Automotive News South Africa

First Car Rental expands African footprint

First Car Rental has announced a car hire partnership with Moustafa H. Khataw, the CEO of Uniglobe Skylink Travel, previously a network partner to Avis and now the brand new First Car Rental Tanzania.
First Car Rental expands African footprint

The latest expansion into Africa adds to First Car Rental's existing business units, namely Mauritius, Malta and Turkey.

"We are witnessing an increase in flight frequency, new airlines and more hotels opening up in many parts of the country, which is a good indicator of economic growth, therefore it makes sense to partner with a well-managed and growing car rental enterprise such as First Car Rental," says Khataw.

"Their systems expertise and functionality and operational efficiencies are better suited to our fast-paced and growing industry. Their managing team are all decision-makers within their departments so there is no lag. It is fantastic and I look forward to a long beneficial relationship."

Selection of vehicles

First Car Rental Tanzania has a good selection of 4x4 vehicles, which are popular in the country, plus a handful of budget and passenger vans. They also offer a full range of car hire services, including short and long-term car rental, direct transfers and chauffeur drive packages.

The Tanzania branch is located within the five-star Hyatt Regency Hotel building in the heart of Dar es Salaam with superb views of the city's harbour and Indian Ocean. There is also a branch presence at Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International Airport, ensuring visitors to Tanzania have easy access to First Car Rental.
"We are very excited to be adding a First Car Rental business unit in Tanzania, which is a growing East African country in the African Great Lakes region. This addition to our international family is a much needed expansion based on demand from South Africa to Tanzania and vice versa," says Bruce Barritt, MD at First Car Rental.
"We will provide First Car Rental Tanzania with various system tools within the next few months, allowing our customers a seamless process irrespective of international borders. It has been a pleasure setting up the unit and working alongside Khataw and his team who are market leaders within the Tanzanian travel-industry," says Melissa Storey, executive head: Strategy, Development and Marketing at First Car Rental.

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