Gray Line New Orleans Celebrates 100 Years of Showcasing the City
Gray Line New Orleans, the city’s oldest and largest tour company, celebrates its centennial year with a series of events and reflections on its rich history. The festivities started on June 5, 2024, with a dockside press conference and a seersucker-themed industry event aboard the Steamboat NATCHEZ. Gray Line Worldwide executives Gudrun Thorisdottir and Dale Berridge attended to congratulate and highlight the numerous awards the New Orleans team has garnered.
Gray Line is part of the New Orleans Steamboat Company family, which includes Steamboat NATCHEZ, Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS, Cafe Beignet, and Visit New Orleans.
The Gray Line brand originated in 1910 when a restaurateur repurposed an old Mack Truck chassis, painted it blue and gray, and began offering sightseeing tours of Washington, D.C. By 1926, Gray Line had expanded to major cities including New York, New Orleans, Chicago, and San Francisco. Today, Gray Line operates in 700 locations across six continents.
In 1924, the Toye Brothers, who ran a successful Yellow Cab company, began operating Gray Line Tours in New Orleans, the largest city in the South. The tours featured iconic landmarks such as Jackson Square, Pirate’s Alley, and the city’s unique architecture, many of which remain highlights of today’s tours.
We still rely on knowledgeable local guides creating memorable experiences by engaging guests with a perspective on history that has depth, nuance, and a bit of humor.
Greg Hoffman, Chief Administrative Officer
Greg Hoffman, Gray Line’s Chief Administrative Officer, has led the company since 1987, when the New Orleans Steamboat Company acquired it. Hoffman spoke about the evolution of the tours and the company’s ability to balance creative experiences with popular must-see sights. He emphasized the importance of knowledgeable local guides who provide memorable experiences with depth, nuance, and humor. “We still rely on knowledgeable local guides creating memorable experiences by engaging guests with a perspective on history that has depth, nuance, and a bit of humor,” said Hoffman.
General Manager Brent Hoeman detailed Gray Line’s expansion into the charter bus business in 2010. This move came just after the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl, marking a significant milestone in the city’s post-Hurricane Katrina recovery and showcasing that New Orleans was open for business.
The centennial celebration also included participation from longtime Gray Line partners such as swamps, plantations, restaurants, jazz clubs, and cooking schools. Retired tour guides and hospitality veterans shared stories and memorabilia, toasting to the company’s history with classic New Orleans cocktails like the Sazerac.
Aggie Canales, a sales and marketing manager since 2002, reflected on the company’s journey with a poignant toast. She compared Gray Line’s resilience to the seersucker fabric, highlighting its durability and ability to withstand challenges. “Gray Line, like the city of New Orleans, has been through it all, remaining resilient and beloved. Today, looking back over 100 years and looking forward to the next 100, we raise our glass and give glory to God for all that is the fabric of life,” Canales said.
As Gray Line New Orleans celebrates this milestone, it continues to honor its legacy while looking forward to the future, offering tourists a unique and authentic city experience.
Read Gray Line’s official press release about its special celebration.
