Regional expansion is highlight of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group's participation at the Arabian Travel Market 2007

During the four-day event, DTAG is to highlight some of its key successes during the previous 12 months, including the roll-out of a broader franchise program, a significant expansion and enhancement of DTAG's regional fleet, the addition of new customer service initiatives, and the phenomenal growth of both brands in the region since the last ATM. DTAG will also introduce its new business partners in the India market during the exhibition.

"Participation in events such as ATM is vital to DTAG's campaign to strengthen our foothold in the region's increasingly competitive car rental market. With the recent inauguration of the Dubai Festival City outlet, which is the most recent addition to our current mall counters existing in Deira City Centre, Mall of the Emirates and Sharjah City Centre, we continue implementing our expansion plan in the UAE as well as in other key markets,"

said Sam Eltibi, regional director, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, MENA.

Since DTAG's previous participation at ATM 2006, the leading car rental company has deployed remarkable expansion and growth strategies for both the Thrifty Car Rental and Dollar Rent a Car brands in the region.

During the past year, DTAG continued in its expansion plan in the UAE. With a fleet numbering in excess of 12,000 vehicles and more than 14 outlets in key locations - DTAG has successfully become the largest car rental company in the Emirates.

During 2006, Thrifty also launched Thrifty Turkey in conjunction with the Garage Group. Thrifty Car Rental branches have already opened in Antalyta, Bodrum, Dalaman, Istanbul, Izmor, and Marmaris, in addition to a seventh branch that is planned to open soon in Ankara.

To add to Thrifty's regional success, Thrifty's growth has also extended to India, where a franchise agreement was signed with the acclaimed Nijhawan Group, in addition to the existing outlets in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

Commenting on the group's future plans for 2007, ElTibi said "Dollar's future plan is to increase emphasis on the company's luxury line over the coming months, which will include Jaguar and BMW models, while Thrifty Car Rental will continue its ambitious expansion project for 2007."

"DTAG remains committed to firmly establishing its reputation as the region's premier automotive rental group and in 2007, we will continue to innovate and anticipate our customers' needs as we grow our businesses," ElTibi concluded.

With 300 square meters of exhibition space at ATM dedicated to both the Dollar Rental Car and Thrifty Car Rental brands, the group announced its largest presence ever at the trade show, which attracts travel trade and corporate buyers from all over the world.