The American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) recently released its new report, 2024 Economic Impact of Motorcoach Group Travel in the United States.

This comprehensive study, conducted by Tourism Economics on behalf of ABAF, quantifies the economic activity generated by motorcoach group travel, which is defined as organized charter, tour, and sightseeing trips by motorcoach (excluding scheduled commuter or intercity bus service) nationwide. 

According to the report's findings, motorcoach group travel generated a total economic impact of $89.7 billion in 2024, underscoring the industry's crucial role in the U.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 across the country.

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

• 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.

• Direct Spending: These travelers spent approximately $39.8 billion on trip-related expenses in 2024. For example, travelers spent about $13.2 billion on food and beverages, $8.7 billion on motorcoach transport, $7.5 billion on retail, and $7.2 billion on recreation in 2024.

• Jobs Supported Nationwide: Motorcoach group travel supported approximately 561,665 U.S. jobs in 2024, which includes direct employment (jobs with motorcoach companies, hotels, restaurants, attractions, etc., serving these travelers) and additional jobs supported through supply-chain and spending impacts.

• Tax Contributions: The industry's growth resulted in $16 billion in tax revenues for federal, state, and local governments in 2024, including taxes generated directly by travel spending and those arising from broader economic effects.

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

"This report underscores the crucial role motorcoach group travel plays in our nation's economy," said Fred Ferguson, president and CEO of the American Bus Association. "The numbers tell a powerful story — nearly $90 billion in economic activity and over half a million jobs supported by our industry."

Lew Myers, the ABA Foundation's director of research, policy, and impact, echoed the importance of the data in understanding and advocating for the industry.

"Buses bring business! The data clearly demonstrate the outsized impact of group travel by motorcoach on our economy," Myers noted. "When travelers choose a motorcoach for their group trips, they are not only enjoying a comfortable, safe journey — they are injecting billions of dollars into local businesses and supporting jobs in every state."

"So next time you see a motorcoach in your town, remember to #ThankABus for keeping America moving," Ferguson said.

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.

By clicking on an interactive map of the United States, 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.

"This interactive map gives local leaders and elected officials a clear view of what motorcoach travel contributes to their own backyard," Myers said. "It's a powerful tool to demonstrate that when a motorcoach comes to town, it's delivering economic wins for that community."