Global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) has announced that its Global Credit platform will provide a comprehensive financing package to support the growth of Big Bus Tours, the leading global provider of hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tours. With over 5 million customers annually, Big Bus Tours is the world’s largest operator of open-top sightseeing bus tours with operations across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
The company has expanded to more than 20 world-famous city destinations where it provides a sightseeing experience that has become an integral part of any traveler’s itinerary when discovering a new city. In 2023, Big Bus Tours partnered with Equipmake, an engineering specialist, to convert a portion of its existing fleet from diesel to fully electric in a demonstration of its ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism. The company was acquired by Exponent, a leading European private equity firm, in 2015.
Carlyle Global Credit manages $186 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2024. It routinely pursues investments in privately negotiated debt and capital solutions partnering with high-quality sponsors and leading family or entrepreneur-owned companies.
Taj Sidhu, Head of Carlyle European and Asian Private Credit, expressed his delight at partnering with the exceptional management team at Big Bus Tours as the business continues to expand its industry-leading offering across major worldwide destinations. He noted that this transaction underscores their ability to provide flexible capital solutions on a large scale and support the growth aspirations of strong and resilient businesses.
Pat Waterman, Executive Chairman of Big Bus Tours, stated that their company is a leading experience provider in the tourism and leisure industry. He said that financing from Carlyle Global Credit will accelerate their international footprint expansion and their development in adjacent synergistic activities. He expressed delight at having the support of such a sophisticated partner like Carlyle as they enter this important next phase of growth.
Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Global Investment Solutions. With $425 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2024, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which they live and invest.
