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- Category: Industry News
In a letter released on September 10, 18 travel and aviation industry groups called on the Trump administration to take coordinated and deliberate action to safely reopen international travel markets.
The letter, addressed to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf, and Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), along with groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Air Traffic Control Association, urges the administration to take a collaborative approach between government and industry to ensure the development of standardized measures that promote needed consistency across the aviation system, including:
- Establishing Testing Protocols: Appropriate COVID-19 testing protocols will enable the reopening of international travel markets while increasing confidence in the health and safety of the air transportation system. Globally, an increasing number of governments are implementing pre-travel testing requirements or post-arrival testing regimes. The letter implores the U.S. government to work with the aviation industry to expeditiously establish similar protocols.
- Beginning a Limited Testing Pilot Program: There are many complexities surrounding COVID-19 testing; a globally accepted framework for testing protocols for international travel must be established. This includes the U.S. partnering with Europe, Canada, or the Pacific, to form a basis for evaluating the efficacy of such a program, while collaborating with the aviation and travel industry to chart a path forward.
- Designing, Developing, Funding, and Implementing Testing Pilots That Are Medically-Based, Affordable, Dependable, Privacy-Oriented, and Adaptable for Airline/Airport Operations: Testing pilots should address key considerations, including the availability and reliability of rapid diagnostic tests that can be conducted within a reasonable time window prior to departure; engagement with key international partners to ensure U.S. tests would be accepted; and assurance of privacy protections and traveler control of sensitive health information.
“The economic toll this pandemic has already taken on the U.S. economy is staggering,” said GBTA Interim Executive Director Dave Hilfman. “The Global Business Travel Association and our industry partners stand ready to work with the U.S. government on the implementation of testing pilot protocols so that we can restore the operation and economic vitality of the air transportation system.”
Visit gbta.org for more information on GBTA’s pandemic-related efforts.
[09.11.20]
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- Category: Industry News
The American Bus Association Foundation, one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the group travel industry, with an emphasis on research and scholarships—congratulates the 2020 class of the ABA Foundation scholarship program.
Each year the ABA Foundation gives $100,000 to 20 college students who are employees or dependents of employees at an ABA member company or studying in a travel and tourism field.
“This year, more than ever, we are proud to help our future leaders,” said ABA Foundation President Peter Pantuso. “In a year when most scholarships programs have seen a decline in applicants, our scholarship applications were the highest they have ever been since we started the program.”
The ABA Foundation Scholarship Program is funded by the generous support of ABA members who give throughout the year including during ABA’s Marketplace at the Foundation’s Live and Silent Auctions and Afterglow party sponsored by Hard Rock Cafe International and Prevost.
MOTORCOACH & TOUR OPERATOR SCHOLARSHIP
Grace Blackburn
Miller Transportation
Indiana University-Bloomington
Accountancy
Carolyn Deal
San Diego Sun Charter
Westmont College
History
Serena Fernandez
Star Shuttle & Charter
Texas Woman's University
Biochemistry
Daniel Kim
Riteway Bus Service
Case Western Reserve University
Business
Daniel McMichael
Executive Coach
New York University
Business Management
Alena Strassburg
Lamers Bus Lines
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Alexandra Wright
Pinnacle Car Services
Pepperdine University
Psychology
ABA MEMBER SCHOLARSHIP
Tanner Carson
City of Goodlettsville
Vanderbilt University
Pre-Law
Joseph Cason
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Trevecca Nazarene University
Counseling
Sophie Demaisy
Prevost
Connecticut College
Botany
Chloe Fraley
Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Marketing
Brianne Guldin
TEMSA North America
University of Florida
Travel and Tourism
Mason McMullen
La Quinta Inn Goodlettsville-Nashville/Avid Hotel
The University of Tennessee
Architecture
Kristiana Orem
The Inn on the River
The University of Tennessee
Pre-Law
DRIVING THE FUTURE SCHOLARSHIP
Negil McPherson
Visit Omaha
Kansas State University
Business
ACADEMIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
Owen Colombo
California Baptist University
Aviation & Air Transportation
DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
Brandon Ware
Liberty University
Aerospace Aeronautical
PETER L. PICKNELLY HONORARY SCHOLARSHIP
Not Published
RON CORNELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Victoria Santangelo
ABC Companies
Caldwell College
Nursing
YELLOW RIBBON SCHOLARSHIP
Not Published
The 2021 scholarship season will kick off in early December and run through early April 2021.
For more information about the ABA Foundation Scholarship program, visit buses.org/aba-foundation/scholarships.
[09.10.20]
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- Category: Industry News
Heading into the Labor Day holiday weekend, the United Motorcoach Association (UMA) held its weekly Town Hall online meeting on September 3. The association has been closely watching what’s happening in Washington on the next proposed COVID relief package, and the meeting kicked off with an update on those efforts.
UMA Vice President & COO Ken Presley
Vice President & COO Ken Presley shared the latest on the packages currently being considered. Negotiations continue to stall between the parties in Congress and the Trump administration, with Republicans preferring a smaller, nimbler bill that appropriates less than $1 trillion, while Democrats are looking for a more comprehensive and sweeping bill that will support the economy for a longer term—a higher price tag at around $2 trillion. Although the appetite for spending has continued to drop as there are signs of recovery (if faint), the newest Senate proposal—dubbed the mini-bill—clocks in around $500 billion with funding for a second wave of PPP, reinstatement of the enhanced unemployment supplement at a reduced $300 per week, and support for education, testing, and the United States Postal Service. Complicating matters are the election as well as reports from the Congressional Budget Office warning that the federal deficit is expected to reach a record $3.3 trillion this year, more than twice the largest level on record, which could hamper negotiations further.
The UMA, in conjunction with the American Bus Association, has been lobbying Congress for months to support and pass legislation that would offer the motorcoach industry long-term aid via loans and grants. Both bills, the Senate’s S.4150 and the House’s H.R.7642, continue to gain co-sponsors. The CERTS Act, as both bills are known, was designed to be attached to a larger overall relief bill, and the amount of support is hopefully a good sign for its eventual passage.
While things are still in play, Presley thinks something could possibly pass in late September, although it’s uncertain what could happen if Congress misses that window as the election season will be in full swing and talks could be pushed off until—gasp—after the election.
As always, Presley encouraged members to continue their outreach to their representatives—especially those who haven’t signed on as cosponsors of the CERTS Act. Tens of thousands of letters, calls, and emails have been extremely effective, but more is needed to get the bill over the finish line. Slides from the meeting can be viewed here.
Travel is resuming in many areas, albeit slowly and with added restrictions, which was good news for the members. Lenni Neimeyer and Joy McNealy were on hand to highlight what’s happening in their respective markets of Branson, Mo., and Pigeon Forge, Tenn. from the point of view of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Both noted that the summer was quite busy for the accessible locations, which each feature robust outdoor nature activities as well as music, theater, dining, and tons of shopping. Best of all, the destinations are welcoming and encouraging buses to bring tourists. They are available to assist any operator who have questions or would like to put together a package. Neimeyer can be reached at lneimeyer@bransoncvb.com; McNealy can be reached at jmcnealy@mypigeonforge.com.
Finally, Tom McCaughey of the New England Bus Association and Flagship Trailways shared that he had hosted a fundraiser for Rhode Island Senate Jack Reed, who has been a vocal proponent of the industry. He reminded members to support representatives who are facing reelection, even if it’s only a few dollars, to keep an ally in Washington.
The next UMA Town Hall is scheduled for September 10 at 2PM ET. Registration is required.
Visit uma.org for more information.
[09.04.20]