7 AUGUST 2026 P VA members have reported a busy summer season with expectations for robust customer demand lead- ing 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. do- mestic travel has been generally positive albeit uneven. The U.S. Travel Associ- ation has reported that instead of abandoning vacation travel altogeth- er, consumers are choos- ing 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 es- timates 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 per- cent 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 in- stead 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 infor- mation, and most impor- tantly, reconnect. Because PVA Region Meetings are held region- ally, 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, ex- change ideas, and learn from one another. They also offer a valuable op- portunity for PVA mem- bers to stay connected to their region peers. One of the greatest ben- efits 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 im- portant industry challenges and opportunities, U.S. Coast Guard matters, management trends, and legislative and regulatory issues. JOHN GROUNDWATER // EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE HELM Turning the Corner on Summer Continued on page 68 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.
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