Car rental has risen sharply in recent months as more residents and visitors seek to navigate the city in comfort and with ease, according to Hertz.

The world’s largest car rental firm, which now has 15 branches in the UAE and has been based in the country since 1993, said one of the factors contributing to the rise is difficulties experienced by expatriates and holidaymakers to get a taxi.

“When tourists and expatriates arrive in Dubai, the first thing they want to do is explore the city’s wonders. This can be challenging as there is limited public transport at present and taxis can be hard to come by during peak periods,” said general manager of Hertz Nigel Johnson.

Johnson explained that while the RTA is continually addressing ways to improve the flow of traffic in Dubai and build new modes of transport, such as the Dubai Metro, more visitors to the city are now opting for the stress-free and convenient alternatives of car rental.

“We’ve witnessed a considerable rise in car rentals in Dubai in recent months and that’s partly down to the traffic problems people are enduring. More people are turning to car rental as it’s an easy, hassle-free and affordable option.

“All of our cars are fully insured and undergo a 40-point quality check-up prior to rentals.  Therefore, we can provide visitors with new, safe vehicles from the moment they enter the country, something that can bring peace of mind and avoid headaches,” added Johnson.

Johnson predicted that car rentals would continue to rise into 2009 and in conjunction with that trend, Hertz will continue to expand its operations to keep pace with rising demand.

Hertz recently opened a new branch at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3 (T3), following the opening of the Hertz Radisson SAS Dubai Marina branch last month and the Dubai Festival City branch in June. 

As part of Hertz’s ongoing growth, the company is also investing heavily in two mega-sites at Dubai Investment Park and Mussafah in Abu Dhabi, with parking for 500 vehicles and full-servicing facilities, in addition to plans to introduce a branch in Al Ain.

Hertz is also expanding its fleet of vehicles, which is expected to grow to 8,500 vehicles by the end of 2008. Several new 2009 models will be announced next month, including the Honda Pilot and the Honda Jazz. – TradeArabia News Service