Around Associations

ABA Foundation’s 2025 Economic Impact Study Finds Domestic Motorcoach Travel Grew to $161.6 Billion… Motorcoach travel generated a total economic impact of $161.6 billion in 2025, up from $158.0 billion the year before, supporting 897,449 full- and part-time jobs across the U.S. economy and generating $28.0 billion in taxes for federal, state, and local governments. Numbers stemmed from the American Bus Association (ABA) Foundation’s 2025 Motorcoach Economic Impact Report, conducted by Tourism Economics.

The report measures the full scope of the motorcoach industry—both group travel and scheduled service—and its contribution to the United States economy.

“This data is an engine for growth,” said Fred Ferguson, President & CEO of the American Bus Association and ABA Foundation. “We’re giving our members better intelligence about where motorcoach travelers are going, what they’re spending, and what that activity is worth in their markets—and then helping them turn those findings into more day trips, overnight stays, and group business. At the same time, this research gives ABA a stronger case on Capitol Hill and in statehouses across the country, expanding our credibility and our voice on behalf of the motorcoach and group travel industry.”

Motorcoach travelers spent $72.5 billion in 2025—a 3.9% increase over 2024—across transportation, lodging, food, recreation, and retail, and traveled an estimated 41.1 billion passenger miles. ABA said that for DMOs, attractions, operators, and other travel industry partners, the data provides a clearer picture of what motorcoach travel contributes locally, and where opportunities exist to grow.

An updated 2025 Motorcoach Economic Impact Interactive Map will go live on September 23. It will let users explore economic impact data by U.S. state, county, and congressional district, making it easy to see how motorcoach travel benefits specific regions. Visitors can drill down from state to county to view 2025 summaries and statistics, including business sales, jobs supported, wages, and tax revenue generated in each area.

“A national number tells us the size of the industry,” said Lew Myers, ABA Director of Government Relations and Research. “Local data gives DMOs, attractions, and operators something they can actually use. “For the first time, we can show what motorcoach travel supports in an individual county—the jobs, wages, business activity, and tax revenue tied to that market. That helps our members make a stronger case locally for access, infrastructure, and investment, and it gives us better evidence on Capitol Hill when we advocate for policies that support group travel and the broader travel economy.”

Find more information here.

NYPCMA Education Day Coming October 1… The New York Chapter of PCMA (NYPCMA) will look at intentional engagement and crisis readiness during its Education Day. The session is set for October 1 at the Hard Rock Café New York.

Find more information here.

Texas Society of Association Executives Hosting New Ideas Annual Conference in Galveston… From September 13–15, the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) will hold its  New Ideas Annual Conference in Galveston.

“New Ideas is a unique opportunity to partake in authentic, engaging, thought-provoking, and community-building experiences that support the power of the association community and shape a better future for the industries we serve,” TSAE said.

Find more information here.

(c) 2026 USAE Inc.

PO Box 15009

Chevy Chase, MD 20825

 

 

703.898.3528

info@usaenews.com