Motorcoaches bring more than $3.2 billion to N.C.


The total economic impact of motorcoach tour and travel in North Carolina is $3,222,930,700, based on the results of the American Bus Association Foundation’s Motorcoach Group Tourism Economic Impact Study. This number proves the group travel market is a vital part of the overall tourism base in North Carolina.  Annually, the Division attends several group travel trade conventions to promote North Carolina as a destination for all travelers to tour operators. These conventions include ABA (American Bus Association) Marketplace, NTA (National Tour Association) Travel Exchange, Travel South Showcase, SYTA (Student Youth Travel Association) Conference, and North Carolina and Virginia Motorcoach Associations Annual Marketplace. The Division hosts tour operator and AAA Travel Agent familiarization tours and conducts a domestic sales mission reaching tour operators, tour receptive operators and travel agents in key domestic markets. To find out more about the Division’s group travel promotions, contact Group Travel Manager Kristi Driver at (919) 733-7413.