Summer Car Hire Shortages Apply Brakes to Holiday Car Reservations at Faro Airport

The tourism industry is being warned that a second year of rental car shortages is likely to drive up car hire prices in the Algarve this summer.

The global financial crisis has impacted many areas of the tourist industry. Many UK holiday makers are opting to stay in the UK with the Euro exchange rate at an all time low. One unexpected side-effect of the recession was the widespread shortage of rental cars in Portugal in the Summer of 2009. The situation is likely to be repeated in the Summer of 2010. Matt May spokesman for UK company Blue Valley Car Hire who provide car rental at Faro Airport in the Algarve region of Portugal explains.

"In Portugal, many of the rental car companies rely on hiring in additional cars during the busy periods such as Easter and Summer to boost the size of their rental car fleets. The credit crunch in Europe has made it much more difficult for these companies to temporarily obtain additional cars for the busy periods, and the result is spiralling prices and a general car hire shortage. Many people turning up at the Portuguese airports without a pre-booked car last Summer discovered that there were no rental cars available."

Matt continues "we are anticipating a similar situation in 2010, so we recommend that people book as early as possible. The situation at Faro Airport which is the hub of the Algarve tourist industry in 2009 was very frustrating for tourists hoping to pick up a holiday rental car bargain. By booking early you will guarantee that a car is reserved in your name, and avoid having to pay the higher prices on arrival at the airport."

For more information on how to book a car at Faro Airport please visit our website.

Subjects