Dollar and Thrifty Group record Third Quarter Growth Over 40 Percent in Middle East and North Africa

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group today announced a 42 percent increase in its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) business from January to September 2004 over the same period last year.

The company, which supplies more than 14,000 automobiles to the region under the Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental brands, received a major boost in markets such as Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Turkey and the UAE.

“Externally, a combination of factors, from special events such as the Formula One activities in Bahrain, to ongoing tourism efforts in markets such as Lebanon and the Gulf, contributed to DTG’s considerable growth during the first nine months of this year. DTG itself has driven this increase by launching new reservation tools, enhancing relations with major international travel groups, and improving customer service in conjunction with our regional licensing partners,” commented Sam Eltibi, regional director, MENA, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group.

“Dollar and Thrifty’s 42 percent growth in the MENA countries from January to September is especially significant given that other regions such as Europe and Asia Pacific recorded lesser gains over the same period. Clearly the Middle East and North Africa markets are witnessing major growth in both tourism and business travel, and Dollar and Thrifty licensees have positioned themselves strategically to capitalize on this traffic,” he added.

Eltibi outlined a number of regional and global initiatives aimed at further increasing the company’s market share. DTG has introduced the Dollar Rent A Car brand to both the UAE and Bahrain markets, with additional regional launches in the works. DTG is also introducing prepaid Internet vouchers to be used at its nearly 70 locations around the region. Finally, the company is increasing brand awareness regionally through targeted advertising in the Levant and GCC markets.

As part of its regional expansion program, Dollar aims to open 20 new outlets in the MENA region, including three in the United Arab Emirates, to support its Dubai headquarters.