Tourists hopping on buses to get ‘five-star tour’ treatment
Growing numbers of international tourists are opting to see the country via bus tour, Intercity Group says.
Intercity, New Zealand’s largest sightseeing tour and passenger transport operator, has acquired the Kiwi franchise of Gray Line, the world’s largest sightseeing brand.
Gray Line offers more than 3500 tours and experiences in 700 locations around the globe.
Intercity Group purchased the New Zealand franchise from Johnston’s Coachlines for an undisclosed sum.
Intercity Group will begin offering Gray Line’s New Zealand tours from August 26.
Intercity Group chief executive John Thorburn said it highlighted the positive state of the New Zealand tourism sector.
‘‘We’re delighted to be joining the Gray Line worldwide family at a time when tourism is booming,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ll be incorporating this iconic brand alongside our existing sightseeing day tours throughout New Zealand.
‘‘This acquisition enables us to offer our customers even more choice, and opens up new opportunities for us to promote New Zealand as a destination to a wider international market.’’
General manger of digital and brand Daniel Rode said it
‘‘Sightseeing tours are very popular; they always have been and we hope they always will be.’’ Daniel Rode, Intercity Group
was a growing market and as tourism grew, the bus tour industry followed.
‘‘Sightseeing tours are very popular; they always have been and we hope they always will be,’’ Rode said.
Intercity primarily offers one-day tours, such as Auckland to Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton, but will continue to offer some of the Gray Line overnight packages.
Rode said visitors were attracted to the ‘‘five-star tour’’ offer, with full commentary on the way to and from the attraction. There is free wi-fi on all the buses.
‘‘Rather than driving your car you can be on a tour chatting with friends and family back home about the experience you’ve just had.’’
Intercity’s Greatsights coaches around the country will get a new look, incorporating the Gray Line brand.
Intercity plans to increase its portfolio of tour options and destinations for both the Gray Line and Greatsights brands.