War on Gaza sparks massive cancellations in Jordan’s car rental sector

War on Gaza sparks massive cancellations in Jordan’s car rental sector

 

AMMAN — The ongoing war on Gaza has lead to mass cancellations of car rental bookings in Jordan, sparked by fears of spillover, according to the Jordanian Car Rental Association. 

Its spokesperson, Akram Badran, told The Jordan Times that over 90 per cent of bookings for October, November, December and January were cancelled. 

Visitors usually book car rentals in advance before coming to Jordan, according to Badran, who noted that there are currently “almost” no bookings for December and January. 

The mass cancellations in the sector began in October, approximately ten days into the war on Gaza, he added 

Badran also noted that many tourists, who were already in Jordan cut their trips short, and cancelled the remaining period of their booking to go back to their countries for fear that the war, would expand to Jordan. 

The prime seasons for the car rental business in Jordan include the period from June to September, during which expatriates in Gulf countries come back to spend the summer in Jordan, said Badran. 

The other peak period is the winter season from October to January, during which Jordan receives visitors mostly from European countries, he added. 

Badran stressed that it’s necessary to take measures to postpone loan payments due from