Travel experts are warning that the problem of a lack of car hire vehicles available to holidaymakers in Spain and Portugal as well as the inflated rental prices experienced by many travellers to the countries in 2009 is set to continue throughout the coming year. Blue Valley Car Hire spokesman, Matt May describes the situation for visitors to destinations such as the Algarve and Malaga last summer as dire. Because of a lack of funding made available by financial institutions to car hire companies many were forced to reduce the size of their fleets. This meant that in most cases the demand for rental vehicles vastly outstripped supply. Those booking last minute holidays often found that when they turned up at airports vehicles were not available and where they were available the price was astronomical. May explains that because the British summer was much worse than the weather forecasters had predicted many who had planned to spend their holidays at home decided to book a last minute trip abroad to places like Spain and Portugal. He goes on to warn that the situation for people holidaying in areas such as the Algarve, Malaga and Alicante is not likely to have improved much. May says that his advice to people aiming to get away in the summer is to plan their trip well in advance and make sure they secure a vehicle as soon as possible to avoid paying the inflated prices when they arrive at the airport and to ensure that there is a vehicle waiting for them when they arrive.