The open-top CitySightseeing Edinburgh service, which is delivered by Lothian Buses via its Edinburgh Bus Tours umbrella, has been named top operator globally by CitySightseeing Worldwide.
That accolade was announced in November 2023 at the CitySightseeing conference in Vietnam. The brand has been in Edinburgh for 23 years and utilises Volvo B5TL Wrightbus Gemini open-top double-deckers within the Lothian Buses fleet that run 365 days per year.
Various criteria were included in CitySightseeing Worldwide’s assessment of its partners, including fleet standard; communication; compliance and safety management; customer service; brand presence; and investment in the operation.
Speaking about the recognition, Lothian Buses Managing Director Sarah Boyd says: “We are so incredibly proud of the entire Edinburgh Bus Tours team, whose hard work, passion and dedication has cemented our business as the best in the world.
“From our talented tour guides and skilled drivers, to expert ticket sellers and retail people, to those working behind the scenes in sales and marketing – this achievement would not be possible were it not for every person in the team.
“We are so pleased to have received this award from CitySightseeing Worldwide, widely recognised as a benchmark of quality tour services across the globe.”
CitySightseeing Worldwide Founder and CEO Enrique Ybarra adds: “After being among the favourites for best operator every year, we are delighted to have recognised CitySightseeing Edinburgh this year with the top award among our over 100 operators worldwide.
“Lothian Buses is a great partner that does a fantastic job every day of showing its travellers everything that is unmissable in Edinburgh. The service it provides to the city and its passengers perfectly represents the level of excellence we strive for across our portfolio.”
In addition to its recognition by CitySightseeing Worldwide, Edinburgh Bus Tours is a recipient of the Green Tourism Award, and was recently affirmed as a Visit Scotland five-star attraction. In late 2023, it was announced that 18 of Lothian’s open-top B5TLs are to be repowered to battery-electric by Kleanbus.
