Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours come to Manila

The Hop-On, Hop-Off (HOHO) Manila Cultural Hub tours have been officially launched by the Department of Tourism (DOT), expanding tourism options in Metro Manila for local and international tourists.

“Makati boasts a rich tapestry of history, art and natural beauty that deserves to be celebrated. With the launching of the Hop On Hop Off bus tour, we aim to bring this exceptional experience to the forefront, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the city’s unique heritage,” Mayor Abby Binay said.

Typical for the capitol which has a tradition of shortening names, the cultural tours are already being termed HOHO.

Following the successful pilot of the HOHO Makati Financial Hub tours on May 28, this new cultural circuit becomes the second of its kind.

During the launch, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco explained that the goal is to create a tourism industry that can compete on par with neighboring Asian countries, as well as the rest of the world.

To achieve this, the DOT has merged tourism with the digital age, launching an App which allows tourists to book the “Hop-On, Hop-Off” Bus Tours, customize their itineraries, and travel at their own convenience.

With the introduction of HOHO Manila, Frasco aims to reintroduce and share the rich heritage and culture of the capital with both local and international tourists.

The Cultural Hub will include nine stops, covering Robinsons Manila, Raja Sulayman, Rizal Park Luneta, National Museum, Malacañang Heritage Tours, City Hall, Escolta, Binondo, and Intramuros.

Tourists will have the option to choose from curated itineraries or create their own, with the availability of private and guided tours. The Hop-On Hop-Off Manila Buses run the whole week starting from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. However, if you want to stop at Malacañang Palace you can only do that at 3 p.m.

The HOHO Manila initiative provides a dedicated website with comprehensive information, a reloadable EMV-capable card, a mobile app for tour bookings and cashless payments, GPS networked-bus arrival monitoring, video guides, and information on hotels, dining, and local merchants.

The introductory price for the HOHO Manila Cultural Hub tour starts at PHP1,000 per person.