WTM 2016: Big Bus Tours targets growth through trade

City tour specialist Big Bus Tours is aiming to grow its sales through the trade in the UK, following its acquisition of Go City Card owner Smart Destinations.

The bus tour operator currently sells to agents direct and via third parties including Attraction World, and is looking to develop group-wide commercial relationships in addition to those developed direct with destination-specific sales teams.

 

 

Big Bus runs tours in 20 cities worldwide, and believes a guided tour offers not just a commercial opportunity for agents, but also an introduction to allow visitors to begin exploring the destination they are visiting.

 

 

Speaking at World Travel Market, Big Bus Tours head of global partner management Alka Chandolia said: ?”The investment we have received in recent years and our own acquisitions means we can target some real growth and the travel trade will play a crucial part in helping us to achieve that.

 

 

“We have some strong relationships with operators and agents but we want to move those on from being transactional to broader partnerships where they are selling multiple destinations rather than just one or two.”

 

 

Chandolia said London tours continued to sell well, with New York and San Francisco also proving popular and Paris booking showing strong signs of recovery following last year’s terror attacks.