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Hassles, inefficiencies, and delays during all points of travel collectively have a price tag, says the US Travel Association (USTA). According to a survey (with partner Ipsos) from the association, these issues through Customs, visa delays, and airport screening caused travelers to take, on average, two fewer trips with an estimated hit of $71 billion to the US economy—and that’s after a robust summer travel season.
Travelers even compared travel to an agency that most of us associate with headaches: the DMV.
“When nearly 60 percent of recent air travelers find the experience the equivalent or worse than going to the DMV, it is a concerning signal that demands action,” said USTA President & CEO Geoff Freeman. “With greater focus, it is well within the federal government’s ability to make improvements across the travel ecosystem.”
USTA President & CEO Geoff Freeman
According to the survey, half of air travelers said they would travel more in the next six months if the experience were less of a hassle, while business travelers would take an average of two more trips per year if travel frictions improved, resulting in 18 million additional trips and $52 billion in economic impact.
“The security screening experience travelers encounter today is effectively the same as it was 21 years ago when the TSA was established,” said Freeman. “While air travel is safer than ever, the process for most air travelers has not evolved. Screening processes and technologies in the United States are falling behind those in other nations. It’s time to lead the way.”
Further, Freeman urged officials to look toward measures that other nations have successfully implemented, such as steps taken by Spain and the U.K. to end the liquid ban in carry-on luggage, thanks to advanced security technology. He also noted that the majority of recent air travelers (two-thirds, according to their survey) would be comfortable with the implementation of biometric technology, which could lead to greater efficiency.
The poll is available here: Q3 2023 Ipsos survey.
Visit ustravel.org for more information.
[10.17.23]
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They’re growing again! Luxury ground transportation provider Above All Transportation/Boston Car Service/ETS is excited to announce the acquisition of Maine Limousine Service, based in Portland, Maine. According to a press release from the company, Maine Limousine Service will retain its name.
L to R: Kim Madore-Smith and Teale Smith of Maine Limousine with Brett Barenholtz and Kevin Cronin of Above All/Boston Car Service/ETS
Teale Smith and Kim Madore-Smith have owned Maine Limo since 2007 with a 33-vehicle fleet that includes sedans, SUVs, limousines, Sprinters, and buses. The Smiths have a fantastic reputation in the chauffeured transportation industry and Teale has served on the executive committee of the New England Livery Association for many years. The company has been named "Best of Portland," and the Smiths are very involved in their local community. They leave an impressive legacy of a fantastic company.
"We are thrilled to add this award-winning brand to our company," said Above All/Boston Car/ETS CEO Brett Barenholtz. “Maine Limo is a first-class, family-run operation with an excellent reputation for servicing the Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont areas. Not only do we feel that they are the crown jewel of Maine, but they are also one of the best companies in all of the Northeast! This is a great step for us to be able to continue to expand our footprint north of Boston and throughout the entire New England region.”
Above All/Boston Car/ETS is a leading chauffeured transportation company that specializes in corporate travel, shuttles, events, bus charters and airport transfers. Above All was founded by Kevin Cronin in 1988, while Barenholtz founded Boston Car Service in 1997. The two companies merged in 2015 and have grown into a global company that services over 800 cities worldwide.
Visit abovealltrans.com or mainelimo.com for more information.
[10.17.23]
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- Category: Industry News
It’s almost showtime! We’re less than a week from the luxury ground transportation event of the season—the 2023 CD/NLA Show in Orlando—and we couldn’t be more excited. Over the course of the four-day event, we have tons of education and networking in store as well as an impressive show floor featuring all the vehicles, products, and services you could ask for. We’d like to take the time to thank our all our sponsors, including Title Sponsor Volvo, for stepping up and helping make this unforgettable convention possible.
As we approach the show, why don’t you take a minute to download the CD/NLA Show app, sponsored by North Point Global Transportation Services. Simply head to your favorite app store and search for “CD NLA Shows.” Or, if you attended a previous show or retreat and already have the app, just log out using the menu at the top right of the screen and sign in again. It’s just that easy. You’ll be able to access the full schedule (and create your own customizable schedule so you don’t miss a thing), read bios of our speakers, see a list of the exhibitors and vendors, and get a map of our show floor and the venue. The app also offers seminar slides and handouts as well as surveys that let you tell us how we’re doing. There’s also a social aspect to the app that lets you connect with other attendees. Best of all, the app is free!
Need to register at the last minute? No problem! Just head over to cdnlashow.com to preregister before midnight on Sunday and we’ll have your badge waiting for you. While you’re there, you can get a complete overview of what you can expect. You’ll find details about our 12 educational sessions and roundtables, as well as information about our dedicated networking events—such as Operator Mentoring Program, Women in the Industry Event, and the Affiliate Central Global Forum (sponsored by Volvo). Also, check out the deets on the exciting State of the Industry (sponsored by Driving Transactions), which features experts Suzanne Neufang of the Global Business Travel Association and Sean Smith, PhD, of the Institute for Economic Forecasting at the University of Central Florida. On the site, you can get the rundown of our fabulous nightlife activities, namely Sunday’s Opening Night Party on the Show Floor (sponsored by TEMSA) and Monday’s chilling Halloween Costume Party (sponsored by ANB Trans, Centennial Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation, and Crown Worldwide Transportation). Both events feature an open bar as well as unlimited light fare. Furthermore, did you know that your registration includes three days of breakfast and two lunches on the show floor? Let’s just say that you’ll never leave the CD/NLA Show with an empty belly.
We can’t wait to have you join us at the Gaylord Palms on October 22-25 for what promises to be an exciting fall show. We’re looking forward to seeing you in the Sunshine State!
Visit cdnlashow.com for more information.
[10.17.23]