London's The Big Bus Company, whose double-decker, open-topped buses are a familiar sight in the British capital, has confirmed its presence in Dubai following a summer-long trial of a hop-on, hop-off city tour service. Dubai is the company's first operation outside the UK.
“We chose Dubai because of its growing tourism base,” said Gibb Barron, commercial manager of The Big Bus Company Dubai LLC. “We have now run through the Dubai summer and feel ready for the new tourist season starting in October.”
Based in Wafi City, The Big Bus Company has brought six open-topped buses to the emirate to operate the daily service, which takes in many of the city's landmarks including Al-Fahidi Fort, Jumeira Mosque and the Gold Souk. The buses are sponsored by Visa International payment card brand.
The Big Bus tour, with live English commentary, begins at Wafi City and will take 90 minutes in total, though passengers can hop-on and off the bus at any of the eight different stops. The Big Bus Tour is licensed by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai.
Tickets for The Big Bus Tour—bought from Dubai hotels, on the bus, via the Internet or by calling The Big Bus Company in Dubai—also entitle passengers to free entry to Dubai Museum, to the Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum House and a free Wafi City Advantage Card, which provides discounts of up to 20 percent at various Wafi retailers and food and beverage outlets.
The Big Bus Company is running a regular courtesy service from most of Dubai's beach-front hotels to Wafi City to connect with the tour. Operating for 10 years now, The Big Bus Company operates a fleet of 80 traditional London double-decked, open-top sightseeing buses in the British capital and employs 350 staff. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
