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- Category: Industry News
You asked for it and we listened. In this column, we ask operators of all sizes and from all walks of the industry a question about their business and report their answers so you can assess how your own company compares to your peers. If you would like to participate, please email Rob Smentek at rob@chauffeurdriven.com for next issue’s question.
TOPIC: Since the pandemic, what new requests have your corporate clients been making (amenities, types of vehicles, pricing, “green” options, etc.)? Have there been any changes in RFPs? Have their service requirements changed?
Christine Bennett, President
Showcase Limousine in Boise, Idaho
Nick Boccio, General Manager
Buffalo Limousine in Buffalo, N.Y.
Marina Brugnaro, President
New International Limousine in Venice, Italy
Jess Sandhu, Director of Operations
A&A Limousine & Bus Service in Kenmore, Wash.
Nancy Vargas, CEO
DH2 Limousine in Jamaica, N.Y.
We’ve loved hearing your answers to our benchmarking questions—but we always welcome suggestions for future topics, too!
Send an email to rob@chauffeurdriven.com you just might see your query answered in our next e-News.
[09.14.21]
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- Category: Industry News
The latest Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) poll shows an increase in non-essential business travel continuing to rise in Europe. As such, the association has announced a number of in-person conferences and events as we head into the final quarter of 2021.
In addition to GBTA’s Annual Convention (November 17-19 in Orlando, Florida) a number of events, held across multiple European locations, are amongst the first face-to-face opportunities for industry colleagues to meet and collaborate in person. Education will continue to be a key component of each event with insightful keynotes from industry leaders and a range of panel discussions covering topical subject matter, each designed to spark interesting debate amongst specialists in their field, according to GBTA. Each event will also allow for numerous opportunities to network once again with peers, to rebuild and forge new business relationships.
According to the latest poll of GBTA members and stakeholders, 75 percent of European respondents expect that business travel will see a significant or moderate increase in the September to November 2021 time frame. This is supported by the latest results highlighting that more than seven in ten GBTA travel buyers felt their employees are ‘willing’ or ‘very willing’ to travel for business in the current environment.
The In-Person Events include:
September 16: GBTA France Masterclass at the Hôtel Le Méridien Etoile, Paris
November 9: GBTA Italy Conference in Milan
December 6-8: GBTA Europe conference in partnership with VDR in Berlin, Germany
“Following another disruptive year, I am delighted that we are once again able to host a number of in-person events for GBTA members throughout Europe. Safety and duty of care of course remain a priority and each of our events will have additional safety measures in place to ensure the well-being of delegates. Collaboration is perhaps more important than ever for the business travel industry, the return of in-person events will once again unite our industry to continue the safe return to business travel,” said Regional VP EMEA-GBTA Catherine Logan. “The multiple events across Europe will give delegates the opportunity to address the current industrywide challenges, as well as those specific to the individual regions and markets.”
“We are delighted to be able to return to in-person events and to be partnering with GBTA once again, to host the GBTA Europe Conference in partnership with VDR. Registration is now open, we look forward to welcoming you and giving the business travel community the opportunity to collaborate and network in a safe environment,” said VDR Executive Director Hans-Ingo Biehl.
Click here for more information and to register.
Visit gbta.org for more information about the association and its events.
[09.13.21]
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- Category: Industry News
The American Bus Association (ABA) Foundation recently released its second quarter 2021 Motorcoach Builder Survey, which showed that the industry is seeing some signs of life. Based on surveys of the major motorcoach manufacturers that sell vehicles in the United States and Canada, motorcoach sales from the participating manufacturers saw a significant increase over the same quarter in 2020, with 276.5 percent increase in sales, growing from 132 in 2020 to 497 in 2021.
The biggest jump in sales came from the 45-plus foot bus sales with an increase from 55 in 2020 to 307 sold in the same quarter in 2021. Bus sales for the 40-45 foot fell from 7 in 2020 down to 5 in 2021 and 30+ foot bus sales were up 3 from 2020. Pre-owned bus sales grew from 70 in the second quarter of 2020 to 182 in 2021, a 160 percent increase.
“While the uptick in sales this past quarter is encouraging, the fact is that we are still hundreds behind where sales were pre-pandemic,” said ABA Foundation President Peter Pantuso. “The industry is trying to make ground from devastating losses suffered in 2020 and while the spring picked up and looked promising the Delta variant has once again slowed travel down and is hindering recovery. Tens of thousands of motorcoach company workers and suppliers are still furloughed and will continue to be until recovery moves forward, which may not happen until 2023.”
The ABA Foundation is the scholarship and research arm of the motorcoach, tour and travel industry. The largest nonprofit in motorcoach group travel, the ABAF distributes $100,000 a year in scholarships to industry families and invests in research to demonstrate the important role motorcoach transportation plays in society.
Visit buses.org/aba-foundation for more information.
[09.13.21]