BRANSON, Mo. Its November and that means one thing to this Missouri Ozarks entertainment mecca its motorcoach tour season.

"October is really good," says Melody Byrd, group sales and marketing director for Legends in Concert. "Nov. 1, it really blossoms."

On an average day in November, between the three shows at Dick Clarks American Bandstand Theater, 25-30 motorcoaches will show up.

"It is a huge business for us," she adds.

According to Lynn Berry, Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce director of public relations, more than 800,000 Branson visitors, or 10 percent, come as part of a group. Group sales are a focus at the chamber and several employees focus solely on bringing groups to Branson.

"This is a very important market to Branson, Mo.," said Lenni Neimeyer, director of leisure group sales.

Berry said visitors who come to Branson as part of a group see more shows than those who come on their own. She said the average group sees 4.9 shows, while individuals see 4.2 shows.

"The thing about our groups, they do a lot more shows and attractions than our individuals," Neimeyer agreed.

Motorcoach groups also are good for the environment and Branson traffic, officials note.

"When you put 40 people or more on a bus, that keeps 20 cars off our highways," Neimeyer said. "Its eco-friendly."

And who comes to Branson on all those coaches?

"It is all age groups," Neimeyer said.

"Many people love to have everything prepackaged and planned for them," said Berry.

Officials say spring is the second busiest time for motorcoach travel, which brings a lot of student groups to the area.