Smart Destinations, Parent Company of Go City Card, Is Acquired By Big Bus Tours

  BOSTON, MA - 10/04/2016 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

Boston-based Smart Destinations, which produces the popular Go City Card attraction passes, has just taken a significant step in its mission to become the foremost sightseeing provider in leading cities around the world, with its sale to UK-based Big Bus Tours.
 
According to Ted Stimpson, CEO of Smart Destinations, the privately-held company has just been acquired by Big Bus Tours, the largest global operator of premium open-top sightseeing tours with coverage in 19 cities across four continents.
 
According to Mr. Stimpson, "This acquisition combines two great companies, both committed to maximizing the in-destination experience of traveling consumers. Big Bus Tours is the perfect introduction to a city, guiding guests to the key places of interest. Go City Card passes provide a convenient and cost-effective way to pay for admission to those same top attractions. Together, we will deliver travelers to the gate and through the turnstile of the top paid attractions of the world!”
 
Pat Waterman, CEO of Big Bus Tours, adds, “This latest acquisition for Big Bus Tours is truly a significant one. Smart Destinations is the leader in the attraction pass category, offering customers unbeatable value for money, access to some of the best attractions in the world and a very easy way to buy and redeem passes.”
 
The companies’ shared target audience provides an ideal partnership to acquire a larger piece of the global leisure travel marketplace.  The acquisition enables Smart Destinations, which will continue to operate as an independent division in Boston, to leverage Big Bus’ international presence in order to launch its Go City Card attraction passes in top destinations around the world. In addition, Big Bus will benefit by becoming the primary bus tour provider for Smart Destinations’ Go City Card attraction passes in all existing cities where the companies both operate.  
 
About Big Bus Tours
Big Bus Tours is the largest operator of open-top sightseeing tours in the world, providing sightseeing tours in 19 cities across four continents. 2016 marks Big Bus Tours’ Silver Jubilee milestone. The family-owned business commenced operations in London in June 1991 with a fleet of just three buses which have since been expanded to a fleet of 400 buses in cities such as Abu Dhabi, Budapest, Dubai, Hong Kong, Sydney, Istanbul, Muscat, Paris, Rome, Vienna and various destinations across the USA.  As Big Bus began its journey, Les Cars Rouges in Paris also started to build a strong business, with the two merging in 2011 to create a single unified company. In February 2015, private equity firm Exponent purchased Big Bus Tours, with a shared vision to develop the company into the most recognizable brand in sightseeing. This year Merlin Entertainments PLC became a shareholder, offering a natural synergy with Big Bus Tours and Merlin attractions and experiences globally. Big Bus Tours’ sightseeing formula has been designed to provide a flexible approach to city discovery. Each open-top bus tour provides a hop-on, hop-off facility at a variety of interesting locations and, wherever possible, Big Bus Tours looks to enhance the visitor sightseeing experience by providing complementary experiences. The Big Bus Tours app can be downloaded at www.bigbustours.com/app
 
 
About Smart Destinations
Smart Destinations, which produces the popular Go City Card multi attraction passes, is now owned by Big Bus Tours, sells multi-attraction passes to 13 of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S. and abroad including Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Oahu, Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.
 
Smart Destinations' Go City Cards can be purchased online and instantly delivered to a traveler's smart phone or they can be bought at brick and mortar outlets within a city upon arrival. Travelers choose from different types of passes to fit their needs including an all-inclusive pass which provides carte blanche to visit any of that city's included attractions or a "Build Your Own" which enables a traveler to create their own itinerary. Depending upon the pass selected, travelers can realize a savings of up to 55% less than paying at the gate. All passes come with valuable extras including the ability to skip the line at select attractions and comprehensive guidebooks that offer insider tips and bonus discounts on shopping and dining.
 
For additional information, visit SmartDestinations.com or call 1-800-887-9103.
 
 
Photo Caption: Pat Waterman, CEO of Big Bus Tours and Ted Stimpson, CEO of Smart Destinations, toast the new acquisition on one of London's most popular attractions, The London Eye.