WASHINGTON, DC – Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC, presents the 15th annual DC Loves Buses Day. In recognition of their essential role in supporting group tourism and the local economy, DDC provides motorcoach drivers with lunch and gift bag deliveries directly to their buses as a token of the city’s appreciation.
“Motorcoach drivers are the backbone of the DC group travel industry,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of DDC. “Today, we celebrate the important role they play in keeping the city a top travel destination. We hope this small gesture serves as an expression of thanks, especially during peak tourist season.”
In partnership with the American Bus Association, the District Department of Transportation, National Park Service-National Mall and Memorial Parks, United Motorcoach Association, Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA) and Union Station Parking Garage & Bus Facility, the annual event underscores the importance of group tour operators and bus companies in making Washington, DC one of the premier group tour destinations. In 2024, motorcoach travel in Washington, DC generated $74 million in total economic impact, including $42 million from motorcoach group travel alone. The industry supports 205 jobs in the city and contributes $8 million in revenue, according to the American Bus Association 2025 report.
Two hundred lunches and giveaways will be gifted to drivers in DC250 branded lunch bags, generously donated by Ben’s Chili Bowl, Pinstripes in Georgetown, Chop’t and Dos Toros Taqueria. DDC and its partners, including 16 co-ops and members, will be stationed at locations by the Lincoln Memorial, Union Station, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the National Archives, L’Enfant Plaza and the Tidal Basin.
Group travel is a vital component of tourism in Washington, DC. The nation’s capital is a Top 10 student group destination, according to SYTA’s Teach & Travel, and it continues to be hotspot for tourism. In 2025, DC welcomed a record 27.2 million visitors, generating $11.9 billion in visitor spending. This activity brought in $2.4 billion in tax revenue and supports 114,013 local jobs. *
DDC offers distinctive itineraries, activities and resources to help plan engaging group and student trips. Incorporate the semiquincentennial in a 2026 visit by exploring DC through a pre-built Three-Day DC Itinerary of America’s Untold Stories or see the city like a local with the Three Days of Only-in-DC Experiences Itinerary. Dive deeper into the city’s sports with the 3 Days in the Real Sports Capital or take advantage of the green spaces with the 3-Day Washington, DC Itinerary for Nature Lovers.
Stay up to date and find more tips for group travel by following the dedicated DC Loves Groups Facebook page.
The following DDC partners and co-ops helped make DC Love Buses Day possible:
- AC Hotel Washington DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard
- AC Hotel Washington DC Convention Center
- Cambria Hotel Washington D.C. Navy Yard Riverfront
- Carmine's Italian Restaurant
- Courtyard by Marriott Washington Capitol Hill/Navy Yard
- DowntownDC Business Improvement District
- Hampton Inn Washington-Downtown - Convention Center
- Hampton Inn & Suites Washington DC - Navy Yard
- Holiday Inn Washington Capitol - National Mall
- Museum of the Bible
- National Geographic Museum of Exploration
- O Museum in the Mansion
- Puttery
- Raising Cane’s
- Transportation Management Services (TMS)
- Visit Alexandria
*Sources: MMGY Travel Intelligence, S&P Global Market Intelligence, Tourism Economics, U.S. Department of Commerce
About Destination DC: DDC is a private, non-profit membership organization that markets the nation’s capital as a premier global convention, tourism, and special events destination, with a strong emphasis on the arts, cultural, and historic communities. Visit washington.org.
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May 14, 2026