Budget Rent-a-Car will highlight an impressive growth in the Middle East  at the Arabia Travel Market.

In the past three years, Budget has achieved growth of between 40 and 50 per cent across the region which is far in excess of the market and has strengthened the company’s already market-leading position, according to a statement.

This growth has also seen Budget opening new headquarters in Bahrain, Qatar and Oman in 2008.

Budget also increased its focus on the regional corporate market, resulting in new partnerships with companies including Etihad. These add to Budget’s existing partnerships with Emirates Airline, Oman Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Qatar Airways and Visa.

Currently, Budget Rent-a-Car operates in 125 locations in the Middle East in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Yemen and will be using this year’s Arabian Travel Market to highlight its expanding network within these countries.

The event also offers Budget the opportunity to showcase its international products, quality of service and excellent value for money.

Dedicated members of the Budget team will be present at the company’s stand to guide visitors through a range of products including 1-2-3, Fastbreak, International Partnerships and Go Budget Middle East – a leisure rate programme exclusive to the Middle East.

Budget is also offering visitors the chance to enter a free prize draw, where one lucky winner will drive away with a brand new Chevrolet Spark. Prize forms will be available on the Budget stand and the winner will be drawn by an independent adjudicator.

“The Middle East’s economic growth and increasing tourism in recent years has had a flow-on effect for Budget Rent-a-Car, and our latest results show 2007 was a record year for our Middle Eastern operations,” said Budget Rent-a-Car director of sales and marketing Jill Grinsted.

“For 2008 our plan is to increase focus on the regional corporate market where we have already experienced considerable success this year signing partnerships with key airlines including Etihad.

“Arabian Travel Market therefore provides us with an excellent networking opportunity and chance to further build on our strong operation in the region.  It is important for us to maintain and enhance current and future relationships with our Middle Eastern partners and customers.”

Budget is one of the top three global car and van rental systems, and operates in over 3,400 locations, within 128 countries worldwide, including over 800 airports. - TradeArabia News Service