Call it Muskoka on wheels.

Two touring buses recently covered in a Muskoka-themed wrap are drawing serious attention throughout southern Ontario and beyond.

“These buses are truly striking. They rise above the noise,” said Steve Inniss of Muskoka Tourism, which partnered with Hammond Transportation Ltd. on the project.

The buses depict scenic landscape shots from the area and the activities available here, in addition to the Muskoka Tourism logo and website address.

“I already had one motorist call us to say it was the most beautiful bus he’d ever seen,” said Greg Hammond, secretary-treasurer of Hammond Transportation.

Hammond said Muskoka Transport, which is owned by his family, partnered with Muskoka Tourism in the past for a similar project with transport trucks roughly 10 years ago.

Hammond said the buses primarily run between the Greater Toronto Area and Muskoka, but they sometimes travel to New York, Pennsylvania, Quebec, Michigan and even farther.

One of the buses is already attracting some star power, as it played host to the Ottawa Senators during their recent foray through Muskoka.

Hammond said the bus wrap costs approximately $10,000, some of which was covered by a FedNor grant, and is expected to last for three years or more.

Hammond said the bus helps promote the area, which will ultimately be good for all local businesses, including his own.

“Our business is largely tourism based, so when we help promote them it’s good for us,” he said.

Inniss said the bus is an example of good corporate citizenship.

“He’s giving up the large Hammond signs he has on the side of the buses   . . . because he understands what’s good for Muskoka is good for Hammond,” he said. “Hopefully people will see him do it and think to themselves, ‘what can I do?’”

Inniss said he can personally vouch for the effectiveness of wrapping as a marketing technique for Muskoka.

“I used to live in Massachusetts, but I had a cottage up here. I would see that truck driving in New England with the photos of Muskoka,” he said. “I wanted to wave at the driver every time I saw it.”