our Values
I respect
Respect is the most important word in Amafi Caravaning's culture. Respect for employees, facilitating a healthy work-life balance and creating a positive work environment. Respect for customers, fulfilling contracted services and assisting them with every need.
Transparency
Be transparent by clearly describing the services to the client and to all employees.
Honesty
The company always prioritizes honesty above all other considerations, even if it harms it commercially.
Excellence
The pursuit of excellence is one of our most important pillars. While excellence is an unattainable ideal, continuous improvement in all company actions must strive toward that goal.