PVA members have reported a busy summer season with expectations for robust customer demand leading into the fall and beyond. While rising fuel and airline ticket prices impacted travel and tourism decisions for many, and with overall travel activity varied regionally, experts are reporting that the summer season for U.S. domestic travel has been generally positive albeit uneven.
The U.S. Travel Association has reported that instead of abandoning vacation travel altogether, consumers are choosing to shorten the length of their trips, electing regional destinations, and even driving instead of flying as many have in the past years. At the same time, Expedia estimates that 63 percent of U.S. travelers planned a domestic trip this summer. In fact, travel experts have gone so far as to say that domestic leisure travel remains the only major travel segment where overall spending still tops 2019 levels.
To further underscore this point, the American Automobile Association (AAA) has estimated that 85 percent of Americans traveling for the Fourth of July holiday expected to drive to their domestic destinations. Overall, the good news is that travel experts believe that even in the face of higher prices travelers are finding ways to cope instead of eliminating their travel plans altogether.
Hopefully this forecast will bode well for members during the upcoming fall and holiday travel seasons.
Energizing Fall PVA Region Meetings Await
As we make the turn into the fall season, five exciting PVA Region Meetings are being planned to give PVA members an opportunity to gather together after long seasons to network, exchange information, and most importantly, reconnect.
Because PVA Region Meetings are held regionally, many program topics and issues focus on these local areas. These PVA meetings bring together members, leaders, and professionals from across the region and industry, creating an environment where participants can share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. They also offer a valuable opportunity for PVA members to stay connected to their region peers.
These PVA meetings bring together members, leaders, and professionals from across the region and industry, creating an environment where participants can share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.
One of the greatest benefits of attending a PVA Region Meeting is the opportunity to stay informed about current industry issues, both locally and nationally. Attendees receive timely and instructive updates on important industry challenges and opportunities, U.S. Coast Guard matters, management trends, and legislative and regulatory issues.
Attending a PVA Region Meeting also gives members a voice in the association. Members can share suggestions, discuss challenges, and contribute ideas that may help shape future association programs and priorities.
Finally, attending one of the 2026 PVA Region Meeting can be motivating. It provides an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments, recognize shared challenges, and walk away with new ideas and renewed enthusiasm.
The following highlights some of what is in store for PVA region meetings this fall:
- A review of practical safety improvements to avoid serious incidents, offering actionable ideas and real-world considerations
- The latest food and beverage trends and how they influence onboard dining, hospitality, and the passenger experience
- The advantages, challenges, and considerations when deciding whether to repower an existing vessel or invest in new construction
- A look at PVA’s Flagship Safety Management System (SMS) and how it can support safe, effective vessel operations
- The new U.S. Coast Guard tool to streamline the mariner credentialing experience
- The view from Washington, D.C., on issues directly affecting the passenger vessel industry
PVA Summer Membership Billing Program
Thank you for Your Support
This month you will receive an invoice for your 2026 PVA membership dues under the Summer Billing Program. This program was launched by the PVA Board of Directors many years ago to make it convenient for members to pay their dues when their businesses are most active. Your membership dues support an ever-growing array of member services, programs and work that PVA members have come to expect.
Expanding Member Service and Impact
PVA is developing a host of new programs and services to provide exciting new benefits for you and your business. These investments ensure that you have the very best management and training tools at your fingertips when you need them. Here are just a few examples of what we have been working on:
New Safety Training Videos
PVA is creating 17 new safety videos for members to use in their company safety training programs. These videos help reinforce safe behavior, supports risk management, and helps crew better prepare for emergencies.
PVA Regulatory and Safety Staff Added
New staff has been hired to help broaden PVA’s regulatory advocacy efforts as well as to assist members implement the PVA Flagship SMS Program. This addition expands PVA’s ability to provide support and advice to members concerning regulatory, safety, and Coast Guard matters.
New Foghorn Website
A new website has been created to broaden the editorial reach of Foghorn magazine. This means that you have even greater access to impactful articles and information tailored to your specific business needs.
Enhanced PVA Member Resource Website
The PVA Member Resource page has been completely redesigned to make it easier for you to navigate and access the PVA materials and training tools you need most.
Thank You for Your Continuing Support
Through your support we are able to continue to ably represent your interests in Washington, D.C. Your membership support also allows us to develop effective safety and crew training tools to assist in strengthening member risk management programs while also launching new and exciting new programs for the future.
We look forward to working with you as a PVA member over the coming months and years.
In the meantime, please let me know whenever we can be of assistance to you.
Sincerely,
John R. Groundwater
Executive Director
John Groundwater is the Executive Director of the Passenger Vessel Association.