Tourists warned to book car hire early this Easter
Vehicle rentals on the rise this Easter
Car hire experts are warning tourists travelling this Easter to book in advance as early signs show that there is an increased demand for rental vehicles across Europe. Some of the most popular destinations where car hire is already heavily booked include Tenerife, Faro, Rome, and Alicante.
It is believed that Easter will be a very busy holiday period as many people chose to stay at home over the festive period due to toll the holiday season had taken on their finances. With the country struggling out of recession, money was still tight for many. As we seem to be turning the corner, more holidaymakers are expected to come out over Easter than before.
Bookings for car hire in Europe are already on the rise, and with that, so are the prices. It has been estimated that vehicle rental rates are 13% higher this Easter break when compared to the same period last year.
The economic climate has also had a marked effect on the car hire industry and is partly responsible for the rise we are now witnessing in hire prices. As the banks are less willing to lend to businesses following the credit crunch, car hire owners have been unable to secure finance to invest in new vehicles for their fleet. This has resulted in a reduction in the number of vehicles available, yet there has been no let up in the demand for hire vehicles.
So if you are planning a getaway this Easter, make sure you think ahead and book your car hire early in order to make the most of any special offers, and to ensure you secure yourself a vehicle.
Car Hire firm in Bath braces itself for redundancies
Job likely to face the axe at vehicle rental call centre in Bath
Call centre staff at the Bath-based car hire firm Helphire Group plc, are likely to face job cuts in the near future. The news comes less than year after the company as forced to make 180 redundancies at the centre last April.
Helphire offers rental vehicles to those who have suffered a no-fault accident. The firm currently employs a 600 strong work force in Bath, the vast majority of these roles are in administration, whilst the rest are IT based. Helphire currently has 2,000 employees across the UK at its 30 different bases in the country.
In a bid to cut costs, Helphire is looking to consolidate its workforce in its bases in Cheshire and County Durham.
It is not yet known how many people will lose their jobs at the car hire company in Bath. Some employees may be offered redundancy packages, whilst others could be offered work elsewhere at another centre. The management and Head Quarters offices in Bath however, will remain unaffected.
A Helphire spokeswoman said the decision had been made to lose the jobs in Bath in order to help reduce the firm’s costs, and make the company more competitive within the industry.
Last year the company also cut its fleet of hire cars dramatically after being hit badly by the recession.
Car Hire in South Africa receives a boost from the upcoming Football World Cup
The car hire industry in South Africa has noted an upturn in its fortunes of late. A successful festive period coupled with the upcoming football World Cup has meant that car hire companies are starting to turn the corner following the economic crisis which blighted the industry last year.
The Christmas holiday season proved a very good time for the car hire companies operating in South Africa, with a big increase in bookings noted, especially around coastal areas. One car rental firm said that they were so overwhelmed with demand for their cars, that at one point, they completely ran out of vehicles.
The figures speak for themselves. The chef executive at Europcar South Africa says there has been a marked rise in the number of tourists visiting the country. Although the figures are not up to the level they were before the economic downturn hit, they are considerably higher than this time last year. Also the domestic leisure industry reported a 12% increase during this Christmas period which is another encouraging sign.
The upcoming Football World Cup is another contributory factor towards the increase in car hire bookings. The world famous event is due to descend upon South Africa this summer bringing thousands of football fans with it. Car hire companies have noted a surge in bookings for this time as the games draw closer. Some firms have vowed to add new vehicles to their fleet of hire cars on order to cope with demand when the World Cup comes to town.
Car Hire Companies in New Zealand advised to educate drivers on road safety
car hire customers in New Zealand to be issued with road safety guidelines
The authorities in New Zealand have come up with a plan to tackle the problem of holidaymakers causing car accidents on their roads. The police are hoping that by working in-conjunction with the car rental companies to help educate their customers on road safety before they get behind the wheel, the number of accidents caused by foreign drivers will be significantly reduced.
Over the summer season last year, a number of tourists were reported to have died whilst holidaying in New Zealand as a result of a car crash. Police have warned that speeding was a major factor in many of these accidents. Holidaymakers are said to drive at high speeds around hot spots such as Queenstown and Milford Sound which is said to aggravate the problem.
The new proposal would see all car hire companies issue their customers with road safety information specific to New Zealand. Advice on speed limits, driving practices and road signs unique to the country will be supplied as part of the new project.
The Rugby World Cup is due to be held in New Zealand next year and it is hoped that the situation will have been resolved somewhat before the rugby fans descend on the country for the world famous tournament.
Limo Broker announce cheap limo hire rates for 2010
Limo Broker introduces ultra low rates on limo hire for the new year
One of the leading limo hire providers in the UK, Limo Broker, have announced all time low prices to kick start 2010. The limo giant have slashed rates across their whole range of vehicles so there’s never been a better time to pick up a bargain limo ride for your special occasion this year.
With a massive selection of chauffeur driven limousines to choose from you’re bound to find something to suit your occasion perfectly. From top of the range Hummer limos with the capacity to carry 18 passengers, to exquisite wedding cars like the open-top Beauford, and exclusive vehicles such as the Ferrari limo, you won’t find a more comprehensive and exciting fleet anywhere else in the country.
As a nationwide operator, Limo Broker can provide you with a limo hire regardless of where you are based in the UK. From London to Edinburgh, Cardiff to Belfast and Swindon to Birmingham, no destination is out of bound when you make a booking with Limo Broker.
These ultra low limo hire rates won’t hang around for long so if you need a wedding car for you big day this summer, or a novelty limo to surprise your best mate on her birthday, or a party bus to celebrate your stag do in style, now is the time to bag a bargain. Call now and receive a rock bottom price for your limo trip courtesy of Limo Broker’s exclusive January sale.
For more details, please visit www.limobroker.co.uk
Cost of Car Hire in US airports increased by 50%
A survey conducted this week by Abrams Consulting Group (ACG) showed some startling changes to the cost of car hire in comparison to last year. The results showed that on average the price of car rental has risen by more than 50%.
car rental prices increased by 50% in US this year
As part of ACG’s findings they revealed that the cost of hiring a standard small car for one week, booking a week in advance would set the customer back $298. When ACG delved into the rental costs of the same vehicle for August of this year, they found that the price had risen to $430 for a week’s hire.
One of the main reasons cited for the dramatic increase in rates is the dwindling numbers of hire vehicles. Due to the economic recession car hire firms have found it difficult to find finance for new vehicles this year, so the old cars have not been replaced which results in a much few number of vehicles being available for hire.
However the car hire bosses don’t want to see their profits take a nose-die despite the smaller fleet, and are instead raising the prices of the vehicles they do have to cover the shortfall.
Car hire customers are being advised to shop around before sighing up for car rental. Price comparison websites are recommended for exploring your different options as many companies have special offers and discounts which could save you a considerable amount on your car hire.
Car Hire firms likely to hold out for higher rates next year
The increase in the demand for car hire this year has been widely reported and if the forecasts are to be believed, we’re unlikely to see a drop in prices any time soon. It has been claimed that many corporate customer of car hire firms will stick to their current provider in the coming year in order to benefit from repeat hire offers instead of starting all over again with another company.
These predictions have been made by the president of Abrams Consulting Group, Neil Abrams who specialises in car hire. He went on to add that car hire businesses have been affected differently by this recession as opposed to previous ones as the industry has been left largely undamaged by the economic downturn.
Mr Abrams credits the companies themselves for this saying that good financial management and cost-cutting strategies have been successful in keeping rates stable. He also added that the sensible pricing by car hire firms has enabled them to weather the storm and discounts and special offers have in fact attracted customers as many people opted for a “staycation” this year taking their holidays in the UK.
But as the green shoots of recovery start to appear bringing with them a glimmer of hope for a return to normality, experts predict that some car hire companies could increase their prices in order to capitalise on the economy’s return to form. Discounts and special offers on car rental schemes are likely to be a thing of the past as we enter into 2010.
Swiss Airline renews contract with top Car Hire Company
Swiss International Airline and Europcar are due to extend their working relationship after they announced plans to renew their current contract. Those travelling with the airline will continue to be eligible for a whole range of benefits as detailed in the agreement.
The two organisations have been working in conjunction since 2003. The pair have put their heads together and come up with a joint website which aims to streamline the car hire booking process and make customers aware of the advantages of booking through this system. The new site offers services through a range of different languages including English, German, Italian and French.
Airline renews contract with car hire firm
The people who will benefit most from this extended venture will be the customers. Passengers from the airline will be treated to generous discounts on car hire amongst other benefits. Europcar is currently running an offer until the 15th October whereby Swiss Airline passengers receive a free upgrade on their hire car when they making a booking online at the new website.
Another great service these customers will be offered is free valet parking at the airport, plus reserved parking spaces at terminals including Basel, Geneva and Zurich. Europcar is seeking to take the strain out of the car hire procedure by making as many allowances for these customers as possible.
One of the chefs at Europcar spoke of his enthusiasm for the continued partnership. He explained that the deal will enable them to offer “even more value to travellers” which is major priority for both organisations.
Car Hire in South Africa gets a boost from new technology
Those looking for car hire whilst holidaying in South Africa may be in for a pleasant surprise. One car hire company has engineered a new form of satellite navigation system with a twist which will enable customers to experience all this fascinating country has to offer.
South African car hire introduces new sat nav
The technology, known as Satpacking, was introduced by the owner of Satpack Travel and has been fitted in a selection of their hire vehicles. The device uses a combination of customary satellite navigation technology with some travel tips and advice gleamed from the inventor’s extensive local knowledge. It will offer car hire customers a greater range of opportunities during their travel and enable them to make discoveries they otherwise wouldn’t have. The Satpack is designed to be like having your own personal tour guide on hand at all times.
This vast country is best explored via car hire. Visitors can enjoy the freedom of the open road but at the same time, have the Satpack system which offers assurance should a customer encounter difficulties. With the Football World Cup 2010 fast approaching South Africa is bracing itself for a huge influx of visitors. Demand for car hire is likely to be high and the Satpack technology is guaranteed to enhance the car hire experience.
The Satpack system is continually updated to ensure its information is current and relevant. The team at Satpack Travel even offer to create a bespoke programme to incorporate points of particular interest to an individual customer. Instead of taking the fastest route, take the scenic route and make the most of your car hire in South Africa.
The search is on for Britain’s worst car parking space
Nominate your worst car parking space now
While Simon Cowell launches his new search to find the next world-conquering singing superstar, Insurance company Aviva has launched its very own nationwide search; to find the U.K’s worst parking spot. Yes, it may lack the glamour of the X-Factor but the beauty of this competition is, everyone can get involved!
Millions of Britons get behind the wheel everyday and parking issues are one of motorists’ most aggravating bugbears. Bad parking is responsible for thousands of bumps and scrapes afflicting our cars every year. Now drivers have the chance to vent their anger and put themselves in the running to win a driving day at Rockingham in Northamptonshire.
Stuntman Terry Grant has filmed a series of extreme parking video clips to illustrate the point. Grant is highly regarded to be one of Europe’s top stuntmen and is rumoured to be the mystery figure, The Stig, in BBC’s Top Gear. Watch a master at work as he deftly manoeuvres his vehicle in a display of parallel parking that will make your hair stand on end.
So if there’s a particularly pointless parking space which drives you potty, or an impossible spot which sends you into a spin, nominate it now and put yourself straight into the prize draw. Plus you’ll have the satisfaction of naming and shaming your most hated parking space, it’s payback time!
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