In a highly competitive market, Explore Worldwide is making its mark by offering tours that are tailor-made to offer the ultimate experience. In this week’s Take 5, we ask Katy Rockett, Regional Director North America, how the tour operator is leaning on travel agents to do just that.

1. For travel agents who aren’t yet familiar with Explore Worldwide, can you give us a brief overview?

“Explore Worldwide was founded in 1981 with a mission to deliver authentic travel experiences that are thoughtful, responsible, and deeply connected to the places and people we visit. Today, our portfolio spans over 350 itineraries across 100 countries and range from cultural discovery, walking and hiking, to cycling trips.

“We cater primarily to solo travellers, couples, and friends who are looking for more out of their vacation. With an average group size of just 11, our tours are perfect for those looking to forge close bonds and engage with their surroundings on a deeper level.

“Each journey is designed by our expert product team who are not only industry professionals but also passionate adventure travellers. Their deep understanding and personal experience ensure that every tour is tailored to offer the ultimate experience, whether it’s a challenging trek or a scenic cycling route. 

“But perhaps what truly defines an Explore tour is our team of expert local guides. These guides bring our tours to life with their local knowledge and passion, helping connect travellers.”

2. Do you work with travel agents?

“Travel agents are vital to our operations and have been instrumental in our success, particularly in the Canadian market. We value these relationships and are continuously developing resources and training on how to confidently sell our tours and understand the unique aspects of adventure travel.

“As part of our commitment to making our industry relationships as rewarding as possible, we provide competitive commissions and attractive travel incentives for agents. To further expand this commitment, we’ve recently partnered with By Iris for travel trade in-market representation and look forward to launching training sessions and webinars in the coming months. 

“For the latest news, insights and updates, including future FAM opportunities, we encourage everyone to join our dedicated North American Agent Facebook community.”

3. What sold really well for summer? And which tours are selling out for fall/winter?

“In terms of travel styles, we’ve seen consistent bookings on our active tours, particularly within the Canadian market. Our walking and hiking trips have had a significant surge in interest with 47% growth YOY.

“Among the destinations, Italy, Portugal, Croatia, Turkey, and the Baltics stood out as the top choices for our travelers this summer. Looking ahead to the cooler months, we’re still seeing a strong interest in Europe for the fall and winter. Italy and Portugal continue to be favorites, with Turkey, Spain, and Greece also emerging as hot spots away from the peak season crowds.”

4. What can travellers expect while on one of your trips? What’s included?

“On our trips, travellers will see a mix of famous sights and hidden gems that others miss, or don’t even know about. All our groups are fully supported by expert local tour leaders who deliver authentic experiences often in unscripted, spontaneous, impossible-to-replicate ways.

What’s covered in the cost of an Explore trip: 

• Accommodations: Comfortable and strategically located to enhance the experience.
  
• Transportation: Throughout the trip, including airport transfers on the start and end dates.
  
• Some meals and activities: To give a taste of the local cuisine and culture.
  
• Flexibility: We’ve found that allowing some free time helps travellers enjoy the group experience while also giving them the space to explore on their own terms, which is why we don’t include all meals and activities. Whether it means trying a local restaurant, visiting a museum, or simply taking some time to relax, they have flexibility to make the trip their own.”

5. How does Explore Worldwide differentiate itself from other tour operators? In a highly competitive market, how does it stand out?

“Sustainability isn’t just an add-on for us; it’s woven into the fabric of everything we do. Our commitment to small group sizes not only minimizes our impact on the destinations we visit but also allows us access to experiences and locations that larger groups simply cannot manage.

“Explore is proud to be a certified B Corp, meeting high standards of social and environmental performance. We are constantly looking at innovative approaches to sustainability, including thorough carbon measurement on every one of our trips and, most recently, funding Sustainable Airline Fuel (SAF). Through the Explore Foundation, we identify and support projects that make a real difference in the communities we visit, working to deliver support where it’s most needed.

In a crowded market, these commitments help us stand out as a leader in responsible and immersive travel.”

For more information go to www.exploreworldwide.ca.