Hertz Partners With AiRep Aviation & Tourism To Grow Outbound Car Rentals From Turkey

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hertz Corporation has appointed AiRep Aviation & Tourism, one of Turkey's largest travel management companies, as its outbound General Sales Agent (GSA) representative for the travel trade in Turkey.

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The recently signed partnership will see AiRep Aviation & Tourism tasked with growing Hertz outbound car rentals from Turkey to more than 8,800 Hertz locations in 150 countries.

That growth will likely be aided by the increasing number of Turkish travelers in recent years to popular destinations such as the USA and Europe. According to the Turkish Ministry of Tourism, more than 11 million Turkish passport holders travelled abroad in 2012, while experts in the country estimate that by 2015, the number could increase to 16 million.

"With a population of 73.6 million and an average GDP growth rate of 4.6 per cent expected over the next five years, we see Turkey as a key source market for Hertz outbound car rentals and integral to our long-term growth strategy," said Michel Taride, Group President of Hertz International.

"Turkey generates millions of tourists every year, while Hertz outbound car rentals from the country between January and August 2013 increased by 27 per cent versus the same period last year. We are delighted to be aligned with AiRep Aviation & Tourism, whose extensive market knowledge and presence makes them an ideal partner to advance this growth."

Taride added that the USA, Italy, Germany, France, and Greece are currently the top five destinations for Turkish travelers choosing to rent with Hertz, accounting for a combined 67 per cent of the total mentioned growth so far this year. Other popular global destinations include Spain, the UAE, Benelux, Switzerland and Austria.

With more than 20 years' experience, AiRep Aviation & Tourism has established an independent sales team operating as a dedicated resource representing the Hertz brand in Turkey, providing instant accessibility to the global portfolio of Hertz outbound products.

Ferzan Unlusoy, General Manager of AiRep Aviation & Tourism, said: "We are committed to providing Turkey's travel trade professionals and their customers with the best range of travel products available on the market today.

"This partnership with Hertz will allow us to extend this offering further and we are looking forward to establishing AiRep Aviation & Tourism as the face of Hertz within the travel trade in Turkey."

Hertz offers a wide range of makes and types in a global fleet of more than 500,000 vehicles, including the popular Hertz Dream Cars collection in the USA and Europe, where Turkish customers can drive the likes of an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, a Bentley Continental GT, a Lamborghini Gallardo, or an SRT in the USA; or the new Jaguar F-TYPE in Europe.

Other popular choices are the Hertz Collections range of cars in Europe, USA and Australia, including the Prestige, Green, Fun, Adrenalin, and Family collections, guaranteeing the car make and model the customer chooses upon making a reservation.

About Hertz

Hertz operates its car rental business through the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty brands from approximately 10,400 corporate, licensee and franchisee locations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand. Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,800 corporate and licensee locations in approximately 150 countries. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 111 major airports in Europe. Dollar and Thrifty have approximately 1,580 corporate and franchisee locations in approximately 80 countries. Hertz is an inaugural member of Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards Hall of Fame and was recently named, for the thirteenth time, by the magazine's readers as the Best Car Rental Agency. Hertz was also voted the Best Overall Car Rental Company in Zagat's 2013/14 U.S. Car Rental Survey, earning top honors in 10 additional categories, and the Company swept the global awards for Best Rewards Program and Best Overall Benefits from FlyerTalk.com. Product and services such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, NeverLost®, and unique cars and SUVs offered through the Company's Adrenaline, Prestige and Green Traveler Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition. Additionally, Hertz owns the vehicle leasing and fleet management leader Donlen Corporation and operates the Hertz On Demand car sharing business. The Company also owns a leading North American equipment rental business, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, which includes Hertz Entertainment Services.

About Hertz Middle East and Africa

Hertz has a strong presence in the Middle East and Africa region, with 11 Hertz franchisees in the Middle East and 23 in Africa, and a total of 66 locations in the Middle East and 161 outlets in Africa, offering a wide range of car rental and leasing services.  Hertz locations across the region offer customers the most modern fleet of vehicles in the market, with a focus on quality, safety and reliability.

About Discover the World Marketing

Discover the World Marketing has earned a reputation as a leader in global travel distribution and its success in developing a worldwide network of 80 offices in more than 60 countries capable of exceptional representation performance is unmatched.  With a portfolio of 76 clients utilizing its sales, marketing and business process outsourcing services, Discover the World Marketing remains a dominant innovator for the travel industry.

SOURCE The Hertz Corporation