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Stable environment helps UAE car rental business

Stable and safe environment for tourists in the UAE helped boost car rental business and first quarter number reaches similar to pre-2008 financial crisis level, according to a top industry expert.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group witnessed tremendous first quarter in the UAE as the market improved significantly, executive director for Middle East & North Africa and Asia Pacific Sam Eltibi told Khaleej Times in an interview at Arabian Travel Market.

Citing reasons for the remarkable growth in the business, Eltibi mentioned that it’s result of many factors and foremost is environment of stability in this country. Due to some problem in other parts of the region, the UAE attracted more tourists, said, adding: “Tourism needs an environment of stability and safety and the UAE offers it.”

The company runs two well known brands in the UAE – Dollar and Thrifty. In the first quarter Thrifty added 1,500 new vehicles in its fleet and now it’s fleet size is 17,500 vehicles while Dollar has around 5,000 cars.

The company is increasing fleet size by 15 per cent that will provide additional revenues of around 10-12 per cent. Thrifty has 37 locations in the country while Dollar has presence at 22 locations. Eltibi said that tourism in this part of the world is only in the UAE and Oman and rest of the countries have less attractions for tourists. He mentioned that only these two markets are doing very well in the region and rest are just OK. Outside the Gulf, he said India and Turkey is growing.

Thrifty Car Rental recently start offering high-end sports cars to customers with the addition of the 2012 model Ford Mustang 5.0 and the 2012 Dodge Charger. “We got some cars during the Dubai World Cup and we are very happy with the demand and exploring the possibility for growth in this segment,” he said.

abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com