Enterprise Rent-A-Car planning Irish expansion - With the outbreak of both war and SARS, the whole tourism sector is under the spotlight at the moment with millions of people worldwide canceling plans to travel. One sector of the industry that will obviously be affected is the car rental business, but one company that is not overly concerned about current developments is Enterprise Rent-A-Car. It has just announced an expansion of its Irish operation. Enterprise is the largest car rental company in the US and in recent times has been building its business in Europe.
Mike Hawkins is the general manager of the Irish operation and says the company is planning to add another five offices to its current number of 16. He says the company has an Irish fleet of 1,000 cars. Because Enterprise focuses on the local market - hotels, B&Bs, fleet cars and insurance companies - he says it is not overly concerned at the current state of the world tourism market.
Explaining the 'virtual car' theory, Hawkins says the phenomenum is growing in popularity here. People can hire a car for the weekend from as little as €20 and as traffic congestion and infrastructural problems increase here, he says it makes a very viable solution for people who don't own their own cars and want to travel at the weekends. The 'virtual car' forms a huge part of their business in the US, particularly in areas like New York.
***Nationwide campaigners seek vote postponement - Campaigners for reform at the Irish Nationwide Building Society are seeking the postponement of a vote of confidence in the chief executive at the AGM, which will be held later today. The group have lodged a complaint with the Central Bank, saying illegal canvassing for CEO Michael Fingleton has been taking place. The Chairman of the society, Dr Michael Walsh, said the complaint was being investigated, but it is thought the meeting will go ahead as planned with all motions opened to debate.
