WITH around 60 per cent of the company’s business made up of corporate rentals, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group is focusing on customer service and fleet upgrades to keep its business traveller customers happy.
Though recent political unrest has had some effect, Sam Eltibi, the group’s executive director for Mena and Asia Pacific, expects the market to even out.
He said: “In 2011 business activity will be at a par with 2010 on balance, with some markets slightly growing and others seeing a slight drop in business due to the political events happening in the region. In 2011, we have focused on strategic sales, customer service and fleet upgrades, to give our customers superior service and value for money.
“The Middle East is a developing region, where there are a number of opportunities to grow business. There are developments in the region’s infrastructure that are attractive to business and leisure tourists alike and these are backed by government support. The region is also largely reliant on cars as a means of transport. Especially in the hot summer months, the extreme weather conditions make travelling around in a car a comfortable and reasonable option.”
He added that the company will continue to innovate with the aid of technology and web solutions to increase operational efficiency which will directly save on costs and time for clients.
And DTAG is constantly on the lookout for ‘hot spots’ to increase its coverage in the region.
The company will be expanding its fleet to meet increasing customer demand and has, in fact, recently launched a new operation in Jordan with Dollar Car Rental branches in terminals one and two at Amman Airport and a wide range of 4x4 vehicles to take advantage of the country’s off-road destinations and rugged terraine.