Hertz to boost infrastructure, fleet and services across the Middle East

"Hertz has been a participant at ATM since 2000 and the event has always provided an excellent opportunity for our corporate representatives to reinforce and establish links with travel industry partners for in-bound and out-bound business," said John Andrews, Director, Associations, GSA and Middle East.

"The Middle East is a market of vital importance to us and while the conflict in Iraq and SARS obviously had a negative effect on business, stability is now returning and so are tourists," he said. "On a global scale, our lead in the North American airport rental segment was being supplemented by solid growth in the U.S. off-airport segment. We are also well positioned in key markets in South America, Europe, Australia/New Zealand and Asia."

Hertz is represented in the Middle East by franchisees in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE and Yemen, and by general sales agents in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Hertz general managers and marketing managers from around the region will gather under one roof to promote the company's car rental and leasing services at ATM.

They will be joined by Andrews, Nuns Moodliar, Vice President Legal and Corporate Affairs, and Christian Weber, Middle East Franchisee Director.

Hertz franchises across the Middle East are regularly expanding and upgrading their rental fleets while providing superior service at competitive prices. Hertz UAE has seen its fleet grow by more than 100 per cent in 2003 compared to the previous year.

In recent months, Hertz Kuwait opened a new city centre branch in the new Courtyard hotel. Located within the Arraya complex with its busy office tower and exhibition hall, this is the company's sixth branch in the country.

Hertz is also expanding in Qatar, where a third car rental location now opened at Qatar General Post in the busy Corniche Road area. The Post office houses government, semi-government and commercial offices, as well as a branch of the Immigration Department, and is visited by 2,500 people daily.

Across the region, Hertz Jordan has added to its fleet a wide range of new 2004 models including Nissan Sunny, Opel Astra, Omega and Vectra, Citroen Xsara and C8. Car renters looking for a more luxurious experience can opt for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade or the new Mercedes E200.

In Egypt, Hertz has joined forces with real estate and property management leader Coldwell Banker, enabling prospective home owners and renters to view properties with ease, and pick up additional car rental benefits. Hertz chauffeured limousines will now take Coldwell Banker clients on property viewings, making house hunting a more stylish and convenient experience, while customers are also entitled to up to 20 per cent discounts on car rentals from Hertz Egypt.