AS EXHIBITORS at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) prepare for another successful show, SAM ELTIBI of Dollar Thrifty spoke to TTN about the company’s participation and future plans.
How many years have you now been exhibiting at ATM?
This will be the 17th year Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group (DTAG) has taken part in ATM.
Has the show previously proved successful for DTAG?
ATM has always been a success especially in the past two years, we have experienced less in number but fruitful and promising meetings, which has been an efficient use of our time. We have met with serious potential customers and have had more meetings result in closing a deal than before.
What will you be particularly showcasing this year and what do you hope to gain from this?
DTAG will be promoting its portfolio of services and its reach in the Mena and Indian subcontinent regions. We will encourage visitors towards our online reservations systems which are quick and easy to use. Our franchisees will promote our new locations in the region.
DTAG will also be celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its Mena and Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Dubai.
DTAG is hosting a training session for its franchisees in the region on customer service, delegation and time management in the month of May. We are preparing our staff for an increase in activity even greater than they have seen in the past two years.
By participating at ATM we hope to gain a clear insight into the current market conditions and consumer needs. We plan to hold some productive meetings with potential clients to discuss their business needs and to showcase our diverse portfolio to demonstrate firsthand how we can serve them. We hope to turn these meetings with potential new customers into long term business relationships while also meeting with and strengthening ties with our existing customers.
How has business been across the region so far this year in comparison to 2010 and 2009?
Tourism activity has significantly increased over the past two years. In 2011 business activity will be at par with 2010 on balance, with some markets slightly growing and others seeing a slight drop in business due to the 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.
Has the regional unrest affected business and how will this impact on the company’s expansion plans?
At DTAG, our operations in the Middle East are secure. Although the political situation is unfortunate for the people and businesses in the affected countries at the moment, we believe it will be beneficial to the region in the long term. Democracy will do a lot for tourism to the Middle East – business and leisure. In fact, what we are experiencing now in the Middle East has happened in Eastern Europe in the past and we expect change for the better in the near future.
What are the plans for the rest of 2011 going into 2012 – will there be further growth in coverage and are any additions to the fleet planned?
Dollar Rent A Car recently opened in Morocco, while Thrifty Car Rental in Jordan opened its new headquarters at the prime location of the Airport Road, in close proximity to the airport and downtown Amman, and an in-terminal location at Amman Queen Alia International Airport.
DTAG and its franchisees 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 our clients. We are looking at ‘hot spots’ to increase our coverage in the region and will of course be expanding our fleet due to increasing customer demand in some countries.