Associations Unite On Shared Voice For Packaged Travel

July, 2008

For Immediate Release
Contact: Eron Shosteck
Phone: 202-218-7220

WASHINGTON -- Seven travel organizations came together June 23 in Washington to cooperate and act as one voice for the packaged travel community, establishing five areas for collaborative work in the future including government relations, airline issues and sustainable travel.

The meeting involved volunteer and staff leaders from the American Bus Association, the American Society of Travel Agents, the National Tour Association, the Ontario Motor Coach Association, the Receptive Services Association of America, the Student and Youth Travel Association and the Travel Industry Association. The Travel Industry Association of Canada, the United Motorcoach Association and the United States Tour Operators Association also are a part of the coalition.

"ABA is pleased to be championing the cause of sustainable travel," said ABA President & CEO Peter J. Pantuso. "Motorcoaches are the greenest form of transportation, so we are delighted to lead the way in fostering environmentally friendly mobility."

Motorcoaches achieve 184 passenger miles per gallon, making them the most fuel-efficient and least carbon-intensive mode of transportation, studies show.

The group identified five focus areas that are critical to packaged travel. Champions were named to each area to oversee the work, and the group plans to meet later this year to review progress. These issues and the coordinating associations are:

1. Government Relations                                       NTA and TIA
2. Research and Trends                                        NTA and TIA
3. Sustainable Travel                                            ABA and ASTA
4. Airline Issues                                                   NTA and TIA
5. Promoting use of professional travel providers      SYTA

The American Bus Association is the trade organization of the intercity bus industry with more than 1000 motorcoach owner and tour company members in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations and contract services. Another 2,600 members are travel and tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry.