‘Resiliency’ and ‘recovery’ punctuated the recently released 2024 Motorcoach Census, conducted and analyzed by the American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) and Tourism Economics. Using data collected from operators based in the US and Canada during 2023, the report emphasized the growth trends and the importance that the industry plays in society at large.
The motorcoach industry was among the last hospitality sectors to recover after the 2020 pandemic, with reports that more than 40 percent of operators closing permanently. The report, however, shows that services are rebounding and thriving in the most recent years.
The Motorcoach Census found that:
- 1,859 companies operated 46,751 motorcoaches in the US and 125 companies managed a fleet of 1,195 motorcoaches in Canada
- Collectively, the companies delivered 38 billion passengers over 1.6 billion miles
- The motorcoach sector supported nearly 77,000 jobs
- 66 percent motorcoach utilization for charter services, the highest of all service types.
- Small operators (89.6 percent of companies) continue to dominate the industry, reflecting its deeply local and community-focused nature
- Midsize and large operators account for significant portions of the fleet, underscoring their efficiency and capacity
“The 2024 Motorcoach Census illustrates the incredible resilience and adaptability of the motorcoach industry,” said ABAF Director of Research, Policy, and Impact Lew Myers about the report. “Our industry has not only survived but is thriving, providing critical transportation services to millions of passengers and supporting thousands of jobs in the US and Canada,” adding that the industry is vital to the North American transportation industry.
The report, conducted by Tourism Economics, utilizes data from surveys distributed to motorcoach carriers alongside other industry sources. It serves as a key resource for understanding trends, challenges, and opportunities in the motorcoach sector.
The full report can be found here.
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[12.30.24]