Sixt Rent a Car revs out at Norman Manley
by Janet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer · The GleanerWESTERN BUREAU:
A testament to Jamaica’s evolving business landscape was on full display as Sixt Rent a Car, the world’s third-largest car rental provider, launched operations at the Norman Manley International Airport last week.
Sixt’s expansion in Jamaica is led by Orville and Nadine Spence, the official franchisees for Sixt in the country. Through their Montego Bay-based company, Sunsational Car Rentals and Tours Limited, the Spences have brought the renowned brand to both the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James.
The opening ceremony featured prominent figures, including Metry Seaga, president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), who lauded the launch as a major boost to local tourism. Also in attendance were Detlef Krehen, Sixt International’s vice-president of franchise, and Hector Romano-Jaensch, director of operations for Latin America and the Caribbean, underscoring the strategic significance of Sixt’s expansion into Jamaica.
“This investment strengthens our tourism infrastructure and enhances our ability to meet the sophisticated needs of both leisure and business travellers,” Seaga noted. “The presence of this new Sixt location at our capital’s gateway sends a powerful message to arriving visitors and investors: Jamaica is open for business and ready to deliver service at global standards.”
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Seaga emphasised the importance of world-class support services in Jamaica’s tourism sector, calling Sixt’s presence “a necessary addition that helps fulfil the sector’s demands”. He praised the Spences as exemplars of Jamaican entrepreneurship, commending them for securing such a prestigious franchise.
“Your journey from a local car rental service to becoming Sixt’s franchise partners in Jamaica shows what is possible when Jamaican businesses dare to dream big and execute with excellence,” he said. “Your success is Jamaica’s success.”
Orville and Nadine Spence described the new Kingston location as a dream realised, especially following setbacks from COVID-19 restrictions.
“This is a highly capital-intensive business, but we don’t let that deter us,” Nadine Spence explained. “We have the experience, expertise, and know-how to ensure this is executed. We don’t take our brand lightly; so much so that we have invited our children into the process.”
Orville Spence reflected on the resilience it took to reach this point.
“I remember when we started and a customer had an issue in Cave Valley, three and a half hours from Montego Bay. Nadine, our son Najeeb and I drove with a mechanic at 2 a.m. to resolve it with the limited resources we had,” he recalled. “That moment cemented our commitment to customer service.”
Looking ahead, Spence expressed optimism for growth.
“Tourism has been a catalyst for our development, and with the right conditions, Jamaica can only continue to grow.”