The Original Tour shows London the future £1.6m investment backs tourism minister’s drive for higher standards

The Original Tour has invested £1.6 million in ten brandnew specially designed, easy access low floor open top buses –enhancing its reputation for offering 'world class' sightseeingtours.

The investment sees The Original Tour as the only sightseeingtour operator in the capital to offer wheelchair accessible busesin its fleet.

The investment follows an immensely successful 2004 for TheOriginal Tour which saw a 9 per cent growth in passenger numbers.Figures for 2005 are already exceeding overall industry predictionsfrom UKinbound, the organisation representing the UK travelindustry, with web bookings up by 30 per cent in the first quarterof 2005.

Trade sales have been boosted by the increasing number ofagencies and London tour operators adding a link from their own websites to The Original Tour's newly re-designed site which offersonline booking facilities.

The Original Tour can now be seen as leading the way in thedrive to upgrade the quality of tourism travel in the Capital,supporting both the London 2012 bid's aims to increaseaccessibility and Minister for Tourism, Richard Caborn's, calls forthe UK tourism industry to be comparable with internationalcompetitors.

The investment has received praise from London Mayor KenLivingstone, who said:

Any initiative to improve and ensure the higheststandards of the capital's attractions and facilities is to bewelcomed. These new buses will make it much easier to get aroundand see the city.

Commercial director, Colin Atkins, said:

This is a significant investment for us, and one thatwill bring major benefits to tourists sightseeing in London . Thenew fleet makes us the first open top bus tour in the capital touse brand new purpose built buses, and demonstrates our commitmentto offering visitors to London, the high quality and accessibleservices they expect and deserve in a major Europeancapital.

The Original Tour's investment has also been welcomed by StephenDowd, chief executive of UKinbound. He said:

UKinbound members are committed to delivering qualityservices and products for all our visitors and we are delightedthat The Original Tour, one of our key Senior Partners, is soclearly demonstrating this commitment by investing in new, state ofthe art tour buses that will greatly enhance their customers'experience.

Colin Atkins added:

It is not just about being the best tour in London,but the best in the world. We are delighted to work with the traveltrade's leading companies to ensure that visitors to the capitalcan enjoy a top class sightseeing experience.

The introduction of the new fleet has also received praise byDavid Hornby, commercial director of Visit London who said:

This is fantastic news for visitors to London, andhelps to provide the capital with even more top classfacilities.

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Note to editors

• Founded in 1951 at the time of The Festival of Britain TheOriginal Tour is now the largest single sightseeing operation inthe world. The hop-on hop-off service allows customers to board anyof its tour routes at over 90 different stops. Services operatedaily with a 'live' commentary in English or a wide choice ofdigitally recorded languages. A free river cruise is included withevery ticket and the Kids' Club provides an educational but funalternative for 5 to12 year olds. For more information you canvisit their web site www.theoriginaltour.com.