THIS year is set to be one of growth across the region for the National and Alamo car rental operations, says the company’s Peter Blott. Both brands are set for a major expansion regionally.
“2007 will see the expansion of National services in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Yemen and Egypt. Most countries will have the facility to provide the services of Alamo Rent-a-Car during the year as well,” Blott, who is managing director for both brands, told TTN. “This will represent further business/ commission opportunities for the travel trade which currently utilize the services of Alamo for their bookings outside the region.”
Blott said a fully fledged professional chauffer drive division will also be developed during 2007, again to be operated as single business unit for clients in all countries represented.
The past year saw the development of the Alamo brand in the region in regard to its introduction to the regional travel trade for the availability of global reservation opportunities, he said. “Alamo was introduced with a full range of products including gross and net trade rates as well as rates for tour operators and of course the availability of extremely competitive worldwide rates for members and employees in the travel trade. All rates carry very competitive commission rates for agents as well as e-voucher facilities for all products.
The development of this outbound business for Alamo will continue during 2007, he said, with the brand being introduced into the Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman Qatar and Saudi Arabia during the course of the year.
The National brand, meanwhile, continued successfully in 2006 with all countries turning in strong performances despite increased competition in most markets, Blott said. “There is a definite shift in customer expectations to an integrated and professional service in the industry and the national network in the Middle East provides this.”
During 2006, National also launched its Loyalty Card system to the market. This system applies to all global transactions as well as those in the Middle East. Middle East transactions carry extra benefits such as free upgrades and so on. Preferential rates, counter bypass and paperless rentals are all included in the system.