Flexible Autos

We are absolutely delighted to announce the appointment of Melanie Thom as Sales Director North. Melanie joins with an impressive track record and over 25 years of experience in the travel and car rental industries joining Flexible from Auto Europe / DriveAway where she was Sales Director. “We are delighted to welcome Melanie to the Flexible Autos family,” said Sue Dixon, Owner and Founder of Flexible Autos. “Her wealth of experience and innovative approach align perfectly with our vision for the future. Mel brings her extensive knowledge and strong trade partnerships which will become pivotal in driving our sales efforts to new heights.”   Welcome to the Flexible family Melanie Thom.

We've had a busy March, supporting all of our trade partners at events, conferences and much more. What will April bring? #networking #tradesupport #inspireeurope #reubensretreat #travelbulletin

See below for our latest press release. Flexible Autos, the leading trade-only car rental broker, has revealed some changes in travel patterns and consumer behaviour based on recent data analysis. The company's latest report highlights top-performing destinations experiencing increased demand, as well as destinations facing challenges amidst evolving travel dynamics. On the back of a busy January and February, they have noted that average booking values have decreased by 7% compared to 2023, with the United States and Canada experiencing a 6% decline and the rest of the world (ROW) seeing an 11% decrease. This is largely driven by a decrease in prices, which is great for the end consumer and travel agents alike which could spur a spike in demand in these areas during 2024. The average lead booking time has increased from 110 days in January 2013 to 148 days in January 2024, indicating a shift towards early planning and booking. The average car rental duration has increased from 9.5 days to 9.9 days and premium product bookings have seen a notable increase, rising to 27% from 22%, reflecting a growing demand for great value and extras such as free additional drivers, zero excess and more. Flexible Autos has seen increased demand in the following destinations: Greece +41%, Spain +37%, USA +37%, Portugal +27% and Croatia +24%. Sue Dixon, Managing Director at Flexible Autos said, “These findings offer valuable insights into evolving travel trends and consumer preferences which means we can continue to provide the right product for our customers in existing and new destinations. As destinations adapt and travellers seek new experiences, we remain committed to providing innovative solutions and exceptional service to meet the needs of our customers."

We’re delighted to announce that we have recently joined two organisations as a supplier partner: We’re now members of SPAA - Scottish Passenger Agents' Association – voice of travel in Scotland which represents all of Scotland’s major travel agents. We have also become members of Irish Travel Agents Association who represent Ireland’s top agent professionals. It’s a further commitment to our presence in Scotland and Ireland and we look forward to strengthening our ties in both nations. #networking #partnerships #agentsupport

🧡💙It’s International Women’s Day! 🧡💙 A day to celebrate all of our strong, talented women in the business! We’re all inspired and led by our Group MD, Sue Dixon, and 70% of our UK business are women, something we’re very proud of.🙌 Today we not only celebrate the women in our business, but also all of our partners worldwide as well as everyone who makes our business thrive! Thank you. #iwd2024 #iwd2024womenleadingtheway #womeninbusiness #strongwomen

It's been a busy couple of weeks for the commercial team. Jamie Manser and Andy Keast have attended Fitur in Madrid and BTL in Lisbon with lots of productive meetings, making new connections as well as catch up with existing partners.

Here’s our top winter sun driving destinations to inspire clients whether they are dreaming of sandy beaches, lush landscapes, or vibrant cityscapes, we've got you covered!☀️🚗 #wintersun #winterdrives #carrental #winterescapes #winterroadtrips

Before we present the huge range of product that you see ready to book on our website , there’s a huge amount that goes on in the background to ensure the process runs smoothly. Here’s just some of the things that our team do brilliantly on a daily basis so that your customers have a seamless experience when they reach resort. All they need to worry about is what to pack… * Quality controls across the board: We work closely with suppliers to enhance quality controls throughout their operation.  From vehicle maintenance right through to customer service, our goal is to consistently elevate the quality of service offered through our suppliers. *Ensuring our high standards are met: Before any supplier goes live, we conduct thorough checks and establish SLAs to ensure our standards of excellence are met. *Peak period car availability: Sourcing cars in popular destinations with high peak demand is no small feat. We strategically navigate peak periods, ensuring the best availability and choice for your customers. *Optimising Staff during high demand: We review high demand pick up periods and collaborate with suppliers to ensure staffing at their counters is managed efficiently during the busiest times.

We are delighted to report that this year, many customers across Europe will be able reap the benefits of lower prices because of a more accessible car rental fleet. Prices continue a downward trajectory from 2023 as fleet availability becomes more widespread worldwide, but in particular across Europe. Great news for your customers and being able to offer them greater flexibility and choice. We still advise always best to book as early as possible to ensure best prices and availability.👌 #pricedrop #carrental #Europecarrental

We’re a couple of weeks into peaks now, so here's a quick update on what destinations are currently trending and selling like hot cakes! Do you agree? What other destinations have you been finding are trending currently?