UAE – Mubasher: Rhino, an award-winning car hire company based in the UK, has launched its operations in the Middle East following the signing of a strategic agreement with the UAE-based TIME Hotels.

Under the agreement, TIME Hotels has become a contracted affiliate of Rhinocarhire.ae, which enables TIME to offer ‘live’ car rental bookings through its own website, according to a press release on Wednesday.

Online visitors of TIME Hotels’ website will be able to check real-time rates and availability every year.

Mohamed Awadalla, CEO of TIME Hotels, said: “We wanted to partner with Rhino, principally because their entire business strategy is built on offering exceptional value-for-money, in a rate sensitive sector, without compromising on operational quality, or customer service. That’s something we believe in very strongly and the bedrock of our own brand.”

Goldstein Research analyst projected that the car rental and leasing market in UAE would grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 9% between 2017 and 2025, the release added.

The chauffeur rental drive services such as Uber or regular taxis have acquired 45% of the UAE car rental and leasing market. However, the self-driving segment could be the fastest growing segment over the next five years at a CAGR of 12.4%.

In turn, Declan McNaughton, CEO – Middle East of Rhinocarhire.ae, said: “With an ‘on the ground’ presence in Dubai, we are confident that we can build on our global success and confident we can bring the Rhino brand to both domestic and international car rental customers in the UAE and wider Middle East. TIME Hotels’ excellent reach and shared vision will certainly support our mission.”

TIME Hotels currently operates 17 properties across the UAE and GCC and plans to boost its portfolio to 35 properties across the Middle East by the end of 2025.