Barely six months after entering the competitive car rental business in Zimbabwe, Five-Star Car Rental is receiving rave reviews and high level endorsements from its customers.
The company is already doing business with reputable companies, non-governmental organisations and individual walk-ins – something the chief executive officer Tawanda Marwizi says has been a big surprise for them considering the competition in the market.
“We are a new player and according to our projections we were only supposed to reach the level of success we are enjoying now in about 18 to 24 months. But I guess disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic have ensured that the industry bounces back with a bang,” said Mr Marwizi.
Mr Marwizi said he envisages that his business’ growth will be tied to the tourism industry, whose rebound has been praised by both players and government officials.
“We are already expanding. Before the year folds we will open two more branches in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls – this is primarily because that part of Zimbabwe has many tourist destinations and thus people will need affordable and reliable means of transportation,” said Mr Marwizi.
“What also informed our decision is the realisation that both Bulawayo and Victoria Falls have good airports and therefore reliable air travel. Tourists need only fly there and Five-Star Car Rental will take care of the rest. We are going to spread our wings so far and so wide – offering shuttle services and executive busses. The Victoria Falls branch will have safari vehicles as well.”
He said even though they are five star not only in name but in the quality of service they offer – everyone is welcome to hire their cars for all kinds of travel.
“We have all kinds of vehicles – from off-road monsters to fuel savers and executive cars. We have vehicles for parties, weddings and other such fancy events. We are focused on ensuring that we have all types of vehicles in order for us to truly cater for everyone, different events and all kinds of roads,” Mr Marwizi said.
As the company ramps up its marketing to enhance visibility countrywide – they have engaged some top local artists for partnerships.
“We have engaged some artists whom we want to rope in as our brand ambassadors as we believe on the importance of the arts in the tourism industry. What I can confirm for now is that we struck deals with two artists whose names I cannot disclose at the moment as I might jeopardise the negotiations.”
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