Bus operators are better grasping the role of tourism in attracting more passengers, believes the Chief Executive of transport portal Great Scenic Journeys.
Alex Warner set up the website last year to “transform, promote and accredit, the collection of scenic transport routes across the UK and beyond” and has seen it increase to 250 bus routes.
With holiday season in full sway, Mr Warner says: “Operators recognise they don’t need to spend a huge amount of money investing on vehicle interiors. There are subtle things you can do to create a more engaging experience and unlock the tourism trade.”
He adds that operators are increasingly realising there is a benefit in promoting routes which are less obviously touristic but nevertheless offer links to “hidden gems”.
The sustainability angle is also playing into the hands of operators, he believes. “More and more tourist attractions are talking to companies like us about how you can get more sustainable travel to their attractions so you don’t have cars polluting the lovely green fields and the car park at National Trust places and heritage sites.
“And about how can you get different demographics that wouldn’t normally travel to an attraction because they’ve not been able to get there and you have to go by car and it’s a very middle-class environment.”
Voting is now under way in Great Scenic Journeys’ UK Open Top Bus Cup competition sponsored by Blink. Social media users will decide this month which route will succeed last year’s inaugural winner of the crown of the nation’s favourite tourist bus route, Toon Tour.
