Stage II/Issue 31
Locally written, globally distributed
New destination!
City Sightseeing Bangkok
eatrade S , k o k g n a B l a v ri A , / Trade Shows IPW ad to Hanoi e H e c n re fe n o C l a u / 2023 CS Ann In this issue. BangkokHanoiSegoviaPanamaBudapestSevilleLondonSan AntonioOxfordCorfuBournemouthSantanderEdinburghMalagaGalwayNorwich
Everything you need as a CS operator is waiting for you at our Partners’ Hub.
TopDeck Magazine | nº18 | Enero 2018
Message from Enrique Ybarra President & CEO City Sightseeing Worldwide
Seville, Spain. The home of the first ever City Sightseeing operation which started on the 31st of March 1999
Dear Friends, I am happy to bring you a new edition of Top Deck. It’s a great way to keep you up to date with what’s new in the travel industry and particularly with all the developments involving the City Sightseeing brand. In this issue, you can find out more about our presence at the industry’s major trade shows over the last four months, as well as other exciting news from within our global network. At this point in the year, we are focused on providing the best experience for all City Sightseeing operators during our annual convention in Hanoi, which will be held from 25-28 November in Vietnam’s capital city. This is our first convention in Asia and I would love for you all to experience it. However, we have a lot of other exciting news, such as a new edition of The City Sightseeing Marathon Challenge, to be held in Budapest, Hungary, on 15 October, new technological tools developed within our IT team, and several actions with great social impact. I invite you to get to know all these contents in this new issue and to share with us all your news, because the City Sightseeing brand is built day by day by all of us, and it is thanks to this that we are able to reach greater heights. Yours sincerely,
03
Stage II/Issue 31
Locally written, globally distributed
New destination!
City Sightseeing Bangkok
de Arival Bangkok, Seatra / Trade Shows IPW, rence Head to Hanoi / 2023 CS Annual Confe In this issue. BangkokHanoiSegoviaPanamaBudapestSevilleLondonSan AntonioOxfordCorfuBournemouthSantanderEdinburghMalagaGalwayNorwich
/ Staff Editor Antonio M. Ortega. press@city-sightseeing.com Contributing writers Rocío Aparcero, Paula Saboulard, Sandra Martínez, Bárbara Rincón, Daniel Castañón, María Molina, Chelsey Smith, Pilar Malet, Piru Galán, Miguel Centella, Luis García, Keith Spicer. Production Antonio M. Ortega. Publisher City Sightseeing Worldwide
CS Annual Conference Hanoi Register now! 06/09
18/19
26/27
Economic Impact 2023
The World of City Sightseeing
Gallery / Corporate News
10/11
20/21
28/29
Front cover article: CS Bangkok launch
Special Feature: CS Annual Conference Hanoi 2023
Gallery / Tour News
12/13
22/23
Destination: Segovia We welcome your thoughts about TOP DECK and any ideas you might have. Please send any suitable items for inclusion to: topdeck@city-sightseeing.com
14/17
Special Feature: The CS Marathon Challenge #08
Special Feature: Trade Shows
24/25 New CS Uniforms
Views expressed in the pages of TOP DECK are not necessarily those of City Sightseeing Worldwide, their Franchisees, Associates and Partners or the Editors.
30/31 Gallery / Staff stories
32/33 SuperPost / The Best of Social Media
34 The Wall
04
Make the difference with exclusive merchandising for your operation Ask for a quote and stand out from the rest. purchasing.city-sightseeing.com
A year of growth We share the foreword of Julia Simpson, President of WTTC, in the “Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2023” by WTTC and Oxford Economics unveiled in August 2023, to which we have access as members. If you would like to consult the full report, please contact us at topdeck@city-sightseeing.com.
G
lobal tourism is booming. For years, this growth was something the Travel & Tourism sector could take for granted; it was a fact of life. Prior to the pandemic, before the words ‘lockdown’ and ‘social distancing’ became part of our vocabulary, Travel & Tourism accounted for 1 in 5 new jobs created and 10.4% of global GDP. It was an economic lifeline for cities, islands, and villages alike, supporting 334 million jobs globally. In 2019, international visitor spending amounted to US$1.86 trillion, and the sector produced 6.8% of the world’s exports. Since the arrival of COVID-19, however, world travel has been on a journey back to health. Last year, despite China remaining closed, Travel & Tourism’s contribution to global GDP grew by 22%, meaning the sector is now worth $7.7 trillion. This is still 23% behind the 2019
peak, but a remarkable recovery, given the challenges of inflation, staff shortages, and ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. The recovery so far has been the strongest in Latin America, North America, and Europe - all now closely approaching 2019 levels. 2022 was also a good year for employment. The global Travel & Tourism sector created 21.6 million new jobs, bringing the total to 295 million. This means that last year, our sector supported 1 in 11 of all roles, worldwide. And while the sector’s recovery began with the return of domestic trips, 2022 gave international travellers cause for optimism too. Last year marked the first year of true recovery for international travel, with spending up 82%. Once they were abroad, international tourists spent $1.1 trillion around the world – significant growth, albeit still 40% below 2019 levels.
06
At the WTTC, we keep a keen watch on these economic indicators – year in, year out. The contributions our sector makes to the global economy, jobs and visitor spending are immensely important to the health and wealth of people around the world, including some of the poorest economies on our planet. The economic health of the sector is also deeply bound up with social and environmental progress. Every penny we create is another that can be invested in sustainability, new technology and the preservation of the natural world on which tourism depends. Every new job is one that can provide income to women, young people, or struggling families where employment is scarce. This is why we monitor the health of our sector so seriously. Looking ahead, despite the many challenges on the horizon, we
TopDeck Magazine | #31 | September 2023
ECONOMIC IMPACT 2023 T H E E CO N O M I C I M PAC T O F G LO BAL T R AVE L & TO U R I S M
2019
2022
2023 Forecast
Travel & Tourism GDP (percentage share of global GDP)
10.4%
7.6%
9.2%
Change in Travel & Tourism GDP (Year on year)
+22% +23.3%
+$1.4 trillion GDP gain
+$1.8 trillion GDP gain
Jobs supported by Travel & Tourism
334m 295m 320m
1 in 10 of global employment
2014-2019 Jobs
1/5
of all global net new jobs were created by T&T
1 in 11 of global employment
1 in 10 of global employment
Change in Travel & Tourism Jobs (Year on year)
+22m +24m New jobs
07
New jobs
Regional Overviews TRAVEL & TOURISM: 1 ECONOMIC IMPACT 2023
1. All values are in constant 2022prices & exchangerates. Asreportedin March 0 223
Regional Overview 2019
EUROPE
9.3% 9.9% (37.9 MN jobs)
NORTH AMERICA
9.1% 11.3%
(26.2 MN jobs)
2019 Key Data
MIDDLE EAST CARIBBEAN
13.7% 15.6% (2.8 MN jobs)
Total contribution of Travel & Tourism to GDP (USD BN): <200 USD BN 200-1,000 USD BN 1,000-2,000 USD BN 2,000-3,000 USD BN >3,000 USD BN
AFRICA
L AT I N A M E R I C A
8.2% 8.3% (17.1 MN jobs)
8.4% 9.9%
(7.5 MN jobs)
7% 5.6%
ASIA PACI FIC
9.8% 9.9%
(184.3 MN jobs)
(25.1 MN jobs)
Total contribution of Travel & Tourism to GDP 2019 (% of Total Economy) Total contribution of Travel & Tourism to Employment 2019 (% of Total Employment)
WTTC Strategic 1. All values are in constant 2022prices & exchangerates. Asreportedin March 0 223 Partners: 2. Where the country or region has implemented job support schemes and supported
TRAVEL & TOURISM: 1 ECONOMIC IMPACT 2023 Figure 10: Regional Overview 2022 vs 2021 (% change) TRAVEL & TOURISM: 1 ECONOMIC IMPACT 2023
jobs are still recorded as employment by national statistical authorities, job losses exclude those supported jobs (where known)
1. All valuesare in constant 2022prices& exchangerates. Asreportedin March 0 223
EUROPE Regional Overview, 2022 Vs 2019 (% change)
+40.1% (+$579.2 BN USD) +9.2% E U R O(+2.9 P E MN jobs)
NORTH AMERICA
+18.4% +17.3% -7.4% -5.9%
(+$363.4 BN USD) NORTH AMERICA (+3.6 MN jobs)
CARIBBEAN
-7.2% -8.5%
+33.2% (+$15.6 BNUSD) C +12% ARIBBEAN (+0.3 MN jobs) -16.3% 2022 Key Data Total contribution of Travel & L AT I N A M E R I C A Tourism to GDP (USD BN): -6.8% <200 USD BN +33.5% 2022 Key Data 200-1,000 USD BN (+$76 BN USD) Total contribution of Travel & 1,000-2,000 USD BNBN): Tourism to GDP (USD +17.7% L A T IN AMERICA 2,000-3,000 USD BN <200 USD BN (+2.5 MN jobs) >3,000 USD BN 200-1,000 USD BN -4.1% T&T GDP change 1,000-2,000 USD 2022 BN 2,000-3,000 USD BN -3.9% T&T change in jobs ²2022 >3,000 USD BN
MIDDLE EAST
+46.9% (+$107 BN USD) MIDDLE +14.5% EAST AFRICA (+0.9 MN jobs) -25.3% +37.6% (+$46 BN USD) -8.7%
+13.3% -9.7% -12.7%
AFRICA (+2.6 MN jobs)
WTTC Strategic Partners:
Total contribution of Travel & Tourism to GDP vs 2019 (% vs 2019) Total contribution of Travel & Tourism to Jobs vs 2019 (% vs 2019)
WTTC Strategic Partners:
08
ASIA PACI FIC
+7.5% ASIA PACI FIC +5.9% (+8.7 MN jobs) -49.7% -15.4% (+$111 BN USD)
TopDeck Magazine | #31 | September 2023
WTTC and UNWTO join forces forecast another year of strong performance in 2023. T&T GDP is set to grow by 23.3%, reaching 9.2% of the global economy. The sector’s value is forecast to grow to $9.5 trillion, only 5% behind the 2019 peak. This will be partly fuelled by the reopening of China, while Latin and North America are expected to be the first regions to recover fully. By the end of the year, we forecast that the T&T sector will have created 24 million new roles, bringing the sector’s total to 320 million jobs. International spending is set to grow 23%, reaching $1.36 trillion. Despite all this, the year ahead will not be without its challenges. Inflation, economic uncertainty, labour shortages and the climate crisis are limiting factors. And as travel returns to its pre- COVID-19 peak, some businesses are struggling to keep pace with demand. Worldwide, we need strong efforts to increase capacity and connectivity, as well as action from both industry and governments to resolve staffing problems. And finally, 2023 must be a year in which governments and the private sector take sustainability seriously. Decarbonising and protecting biodiversity must be at the top of any boardroom agenda. If we can get all this right, 2023 promises to be another year of growth and opportunity. We hope this report will be a resource for policymakers, industry professionals and anyone interested in the future of travel. This research provides the data. Now, all that remains is action.
Julia Simpson President World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have solidified their commitment to the global Travel & Tourism sector through a groundbreaking MoU signed in June. This dynamic partnership lays the groundwork for an array of transformative projects and campaigns that will shape the sector’s future. With a history of collaborative efforts, WTTC and UNWTO are united in their dedication to advancing the interests of the sector. The MoU serves as a catalyst for deeper cooperation, covering vital areas such as global public-private sector collaboration, job creation, entrepreneurship, and investments. This collaboration is set to amplify the resilience and preparedness of the Travel & Tourism sector, ensuring it can navigate challenges and recover effectively. Sustainability remains a driving force, exemplified by successful initiatives like the Nature Positive Alliance. WTTC and UNWTO are poised to expand this impactful project, championing sustainable practices, and nurturing a responsible sector that respects and preserves the environment. Building on achievements such as joint dialogues within the G20 programme, both organisations are committed to fostering impactful conversations. These discussions will lead to innovative solutions, driving Travel & Tourism’s evolution and strengthening its global impact. This MoU signifies more than an agreement – it’s a commitment to ushering in a brighter future for Travel & Tourism.
09
City Sightseeing goes to East! Welcome CS Bangkok! City Sightseeing Bangkok tours the Thai capital with its distinctive bright red buses to take visitors to the most iconic landmarks of the city and spread the global brand in this buzzing travel destination.
10
TopDeck Magazine | #31 | September 2023
1 View of the City Sightseeing Bangkok bus next to Wat Pho. 2 Presentation of City Sightseeing Bangkok.
1
I
n June, City Sightseeing launched a new operation in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, to show visitors all the wonderful things that the city has to offer. With this new addition to its global network, City Sightseeing continued its expansion into Asia, together with new developments in Vietnam and Singapore. City Sightseeing Bangkok connects Bangkok’s most iconic sights via a 150-minute tour with 15 stops, on which passengers can hop on and off as they want for the duration of their ticket, while listening to engaging commentary in seven languages about the history of the city and attractions such as The Grand Palace, Wat Arun, MBK
2
Center and China Town, which are among the highlights on this new Bangkok tour. A leading destination As Enrique Ybarra, CEO of City Sightseeing Worldwide, said: “We are delighted to welcome Bangkok to the international City Sightseeing network, which includes such representative destinations as London, Berlin, Los Angeles, Dubai, and Amsterdam, among others. City Sightseeing Bangkok will expand the visibility of the global brand in Asia and allow us to continue to grow in a key region for the travel industry.” Until 2019, Bangkok was repeatedly the most visited city in the world.
11
After the pandemic and with the reopening of Asian markets, the Thai capital is gradually regaining its position among the cities of choice for international travellers. Its exotic temples, vibrant streets and intense commercial activity are irresistible attractions for millions of visitors. According to WTTC & Oxford Economics report (see pages 6/7), Thailand featured within the Top 5 International Visitor Spending Destinations in 2022 with $15 bn, which shows the renewed growth of the Thai market where the City Sightseeing brand continues to spread with new launches like City Sightseeing Pattaya (see page 32) and new developments to come.
Segovia City Sightseeing Spain launches a new exciting operation in Segovia, a charming historic city located just 1 hour far from Madrid. A cultural destination for day trips when visiting central Spain.
1
What’s tourism like in Segovia?
Yago Ortiz Operations Manager CS Segovia
Tourism in Segovia is a significant economic activity. It attracts a mix of domestic and international travellers throughout the year thanks to its historical and architectural landmarks. Peak tourist seasons are spring and summer, with milder weather and outdoor activities. However, the city’s charm and culinary scene make it appealing year-round.
2
What does CS Segovia offer to visitors?
We offer an experience to organise a visit to the city in an economical 12
way. It includes entry to different museums and the possibility of accessing unbeatable views of Segovia. It also offers several walks that are a must for visitors to Segovia.
3
What do you think your operation is bringing to the CS international portfolio?
Our operation in Segovia brings unique value to our brand’s network of tourist experiences. Segovia’s rich history, iconic landmarks, and culinary offerings provide an exceptional backdrop for our experiences as it gives wide visibility to the global brand.
TopDeck Magazine | #31 | September 2023
The Operation The CS Segovia bus tour takes visitors through the most iconic landmarks in Segovia. The tour has 5 stops and offers interesting comments on the city in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and German. The tour lasts 45 minutes and has a frequency of 60 minutes from 10:30 to 20:30h.
N
estled in the heart of Spain, Segovia is a charming city that transports visitors back in time. This historical gem boasts a rich tapestry of architecture, with the iconic Roman Aqueduct as its crown jewel. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a testament to ancient engineering prowess, standing tall and proud in the city centre. Segovia is also home to the stunning Alcázar Castle, often cited as the inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella Castle. The Alcázar’s fairy-tale appearance and panoramic views of the city and Sierra de Guadarrama make it a must-visit. Lastly, Segovia enchants food enthusiasts with its gastronomic delights. Indulge in the world-famous cochinillo (suckling pig) and savour Judiones de la Granja (giant white beans) in cozy local restaurants. That’s why Segovia is a true enchanting destination for travellers seeking a taste of Spain’s rich heritage.
Highlights Roman Aqueduct Marvel: Segovia’s iconic Roman aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases ancient engineering brilliance. Alcázar Castle Enchantment: Explore the fairy-tale Alcázar Castle, said to inspire Disney, offering panoramic city and mountain views. Culinary Delights: Savour Segovia’s renowned cochinillo (suckling pig) and Judiones de la Granja (giant white beans) in local eateries.
13
1
2
3
4
5
14
TopDeck Magazine | #31 | September 2023
Trade show season is all year round! ATM Dubai, IPW San Antonio, DES Malaga, Arival Bangkok, and Seatrade Global in Hamburg have been the most relevant trade shows in which the City Sightseeing brand has recently been showcased before the major events in the last quarter of the year. The global brand and the international networks really shone in the places to be!
T
he City Sightseeing brand is continuously present in the main forums of the travel industry. It is not only one of the brands with the most exposure in the world’s most visited city centres, but also in the minds of industry professionals. This is possible thanks to the constant promotion of the brand and the operations that work with it around the world. These are some of the main events where City Sightseeing has been presented. Seatrade Cruise Global From 6 to 8 September, City Sightseeing Worldwide attended Seatrade Europe in Hamburg. The German show was an opportunity to showcase our cruise call operations within the global brand’s international
network and the entire cruise line industry. Seatrade Europe is the leading biannual event for the European cruise and river cruise community. Every edition welcomes more than 300 cruise line executives, 5,000 visitors from over 40 countries, and more than 250 exhibiting companies and destinations. It’s definitely a major event! DES Málaga From 13 to 15 June, City Sightseeing Málaga partnered with DES | Digital Enterprise Show in Malaga. It was a great opportunity to share insights and expertise on how businesses can thrive in the digital era as we shared good moments with our partners in the travel industry. During the show, City Sightseeing
Malaga provided transfers to the attendees, connecting the city centre with the conference centre. Arival Bangkok Arival Bangkok took place in the Thai capital from 12 to 14 June and, for yet another time, City Sightseeing Worldwide was featured as a Global Partner at this leading tours & activities trade show. This internationally renowned event brought together travel industry professionals and experts to explore the latest trends, innovations and opportunities in the world of tours and activities. Our colleagues Carlos Monsalve from the IT Department, Chelsey Smith as Head of Sales, and Gonzalo Ruiz, International Business Development Manager, attended this major event.
1 Projection of City Sightseeing’s corporate video on the Arival stage during a break. 2 Carlos Monsalve, Chelsey Smith, and Gonzalo Ruiz at Arival Bangkok. 3 CS Malaga buses ready to operate at DES. 4 View of the City Sightseeing stand at Seatrade Hamburg. 5 Meeting at the stand in Hamburg.
15
6
7
8
5 9
6 Meeting in the City Sightseeing stands in IPW. 7 Emily Valentino (CS New Orleans), Alfred Barone and Lisa Lichtenberger (CS Philadelphia), and Chelsey Smith. 8 David Strainge (CS San Antonio), Rocío Aparcero, Emily Valentino, Alfred Barone, Lisa Lichtenberger, Noonoosh Sapir, Chelsey Smith, and Kami Farhadi (CS Hollywood/LA) in the City Sightseeing x Hard Rock x Universal after-party. 9 Party at Hard Rock Cafe San Antonio. 10 Meeting at the CS LA booth at IPW.
IPW San Antonio From 20 to 24 May, City Sightseeing featured at IPW, the USA’s leading inbound travel trade show. Held in San Antonio, this year’s IPW welcomed over 5,000 professional attendees and 1,600 buyers and journalists, with more than 60 countries showcasing at the Henry B. Gonzalez Exhibition Centre. At this magnificent event, the American City Sightseeing operators had a chance to see each other again and catch up with industry partners. On May 24th, they all celebrated with other travel representatives at the fantastic
City Sightseeing x Hard Rock x Universal after-party in Hard Rock Cafe San Antonio. ATM Dubai From 1 to 4 May, we attended the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. Tourism destinations from around the world unite in the UAE to showcase their brand alongside the biggest names in accommodation and hospitality, renowned tourism attractions, innovative travel technology providers, and airlines. The 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market brought together more than 2,000 exhibitors and
16
representatives from over 150 nations, as well as an estimated 34,000 attendees over four days at the Dubai World Trade Centre. We at City Sightseeing were present at our magnificent stand to promote our global network of more than 100 operators on 6 continents. New and exciting shows to come Exhibiting activity continues in the last quarter of the year with important events such as Arival Orlando (9 to 12 October), TIS Sevilla (18 to 20 October), and WTM London (6 to 8 November), as well as taking part in panels in key professional events.
TopDeck Magazine | #31 | September 2023
CS London great success
10
Trade shows are a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with brand operators and our industry partners. 17
Just one planet to Discover, Explore, Enjoy. Travel responsibly!
The World of City Sightseeing
THAILAND Bangkok (Coming soon) Pattaya
NORWAY Alesund Bergen Geiranger Hellesylt
Kristiansand Olden Oslo Stavanger
Gothenburg Stockholm Visby
Xin chào Vietnam! From 25 to 28 November, the City Sightseeing international network will gather again at the first conference held in Asia. Hanoi is the stunning destination for this year’s major corporate event and we are looking forward to seeing you in Vietnam!
H
anoi, the capital of Vietnam, is the venue for the 2023 City Sightseeing Annual Conference. After a superb summit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria last year, we are looking forward to seeing you all again and sharing our experiences and good news.
From 25 to 28 November, City Sightseeing brand operators worldwide will have the opportunity to learn from each other and attend interesting talks from leading travel industry professionals and inspirational speakers.
20
On this occasion, we will have the opportunity to discover this incredible, vibrant location – Hanoi. “The city inside the rivers” is a stunning destination, which features countless temples and pagodas, gorgeous architecture revealing French and Chinese influences, and many markets where you can pick up souvenirs at unbeatable prices. Don’t miss Hanoi! Additionally, Hanoi is a stunning and exotic destination in Southeast
TopDeck Magazine | #31 | September 2023
Asia with plenty of things to see and do. This will be a unique opportunity to learn about the travel industry in one of the world’s emerging markets and the exposure of the global brand in the region. You can find further information on the microsite we have launched for all your Annual Conference needs. Please follow the link below to register for the City Sightseeing Annual Conference in Hanoi in 2023.
Meliá Hanoi Hotel***** This year’s conference accommodation is a comfortable and well-located hotel that fits perfectly with the needs of the City Sightseeing partners while in Vietnam. With an unbeatable city centre location, this modern hotel offers first-class facilities and exceptional service for this amazing opportunity to discover one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting destinations. The Meliá Hanoi is a world-class, 5-star luxury hotel you will fully experience during your days in Vietnam with the rest of the City Sightseeing attendees.
Register at: annualconference. city-sightseeing.com/
21
The City Sightseeing Marathon Challenge heads to Budapest T
he City Sightseeing Marathon Challenge is about to celebrate a new edition in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. With the Budapest Marathon taking place on 15 October, it will be the perfect excuse for three new avid runners
to get to know one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
unforgettable experience were announced on 5 September.
After closing the participation period on 31 August, the new members of the City Sightseeing Running Team who will travel to Central Europe for an
Two Americans were credited with the fastest times among all the participants of this eighth edition, Mitchell T. Baum (2:18) and Janae Baron (2:40). The best story was
22
TopDeck Magazine | #31 | Septiembre 2023
See more at: themarathonchallenge.com/
Three avid runners from America and Europe will have the chance to experience the marathon of their dreams in Budapest as we organise the 8th edition of The City Sightseeing Marathon Challenge. Our campaign focused on the global running community. provided by a Spaniard, Patricia Sanchez, who has used running to recover from a serious infection suffered 20 years ago and which has become her way of life and her excuse to get to know new destinations. On the weekend of 14-15 October, the three new members of the City Sightseeing Running Team will enjoy an unforgettable sightseeing experience in Budapest and take part in the stunning Budapest Marathon. We encourage you to follow the preparation of our runners on social media, especially on the weekend of the Marathon.
23
24
TopDeck Magazine | #31 | September 2023
Introducing our new City Sightseeing uniforms! In our ongoing pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement, we’ve decided to take a step forward in how we represent the City Sightseeing brand. Take a look to our new uniforms for your operating team, we are sure you will love them!
I
n the ever-evolving landscape of the sightseeing business, one key factor remains constant: the importance of a strong brand identity. At City Sightseeing, we understand that every aspect of your business plays a crucial role in shaping how your brand is perceived. This includes something as seemingly simple as your employees’ uniforms. But they are not just clothing; they are a statement of who we are and what we stand for as a team. The new uniforms have been designed with comfort, elegance,
and functionality in mind. Every detail has been carefully designed to reflect our dedication to quality and professionalism. The fresh and modern colours convey a sense of innovation and creativity, while the ergonomic design ensures your staff feel comfortable and confident all day long. An Inspirational Change We are sure these new uniforms will not only enhance our global brand’s image but also inspire all of us to bring our best selves to every task. They serve as a constant reminder of our commitment to
excellence and our passion for what we do. Personalisation An important new feature is that you can personalise your uniforms with the name of your city, as a sign of your pride in showing your most iconic places to visitors and your commitment to the destination. Ask for the new uniforms and their use guidelines to the CS Purchasing Department. They have worked hard to help boost your business with this important addition.
We also have a new website The new uniforms are now available on the City Sightseeing Purchasing Department website: purchasing.city-sightseeing.com. You can also access it through the Partners Hub: operators.city-sightseeing.com. If you have any problems with your access, please contact purchasing@city-sightseeing.com.
25
Corporate News from the Global Brand
The Explorer, our blog Our brand new CS blog - The Explorer allows you to embark on a thrilling journey through the world’s most captivating cities, which we will feature in our posts. Take a look at citysightseeing.com/blog.
Málaga Cruise Days Giveaways alert!
San Antonio Zoo
The City Sightseeing brand will feature at Málaga Cruise Days at Muelle Uno in Malaga. A trade event focused on the cruise industry, which is open to the general public.
In 2020, CS San Antonio donated one of their retired original London buses to the San Antonio Zoo. Three years later, it has been succesfully refurbished and re-opened as a snack and beverage spot.
On the occasion of World Photo Day, we launched a social media competition to reward the best travel photography. Things are happening all the time on our profiles, come and follow us! 26
TopDeck Magazine | #31 | September 2023
#CitySightseeingCares
Biosphere Cert.
Sustainable Oxford
Alzheimer’s Research
With more than 100 actions focused on aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda, CS Las Palmas GC have achieved the Biosphere Sustainable Plan certification.
Continuing with the introduction of new electric buses, on 22 April, to mark World Earth Day, CS Oxford announced a wave of measures to increase sustainability and reduce its carbon footprint.
CS London and Alzheimer’s Research UK have partnered to call travellers to action. CS London will donate 10% of every ticket sold on the association web site for pioneering dementia research.
World Refugee Day Biofuel in CS Dubai
Recycling onboard
On the occasion of World Refugee Day (20 June), City Sightseeing’s Spanish operations donated €1 for every ticket sold in Spain. The funds raised made it possible to feed 50 refugee families.
CS Seville implemented a pioneer headphone recycling programme on all buses to minimise the impact on the natural environment. This initiative could be extended to the rest of the network.
As part of dnata Group, CS Dubai switched its vehicles to operate using a biofuel blend. Together with the vehicles of partners companies, the move will save 80 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) per year. 27
CS Operators Outstanding News from Your Operations
Branding in San Antonio The correct application of the City Sightseeing brand is key to the recognition of our international travellers. CS San Antonio’s buses look as good as ever, don’t you think?
Champions parade
Glasgow calendar
Málaga 1903 kits
CS Sevilla carried the UEFA Europa League champions, Sevilla FC, on their 7th victory in the competition. It was a thrilling day touring the trophy and the team through the city’s crowded streets.
CS Glasgow invited its followers, customers, and friends to share their best shots of its tour in order to choose the best ones to feature in the 2024 annual calendar of the operation.
There is a new football club in Málaga, CD Málaga 1903, and CS Málaga has been supporting it from day one. In September, our colleagues lent their boat for the presentation of the new kits.
28
TopDeck Magazine | #31 | September 2023
CS Hermanus
CS Segovia
Launched on 9 September, CS Pattaya is the second destination of the global brand in Thailand. Idyllically located on the Thai coast, Pattaya is a paradise of beaches, temples and amazing views.
In July, CS South Africa announced the launch of its Hermanus Explorer Tour. The new route gives visitors a truly memorable experience in and around the charming town of Hermanus on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
CS Segovia is the 14th Spanish city within the CS international network. Segovia, a historic and charming city just one hour from Madrid, is a popular choice for excursions from the Spain capital.
Corfu-Achillion
Oxford Quest
With Greg James
As Achillion Palace in Corfu partially re-opened on 31 July, CS Corfu started operating its Line 2 – Corfu city/Achillion and consequently its Combo Tour (Lines 1+2).
In summer, CS Oxford launched a new activity for children – Mia Cloo’s Oxford Quest. Young passengers received a free activity pack containing a map and 10 questions about the city.
In July, several CS operations in the UK such as Bournemouth (in the picture), London, Edinburgh, and Oxford, involved with BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast Show with Greg James on a social game with their public.
Photo: Oxford Mail
CS Pattaya
29
CS Family Staff Stories
UK & Ireland Forum The 4th annual UK & Ireland Operator Meeting, the first one after COVID-19, took place in Edinburgh on 13-14 September. Another useful meeting for sharing information, projects, and different viewpoints.
Spain x Portugal
With City Cruises
Our mate Rubén
In September, teams from the main offices of City Sightseeing Worldwide, CS Spain and CS Portugal met in Seville to get to know each other better and coordinate future strategies.
In August, our colleagues from Sales Chelsey Smith and Antonia Jones were invited to the City Cruises Annual Sailing Event from Southampton to the Isle of Wight, a yearly trip only for top key performing partners.
In June, City Sightseeing’s main office welcomed Rubén, a member of the Asperger’s Association of Seville. Rubén’s internship was tremendously beneficial for him and for all his colleagues.
30
TopDeck Magazine | #31 | September 2023
Sarah Jayne
Andrew The Poet
David McMaster
Sarah Jayne is an asset to the CS Galway team and an amazing driver, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable ride for all passengers on the hopon-hop-off tour. Good job, Sarah!
Andrew loves poetry has added lyrical humour to his CS Oxford bus tours with verses to entertain tourists. We can say he became a must when in Oxford! Amazing job, Andrew!
On 1 July, our partner and, more importantly, our friend David McMaster passed away. This was sad news that no one wanted to hear.
Autumn O’Dell
Glasgow smiles
On 9 September, Autumn Rae O’Dell came to the world. Baby Autumn is the daughter of our colleague from the Sales Department Charlotte O’Dell. Congratulations!! What a lovely girl!
Glasgow’s slogan as a city used to be “Glasgow Smiles Better!” At CS Glasgow, they are proud to carry on that spirit during their open-top tours as they welcome visitors with the warmest smiles and Glaswegian charm. 31
David joined the City Sightseeing network in 2003, running its Norwich operation through his company Awayadays, which he set up in 1997. David was a director of VisitNorwich and manager of Norwich Attractions, but above all else, he was a true ambassador for Norwich and Norfolk, which he helped to maintain as one of the UK’s top destinations. Every year, he was one of the most loyal operators at the CS Annual Conference. Always friendly, pleasant and attentive, David was a pleasure to talk to. He will be sorely missed.
SuperPosts The Best of Social Media From Facebook to Twitter to Instagram, there are constantly great posts published throughout the City Sightseeing network to promote the global brand, give information, and inspire people to hop on and discover a city with City Sightseeing. Here are a few posts that we have selected that have done just that.
32
TopDeck Magazine | #31 | September 2023
33
The Wall
Social stories
Twitter | Facebook | TripAdvisor | Google | Viator | GetYourGuide @yorkbus - York. We’re so happy for our colleagues CitySightseeing York as they get the stamp of approval from VisitEngland. Save £3 on your tour, just ask your #Coastliner driver for a treats voucher.
Andrea G 4 – Cape Town. Great day, loved the history facts. So easy to get around this wonderful city. Worth it. Reasonable and the drivers are very friendly.
Anhs – Hanoi. A wonderful experience, with a different perspective of Hanoi. There is a headset to listen to the narration, the staff is attentive and gives me suggestions on points that are not on the route, I will come back many more times.
Sheila G - New Orleans. We went on the Hop on-Hop off tour bus every day we were in New Orleans. We were able to see the entire city and get off to see the specific areas we wanted to walk around at. The tour guides were awesome. I will do that again the next time we go. Absolutely made the trip fantastic!
Robert Mark – Santander. Congratulations to Miguel. Tourist bus driver for his kindness and good treatment. A professional of 10. I wish they were all like him. A big hug.
Barry_B - Berlin. Loved the hop on/hop off bus. Got to see all the different areas of the city and to plan what we wanted to do next. Great stop at the East Side Gallery. And the audio guide was full of information.
Martha Pérez – Panama. Very good tour of Panama City visiting the main points of interest, recommended.
The Mummy Stylist - Edinburgh. Since we got to Edinburgh, my boy has wanted to go on an open top sightseeing bus. There’s quite a few to choose from, he’s been planning routes and everything! Today we finally did it and went with City Sightseeing.
obrienk2017 – Toronto. We went on the Niagara Falls day trip through City Sightseeing Toronto. Michael was our tour guide, he was knowledgeable, friendly and very informative of Toronto and Canada itself. We were very impressed by him! He made the day very enjoyable. Toronto is lucky to have him because he loves his hometown and it showed on our tour. We would highly recommend asking for Michael on our next tour.
Manu - Belfast. Very good for getting to know the city.
@Autismo_Sevilla - Sevilla. Seguimos haciendo resumen del curso que finalizamos y nos remontamos a la #Navidad, en la que un año más el #BusdelaIlusion ha recorrido las calles de Sevilla a favor de nuestra entidad ¡¡Gracias @CitySightseeing por hacerlo posible!!
Paolo_D - Dubai. Everything went trough smoothly The tour bus was very clean and the staff very kind They provide for you for free water.
Social media really is the new phenomenon, so on this page we hope to feature the best feeds from our Franchisees, some of our customer comments and also from leading industry ‘tweeters’. Send your social media name to topdeck@city-sightseeing.com and we’ll follow you. You can start with following us @CitySSWorldwide
34
City Sightseeing's very own magazine
How to enjoy the new Top Deck?
Share your stories with the CS family
The digital version of Top Deck is available at our own web site you can visit at topdeckmagazine.com
Send your operation and team news and let the rest of the network know about you! Email press@city-sightseeing.com