CONNECT Car Rental has moved into Saudi Arabia as part of its drive to expand in the Middle East.
The company is capitalising on the outward-bound market to the UK and ex-patriots wanting local rentals by setting up a sales and reservations office. Connect’s managing director, Adrian Duthie, explained: “We have had limited sales representation in this region for the past 12 months. During this time the volume of outbound business in the UK has increased. With a local office we can take advantage of the increasing number of opportunities for developing the ex-pat niche market.”
The office has two staff members who work with Connect’s representatives in Middle Eastern countries such as Dubai and Bahrain. In its bid to enter the Middle Eastern market, Connect has formed alliances with Saudi Arabian Airlines and a number of car rental firms there.