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- Category: Industry News
Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of NFI Group (NFI), a leading independent bus and coach manufacturer and a leader in electric mass mobility solutions, today announced Allen Keith has joined MCI as private market regional vice president for new and pre-owned coach sales in the Northeast region.
MCI VP Coach Sales NE Region Allen Keith
Based in Connecticut., Keith is responsible for new coach and pre-owned coach sales to private operators in the Northeast region, including Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.
“Allen brings a wealth of sales experience to MCI and we are thrilled to welcome him to our team. Allens record of accomplishments, both corporate and personal, demonstrates his commitment to building strong relationships and customer loyalty,” said MCI Vice President, Private Market Sales, Patricia Ziska. “Allen will be an exceptional leader the Northeast region, helping our private coach customers to expand and update their fleets with MCI’s industry-leading products."
Keith has 13 years of sales management experience and joins the company following six years as Regional Parts Manager with NFI Parts—another NFI subsidiary.
During his career, Keith has excelled in developing new markets, establishing productive partnerships with coach fleet operators, and helping customers navigate challenges presented by the pandemic through effective management of parts procurement and introduction of new products.
Visit mcicoach.com for more information.
[05.17.22]
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- Category: Industry News
The unofficial summer travel season begins in a few weeks, and travel associations are warning that the federally required inbound pre-departure testing could continue to have a damaging impact on the likelihood of international travelers visiting the United States. A recent survey conducted by Morning Consult for US Travel Association (USTA) found that these regulations remain a major barrier to economic recovery.
“Before the pandemic, travel was the second-largest US industry export and generated a positive trade balance of $53 billion,” said US Travel Association President & CEO Roger Dow. “Inbound travel is critical to reducing the overall trade deficit, but the pre-departure testing requirement remains an unnecessary hurdle to regaining visitors and competing for global tourism dollars.
USTA President & CEO Roger Dow
A survey of vaccinated international travelers in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, and India found that nearly half of respondents (47 percent) who are unlikely to travel abroad in the next 12 months cited pre-departure testing requirements as a deterrent, while 71 percent said they prioritize traveling to destinations without cumbersome entry requirements.
Dow remains hopeful that the Biden administration could relax these requirements and accelerate recovery for travel businesses. Based on survey data, 46 percent of international travelers would be more likely to visit the US if pre-departure testing requirements for vaccinated adults were lifted. Securing just a fraction of those numbers could translate to an additional half-million visitors each month and $2 billion in valuable US travel exports, supporting nearly 40,000 domestic jobs, according to USTA.
“While other countries with similar case, vaccination, and hospital rates have removed their testing requirements and have begun rebuilding their travel economies, the US is at a competitive disadvantage and risks a prolonged period of recovery,” said Dow. Currently, inbound international travel to the US is on track to recover to 2019 levels in 2024.
With the lifting of many previous mandates across the travel spectrum, including the mask mandate on domestic flights, this inbound testing requirement remains an exception.
Visit ustravel.org for more information.
[05.17.22]
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- Category: Industry News
The business world is still adjusting to the modified working conditions that were required during the global pandemic and weighing their continued value moving forward. A new survey of 522 US-based executives and business managers explored the benefits and pitfalls of different types of meeting modes (in person or virtual) with employees and customers as well as the value of corporate travel in the post-pandemic business climate. The survey also probed the attitude toward returning to the traditional office setting versus remote work or a blend of the two.
The 37-page white paper, How We Meet Matters—Insights on Meetings and Travel from US Business Leaders, was sponsored by CWT, Cytric by Amadeus, and Delta, and compiled by tClara. Data was collected during February 2022.
Some highlights:
- When it comes to business travel, 78 percent of respondents would recommend travel levels similar to or significantly more than their closest competitors.
- In-person meetings are significantly more valued by C-suite executives than others surveyed (53 percent vs. 41 percent, respectively).
- Virtual meetings are beneficial for saving time and money, protecting participants’ health, and reducing carbon emissions, but the risks are significant for loss of attention and weak participation.
- Among the benefits cited for in-person meetings are building trust and teamwork, solving important problems, and becoming part of a team.
- When asked about the consequences of banning all in-person meetings, respondents cited higher attrition (65 percent) as the top concern. Lower morale, inferior hiring, worse teamwork, and an eroded culture all came in second at 63 percent.
- In a surprising finding, 77 percent of respondents said they can’t determine if their companies are traveling too much or too little other than by examining the travel budget, while 92 percent of CEOs surveyed said that business travelers should spend a few minutes justifying the need for their trips before they travel.
- A majority (70 percent) favor a blend of working virtually and in person, with only 23 percent saying that they want to work in the office five days a week.
The entire report can be viewed here.
[05.11.22]