Demand increases for car rentals for Fiji Day

Fiji Rental Car Association is anticipating an increase in hiring of rental cars for families travelling for Fiji

Day.

A lot of families have not seen their relatives and loved ones for some time, association president Mohammed Safik said Fiji Day posed the opportunity for more hiring of rental cars.

Adding to this, the reopening of the borders has also contributed to the increase demand for rental cars.

Mr Safik said the demand for rental cars has boosted business for operators who have halted operations because of the pandemic.

“Many operators had parked their cars and took some relief through bank repayment holidays or restricted business at lower rates to meet costs while some applied to re-open business through covid safe guidelines to keep their businesses going.

“Several operators diversified into other related options such as tyre lines, vehicle servicing, car wash and mechanical services to keep going. Unfortunately, not everyone has been able to stay afloat and many operators even resorted to partial sale of their fleet to cover operational costs,” he said.

Mr Safik added that rental car business had been really bad during the lockdown with operators closing down.

He said at the time there were lockdown zones and early curfews in place, many operators reduced their daily rates to offset the mileage.

“The recent removal of borders within Viti Levu resulted in an increase in business activity and demand for rental cars though it is not at the same level as pre-pandemic days. Western operators are still struggling for business and the re-opening of borders should assist them get back on their feet,” Mr Safik added.

The pandemic has also reduced the number of members in the association to less than 100.

Mr Safik said the lack of movement by the association executives to various districts had also contributed to this.

“We may have gone through the most difficult period we may have seen in a lifetime and it is time that we all united as a nation to get Fiji back on its feet and becoming what the world should be,” he said.

“We thank all our customers without whom there is no rental business and we thank the government for the various forms of assistances rendered to keep the businesses from collapsing in totality.

“Let this Fiji Day be a day about hope and a bright future together.”