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LfL Worldwide Chauffeur Services of Dublin, Ireland, is ending 2020 on a sweet note as the company was just announced as a winner in The Travel & Hospitality Awards in its 2021 European Travel Awards program. The Travel & Hospitality Awards is a global recognition program for the travel industry identifying the very best hotels, tour operators, experience providers, spa and wellness facilities, restaurants, and technology and innovation companies.
LfL owners Lorraine Morrell and Myles Flood
While this year has been among the toughest the travel industry has faced, the award is recognition for the resilience and unwavering commitment to their customers that is a cornerstone of the LfL business, according to The Travel & Hospitality Awards (THA). THA noted that more than 4,000 nominations were received, with each scrupulously reviewed based on submission material, customer reviews, and judging analysis. The winners reflect the very best in their travel and hospitality standards.
In a release from the team at THA: “We were overwhelmed by the quality of entries this year. We hope this guide will be a useful tool for discerning travelers planning their requirements. Congratulations once again to LFL Worldwide Chauffeur Services.”
“While it’s always pleasing to be recognized for our efforts, it means even more this year,” says LfL CEO Myles Flood. “We’ve had to completely rethink the way we engage with customers to ensure their safety. From the cleaning processes we’ve put in place with our vehicles to how we’ve managed customer interactions, we’ve been singularly focused on ensuring that we provide the safest possible experience. We achieved the stringent Tourism Ireland COVID-19 Charter accreditation, and this award is further validation of our commitment to our customers.”
Visit lflcs.com for more information about LfL.
[12.22.20]
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It was a hybrid meeting for the West Florida Limousine Association (WFLA) this past December 15—its last of the year—as a handful of members gathered at the Pasadena Yacht & Country Club in Gulfport, Florida, with about a dozen more guests joining via Zoom, including CD Managing Editor Susan Rose.
The focus of the meeting was the continuing preparation for Super Bowl LV to be held at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium on February 7, 2021. Many of the details are contingent upon the state of COVID—including the big game’s date itself—but area operators are counting on the influx of revenue to kick off early 2021 on solid footing despite the event’s reduced capacity. According to most on the call, bookings have been slow, but inquiries have been steady, with many expecting them to pick up once closer to the event and details are solidified.
L to R: David DiDomenico of Showtime Transportation of Tampa Bay, Ronny Rodriguez of Tampa Bay Limousine, Jeremy Jenkins His & Hers Limousine, Joe Madiedo of PIC Insurance, and Kevin Gore of Executive Coach Builders (also present: Tom Halsnik of Walsh Chauffeured Transportation)
Prior to the call, Board Member David DiDomenico of Showtime Transportation of Tampa distributed via email the most up-to-date information from their meeting with the Super Bowl host committee, which included minimum vehicle rates and cancellation policies. The Board shared details about parking permits, which range from $120 for sedans and SUVs up to $350 for motorcoaches depending on the type of the vehicle—and they cautioned members to have the correct permits or face being turned away. Parking permits were expected to be available for purchase starting 12/18/20 at parksuperbowl.com.
For local companies working with or using out-of-town vehicles, special event permits will be available for $25 per vehicle through Hillsborough County. However, permits MUST be purchased through a local company that is up to date with permits. More information is available at tampabaylv.com.
Also, for pickups at Tampa International Airport during the week of Super Bowl, the 8th floor in short-term parking near the Armstrong elevators has been designated and blocked for all black car services.
After wrapping up business, members who joined the meeting in person enjoyed lunch and celebrated the end of a crazy year.
The WFLA Board is keeping a close eye on new developments as we inch closer to the game.
Visit facebook.com/WestFloridaLimousineAssociation for more information.
[12.21.20]
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- Category: Industry News
The motorcoach industry asked for $10 billion, was told $8 billion was doable, and ended up with $2 billion when the latest COVID relief package finally passed this past Sunday.
The industry has been hit especially hard, with most estimates of trips at just 10-20 percent of 2019 numbers. As such, both the American Bus Association (ABA) and United Motorcoach Association (UMA) have been burning up phone lines and inboxes to keep Congress informed of the tremendous impact that COVID has had, and to request aid through two bills called the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act. Among the numerous industry-specific bills floating around in both chambers, the CERTS Act enjoyed the broadest bicameral support of any other bill.
Since March 2020, the motorcoach industry has been decimated, with more than 80,000 of the 100,000 jobs lost and the industry operating at 10 percent of 2019 levels. Financial institutions have predicted without federal government relief aid, the industry could see more than 40 percent of the 3,000 businesses—mostly multigenerational family companies—permanently shut down.
ABA President Peter Pantuso
A statement from ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso:
"It is truly disappointing and shocking that once again Congressional leaders have failed to provide adequate funding for the motorcoach industry. The private motorcoach industry has been the only form of passenger transportation ignored by Congress over the past 10 months of the pandemic. But with 61 Senators and more than 270 Representatives supporting a funding ask [CERTS Act], we had strong hope the funding would be included in this final COVID package. To see these monies that were finally designated to save this essential industry now diverted to prop up highway projects suffering due to low gas tax revenue is simply tragically ironic given that motorcoaches are the only public passenger transportation mode that still pays these fuel taxes.
"This industry has been hanging on by a thread since March. So many hardworking and talented employees have been furloughed and will most likely be permanently unemployed because Congress does not see the value of our industry. I would say that the 600 million passengers we transport annually would disagree, not to mention all the people who relied on us for relief when hurricanes hit and wildfires raged in the west. This industry has repeatedly been there in times of great need for this country, for every citizen, and now when we need help, our leaders have abandoned us.
“President-elect Biden and other Congressional offices, as well as economists, have said a major stimulus of up to $4 trillion is needed to save the economy and that Congress and the new Administration will need another stimulus bill soon. We look forward to working with the new Administration and Congress to ensure this essential industry is not left behind again and will be there to help this country recover.”
UMA President & CEO Larry Killingsworth
A statement from UMA President & CEO Larry Killingsworth:
“I write to you today incredibly proud of our industry's advocacy efforts through unprecedented hardship that began in March. I know that our funding ending up at $2 billion after this hard-fought battle is disappointing. You all deserved more. And you needed it a lot sooner.
“But with the Congressional agreement to provide $2 billion in specific economic relief to our industry, we mark the end of the first leg of what is an ongoing journey to bring our industry back. Through all of this, the optimism, team work, and boundless commitment of our members and industry friends has been nothing short of inspiring. Did you know we could be so strong?
“What transit unions, airlines, and Amtrak did with big money, our motorcoach family did with personal emails, calls, and letters to Congress. You gained the attention of local and national media, and marshaled the power of email and social media networks to supercharge our efforts to hit the email inboxes of Congressional leaders. You built important relationships with your elected officials. During a time when our nation's politics were at the heights of division, the CERTS Act brought together both parties, in both houses of Congress, with more than 60 percent support.
“There is more than enough reason to be proud of our efforts, but so much still needs to be done with great immediacy. As a group, we must temper our disappointment with resolve to move forward.
“We do have numerous tools at our disposal in this new bill and beyond, as Congress signals that this is just a down payment on a larger bill to come, [including a second round of PPP, EIDL, Employee Retention Tax Credit, and the new CERTS Program Launch.]
“Let us resolve to keep working together once the 117th Congress convenes and to build upon the foundations we have put in place, so our industry emerges even stronger in the future.”
UMA has scheduled a special Town Hall session for this Wednesday, December 23, at 2 p.m. ET. Registration is required here.
For more information about ABA, visit buses.org. Visit uma.org for more information about UMA.
[12.21.20]