Motorcoach group travel pumped $89.7 billion into the U.S. economy in 2024, according to a new report from the American Bus Association Foundation. 

Prepared by Tourism Economics, the study highlights the industry’s outsized impact from organized charter, tour, and sightseeing trips — excluding commuter and intercity bus service — and its critical role in the nation’s travel and tourism sector.

The analysis examines direct spending by motorcoach travelers and operators, as well as the downstream indirect and induced effects on employment, wages, and tax revenues nationwide.

Key Findings of the Report

Some of the key highlights from the 2024 Economic Impact of Motorcoach Group Travel report include:

• Robust Traveler Activity: Motorcoach group travelers logged an estimated 14.9 billion passenger-miles in the U.S. during 2024 – reflecting the extensive reach of motorcoach tours and charter trips nationwide.

• Significant Direct Spending: These travelers spent approximately $39.8 billion on trip-related expenses in 2024. This figure encompasses spending on motorcoach transportation, as well as associated purchases like accommodations, food & beverages, recreation, and retail shopping during their trips. For example, travelers spent about $13.2 billion on food and drink, $8.7 billion on motorcoach transport, $7.5 billion on retail, and $7.2 billion on recreation in 2024.

• Total Economic Footprint: When accounting for indirect and induced effects, the total economic output attributable to motorcoach group travel reached $89.7 billion for the year. In other words, each dollar spent by motorcoach tourists rippled through the economy to generate more than double overall business sales.

• Jobs Supported Nationwide: Motorcoach group travel supported approximately 561,665 U.S. jobs in 2024. This includes direct employment (jobs with motorcoach companies, hotels, restaurants, attractions, etc., serving these travelers) and additional jobs supported through supply-chain and spending impacts. In fact, the motorcoach group travel sector accounted for roughly one in every 385 jobs in the U.S. Notably, over 135,000 of those jobs were in the food and beverage industry, the sector benefiting most from motorcoach tourism activity.

• Significant Tax Contributions: The industry’s growth translated into $16.0 billion in tax revenues for federal, state, and local governments in 2024. This includes taxes generated directly by travel spending and those arising from broader economic effects. To put this into perspective, the report notes that each U.S. household would have had to pay an additional $120 in taxes last year to replace the aggregate state and local tax revenue attributable to motorcoach group travel. In total, motorcoach travel and tourism generated approximately $7.1 billion in federal tax receipts and $8.8 billion in state and local taxes, thereby easing the burden on general taxpayers.

These findings highlight the outsized economic impact of the motorcoach travel industry. From small towns to large cities, communities across the country benefit from the spending of motorcoach tour groups on lodging, dining, entertainment, and shopping, according to the ABAF report. 

The report highlights that this form of group travel is not only a convenient and efficient way for millions of people to experience the country, but also a powerful engine of economic growth, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, according to the report’s authors.

“The numbers tell a powerful story — nearly $90 billion in economic activity and over half a million jobs supported by our industry,” said Fred Ferguson, president and CEO of the American Bus Association (ABA). “Motorcoaches aren’t just moving passengers; they’re fueling local economies in every corner of the country. From hotels and restaurants to attractions and Main Street businesses, communities thrive when motorcoach groups arrive — and it all starts with the professional operators behind the wheel. So next time you see a motorcoach in your town, remember to #ThankABus for keeping America moving.”

Ferguson added that the study’s release comes at a pivotal time for the industry. 

“As we continue to promote the value of motorcoach travel, having concrete figures like $89.7 billion in economic output and 560,000-plus jobs is invaluable when advocating for the industry in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “We encourage policymakers and the public to take note of these findings. Every tour and charter trip matters — it means real jobs, real tax revenue, and real opportunities for communities. Our goal is to ensure the motorcoach travel sector gets the recognition and support it deserves as a vital part of America’s transportation and tourism infrastructure.”

New Interactive Economic Impact Map

To help stakeholders delve deeper into the results, the ABA Foundation has launched a 2024 Motorcoach Economic Impact Interactive Map in conjunction with the report. This online tool allows users to explore the economic impact data by U.S. state and congressional district, making it easy to see how motorcoach group travel benefits specific regions. 

By clicking on an interactive map of the U.S., visitors can pull up state-specific summaries and statistics for 2024, including the number of visitors, spending, jobs supported, and tax revenue generated in each state.

The interactive map is designed to bring the report’s findings to life visually, highlighting, for example, how states like California or Texas benefit from motorcoach tourism compared to smaller states.

“We now have a state-by-state visualization of our industry’s impact,” said Lew Myers, the ABA Foundation’s Director of Research, Policy, and Impact. “This interactive map gives local leaders and elected officials a clear view of what motorcoach travel contributes to their own backyard. It’s a powerful tool to demonstrate that when a motorcoach comes to town, it’s delivering economic wins for that community.”

To access the full report and the interactive impact map, click here. 

By providing detailed data and accessible tools, ABAF aims to inform industry members, policymakers, and the public about the significant role motorcoach group travel plays in fueling economic development.