Hertz and Qatar Airways have announced the introduction of an Arabic language option to their online booking platform, providing Arabic speaking passengers worldwide the ability to book Hertz rental vehicles in their preferred language for the first time.

The Arabic option to the fully functioning website, launched in April 2012, is aimed at catering to the growing number of Arabic customers flying with Qatar Airways around the world, who also need onward ground transport once arriving at any one of the 125 destinations that the award-winning carrier flies to.

Michel Taride, group president, RAC International, Hertz Corporation, commented: “As the exclusive car rental partner of Qatar Airways, Hertz is always looking at ways to improve the customer experience.

“With internet penetration rates continuing to rise among Arabic speaking populations, the introduction of a dedicated Arabic language platform was a natural addition to the website, and we are delighted to be one of the first to offer such a service to our valued customers.”

The user friendly Arabic language platform comes as latest statistics from the US Census Bureau show there are currently 86 million Arabic speaking internet users. 

In Qatar, 1.2 million of the total 1.7 million Arabic speaking population regularly use the internet, representing a 70 per cent internet penetration rate.

Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker added: “We are pleased to be offering our Arabic speaking passengers an additional service option, providing ease, flexibility and convenience to book rental cars with Hertz, in their preferred language.

“The innovative Arabic language addition builds on the successful partnership we have with Hertz, allowing Qatar Airways Privilege Club members to continue to earn up to 1,000 Miles on Hertz rentals around the world.”

The large volume of Arabic speaking internet users also coincides with the rapid rise of online travel bookings in the Middle East, adding extra significance to the Hertz Qatar Airways Arabic language online booking platform.

According to online travel experts Travelport, online bookings are expected to account for 22 per cent of all travel bookings in the Middle East within the next two years, reaching a total value of US$15.8 billion by 2014.

The new Arabic language option on the Hertz Qatar Airways website will provide added convenience for Qatar Airways customers, offering full global rental options, as well as the ability to book Hertz rentals in either local or destination currency.