Double decker tour buses are about to roll onto Cartagena streets as part of a campaign that is expected to spread to Bogota and Medellin by 2012.
One of the largest multinational guided tour companies, City Sightseeing, is behind the project, reported Cartagena newspaper El Universal.
“With this service, Cartagena de Indias will be at the top of the major destinations in the world, emphasizing the touristic development of Colombia,” said City Sightseeing for Colombia President German Osorio.
The tourist company’s $4 million investment in Colombia will reportedly generate 150 direct jobs.
Vice Minister of Tourism Oscar Rueda Garcia, said that, “Now Cartagena and Colombia enter the next level in tourism, with the arrival of City Sightseeing, which positions the country internationally with this new service. This is an accolade to the country from one of the largest enterprises in the world.”
The project in the coastal city will begin operations with two double-decker buses, and three additional smaller feeder buses.
Passengers on the buses will visit 12 city tourist destinations, including the Muelle de los Pegasos, the fort of San Felipe Barajas, the fort of San Sebastion del Pastelillo and the Casa de Rafael Nuñez.
City Sightseeing will introduce the two-story buses to Bogota in October of this year, and then to Medellin in March of 2012, according to reports.
The first bus will hit the streets of Cartagena from the Patio de Banderas Convention Center at 6:30 PM Tuesday evening.
