How an independent economic analysis gave motorcoach industry advocacy efforts the numbers to back it.
October 30, 2026
Updated October 30, 2026
In partnership with American Bus Association Foundation
US motorcoach operators rely heavily on Canadian-built vehicles. In 2024, with a 25% tariff on Canadian imports under consideration, the American Bus Association Foundation needed to understand what higher vehicle costs could mean for operators, travelers, and the wider US economy.
Tourism Economics modeled how rising coach costs would ripple through the industry, from reduced capacity and higher fares to lower demand and traveler spending, then measured the effects on US business sales, jobs, wages, and tax revenue.
The analysis showed $3.1 billion in annual US business sales and 14,460 jobs at risk, giving ABA concrete evidence for its outreach. It also revealed a less obvious finding: the tariff could cost the federal government more in lost tax revenue than it would collect. When final tariffs were set in October 2025, motorcoaches were treated very differently from other commercial vehicles.
Advocacy moves fast, especially when a new administration takes office. [Tourism Economics] gave us the facts we needed to make our case when it mattered most.
– Fred Ferguson, President & CEO, American Bus Association
in annual US business sales at risk
US jobs at risk
in annual wages and salaries at risk
net annual loss in federal tax revenue
