On the Road: Our Next Century Starts With You
As ABA turns 100, we do so together from a position of strength
What began in 1926 as a division of AAA has grown into the national voice for private bus operators, tour companies, and the group travel sector. Today, ABA’s membership reflects the depth and diversity of this industry—large and small operators, family businesses, travel professionals, destinations, and suppliers from every region of the country. This past year, ABA was recognized as the Motorcoach and Group Travel Association of the Year, a reflection of the steady work that our members, partners, and staff have carried forward for decades.
We are also entering our second century with a board-approved strategic plan that sharpens our focus and aligns our work across the association. As part of that plan, we are expanding our board structure to add more seats for operators and travel representatives, ensuring a stronger member voice and broader representation across the industry.
The ABA Foundation, now capitalized with more than $10 million, continues to produce the most reliable research in our field. Its work maps economic impact, travel trends, workforce needs, and the value of group travel. Members use this data to strengthen operations, work with partners, and make the case for investment. Destinations use it to attract visitors. And we continue to make this work available at no cost because ABA exists to support the entire industry.
The private bus and group travel sector generates $158 billion in annual economic activity.
New Foundation research shows the scale of what this industry delivers. The private bus and group travel sector generates $158 billion in annual economic activity—larger than public transit and passenger rail combined. Private buses move 400 million passengers each year and generate 37 billion passenger miles, connecting people to jobs, schools, medical appointments, tourism destinations, military bases, and communities that rely on buses as a primary mode of travel.
The direct economic footprint behind these numbers shows why the industry matters to communities of all sizes. Traveler spending generates $22.3 billion in food and beverage purchases, $18.5 billion in motorcoach transportation, $12.7 billion in retail purchases, $12.1 billion in recreation and attractions, and $3.5 billion in lodging. These dollars support operators, drivers, mechanics, suppliers, restaurants, hotels, retailers, and attractions. Every trip has a direct and measurable impact.
As we enter our centennial, we are proud of the industry’s growth and proud of ABA’s role in guiding it forward. But our work is far from finished. The next 100 years will bring new challenges and new opportunities across travel, tourism, and transportation. ABA intends to meet them with the same clarity and purpose that defined our first century.
That is why we are setting ambitious membership goals—to grow bus, tour, and travel participation across the country. We invite operators, destinations, and suppliers to join us. Be part of ABA’s next chapter. Help shape the future of American travel, mobility, and economic opportunity.
A century strong—and ready for the next.
Sincerely,
FRED FERGUSON
President & CEO
[email protected]
