New York, NY/Cork, Ireland – In Hand Guides (IHG), an innovative Irish company based in Cork providing low cost embedded audio players, and Twin America who operate CitySights NY and Gray Line New York, today (Friday 29th October 2010) announced a major affinity partnership. Under the terms of the deal, which was secured with support from Enterprise Ireland’s New York Office, In Hand Guides will design and manufacture a branded bespoke audio device for their 3 million annual customers with City Sights and Gray Line New York.

IHG estimate that this deal will generate over €500,000 in the next twelve months, which will allow IHG to employ technical and support staff in their Cork base. Publicity has already generated interest with similar tourist companies in Chicago and Orlando. Bus tours in New York City were valued at $3 Billion in 2007 by the City Council. The city licenses 12 sightseeing companies, which operate 250 tour buses.

The agreement represents a groundbreaking deal for IHG which now has operations in four continents.

Trevor Winckworth, CEO and founder of IHG, said today, ‘In Hand Guides are delighted to introduce their product into the USA in conjunction with a company such as Twin America who provide tourism services to over three million visitors annually in New York and whose blue CitySights NY buses and red Gray Line buses are an icon on the streets of the Big Apple”

Enterprise Ireland’s Director of the Americas Gerry Murphy added: “This is a significant contract for this specialist Cork-based company. In securing this high profile New York partnership, InHand Guides demonstrates that small Irish companies can secure significant, prestigious international contracts by focussing on providing quality, innovative products tailored to specific customer requirements. We will continue to support them as they build on this success and work to break into other important US markets.”

From now on both City Sights and Gray Line, New York’s most prominent tour bus operators, will sell the In Hand Guides bespoke audio device. The unique credit card size audio player will allow customers to freely roam areas of NYC such as Wall Street or the World Trade Centre site and receive a one-on-one guided tour at their own pace. They then keep the ultra low cost player as unique souvenir of their trip to the City.

Coinciding with this major announcement to manage rising demand in the region for its audio player solutions, IHG have opened their first office in the USA supported by Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government body tasked with accelerating innovative Irish company’s growth in international markets. Irish companies now employ over 4,200 people in over 60 offices throughout New York. The In Hand guides office is located right in the heart of the Business District at 345 Park Avenue and their new website has been unveiled at www.inhandguides.com to compliment this.

In Hand Guides – http://www.inhandguides.com/

IHG offer low cost audio players which offers Tourism providers an opportunity to both enhance their visitor experience and to brand their product to visitors. IHG have contracts in London, Sydney, South Africa, Belfast, Dublin and Cork.

Gray Line New York

Gray Line New York offers sightseeing tours in more than 150 destinations on six continents and is widely recognized as the world’s leader in sightseeing tours, ground transportation, charter services, airport transfers and convention services. From sightseeing tours and overnight packages to adventure trips and unique behind the scenes experiences – Gray Line New York offer complete destination experiences all around the world.

CitySights NY

CitySights NY hop-on, hop-off bus tours are operated on a fleet of 60 new double-decker buses designed with top-deck-only seating to provide you with the best possible views of New York City’s attractions, neighborhoods and places of interest. It’s the best way to travel New York City!

Offering what are often acknowledged as New York City’s best-value double-decker sightseeing packages including major attractions and activities such as harbor cruises, museum visits, helicopter tours, shopping day trips and one-day escorted motor coach tours to Boston, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia & Amish Country.

For more information please contact:

Trevor Winckworth
In Hand Guides
+353 21 483 3720
sales@inhandguide.ie