- Details
- Category: Industry News
The majority of Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) companies expect their employees to return to in-person events in 2021. Almost half (45 percent) expect attendance to resume in the first half of the year, according to the latest poll conducted between September 15-19, 2020, by GBTA, with an additional 25 percent expecting a return to in-person events in the second half of 2021.
While most do not expect their company to host in-person meetings, events, or conferences through the remainder of this year, there is growing optimism for 2021, with 37 percent expecting to host some or many meetings or events in Q1, rising to 61 percent by Q2. An average of one in four GBTA members still remain unsure, echoing the general “wait and see” approach due to the current uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
Expectations on company plans to return to office vary with 1 in 5 (20 percent) of GBTA companies reporting a return to office in 2020. One in three (35 percent) plan to return in the first half of next year including 28 percent who expect to return in Q1, but one in five 21 percent are still undecided. The poll also finds that 16 percent of member companies have already returned to the office.
Looking at factors to influence the return to the office and in-person events, half (52 percent) say an effective vaccine for COVID-19 would have the most influence on the planning process. Just under a quarter of respondents (24 percent) would like to see decreased COVID-19 transmission rates worldwide. Fewer respondents requested increased coronavirus testing and rapid results reporting worldwide (8 percent) and slowing unemployment and growth in global economies (3 percent).
GBTA Interim Executive Director Dave Hilfman
Throughout the pandemic, the role of a travel manager and the necessity for a managed travel program has been high on the boardroom agenda. The GBTA poll reveals half (48 percent) of GBTA companies say their senior managers value a managed travel program “much more” or “more” than they did before COVID-19. This sentiment is consistent with key corporate stakeholders including human resources or risk management, with half (51 percent) of GBTA companies reporting that these stakeholder value the managed travel program “much more” or “more” than before the pandemic.
“While there is no doubt the current global uncertainty around a second wave is delaying the return to business travel, the outlook for 2021 is looking more positive with companies planning a return to face-to-face meetings and events. It is encouraging to see businesses planning their return to office in a careful and safe way” said Dave Hilfman, the interim Executive Director of GBTA.
View the entire poll results here
Methodology
GBTA conducted its eleventh poll of members across the globe from September 15-19, 2020. A total of 1,364 responses were received.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
[09.29.20]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
CoachRail, a cloud-based software for private transportation operators, has expanded its features to serve limousine companies as well as charter bus and hybrid companies.
“While working with our customers to provide the best software in the industry, we kept receiving one piece of feedback; namely, they wanted us to make changes so they could use CoachRail for the limo side of their business,” says CoachRail Director of Customer Success Chris Roan.
Chris Roan of CoachRail
Roan notes that “The coach and limo software markets were very closely aligned, so we decided to meet the need head on. Through this effort, our customers are happier and getting more value out of CoachRail. At the same time, we've gained access to another 800 hybrid operators, increasing our domestic total addressable market by a good margin.”
The CoachRail team added several new features to better meet the needs of limo operators. First, CoachRail has debuted new Smart Dispatch functions. The Smart Dispatch calendar will update automatically when users assign drivers and vehicles to a reservation, and the intuitive drag-and-drop feature lets users quickly make changes within the calendar itself. Since the Smart Dispatch calendar shows limousine and charter bus reservations in one place, hybrid companies can quickly update a single calendar and are less likely to double-book drivers or miss a trip.
CoachRail has also made its state-of-the-art quoting tool more limo friendly. As users build a quote, they can select the limo or bus they plan to use, see the pre-loaded rates for that specific vehicle, and choose the rate that’s most accurate for that trip. CoachRail will then generate a quick, accurate, customized quote and send it to the customer.
Finally, CoachRail has introduced one of the few mobile apps in the industry with a built-in tracking feature. Though tracking vehicles is important for all transportation companies, it’s especially critical for limo companies, who often work with CEOs attending corporate events or couples spending a tremendous amount of money on a wedding. Limo drivers can now track their trips by pressing a few buttons on the CoachRail mobile app, and owner-operators can check CoachRail from the office or the road to instantly know where their drivers are.
CoachRail plans to add even more industry-leading features for our partners who own limousine companies or limo/bus hybrid companies. Owner-operators can visit coachrail.com to see the latest updates and to request new features they’d like to experience.
Visit coachrail.com for more information.
[09.28.20]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
In an effort to increase educational offerings available to its members, the Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) is launching its new GCLA Academy, which is sponsored by Ecko Worldwide Transportation and will be led by 30-year industry veteran and Ecko’s Marketing Director Jim Luff.
The Academy—an exclusive members-only benefit—will consist of educational articles, how-to videos, and live presentations presented by subject experts. According to Luff, topics will include marketing, accounting, HR management, insurance, vehicle maintenance, and more.
Jim Luff Ecko Marketing Director
Luff is well-known in the industry as a former operator, writer, and a consultant to many operators across the nation. Luff was the CEO of the award-winning The Limousine Scene in Bakersfield, Calif., and was most recently the Publisher/General Manager of LCT Magazine. He also serves on the Arizona Limousine Association Board as its Fundraising Director.
“I am thrilled that Ecko and GCLA are able to provide this great benefit for members,” says Luff.
Ecko President Harry Dhillon, who also serves as vice president on the GCLA Board of Directors, saw this as an opportunity to offer a great value for members during particularly challenging times.
“We are happy to share Jim’s wisdom and knowledge with GCLA as part of our continued commitment to the association and the industry,” says Dhillon.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
[09.28.20]