Khaberni - The percentage of tourist car rentals in the local market has risen to 60% compared to rates of around 30% during the winter period, according to industry workers.
These workers confirmed that the increase in occupancy rates was supported by the arrival of expatriates and Arab visitors to Jordan, according to al-Ghad newspaper.
Workers complained about the continued intrusion of "white plate" private car owners into the sector by leasing their personal vehicles illegally, which limits the demand for licensed tourist cars with green plates.
Marwan Akouba, the head of the tourist car rental offices association, said: "The rental rates for tourist cars range between 50% and 60% due to the start of the arrival of expatriates and Arab visitors in acceptable numbers to Jordan".
Akouba confirmed that the renting of private cars "white plate" still disrupts the sector and harms the licensed offices that bear high costs.
Akouba called all relevant parties to work on resolving this issue, allowing the licensed sector to operate within a clear legal competition.
He also urged all visitors to the kingdom to avoid dealing with unlicensed offices, as well as fake pages spread across various social media platforms, to prevent becoming victims of deception and fraud.
Akouba confirmed that the association receives complaints from any citizen or visitor, and follows up on the details with various relevant entities.
Mohammed Anwar, the manager of a tourist car rental office in Amman, said: "The occupancy rate of tourist cars has exceeded 50% since mid-month, coinciding with the start of the summer vacation in schools".
Anwar confirmed that expectations indicate an increase in the rate to more than 65% in the upcoming period, with the arrival of larger numbers of expatriates and Arab visitors.
He complained about the continued competition of "white plate" from licensed tourist car rental offices, which comply with paying all costs, fees, salaries, and other expenses that have burdened the sector, amidst the crisis experienced by the tourism sector in general.
Ahmad Khaled al-Ahmadi, the manager of a tourist car rental office in the capital, agreed with his predecessors about the occupancy rates ranging between 50% and 60%.
Al-Ahmadi also agreed with his predecessors about the damage that has occurred, and continues to occur, in the sector from "white plate" owners, emphasizing the need to find a solution to stop this violating group.
It is noted that the tourist car rental sector currently includes between 10 and 11 thousand cars, including about 220 electric cars, and more than 4 thousand hybrid cars.
The number of tourist car rental offices registered at the association is estimated at about 230 offices spread across various provinces of the kingdom until the end of last year.
