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Are the tariffs and other policies of the Trump administration having an impact on inbound US travel and those suppliers? According to a recent survey by American Bus Association (ABA), National Tour Association (NTA), and Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA), demand has dropped from international leisure travelers in recent months, including one of the US’ most significant partners: Canada.
NTA published the findings of the report in late April, finding that:
- Just over half of all respondents (51%) say their business or destination has lost business, bookings, or visitation from Canadian or other international groups; 25% say they’ve seen no impact; while another 16% are unsure at this time. The remaining respondents do not operate international inbound travel.
- Participants were asked to be specific about the impact of reduced international visitation. 61% of DMOs and hoteliers say they have experienced canceled room nights, 56% are seeing lost revenue, and 41% have seen a drop in overall visitation.
- Asked if they have seen a reduction in future business leads or interest from Canadian or international groups, 46% of all respondents report seeing a decline; 22% say they’ve seen no impact; while 17% are unsure at this time. The remaining respondents do not operate international inbound travel.
- While only 32% of U.S. tour and motorcoach operators say they’ve been impacted, 63% of sellers (DMOs, attractions, hotels, and restaurants) report being impacted.
According to the report, DMOs, hotels, and restaurants are having the greatest impact, with 63% of sellers saying it’s impacting their business. Among tour and motorcoach operators, 32% report a loss of business from international travelers. Additionally, those surveyed “cited economic uncertainty/recession risk/consumer confidence” as the primary concern for the coming year.
“I’ve spoken with many of our Canadian tour operators, and the significant losses they’re experiencing based on Canadian travelers canceling plans to visit the United States are now being reflected in what our U.S. destinations and suppliers are telling us,” said NTA President Catherine Prather. “The damage to business is happening now and will continue in the future.”
For additional context, the US National Travel & Tourism office, a division of the US Commerce Department, reported that inbound travel from Western Europe had dropped 12% in March, including usually reliable tourists from the UK and Germany. The administration has also proposed making entry into the US more difficult for dozens of nationals from countries deemed dangerous to American security, which included countries like Venezuela, Cuba, and North Korea. Several other countries, including Russia, Pakistan, and several African nations, may face heightened restrictions rather than outright bans.
“This survey reinforces what many of us are seeing across the group travel industry: Economic uncertainty and reduced international visitation are creating real headwinds for operators, destinations, and service providers alike,” said ABA CEO Fred Furguson. “But our $100 billion industry has always been resilient, and through our continued partnership with NTA and SYTA, we’re committed to telling the story of group travel’s economic impact. Together, we’ll support the recovery and help prepare America for the mega-decade of major events that lies ahead.”
While the news is certainly raising concerns, Business Travel News reports that inbound corporate travel—including from Canada—is not facing the same precipitous drops as leisure, with the US National Travel & Tourism Office backing up those claims based on demand for business visas.
Visit ntaonline.com, buses.org, and syta.org for more information about the report.
[04.29.25]
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Transportation software platform Moovs has announced its new fully integrated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system built specifically for luxury ground transportation operators. The Moovs CRM was created to help transportation businesses automate email and SMS marketing, connect more effectively with past and potential customers, and track the results of their efforts—all from within the platform they already use to run their operations.
“We designed this CRM to be more than just a marketing tool—it’s a complete solution to help operators build lasting customer relationships and grow their business,” said Moovs Co-Founder and CEO Amir Ghorbani. “From personalized messages to in-depth performance analytics, it makes it easy to connect with riders, drive revenue, and understand what works.”
With the launch, Moovs says that the CRM fills a critical gap in the industry, especially as transportation operators often lack the time and resources to act on the power of digital marketing. The feature allows operators to promote services like event packages, airport transfers, corporate travel, and seasonal offers with just a few clicks.
According to Moovs, the CRM can help:
- Revenue growth by reaching more customers with targeted campaigns and staying connected with past riders to drive repeat bookings
- Strengthen customer relationships by sending automated messages that make customers feel valued and remembered
- Measure success by tracking campaign performance with real-time analytics and understanding which messages convert into actual bookings and revenue
- Reduce the hassle of marketing by accessing ready-to-use templates and industry-specific messaging as well as allow customers to reply directly and keep the conversation going
The CRM is already available to all Moovs users, with no complicated setup or extra software required.
Visit moovsapp.com for more information.
[04.29.25]
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NFI Group (NFI), which includes the MCI bus brand, announced further leadership changes as part of Project Focus, a strategic initiative designed to focus on quality and enhance operational excellence in NFI's North American bus and coach manufacturing operations.
MCI VP Private Sector Sales and Service Tom Wagner
Project Focus saw the re-establishment of MCI as a distinct business unit under the direct executive leadership of NFI President & CEO Paul Soubry. This exciting initiative seeks to enhance MCI’s operations, quality, and customer experience. Building on Project Focus, MCI announced the promotion of Tom Wagner to vice president private sector sales and service. Tom succeeds Brent Maitland, who has elected to pursue a new opportunity as CEO of All Aboard America Holdings.
Wagner brings extensive industry experience and a proven track record of success at MCI, most recently serving as director of private sector sales. In his expanded role, Wagner will lead all private sector commercial operations for MCI, including sales, field service, marketing, and service centers, ensuring continuity of leadership and customer relationships.
"Tom's leadership capabilities and deep understanding of our products, business and customers make him the ideal successor to build on the foundation Brent established," said Soubry. "Project Focus is to provide MCI with the dedicated leadership and resources needed to excel, and this leadership transition represents another step in strengthening our organization."
In addition to Wagner's appointment, Shane Zaenali recently assumed the role of vice president of MCI operations, overseeing both the Winnipeg and Pembina manufacturing facilities and operational support to drive production efficiency and quality improvements.
"I want to thank Brent for his significant contributions to MCI and NFI. During his long tenure, Brent has helped strengthen our market position and customer relationships while developing a strong team capable of continuing this momentum," Soubry added.
Visit nfigroup.com for more information.
[04.29.25]