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Sept. 25, 2020

ASSOCIATIONS NEWS

Today is the deadline for Member Survey submissions

OMCA

Last week OMCA released member surveys for Coach Operators, Tour Operators, and Supplier Members to help get an accurate snapshot of the industry so that we can best support our members. Please take 2 minutes to complete the survey – all responses are kept confidential and will help the association greatly in planning our next moves to support the growth of the industry.

Marketplace portal opens this Monday, September 28th

OMCA

This Monday, registered delegates will have access to the online portal to review the profiles of other registered delegates and do their research before making their appointment requests. Appointment requests open on Monday, October 5th.

Stay tuned!

OMCA

OMCA has something exciting in the works to promote consumer confidence in group travel! In recent weeks we worked with member company Radonic+ to film a promotional video that highlights the safety measures taken by bus companies and tour operators to keep the passengers and staff safe and healthy. We are in the last stages of edits right now, so stay tuned for the big reveal!

OMCA President to retire in April

OMCA

At the recent OMCA Board meeting, President and CEO Doug Switzer informed the Board of his decision to retire at the end of April following the Ontario Transportation Expo. The Board has begun the work of establishing a transition committee and process as well as undertaking a strategic review of the association.

VIEW RESIGNATION

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

INDUSTRY NEWS

Trust us: Ontario vows to support travel industry

Travel Industry Today

With pressure mounting on all governments from all sides in tourism and travel to throw the sector a lifeline, Ontario’s government is vowing that it will “shore up this vital industry” in the face of the pandemic and that travel agents and wholesalers “will see brighter days ahead.”

Trudeau to extend flagship emergency wage subsidy to next summer as biggest provinces hit second wave of COVID-19

SaltWire Network

The Trudeau government will extend its flagship and costly emergency wage subsidy program for nearly another year as it promises to restore employment in Canada to pre-pandemic levels. “The economic impact of COVID-19 on Canadians has already been worse than the 2008 financial crisis. These consequences will not be short-lived. This is not the time for austerity,” said the throne speech, delivered a month after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament.

SPONSORED CONTENT

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U.S. land borders with Canada, Mexico will remain closed to nonessential travel until at least October

Travel and Leisure

The land border closure between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico has been extended into October, marking the latest delay in resuming nonessential travel between the neighboring nations. “We continue to work with our Canadian and Mexican partners to slow the spread of #COVID19,” Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said, said in a tweet on Friday. “Accordingly, we have agreed to extend the limitation of non-essential travel at our shared land ports of entry through October 21.”

The hardest hit: Tourism coalition wants subsidy programs to continue through spring

Travel Industry Today

A coalition of organizations representing the tourism sector says the federal government must keep its wage-subsidy program in place well into next year to help businesses with dire prospects for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. And there is no question, of course, that the industry is one of the hardest hit. Charlotte Bell, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada said on a Zoom conference yesterday that travel and tourism was the ‘first shut and will be the last opened.’

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Share your thoughts about transportation in the Golden Horseshoe through online survey

Durham Radio News

The provincial government has launched a new online survey as they prepare a long-term transportation plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. According to the government, the plan will guide highway and transit investment from now until 2051. As officials craft the plan, they’re looking for feedback from people and families who live or work in the area.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

THE BEST FALL FOLIAGE SITE!

Just a few weeks left to visit Canyon Sainte-Anne and experience a complete forest immersion and thrilling sensations! Walk across 3 suspensions bridges (one sitting 60 meters high) - Soar at 50km/h over the waterfall onboard AirCANYON!

Outdoor terrace – Flexible Hours – Secure Family Fun Ask about our special group rates!

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School bus system crisis continues due to government inaction

Cision

Unifor, Ontario's largest school bus driver union, maintains that the crisis in the school bus system continues due to inaction by the provincial government. "I hear Education Minister Stephen Lecce saying that his government is doing everything possible to address the driver shortage and concerns about safety aboard school buses but that simply isn't the case," said Debbie Montgomery, President of Unifor Local 4268. "While it's true the province has designated some funds towards health and safety and driver retention the fundamental issue remains the lack of provincial standards to go with those dollars."

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Reach Your Prospects Every Week

Thousands of industry professionals subscribe to association news briefs, which allows your company to push messaging directly to their inboxes and take advantage of the association's brand affinity. Connect with Highly Defined Buyers and Maximize Your Brand Exposure!

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Brott Music Festival

BMF, home of the National Academy Orchestra, offers wide programming with broad appeal including: classical, opera, pop, chamber, Broadway and rock. The Festival is renowned for its artistic excellence. BMF is one of four Hamilton Anchor Arts organizations and is now entering their 33rd year.

www.brottmusic.com

905-525-7664

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Follow the money: Travel spending on the rise

Travel Industry Today

New research from Mastercard suggests there are promising signs in consumer spending globally, including travel. Among the G20 nations, Canada ranked eighth in travel and entertainment spend in July compared to the year before.The analysis of sales activity across the technology company’s network, including in-person and online transactions, showed that Italy led the G20 countries group in terms of the recovery of travel and entertainment spending (including airlines and lodging as well as activities such as eating out) with about 75% of spending relative to 2019 and well ahead of Canada at 45%.

Police lay first school bus passing charge

Bay Today

North Bay Police have issued their first ticket for the new school year for passing a stopped school bus. Manager of Operations Inspector Larry Asselin says: “We are dealing with the first charge of this school year when a driver drove through the lights of a school bus. At this time of year, drivers must focus more than ever on basic safety rules and be certain to add some patience to your daily routine not only for buses but for our children that are walking to and from schools.”

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

World’s Largest Collection of Canoes!

600+ canoes, countless stories to tell! Located in Peterborough, The Canadian Canoe Museum offers engaging and inspiring exhibits exploring Canada’s history by canoe. You don’t have to be a paddler to enjoy the museum – but you may become one after your tour!

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Coach USA lifts 50 per cent capacity limit on commuter buses to and from NYC

Times Herald-Record

After six months at home and constant messages about social distancing, Michelle Sale was startled to board a bus in Manhattan after her first day back at work and find a stranger sitting next to her and other passengers all around her. Even with riders wearing masks, traveling in a nearly full bus felt jarring for the high school teacher from Orange County. She learned that Coach USA had lifted the 50 per cent capacity limit on its buses just one day earlier, a shift that left her questioning the safety of resuming her hour-long bus rides each day between the park-and-ride lot in Central Valley and Port Authority bus terminal in Midtown.

Kasper Transporation places blame on Ontario government over cancelled bus routes

CBC News

Kasper Transportation has indefinitely suspended its Fort Frances to Thunder Bay bus route, citing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and regional competition. The suspension of service by the Thunder Bay, ON-based company comes after the province announced the expansion of Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) bus operations, with new stops added in Emo, Fort Frances and Atikokan, as of September 7.

OMCA Report

Connect with OMCA

Dennis Hall, Director of Publishing, 469-420-2656 | Download media kit
Oliver Kirby, MultiView Canada, Senior Content Editor, 289.695.5401 | Contribute news

Ontario Motor Coach Association
320 North Queen Street | Suite 210 | Toronto, ON | M9C 5K4 | 416.229.6622 | Contact Us

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