Love traveling, but may be retiring from “touring”

[JB_Studio38]

**This isn’t a question or advice. Just discussing the oft sought after strategy of traveling **

I’ve been experience with touring for a while now. Over a decade to be precise. The “escort definition” of touring is: Spending a week or 2 or even WEEKS/MONTHS going between a predetermined hub of cities, staying anywhere from 2-5 days at a time, before going onto the next destination, and covering ground to hit several areas. 

I know many up and coming escorts out there often highly interested in the traveling lifestyle. And I do feel it’s become ingrained in the American escort culture to advertise in and travel to different cities. Yes it can be lucrative and help to get exposure that may be hard to do staying in the same city. However, there’s a side to it that can become monotonous. 

For one, the main thing is the costs involved. Having a hotel is almost a must because many clients may not be able to host. Even if they can, I still need a place to sleep. I have used every discount hack available for booking hotels, including 3rd party and loyalty to a few brands. It doesn’t matter because at the end of the day, it’s still money being spent. 
 

The only way to really “beat” the hotel game is to have a friend or relative to bunk with and either do outcalls or book a room on select days. However, therein lies another potential issue: Trying to maintain reliable connections out of state where you may not know people or only see them sparingly: has also provided to be a challenge. I have done trips to some cities, even my current trip: thinking that I could rely on a friend or 2 to stay with. Only to get there, and they either aren’t available to host after all or they only want to offer a limited time that’s not sufficient for what is needed. And of course, non of them are ever okay with having clients over. Then I’m back to the hotel money pit, spending more than anticipated.

The other thing is, it seems like almost every trip: there’s some news that gets released. And we may think it doesn’t affect, but it does. Even if for a couple or few days. This past couple years, I’ve had to endure everything from stock market crashes to new wars starting. 
 
Above all, the client bookings just aren’t coming in like they used to. I don’t necessarily want to see clients everyday, and definitely not multiple times a day: but I can’t go 3-4 days without a client and not start losing money. 
 

Except there’s one issue: I can’t stop traveling all together because my “base” market (which really isn’t even that, just a purgatory in between waiting to travel lol) has already become over saturated with advertisers. Plus it’s conservative and the men in the area either don’t want to pay, or they only want to pay $150. Which is not sustainable. 
 

What I have considered: relocating all together and keeping trips to within a day away. Or I can continue to tour further away, but only go places where I have friends at. However, even that’s dwindling. It’s been so many times I’ve made arrangements to stay at friend’s place for a couple/few days, and it turns into drama. I’m just tired of having to rely on half ass people, but some cities the hotel prices are so high: there’s no other way to go unless that option is available.

I’m considering using rent a room by the week options going forward. But those could have the added drawback of not being able to host I would imagine. And if I’m losing money by not hosting, whatever I saved is essentially lost. 

So idk, it’s hard to say exactly how I’ll do it. I know there’s a couple clients here on the board who are wanting me to visit their cities, but it’s these type of challenges that have hindered my desire to want to make the journey.

Unfortunately when visiting a town for a short period, sometimes the only fast and safe way to meet other gays are the hookup apps: besides going to a nightclub (which is more money and no guarantee of finding someone supportive of the biz). But the hookup apps are always people looking for just that. They aren’t reliable for anything else usually.

Edited Thursday at 04:39 PM by JB_Studio38

[JB_Studio38]

And to add another thing I’ve forgot to mention: although this doesn’t happen as often since I tend to book with advance notice only these days:  Some guys who reach out to book when coming to their city, will do so but have an unreasonably narrow window of time to meet.
 

Spending time to commute takes up time to get ready. And traffic is a big delay ever since the rebound from Covid. I ended up an hour and half late to an appointment few weeks ago due to traffic backed up for miles on my way. My regular was mad at me, but he is also chronically busy/short on time and only allotted a small window to see me, despite us planning days in advance, and knowing I was traveling from 150 miles away. Which I found kinda inconsiderate.

If I’m extending my time to travel out of the way to their city and make it convenient, at least be willing to be patient. He tried to short me $100 because he could only stay for 40 minutes, I was like no sir. I have all evening and the next day to be available. I shouldn’t be penalized because you’re limited on time, especially when I was already 700 miles from my home base.

Also some have mentioned traveling with another companion to split expenses. However though it sounds like a idea: I can’t see that happening for me unless I were commuting different vehicles and maybe even booking separate rooms. Which in that case, would completely defeat the purpose. I tried that with a friend a couple months ago: he booked a hotel room and told me he would be hooking up with someone for an hour. It turned into 2-3 hours. I almost thought he got murdered in the room because he wasn’t answering his phone either. The idea of having to leave the room, while my travel companion gets their freak on, is a no for me 👎🏾 

I’ve tried it other times, and it rarely works for me unless it’s non escort friends and even then: it usually becomes outcalls only while me and friends share hotel/air bnb. Which might mean 50% less opportunity.

Edited yesterday at 07:01 AM by JB_Studio38

[jeezifonly]

To your newfound success!! 

[marylander1940]

@JB_Studio38

Good luck to you in all your endeavors! 

My advice:

[BigDMike]

I can empathize with your story, thanks for sharing.  

Not that you’re necessarily looking for advice and it does sound like you’re very well versed in travel etc…I would say the following:

I travel extensively for work.  I am usually gone about 8 to 10 days per month and I travel all over.  When I do, I enjoy looking up providers in the area.  Some I see more than once on a trip, some I see when I return to the city and some I never return to.  I can imagine what’s its like on your side.

While I mostly stay in Marriott’s as I am expensing the trip…I have found a lot of fun stays on MisterBandB.  Sure they have options to rent an entire place…but I much prefer to rent a room and stay with someone.  It is considerably cheaper than a hotel and some stays have turned into friends.  Sometimes…okay a lot of times….there’s an element of hooking up with the host….sometimes it’s once…sometimes more than once.  I usually share a bit about myself in the intro email and ask them to do the same.  While I am well traveled, it’s nice to find out their preferred restaurant or bar or fun social event.  I am not a provider nor have I asked to have guests or people over…..so I don’t know if it’s entirely possible.  Perhaps a path for you to reduce hotel costs?  Oddly enough…when I’m home, I don’t entertain outcalls to my house.  I only do incalls to them.  However, when I’m traveling I will do either and have no issue having them to my hotel.  Most of the hosts I have met on the site are all rather gregarious and social…you have to be to open up your house like that.  I’m sure there are some that don’t engage though I have not had that experience….in reading the reviews I have a sense of what I’m getting into when I book them.

WIth regards to a base….if it were me….I would chose a base state that had large metro areas that were drivable…specifically, California, Texas and Florida come to mind.  All three states have large populations within driving distance so if you say set up in San Diego, going to LA, or even up to SFO on occasion is doable if even for a few days.  Texas and Florida are of course cheaper to live but I consider politics a factor in where I live and am quite comfortable living in California.  We’re not perfect….but who is?  All three of those states have major cities where you would certainly find work and possibly a decent stay….heck, even in Southern California you could easily drive to Vegas too.

Wish you the best of luck.  

Edited yesterday at 12:52 AM by BigDMike

[JB_Studio38]

6 hours ago, BigDMike said:

I can empathize with your story, thanks for sharing.  

Not that you’re necessarily looking for advice and it does sound like you’re very well versed in travel etc…I would say the following:

I travel extensively for work.  I am usually gone about 8 to 10 days per month and I travel all over.  When I do, I enjoy looking up providers in the area.  Some I see more than once on a trip, some I see when I return to the city and some I never return to.  I can imagine what’s its like on your side.

While I mostly stay in Marriott’s as I am expensing the trip…I have found a lot of fun stays on MisterBandB.  Sure they have options to rent an entire place…but I much prefer to rent a room and stay with someone.  It is considerably cheaper than a hotel and some stays have turned into friends.  Sometimes…okay a lot of times….there’s an element of hooking up with the host….sometimes it’s once…sometimes more than once.  I usually share a bit about myself in the intro email and ask them to do the same.  While I am well traveled, it’s nice to find out their preferred restaurant or bar or fun social event.  I am not a provider nor have I asked to have guests or people over…..so I don’t know if it’s entirely possible.  Perhaps a path for you to reduce hotel costs?  Oddly enough…when I’m home, I don’t entertain outcalls to my house.  I only do incalls to them.  However, when I’m traveling I will do either and have no issue having them to my hotel.  Most of the hosts I have met on the site are all rather gregarious and social…you have to be to open up your house like that.  I’m sure there are some that don’t engage though I have not had that experience….in reading the reviews I have a sense of what I’m getting into when I book them.

WIth regards to a base….if it were me….I would chose a base state that had large metro areas that were drivable…specifically, California, Texas and Florida come to mind.  All three states have large populations within driving distance so if you say set up in San Diego, going to LA, or even up to SFO on occasion is doable if even for a few days.  Texas and Florida are of course cheaper to live but I consider politics a factor in where I live and am quite comfortable living in California.  We’re not perfect….but who is?  All three of those states have major cities where you would certainly find work and possibly a decent stay….heck, even in Southern California you could easily drive to Vegas too.

Wish you the best of luck.  

Good idea about Mister Bnb. I have heard of it before but hadn’t yet used it. Sometimes though, I find hotels have their place because I may tend to change locations every day or 2. In Florida, I was “basing” in Orlando, but it was mostly nothing going on there with bookings other than my main regular. But it’s in the center of everything in central Florida so, it served its place.

I know you mentioned Florida, Texas and California: which all are states with big metros, but the problem is all those places are highly competitive. Plus the “scams” have run those markets into obsoletion. While I was in Florida, I went out of my way to avoid most of the 4 main metros unless I had an invitation. I even spent last weekend in a fairly off the beaten path retirement community. I just don’t care for working the big cities as much anymore. I’ll go if I have an anchor or friends there, but they just aren’t as profitable because it’s so many guys trying to do the same thing in the big cities..

However I do understand much of the “in” crowd are based in the larger cities so I still leave myself open to visit them. But not all of them are suitable places for me to base. I was considering moving “back” to Dallas area last year, but after a couple trips of having 0 appointments, I decided I didn’t want to keep pushing with trying to squeeze money out of a turnip 🫜 , especially in a state that has penalized the P word

I thought about trying out LA or San Diego for a year, but again: those are cities have an endless rotation. May be good to live in, but trying to visit for even a few days may not give enough time for a successful venture. 
 

Vegas reminds me of Orlando and the whole Disney theme, for adults. Which isn’t a bad thing but, I find they tend to have similar tendencies. Driving in/out of Vegas can feel like an island of its own though. 

Edited yesterday at 07:11 AM by JB_Studio38

[+ SidewaysDM]

4 hours ago, JB_Studio38 said:

 

However I do understand much of the “in” crowd are based in the larger cities so I still leave myself open to visit them. But not all of them are suitable places for me to base. I was considering moving “back” to Dallas area last year, but after a couple trips of having 0 appointments, I decided I didn’t want to keep pushing with trying to squeeze money out of a turnip 🫜 , especially in a state that has penalized the P word

 

 

@JB_Studio38 you are spot on with your assessment about Dallas and the state of Texas. I have befriended a well established and well reviewed provider from Houston. He travels to Dallas, San Antonio and Austin. Despite being a provider with 8 years experience and over 100 5 star reviews on RM and all positive comments on CoM, he is really struggling to make ends meet. Those cities are just over saturated with providers. 
 

Whatever decisions you make about your touring, I wish you much success and all the best! 

[marylander1940]

38 minutes ago, SidewaysDM said:

@JB_Studio38 you are spot on with your assessment about Dallas and the state of Texas. I have befriended a well established and well reviewed provider from Houston. He travels to Dallas, San Antonio and Austin. Despite being a provider with 8 years experience and over 100 5 star reviews on RM and all positive comments on CoM, he is really struggling to make ends meet. Those cities are just over saturated with providers. 
 

Whatever decisions you make about your touring, I wish you much success and all the best! 

The economy is bad! 

[JB_Studio38]

3 hours ago, SidewaysDM said:

@JB_Studio38 you are spot on with your assessment about Dallas and the state of Texas. I have befriended a well established and well reviewed provider from Houston. He travels to Dallas, San Antonio and Austin. Despite being a provider with 8 years experience and over 100 5 star reviews on RM and all positive comments on CoM, he is really struggling to make ends meet. Those cities are just over saturated with providers. 
 

Whatever decisions you make about your touring, I wish you much success and all the best! 

I can see that. I’ve done a similar circuit back when I lived in the area. It’s not always as profitable as it seems unless can book longer sessions or overnights.

Lot people/companies moving to Texas but it’s not the best kept secret it once was pre-2010s. It’s become the “new Florida/California” but it’s nothing like the 2. On a street level it might but the topography just doesn’t compare 

 

But…

 

Edited 16 hours ago by JB_Studio38

[BigDMike]

Very educational video.

I see some of those things “mentioned” in the National news…but I didn’t understand all those specifics.