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- Category: Industry News
Pennsylvania Bus Association (PBA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to representing the business and governmental interests of private bus companies operating in Pennsylvania, has announced that it will be celebrating a milestone 100th anniversary in 2023. Founded in 1923, PBA has functioned without interruption and with an unrelenting commitment to the safety of the traveling public and the economic well-being of its member companies.
To mark the momentous occasion, a celebration is planned for PBA’s Annual Meeting & Conference in June 2023. There will be smaller celebrations kicking off at the June 2022 Annual Meeting & Conference in State College, hosted by Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Leading up the anniversary, PBA has chosen hashtag #PBArollsinto100 as part of its promotion.
PBA members took time to share their thoughts on PBA’s centennial milestone:
John Henry, vice-president of business operations for PBA founding member the Martz Group: “Pennsylvania Bus creates a real sense of community within our industry. The information and networking PBA provides has helped further our company for generations. Our founder, Frank Martz, helped establish PBA and would be proud of its current leadership and value to our industry. Congratulations on celebrating 100 years!”
Alison Sherman, president of Klein Transportation and PBA Board member: “I have the pleasure of being the third generation from my family’s motorcoach company to serve on the board of PBA. This organization does amazing things through advocacy and by facilitating the connections that help us thrive as an industry and I am proud to be part of it.”
Sandy Borowsky, vice-president of tours and marketing at Starr Tours and PBA Board member: “Running a motorcoach and tour company these days is certainly no easy feat. That’s why PBA is so important to us. Having an organization like PBA that provides support, information, and a connection to all our industry friends is critical to our success. We’re thrilled to be able to celebrate PBA’s 100th anniversary and looking forward to many more successful years.”
PBA membership includes motorcoach operators, companies servicing the industry, and travel suppliers, all working together to build their businesses. Governmental affairs, advocacy, travel and tourism marketing, education, safety, and communication constitute the major areas of involvement for this, one of the oldest public passenger transportation associations in the United States.
Visit pabus.org for more information.
[12.28.21]
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- Category: Industry News
Each month, we invite a select number of operators to take part in CD’s popular Benchmark & Best Practices column. Past topics have included price increases, insurance rates, growing market segments, new vehicles and types, and much more. In addition to providing you and your company with some free exposure, participating gives you the chance to share your business knowledge with operators from around the world. You can read our latest Benchmark here.
This month, we’re giving you the chance to win a half-page ad in an upcoming issue of CD. All you have to do is answer this issue’s question:
Have you seen a dip in business or increased cancelations due to the recent news about the Omicron variant? In what segment have you seen the biggest impact? Has your state/market instituted any new measures that have precipitated this?
To take part, we just need a few sentences explaining your answer (at least 50 words or so), along with a headshot photo, no later than Monday, January 3. The winner will be selected at random from the published responses.*
Send your response to rob@chauffeurdriven.com by 1.3.22 for your chance to win. Good luck!
*The annoying fine print: CD must receive a minimum of 10 entries for contest to be valid. Winner must supply finished digital-ready art for advertisement.
[12.28.21]
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- Category: Industry News
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is closely monitoring the newest COVID variant, Omicron, which was announced around Thanksgiving as cases surged in the Southern countries of the African continent. As of December 21, 2021, it is now the dominant variant for COVID cases throughout Europe and now the US.
As GBTA has been on the forefront of the business travel community during the pandemic, the association gathered feedback from members on the how Omicron is affecting global travel recovery. According to the poll, most companies are taking a wait-and-see approach before introducing new restrictions or requirements for business travel. Additionally, a clear majority feel countries should require international visitors to prove they are fully vaccinated, and that pre-trip negative tests should be required regardless of vaccination status. Note that data was collected December 6-12 and that new information about Omicron has been learned over time.
“As we move through the pandemic, I think this shows the business travel industry is taking a thoughtful, informed, and adaptive approach even as new variants may emerge,” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang. “Without clear scientific data, we know knee-jerk restrictions on travel do not generate an effective outcome and taking actions such as border closures and frequently changing entry rules only add to the confusion. Companies and travelers are better equipped now with policies and processes to safely mitigate risk and support traveling, as long as testing and vaccines remain a part of the equation.”
Some highlights of the poll:
- Eight in ten (82 percent) respondents are concerned or very concerned about the revenue impact to companies in the business travel sector.
- Seven in ten (69 percent) report they are concerned in some capacity about employment and (re)hiring, while six in ten (61 percent) are concerned about the safety of business travel.
- Omicron has likely impacted at least a portion of bookings for business travel suppliers and TMCs. One in three (37 percent) report their bookings have decreased while a third (35 percent) say bookings have remained the same.
On a global basis, there are indicators of a more wait-and-see approach to introducing new restrictions or requirements for business travel:
- Half (53 percent) report their company is unlikely to introduce new restrictions, while one in five (19 percent) report their company is considering doing so.
- Less than a fifth (17 percent) of respondents said their company introduced new restrictions on non-essential business travel or new requirements related to business travel due to Omicron.
In Europe, where the variant debuted a week or so before it hit the US, caution is high:
- Respondents based in Europe (90 percent) are more likely to say they are concerned or very concerned about the revenue impact to companies in the business travel sector compared to those based in North America (79 percent).
- Travel supplier respondents in Europe (61 percent) are more likely to report their bookings have decreased compared to respondents in North America (29 percent).
- While still far fewer than half, Europe-based respondents (32 percent) are much more likely than North America-based buyers to say they have introduced new restrictions (12 percent).
The survey results can be viewed here.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
[12.21.21]