Dollar Rent A Car grows in Oman

Salalah: Dollar Rent A Car, a subsidiary of the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, has reported a 65 per cent growth for the first half of 2010 in Oman compared to the first six months of 2009. At the end of 2009, the company experienced 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 of Dollar Rent A Car in 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," Chakraborty said.

Ramadan

Dollar Rent A Car predicts a drop in visitors to Oman in August this year due to Ramadan. However, this will not be drastic, according to Chakraborty.

"Firstly, we expect a surge in visitors in July before Ramadan. Second, the night life and cuisine 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 shouldn't discourage visitors during the 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 locations in 60 countries.

Presence