ABA Highlights Motorcoach Role in Expanding Access to Public Lands
Group tours bring high-value, consistent visitation to public lands and surrounding gateway communities
ABA recently participated in a meeting with the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary Mike Boren—who oversees the U.S. Forest Service—to discuss expanding access to America’s public lands and enhancing outdoor recreation infrastructure.
During the meeting, ABA emphasized the motorcoach industry’s vital role as a transportation partner in the outdoor recreation economy, particularly in facilitating commercial tours and group travel to national forests and other public lands. ABA highlighted the industry’s $158 billion annual economic impact and its support of more than 890,000 jobs nationwide—underscoring how motorcoaches bring high-value, consistent visitation to public lands and surrounding gateway communities.
ABA also noted that motorcoaches are a key transportation option for educational tours, seniors, veterans’ groups, student travelers, and international visitors. By moving more people with fewer vehicles, the industry helps cut congestion, reduce fuel use, and lower per-visitor emissions—directly aligning with land management and sustainability goals.
Under Secretary Boren reiterated that enabling and expanding public access to national forests remains a core responsibility of the U.S. Forest Service. He shared that the agency’s future efforts will prioritize trail, road, and parking improvements, as well as strategies to better distribute visitor traffic across public lands. He also expressed a strong interest in collaborating with the transportation and tourism sectors to better understand their needs and explore practical solutions that make national forests more accessible and enjoyable.
ORR provided context on its broader mission to grow the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy by improving access, infrastructure, and recreation management on public lands. Policy priorities discussed included implementation of the EXPLORE Act, travel management reform, and infrastructure investments tied to America250, especially in rural and gateway communities. Looking ahead, the U.S. Forest Service will be a key partner as ABA engages with Congress on reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund in 2026. As part of that effort, ABA will advocate for strategic investments in access-related infrastructure—such as roads, parking, and visitor facilities—to ensure safe, sustainable group travel and to support the long-term vitality of gateway communities.
