Explore Worldwide has reported its highest ever number of bookings taken in a single day on 21 November 2025, the day the small group operator launched its Black Friday sale.
The biggest day of sales in the small group adventure operator’s 44-year history, bookings were up 16% from the previous record. In fact, bookings racked up to the equivalent of a passenger reserving every single minute of the day.
The sale, which offers thousands of the operator’s small group departures discounted by 20% for 2026, attracted unprecedented demand among direct travellers and travel agents.
Michael Edwards, Managing Director at Explore Worldwide, said: “Over the last few years, we’ve seen a growing trend with travellers waiting on Black Friday to book these big life moments – and this year was no exception, with demand literally at a record-breaking high. So far, the real trend we’ve clocked is a resurgence in bookings for North Africa and the Middle East, which is fantastic to see.”
The operator’s five best-selling tours in Black Friday sale so far have been:
- Jordan Discovery
- Simply Japan
- Walking in Madeira
- Wonder of Algeria and the M’Zab Valley
- Classic Egypt with Nile Cruise
Meanwhile, at a country level, the most-booked destinations have been:
- Italy
- India
- Portugal
- Spain
- Jordan
Explore Worldwide’s Black Friday sale can save travellers up to £1,296 per person (based on the New Zealand tour, 2 March 2026), with discounted departures running from 1 January to 31 December 2026.
Families can also benefit from huge savings, with discounts of up to £655 per adult and £595 per child (based on the ‘FOA’ departure on 8 August 2026).
Tours from across Explore’s programme are included, from small-group cultural journeys to walking and cycling holidays, wildlife adventures and family trips.
As always, Explore’s Black Friday sale is also applicable to agent bookings and does not affect commission levels.
Explore Worldwide’s Black Friday sale is running until midnight on Travel Tuesday (2 December). To find out more, visit www.explore.co.uk/offers/black-friday
