High Demand for Car Rental in 2010

15th of January

The BBC reports that the demand for car rental in 2010 is really going to drive up the prices. Actually, they point out the fact that demand has not really changed, but the supply is falling off. The car rental companies are not updating their fleets as much as they have in the past years and that means there are not many vehicles available. The summer months in Europe are notorious for shortages of car rental, but this year it seems to be more than ever.

The major holiday destinations will be hit the hardest come summer 2010. Spain is historically short supplied, but this year it could get downright nasty. The car rental companies seem to be raising the price as high as they can because they know the consumers will buy. Bob Atkins, the business development manager for Travelsupermarket.com said, "Small cars in particular are in very short supply, and it's often cheaper to take a larger car, rather than the small ones people go for because they presume they'll be cheaper." That means you might actually be better off opting for the larger car. Apart from fuel costs, it could save you some money this summer.

The car rental shortage could not come at a worse time because tourists are starting to feel less pressure from the global recession. An increase in tourism, coupled with a decreasing supply of car rentals is not a good combination. Many people are accustomed to using car rental during vacations and this year seems like some will miss out.

This graph illustrates the problem that is occurring. As we can see the supply of car rental is decreasing this year, but the demand is staying the same. That can only mean the price for car rental will rise and some people could go without a vehicle.

Here are a few ways to ensure your car rental reservation for a holiday.

1. Book Early – This is the best way to beat the rush and guarantee you will have the car. One of the reasons that so many holidaymakers are being disappointed is due to lack of preparation. There is basically no chance that there will be cars available if you try and make a reservation less than 2 weeks before the trip. Furthermore, you should really think about booking at least one or even two months in advance just to be on the safe side. If you are 100% sure on your need for a car rental, you must book well in advance.

Popular Spain destinations to book early:
Car rental Alicante
Car rental Malaga
Car rental Valencia
Car rental Madrid

2. Keep yourself Updated – If you take the advice of booking early, you still need to make sure that your car rental will be ready when you arrive. It is a good idea to contact your supplier about one week in advance to make sure you are still scheduled to pick up the car. It will not be a good scene if you arrive at your destination and they have to inform you that the car is not available. It is not a likely scenario, but it has happened to a few people.

3. Choose a Less Popular Destination – If you are undecided on the location of your holiday, maybe you can choose somewhere that will not be as hectic. Summer car rental in Spain has the most demanded locations in the world. Every year they experience a shortage of cars and this year will be no different. (Except that there will be an even bigger shortage.) Think about some places that are off the beaten track before you book the holiday. But, if you have your heart set on one of these hotspots, it is best to heed the advice from numbers 1 and 2. It will save you a lot of trouble in the future.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8200087.stm