Sightseeing Transportation in the US - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2029)

New adventures: International customers are more likely to purchase high-margin services, benefiting industry operators

The industry provides a variety of ground, nautical and aerial sightseeing transportation for everyday consumers. Industry operators generally offer services such as bus tours, whale watches, helicopter rides, boat and dinner cruises and locomotive excursions. Improving economic conditions in recent years have encouraged consumers to increase their recreational expenditure, increasing demand for sightseeing services. But the economy and travel activity were significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as lockdown mandates restricted international and domestic travel. As global economic and health conditions improved, Russia invaded Ukraine, increasing fuel prices and causing inflation to spike. Consequently, revenue has declined at a CAGR of 4.1% to $4.5 billion over the past five years. This contraction includes an 8.1% increase in 2023 alone.

Operators in this industry provide ground, nautical and aerial sightseeing transportation for everyday consumers. Examples of services include: sightseeing buses and trolleys; steam train excursions; horse-drawn sightseeing rides; helicopter rides; hot air balloon rides and boat and dinner cruises. The services provided are usually local and involve same-day return to the place of origin.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.