Car hire deal to boost tourism in Exmouth
Driving along WA’s beautiful coastline between Perth and the Ningaloo Reef has become a lot cheaper after a major car hire company reduced its relocation fees.
Avis is offering a discount on one-way rentals between Perth and Exmouth for a trial period between April 1 and October 31 this year and next. During the trial period, customers will only pay a $250 relocation fee if hiring a car to drive from Perth to Exmouth, and $150 if going the other way.
The current relocation fee, additional to the standard daily car hire rates and conditions, to pick-up a vehicle in Exmouth and return it in Perth, or vice versa, is $1000.
Australia’s Coral Coast chief executive David O’Malley said the initiative would prove popular with domestic and overseas leisure markets.
“Demand for a better one-way deal, especially from the UK and Europe, has been strong for many years now,” he said. “There is also a high level of excitement among our tourism trade partners, with many having waited to offer their customers the reduced hire car rate.”
Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said he had met with trade representatives in London last year, who said the relocation fees were making travel to Exmouth too expensive for some visitors. “The drive between Perth and Exmouth is an iconic WA road trip, one that many locals have enjoyed,” he said.
“This initiative will make it more attractive for interstate and international holidaymakers to discover the treasures that West Australians have been enjoying for years.”
Avis Budget Group Pacific managing director Tom Mooney said the business was always looking for ways to enhance customer experience and improve mobility service.
“We’re really looking forward to launching this trial and helping many more customers enjoy what the Coral Coast road trip experience has to offer,” he said.
Qantas has 12 flights a week to Learmonth Airport, which services Exmouth.
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