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The sector urges visitors to book their summer car rentals in Spain as soon as possible
The removal of coronavirus travel restrictions has resulted in a welcome rebound in Spain’s tourism sector, but with increased demand during Easter and summer hot on its heels, car rental companies across the country are facing a serious lack of supply.
The National Business Federation of Vehicle Rentals (Feneval) has warned tourists that it is doing everything in its power to ensure that there are enough cars on the road, but the sector’s need for more vehicles is being thwarted by the global shortage of semiconductors.
“According to airline estimates, this year Spain will recover 75% of the tourism it had in 2019. However, we estimate that we will have 40% fewer vehicles,” the president of Feneval, Juan Luis Barahona, explained.
The Federation, which currently encompasses almost 700 companies and 95% of renters, has redoubled its efforts to speed up delivery times from vehicle manufacturers so that it can increase its fleets.
In addition, companies in Spain are renegotiating ‘buyback’ contracts, which give manufacturers the possibility of buying back a car after six or seven months, in order to keep new vehicles on the roads for up to 10 months or more.
Failing this, many operators are simply opting to delay the sale of their fleet, resulting in older cars being offered to rental customers.
Because of the shortage that is already evident during the Easter break, rental companies are encouraging tourists to book early for summer to avoid being disappointed.
According to Othman Ktiri, founder and director of Ok Mobility, “the big difference has been noticed in the British market, where until recently there were great restrictions on leaving the country.”
Not long ago, the Spanish government has scrapped the lengthy passenger locator form for fully vaccinated travellers arriving from the UK, and it has also relaxed restrictions for teens.
With the return of foreign visitors, the car rental sector, which represents 20% of the automobile market in Spain, expects to end the year with a turnover of 80% compared to 2019 and, provided that the microchip crisis does not aggravate shortage problems, recover pre-pandemic figures in 2023.
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