Busabout seeks trade partners for hop-on hop-off touring

An operator that offers hop-on hop-off guided coach tours in Europe is looking to work with a broader range of independent agents.

Busabout, part of The Travel Corporation, which also owns brands such as Trafalgar and Insight Vacations, already works with agencies such as Flight Centre and STA Travel.

But managing director Duncan Robertson said awareness of its product had yet to filter through to the wider trade.

The UK is Busabout’s fasting-growing market for its Europe hop-on hop-off coach pass, with sales of the product up 27% year on year, mostly through agents.

“We would love to sell through more travel agents. It’s a matter of awareness of us as a travel option,” said Robertson.

The hop-on hop-off passes allow flexible travel on a coach network of 42 destinations in Europe, not including the UK.

Holidaymakers create their itineraries once they have bought the pass and can change how long they stay in each destination during the trip via its MyTrip app. It’s 56-seat coaches run daily.

An unlimited pass costs £949 for travel from May to October. A three-stop pass is £299.

There are no age restrictions, although most clients tend to be under 40.

Busabout offers 150 European excursions, from skydiving to street art workshops, and coach tours in areas not covered by its hop-on hop-off coach network. These can be bought as add-ons or as standalone trips.

Accommodation can be booked in advance or on the trip but there is no obligation to book the operator’s suggested properties, which include hostels and hotels.

Robertson added: “The key thing is we combine the social atmosphere of a guided tour with the flexibility of independent travel.”

The operator also has North America and Asia programmes.