PARSIPPANY, N.J., Aug. 25, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:CAR) today announced that Avis Car Rental was voted the top car rental company in Canada by travel professionals, with Budget Car Rental finishing second. The honor marks the eighth year in a row Avis has won top honors in the Baxter Travel Media Agents' Choice Awards. Avis and Budget were first and second in 2013, and have finished in that order in several previous years.
"We are committed to being a growth partner to travel agencies and professionals in Canada, and this recognition demonstrates that our efforts are working where it counts," said David Crowther, senior vice president and general manager, Canada Operations, Avis Budget Group. "Being honored by travel professionals, who really understand what it takes to satisfy the customer, is especially gratifying, particularly for the men and women of Avis and Budget who work so hard every day to put the customer first."
The Agents' Choice Awards is conducted annually by Canadian Travel Press, Travel Courier and TravelPress.com, all publications of Baxter Travel Media. The awards are voted on by more than 5,000 Canadian travel industry members in 28 categories covering all aspects of the travel industry, ranging from "Favourite Adventure Operator" to "Favourite Winter Sunspot."
The special Baxter Travel Media publication on the awards had this to say about the rental car category: "Agents like Avis. They really, really like them…With the numbers as evidence, it doesn't look like the company will be leaving the top spot anytime soon."
Avis Budget Group supports travel agents and professionals in a variety of ways, including Unlimited Budget, the Company's travel agent loyalty program. Rewards for travel agents are awarded on a pre-paid debit card for bookings via GDS or online at avisagent.com, avis.ca, budget.com/agent, budget.ca or the web sites of participating partners. Partners include Hilton Worldwide brands and Carey and Embarque. Canadian members accrue rewards in U.S. dollars which are converted to Canadian dollars at time of award; the conversion rate is updated and applied on the first of every month. For more information or to enroll, go to www.unlimitedbudget.com.
About Avis Budget Group
Avis Budget Group, Inc. is a leading global provider of vehicle rental services, both through its Avis and Budget brands, which have more than 10,000 rental locations in approximately 175 countries around the world, and through its Zipcar brand, which is the world's leading car sharing network, with more than 880,000 members. Avis Budget Group operates most of its car rental offices in North America, Europe and Australia directly, and operates primarily through licensees in other parts of the world. Avis Budget Group has approximately 29,000 employees and is headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. More information is available at www.avisbudgetgroup.com.