LOS ANGELES -- Recognizing the growth in international visitors from the emerging markets of Asia and Latin America,  Los Angeles' number one tour operator, Starline Tours now offers visitors the chance to explore all of Los Angeles in their own language, and at their own pace.  In April 2013, the double-decker CitySightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off tour, operated by Starline Tours, the oldest and largest tour operator in Los Angeles, introduced simultaneous multi-lingual tour commentary on its three major tour routes covering Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica.  In May, two new Hop-On Hop-Off routes will open connecting LAX hotels to Marina del Rey, Venice canals, beach and Boardwalk, and on to Santa Monica, where passengers connect with the existing Hop-On Hop-Off network.

The first truly multi-lingual Hop-On Hop-Off service in North America will cover 100 miles—the world's largest route — in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, Korean and Mandarin.  Pre-recorded commentary, controlled by satellite for accurate and timely dissemination of information, is delivered via new personal ear buds each passenger receives when boarding the bus.  Passengers enjoy the freedom to exit the bus whenever they choose and explore the area and nearby attractions.  The buses are being equipped as Wi-Fi hot spots, allowing passengers to share photos, videos and information through their social media networks to friends and family at home, without incurring roaming charges.

Starline Tours has been accommodating foreign visitors since 2007 with the company's Grand Tour of Los Angeles in nine languages, a 5 ½ hour comprehensive escorted tour of the city. "The addition of the new multi-lingual commentary Hop-On Hop-Off service is a massive undertaking for us, demonstrating Starline's commitment to the growing importance of international tourism in Los Angeles," says Philip Ferentinos, Director of Starline Tours, responsible for New Product Development.  "A city the size of LA can be quite daunting to first-time visitors from Asia, so it will be comforting to know that they now have a service to guide them around the unique areas and neighborhoods.  They may hop off at any time and spend as long as they like in areas which interest them the most."

Preliminary tourism numbers for Los Angeles indicate that in 2012, international visitation to the destination increased by 1.2% to top 6 million for the first time.  China showed the strongest growth - up 35% -- making it the top overseas visitor market for Los Angeles.  Latin America also showed strongly with Brazil up nearly 7% and Mexico up 2.6%, its highest level since 2007.  Australia and the United Kingdom, the number one and two overseas visitors markets in 2011, showed declines.  These numbers most likely will keep Los Angeles as the second ranked destination within the U.S. for overseas visitors.

Ticket prices beinning in April for 24 hours will be $44 for Adults and $25 for Children age 3-11, and $59 Adults and $35 for Children for 48 hours.  A family price of $125 for 24 hours and $170 for 48 hours accommodates two adults and three children.  In additional to the multi-lingual offerings and Wi-Fi on buses, the bus ticket may be presented to more than 40 attractions for immediate savings as part of the Show and Save program. The dedicated CitySightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off website, http://www.citysightseeinglosangeles.com  provides detailed information on what to do at each stop and has recommended itineraries for passengers interested in seeing the highlights of each route as well as itineraries focused on shopping, traveling with children , TV/Movies and celebrity dining.



"Our enhanced Hop-On Hop-Off offerings are designed to let all of our visitors know how welcome they are in Los Angeles," says Ferentinos.  "It's a friendly greeting moving through the streets of LA."



About Starline Tours

Starline Tours is the oldest and largest sightseeing tour company in Los Angeles, having pioneered the famous Movie Stars' Homes Tour in 1935 - making this Starline Tours' 78th operating year.  The company offers a full range of sightseeing tours of Los Angeles including a multi-lingual City Tour,  a city-wide Hop-on Hop-off Double-Decker tour (multi-lingual in April 2013), TMZ Tour, and tours to Theme Parks, Movie Studios, San Diego and Tijuana and pick-up from more than 250 hotels in the Los Angeles area.   Starline Tours has locations throughout Hollywood, with its main terminal at (Grauman's) TCL Chinese Theatre at 6925 Hollywood Blvd. The company also has a sales office on Santa Monica Pier, starting point of the Malibu Stars' Homes Tour, as well as a new terminal in Santa Monica at 11857 Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, and in Anaheim at the Jolly Roger Hotel across from the Disneyland Resort. The company is privately owned and operated in conjunction with TourCoach - the company's Bus Charter division. For reservations please call (800) 959 3131 or visit www.starlinetours.com.



For reservations please call (800) 959 3131 or visit www.starlinetours.com.

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Media Contacts:

Susan Wilson, , 011 + 1 (602) 996-4242 (480) 824-3015, susanwilson129@gmail.com

Philip Ferentinos, , 011 + 1 (323) 785-6707  (323) 864 8339 Philip@starlinetours.com