WASHINGTON -- American Bus Association President & CEO Peter Pantuso has accused the National Tour Association of conducting a disinformation campaign, attacking ABAs Marketplace.

In a news release and statement posted on the splash page of the ABA Website, Pantuso said the NTA "deliberately chose to misstate" the number of buyer operators at this years Marketplace in Virginia Beach by 90 percent fewer than were actually at the trade show.

Not so, says the NTA.

The dust-up occurred when the NTA sent out an e-mail last month promoting its annual convention. Pantuso says the e-mail claimed ABA had 90 percent fewer buyer operators at Marketplace than were actually there.

Here, specifically, is the language that upset Pantuso: "In just 5 days at NTA you can meet with up to 180 tour operators. Thats compared to a maximum of 74 at Marketplace!"

The "actual" number of buyer delegates -- those that own motorcoaches, as well as those that dont -- at Marketplace 2008 was 717, according to Pantuso.

He accused the NTA of excluding entire categories of buyers attending Marketplace "just to malign ABA."

"I am deeply discouraged and perplexed by NTAs belief they need to falsify numbers in order to appear relevant to their membership," Pantuso said. . . . "When the facts are purposely distorted so drastically, its not a simple error its an attempt to mislead and dupe their own membership.

"I find it disappointing, especially at a time when the industry needs to unite on so many common issues," Pantuso added.

"Id like to invite NTA to take advantage of the opportunity to correct the record, apologize for their negative attack, and pledge to join us in representing the motorcoach, tour and travel community members by being positive," said Pantuso.

Within hours, NTA did apologize, but it didnt exactly "correct the record."

In a statement, NTA President Lisa Simon, CTP, said that "unfortunately" the content of the promotional NTA e-mail had been misinterpreted.

"We do apologize to our friends at ABA," said Simon. "It was not NTAs intent to disparage an industry partner and in hindsight we could have illustrated the benefits of attending NTAs Convention without a direct comparison.

"We intended to highlight the advantages of being an NTA member and attending the NTA Convention, and we used comparisons that could be viewed as inaccurate.

"We continue to be a strong partner with ABA," Simon continued. "We have passed our apologies on to our friends at ABA . . . for any misunderstanding this may have created."

Looking at the big picture, said Simon, its important to remember that NTA and ABA "have collaborated on initiatives important to the industry in the government relations arena and other opportunities to bring the industry together. We expect that to continue. NTA is absolutely committed to industry collaboration and unity for a stronger travel industry."