Dollar Oman Business grows 65 per cent during H110; surge in visitors expected in July followed by a slight drop in August
Salalah, Oman -- 11 July 2010 -- Dollar Rent A Car, a franchisee of the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group (NYSE: DTG), has reported a 65 per cent growth for the first half of 2010 compared to the first six months of 2009. At the end of 2009, the company experienced a 55 per cent growth in comparison to the last part of 2008.
Car rental has experienced a boom in Oman due to the government increasing investment in tourism. The marvels of the sultanate are increasingly becoming popular through social media sites with visitors posting their images on websites such as facebook, twitter, flicker - all of which are important marketing tools for Oman. said Goutam Chakraborty, General Manager, Dollar Rent A Car, Oman
The landscape in parts of Oman, in particular Salalah, is cool, lush and green, especially in the Khareef season. During this time, even low quality images of the forests, wadis, and springs look exceptionally enticing, especially to other parts of the dry, hot region. If tourists post pictures then their friends and family will want to experience these locations themselves, continued Chakraborty.
Dollar Rent A Car predicts a drop in visitors to Oman during August this year, due to the Holy month of Ramadan. However, this wouldnt be drastic, according to Chakraborty, Firstly, we expect a surge in visitors in July before Ramadan. Second, the night life and cuisines are not what Oman is popular for as a destination. The cool, calm environment of Salalah is rejuvenating for the mind as well as the body, so this shouldnt discourage visitors during the Holy month. We also expect Salalah to be a popular destination during Eid-Al-Fitr and have already booked a number of cars for the occasion.
In line with the increase in rental activity, Dollar Rent A Car has increased its focus on after sales service, including immediate breakdown assistance and client service efforts. The company is currently looking at adding counters to cope with the increase in business and leisure travellers in the interior locations.
Dollar Rent A Car has more than 575 worldwide locations in 60 countries, with a significant presence in Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America, including more than 282 in the United States.
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About the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Driven by the mission Value Every Time, the Company's brands, Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental, serve value-conscious travellers in over 80 countries. Dollar and Thrifty have over 600 corporate and franchisee locations in the United States and Canada, operating in virtually all of the top U.S. and Canadian airport markets. The Company's approximately 6,000 employees are located mainly in North America, but global service capabilities exist through an expanding international franchisee network. For additional information, visit www.dtag.com or the brand sites at www.dollar.com and www.thrifty.com.
For more information, please contact:
Sam Eltibi
Executive Director, Middle East and North Africa
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc.
Tel: +971 4 3328833
Fax: +971 4 3324454
E-mail: sam.eltibi@dtag.com
Natasha DSouza
Consultant
The Portsmouth Group
Tel: +971 4 369 3575
Fax: +971 4 360 4511
Email : natasha.dsouza@theportsmouthgroup.com
Press Release 2010
