Destinations Magazine - November/December 2017 - 4

ON THE
ROAD | INSIDE SCOOP
The Facts, Nothing but the Facts

generated during ABA's Marketplace and the business for
nfortunately, I am old enough to have seen
each attendee is the highest in the country among group
the original black-and-white, police-themed
travel shows.
Dragnet series (in reruns, of course) on
Fact 4: ABA's legislative efforts are second to none. ABA
television. And I am ashamed to admit that
was founded in 1926 by a group of operators who wanted
I watched the Dragnet movie starring Dan Aykroyd and
to work collectively to ensure their voice was heard in the
Tom Hanks in 1987. But for anyone who saw the series or
the movie (ugh!), the phrase that sticks in everyone's mind halls of Congress and at federal agencies and departments.
Ninety-one years later, ABA continues to make its voice
often attributed to the characters' inquisition of a suspect
heard, with a team of four highly qualified individuals,
or witness is, "Give me the facts, nothing but the facts."
outside lobbyists and consultants, and attorneys. Rarely
So, I thought it was time to remember the facts about
does a day go by that our staff is not visiting congressional
both the industry and the American Bus Association
offices or federal agencies. It's why we're in D.C.-not in the
(ABA)-the association that effectively represents the
D.C. metro area or outside the beltway, but in D.C.
motorcoach travel and tourism industry and its variFact 5: We keep you informed! At ABA, we know that
ous segments.
having timely and accurate information is critical to
Fact 1: There is no other North American association in
your business. It's why we constantly
the bus, tour, or travel segments of the
provide research on the industry
industry that represents the breadth of
through the ABA Foundation, publish
the industry that ABA does. Our 1,000
"At ABA, we know
daily newsletters (Bus Bulletin and
motorcoach and tour operator memthat having timely
the new The Tour Stop), capture
bers and our more than 2,500 travel
and accurate
weekly news through The Insider, and
and associate members represent more
businesses than most related organiza- information is critical provide detailed information about the
to your business."
travel segment of the industry through
tions put together.
Destinations. In addition to this, we
Fact 2: ABA's motorcoach operators
provide research on the businesses you
are some of the safest in the industry
work with in Motorcoach Marketer and online at www.
and represent more than 65 percent of all motorcoaches
buses.org.
on the road today. And while ABA represents some of the
As you prepare your strategies and business plan for
larger companies in North America, most of our members
2018, consider spending your money where you'll get the
are small family businesses with an average of 10 coaches
or less. This breadth of representation from the smallest to biggest return on your investment. Be sure to consider
the facts!
the largest motorcoach companies is unique to ABA, and
Wishing everyone much happiness and success in the
it allows us to understand the full nature of the business.
new year!
In addition, every 90 days we review each motorcoach
operator's safety record, and only the companies with the
highest Department of Transportation/FMCSA ratings
can remain ABA members.
Sincerely,
Fact 3: ABA's Annual Meeting & Marketplace is the
largest group travel show in North America. Only the U.S.
Travel Association's IPW, the international inbound travel
show for group and FIT travel planning, has more. But in
the group travel space, we own it! And based on research
PETER J. PANTUSO, CTIS
conducted by John Dunham & Associates, an economic
President and CEO
analysis firm based in New York City, the total business
Follow Pete on Twitter at @PantusoPeter

DESTINATIONS

/ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2017

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Destinations Magazine - November/December 2017