Since middle school, Tawana Stewart has wanted to own a hotel. A program at the American Bus Association Marketplace bazaar Wednesday may have changed her mind.

“It’s opened my eyes to a whole other side of the industry,” buses may be the way go, said the 20-year-old junior in the tourism and hospitality management program at Norfolk State University. She was one of about 66 students from area colleges and universities who were invited to participate in the bus association’s Educational Outreach Program.

  About 3,300 travel industry executives are attending the six-day event which began Saturday. In each city that hosts an ABA convention, a diverse group of local students is invited to attend seminars, tour the marketplace floor and hear from a panel of industry members.

For the first time, officials said, the organization has compiled a list of about 120 motorcoach industry contacts who are willing to consider student participants for internships and jobs.

“We like to tie in local students in tourism and hospitality,” said Peter Pantuso, president and CEO of the ABA. “Many don’t learn about group travel,” the mainstay of the motorcoach industry.

David Smith of Oleta Tour & Travel in Williamsburg said the event, which drew many female and minority students, may help diversify the industry. That is one of the goals of the bus association’s diversity committee. Smith is one of its members.

At an industry panel Wednesday morning, students heard how rising fuel prices can benefit bus tour operators.

“It’s cheaper to take the bus than drive yourself,” said Irving Harris, Chief Operating Officer of Pro-Tran, LLC, a Maryland-based coach bus, limo and cruise company.

The American Bus Association is also appealing to “green” travelers with a campaign promoting the fuel-efficiency of group travel: “Save a Penguin. Take a Motorcoach.”

John Norfleet, a 20-year-old sophomore at Norfolk State, said he hopes his experience at the convention opens doors. He hopes to work for a convention bureau someday.

“This is going to be the bridge between myself and the hospitality industry,” he said.

Lauren Roth, (757) 222-5133, lauren.roth@pilotonline.com [1]