Shift in tourist trends benefits Avis

AVIS Rent-A-Car's reservations from foreign inbound travellers for the six months from November 2001 to April 2002 are currently some 10% higher than the level for the same period a year ago. Managing director Guy Harris says it is particularly significant that business from the company's traditional core markets abroad was holding up well, with reservations from the UK more than doubling. "Airline flights to South Africa have been increased and so has the number of cruise liners calling here over the next few months. The demand for car rental will obviously benefit from this trend, which reflects a shift in tourism patterns in the wake of September 11 and subsequent events." "With the continuing international turmoil, however, the global travel situation remains very unsettled. Present indications are that the coming December-to-April peak season will be a good one for us, but it would be imprudent to make longer-term extrapolations from current figures in this volatile environment." (Adéle Mackenzie)