BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
There has been an uptick in interest in renting cars among UAE residents, pointing to growing demand for short-term rentals — whether for daily commute or luxury driving experiences — according to recent data from dubizzle Cars.
Figures from the classifieds platform show that budget cars remain the most sought-after, with the category recording about 285,000 views in May, up 31% from April.
Mid-range options, priced between Dh100 and Dh300 per day, generated 172,000 views, while premium vehicles in the Dh300-Dh500 bracket saw views climb 15.7% to 79,000 views.
Luxury and ultra-luxury rentals saw similarly strong gains: vehicles priced between Dh500 and Dh1,000 per day attracted 80,000 views, up 17.8% month on month, while those above Dh1,000 recorded one of the steepest jumps, up 25.8% to 74,000 views.
Speaking to Aletihad, Sherif Magdy, Head of Sales at dubizzle Cars, said the figures reflect strong demand from those seeking "convenient, short-term mobility options, whether for daily commuting, temporary transport needs or added flexibility without the commitment of ownership".
This demand, he added, comes primarily from UAE residents, as car rentals are often tied to local verification requirements and appeal to people looking for flexible mobility solutions within the country. The long Eid Al Adha holiday in late May also helped fuel the month-on-month increase, Magdy said.
"Public holidays and long weekends encouraged residents to plan short breaks, staycations and domestic trips," he said, noting that visits from friends and family further boosted demand for rental vehicles.
Small businesses, too, contributed to the rise, though to a lesser extent, he added.
Another industry expert highlighted a similar picture. Amit Kumar, General Manager of Thrifty UAE for Dubai and the Northern Emirates, said tourists remain an important customer segment, particularly at airport locations.
Business travellers, typically aged 30 to 50, also continue to sustain demand for short-term rentals during work trips, he added.
Increased airport activity, inbound tourism, and a gradual pickup in business travel after a quieter start to the year have helped lift the market further, Kumar said.
He also pointed to another trend: younger consumers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, are increasingly drawn to flexible, digital-first booking platforms and show strong interest in SUVs and premium vehicles.
Both dubizzle Cars and Thrifty expect demand to remain resilient through the summer, though the customer mix may shift.
"While inbound tourism typically softens during the hotter months, demand is expected to be supported by GCC visitors, domestic leisure activity and ongoing business travel requirements," Magdy said.