Sunny Cars with more bookings than before the pandemic

The joy of traveling during the autumn holidays: The desire to travel doesn't stop even shortly before the start of winter. Accordingly, many people set off again to warmer regions or far away. How much people now love a break in autumn is also reflected in the number of bookings with the quality rental car operator Sunny Cars.

The total number of reservations made in October 2023 is a full 33 percent higher than the comparable figure before Corona 2019. Prices were slightly higher than the previous month, with an average of seven percent more per booking. Where rental car fans go most often: to the islands and mainland Spain. But the USA is catching up.

“Enjoying the last rays of sunshine seems to be very popular this year,” explains Thorsten Lehmann, Managing Director of Sunny Cars. “Combined with our increased activities in the holiday car market, this will lead to a very strong autumn with bookings.” Instead of a significant decline in the last quarter, which usually characterizes the holiday car business, the number of bookings remains consistently at a high level. Bookings at Sunny Cars fell by just seven percent compared to the record September. Even compared to October 2019, the month is up 33 percent this year. October 2023 will therefore also set a new record for Sunny Cars.

After falling for three months in a row, prices rose slightly in October. Holidaymakers paid an average of seven percent more for their rental cars than in September. Nevertheless, the prices are very low year-on-year; with the exception of one reservation in September, bookers paid more every other month. In March 2023, for example, prices were on average 100 euros higher.

Trend target areas and rental period

Across the pond: Looking at the bookings in October 2023, there is a trend towards the USA. Just under ten percent of all rentals last month were in North America. However, Spain remains the leader. Portugal remains in second place - the country in southwestern Europe already left its competitors behind in September. The business remains short-term, with 60 percent of all rentals being rentals for October and November. In September, however, this proportion was five percentage points higher - so a few more are planning their rental car vacation a little more ahead.

Top target areas:

The following target areas recorded the highest number of rentals in October 2023:

1. Spain
2. Portugal
3. USA
4. Italy
5. Greece