NAICS 487110 Quarterly Industry Report
Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 487110Sector: 48Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry report for NAICS 487110 draws on scenic transportation data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], employment statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], and small business benchmarks from the Small Business Administration[7]. Fair Market Value compiles this NAICS 487110 profile to support valuation professionals assessing excursion railroads, sightseeing tour operators, and heritage transportation businesses. Our research team updates this content quarterly to reflect tourism trends and seasonal operating patterns.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the scenic and sightseeing transportation, land industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land (NAICS 487110) encompasses establishments providing land-based transportation primarily for recreational and sightseeing purposes rather than point-to-point commuter travel. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies excursion railroads, trolley tour operations, horse-drawn carriage rides, sightseeing bus tours, and similar land-based scenic experiences under this code when the transportation itself is the attraction rather than merely a means of reaching a destination.
Excursion and heritage railroads represent a prominent segment, operating restored vintage steam and diesel locomotives along scenic corridors. These operations attract tourists, railroad enthusiasts, and families with seasonal themed events such as fall foliage rides, holiday train experiences, and dinner train services. Revenue comes from ticket sales, onboard food and beverage service, gift shop merchandise, and special event packages. Many heritage railroads operate as nonprofit organizations or public-private partnerships that preserve historic rail equipment and infrastructure.
Urban sightseeing bus tours serve major tourism markets with hop-on-hop-off routes, narrated city tours, and specialty experiences like ghost tours and celebrity home tours. Horse-drawn carriage operations serve historic districts in cities like Charleston, New Orleans, and New York. Operating costs center on equipment maintenance, fuel or animal care, driver and guide wages, insurance, and route permitting fees. Seasonal demand patterns create sharp revenue peaks during summer months and holiday periods, with many operators running at reduced capacity or closing entirely during off-peak seasons.
What's Included in This Industry
- Heritage and excursion railroad scenic train rides
- Hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus tour operations
- Horse-drawn carriage ride services in historic districts
- Dinner train and themed rail event experiences
- Narrated city bus and trolley tour services
- Fall foliage and seasonal scenic train excursions
- Wine country and agricultural region bus tours
- Ghost tours and specialty themed transportation experiences
- Scenic mountain and canyon railway operations
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation | 487 |
| Industry Group | Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land | 4871 |
| NAICS Industry | Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land | 48711 |
| National Industry | Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land | 487110 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 487210 | Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water | Scenic and sightseeing water transportation providing boat cruises and harbor tours, while 487110 covers land-based sightseeing using trains, buses, and carriages |
| 487990 | Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Other | Other scenic and sightseeing transportation including aerial tramway and helicopter tours, using modes beyond the land vehicles and rail equipment of 487110 |
| 485510 | Charter Bus Industry | Charter bus service providing group transportation for any purpose on a hired basis, while 487110 specifically offers narrated sightseeing experiences as the primary product |
| 485210 | Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation | Interurban bus transportation providing scheduled intercity service for point-to-point travel rather than the recreational sightseeing focus of 487110 operations |
| 485112 | Commuter Rail Systems | Commuter rail systems providing daily transit service on fixed schedules, distinct from the seasonal excursion and heritage rail experience offered by 487110 |
| 485119 | Other Urban Transit Systems | Other urban transit systems including monorail and funicular operations serving commuter functions rather than the sightseeing purpose defining 487110 |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 13.7% | 96 |
| 2 | New York | 7.3% | 51 |
| 3 | Alaska | 5.9% | 41 |
| 4 | Hawaii | 5.7% | 40 |
| 5 | Texas | 5.0% | 35 |
| 6 | Colorado | 4.6% | 32 |
| 7 | Florida | 4.0% | 28 |
| 8 | Arizona | 3.3% | 23 |
| 9 | Nevada | 3.1% | 22 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 3.0% | 21 |
% Of Establishments
0%
14%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
56
Total SBA Loans
$19.2M
Total Loan Volume
$343K
Average Loan Size
12 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.75%
Average Interest Rate
208
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The Small Business Administration[7] sets the size standard for NAICS 487110 at $20.5 million in average annual receipts, measured over the preceding five completed fiscal years. Most scenic land transportation operators are small businesses with seasonal operations and limited-scale fleets. Eligible firms can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for vehicle and rail equipment restoration, tour vehicle purchases, and working capital for seasonal cash flow management. The SBA 504 loan program[9] supports depot facility acquisition and maintenance shop construction. Tourism-dependent businesses may find these programs particularly relevant for expanding capacity during peak seasons.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cadence Bank | 8 | $10.4M | $1.3M |
| 2 | T Bank, National Association | 8 | $5.0M | $629K |
| 3 | Regions Bank | 8 | $1.7M | $218K |
| 4 | The Huntington National Bank | 8 | $1.2M | $150K |
| 5 | Zions Bank, A Division of | 8 | $720K | $90K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 487110?
This code covers businesses where land-based transportation serves as the primary attraction. Examples include heritage railroads operating vintage trains, hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus tours, horse-drawn carriage ride companies, narrated trolley services, dinner train operators, and scenic mountain railway excursions. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies these operations based on the sightseeing purpose rather than the vehicle type.
How is scenic transportation different from regular transit?
Scenic transportation under 487110 exists primarily for the ride experience itself, with entertainment, narration, and scenic views as the main product. Regular transit under codes like 485112 and 485113 moves passengers between functional destinations as efficiently as possible. A heritage railroad offering fall foliage excursions falls under 487110, while a commuter rail system carrying daily workers falls under 485112, even if both operate on rail infrastructure.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 487110?
The Small Business Administration sets the size standard at $20.5 million in average annual receipts over five years. Nearly all scenic land transportation operators qualify as small businesses given the seasonal and tourism-dependent nature of their revenue. Details are in the SBA size standards table[10].
What NAICS codes are closely related to scenic land transportation?
Related codes include 487210 for scenic water tours, 487990 for other scenic transportation like aerial tours, 485510 for charter bus service, and 485112 for commuter rail. The sightseeing purpose is the defining characteristic that separates 487110 from functional transportation codes using similar vehicle types.
What industries are connected to scenic tour operations?
Connected industries include hotels and resorts that refer guests to local tours, travel agencies packaging excursion products, restaurant partners providing onboard dining for dinner train services, and destination marketing organizations promoting regional tourism. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], scenic transportation employment reflects the tourism-driven nature of these seasonal operations.
What activities are included in NAICS 487110?
Included activities cover operating excursion trains, sightseeing buses, horse-drawn carriages, narrated trolley tours, dinner trains, themed rail events, wine country tours, and specialty guided transportation experiences. Gift shop and food service operations that are part of the scenic experience also fall within this code. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies all land-based transportation where sightseeing is the primary purpose.
Can scenic tour operators get SBA loans?
Operators under the $20.5 million revenue threshold can access SBA financing for equipment and facilities. The 7(a) program[8] supports tour vehicle purchases, rail equipment restoration, and seasonal working capital. Industry 504 program[9] finances depot buildings, maintenance facilities, and boarding area real estate. These loans help seasonal operators invest in capacity during off-peak periods.
Where are scenic land transportation businesses concentrated?
Scenic rail and tour operations cluster in high-tourism destinations. Heritage railroads concentrate in New England, the Appalachian region, Colorado mountain passes, and Pacific Northwest timber country. Sightseeing bus tours dominate in New York, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Chicago, and other major visitor cities. Horse-drawn carriage services operate in historic districts including Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans, and Philadelphia.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]SBA 504 loan program sba.gov
- [10]SBA size standards table sba.gov
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