Seven travel organizations met recently in Washington to cooperate and act as one voice for the packaged travel community, establishing five areas for collaborative work, including government relations, airline issues and sustainable travel.

The meeting involved volunteer and staff leaders from the American Bus Association (ABA), 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 (UMA) and the United States Tour Operators Association are also a part of the coalition.

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