Gray Line Worldwide

Operating for more than a century, Gray Line functions as the world's largest network for local sightseeing tours, with a presence in over 400 destinations across six continents. The company provides its established brand, marketing support, and booking systems to a global web of independent local operators, or licensees, who deliver the on-the-ground services. Founded in Washington, D.C., in 1910 with a single refurbished truck, the organization expanded internationally by 1926 and pioneered the hop-on hop-off bus tour concept. While Gray Line Worldwide does not directly run tours, it serves as a central hub that fosters collaboration, shares technological advancements, and acts as a direct supplier to online travel agencies and wholesalers. This structure allows local experts to manage the actual tours – from city circuits and airport transfers to multi-day packages – while leveraging the efficiency of a global distribution system. In keeping with modern practices, several operators in the network have begun introducing electric vehicles to their fleets.