JENICE JOY SUMAWAYBM 238 - New Enterprise Planning and ManagementUniversity of the Philippines - Manila

Business Proposal: Manila Hop-on Hop-off Double Decker Bus

According to Department of tourism, there’s an increase of 13.3% in first quarter of 2011 compare to 2010 in total number of visitors in Philippines. This is around 1.3 million in the first four months of 2011. Most of them are from Korea, Japan, US, China and Australia. Metro Manila has a lot o offer for travelers visiting Philippines, from historical places, shopping malls, parks, heritage churches, hotel, theme parks, good food and night life, not to mention nice and friendly Filipinos.

However, travelling within Metro Manila is not easy. Though we have the MRT, LRT, buses, cabs and jeepneys in the city, our transportation system is not as efficient and safe compare to Singapore and Hong Kong transport system. MRT and LRT is cheapest and most efficient mode of transportation to go around the city. But most of the tourist spots and must go places is not located in the nearby train stations. A traveler must still ride a jeepney or a bus that will take them in his destination. Since most of the areas in Manila has no designated bus stops, it might be hard for traveler to know when he have to hop-off the bus or jeepney unless he is so keen observing the area or he ask for directions. A traveler has an option to take a cab which can easily bring him in the place he wants to go but this might be costly. Aside from that, there are a lot of pickpockets around Metro Manila, which most of this incident happened inside a bus, jeepney and taxi.

Like double decker bus tours offered in Europe, Canadam US, Singapore and Malaysia, Manila Hop-on Hop-off double decker bus will offer a traveler to explore Manila avoiding all the hassles of commuting and ensuring transport safety of every traveler. You can tour around Metro Manila at you own pace. The buses are open top which allows you to enjoy full 360 degree panaromic view as you travel along your route. A traveler has a choice of a 24 or 48 hours ticket to get on and off the 20 stops in must see places in Metro Manila. The tour will operate from 10AM to 8PM daily with 30 minutes interval from each stop. If a traveler opts to stay in the bus for the entire loop, it would take approximately 2-3 hours. Each bus is equipped with audio commentary with personalized audio system with functions in 5 different languages, provided recorded commentary throughout the tour. There’s also an English speaking tour guide escort on board, who can assist the traveler with their queries. Information maps will also be available inside the bus. This information maps contains information on things to do, must try, must go, and must eat, in various stops of Manila hop-on hop-off bus.

This hop-on hop-off bus will contribute so much in promoting Philippine tourism, particularly in Manila.