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Yahoo Finance

20 largest travel companies in the world.

In this article, we will be covering the 20 largest travel companies in the world. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the travel and tourism industry, you can go directly to 5 Largest Travel Companies In The World .

The travel and tourism sector plays a vital role in global economies. It creates jobs, fosters cultural exchange, and supports local businesses. It promotes understanding between nations while also contributing significantly to GDP growth. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), travel and tourism accounted for 7.6% of global GDP in 2022 while also creating 22 million new jobs around the world.

An Analysis of the Global Travel and Tourism Industry

The travel and tourism sector plays a crucial role in addressing societal and economic challenges. The industry is now thriving after being severely impacted during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, which led to travel restrictions, cancellations, and a sharp decline in tourism activities. According to a report by Market Research Future, the global travel and tourism market reached a value of $648.03 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% from 2023 to 2032 and reach a value of more than $1.01 trillion by the end of the forecasted period. The North American region leads the global travel and tourism market, while Europe follows as the second-largest market. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the fastest growth in the industry during the forecasted period.

The travel and tourism market is undergoing a digital transformation with online booking platforms, travel agencies, mobile apps, and online travel-related services driving growth by enhancing connectivity and providing convenient and personalized traveler experiences. The trend of cultural and experiential tourism, with travelers seeking authentic, immersive experiences, unique destinations, and local experiences, is also a key factor driving market growth. Moreover, the rise in disposable incomes, especially in emerging markets, is leading to increased tourism. More people have the means to explore domestic and international destinations. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), domestic visitor spending saw an increase of 20.4% in 2022. On the other hand, international visitor spending went up by 81.9% in 2022.

What are Some of the Biggest Companies in the Travel and Tourism Industry Up To?

Prominent companies in the travel and tourism industry are actively pursuing various strategies to expand their global presence and increase their profitability. Some of the most notable names are Marriott International Inc. (NYSE: MAR ), Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HLT ), and Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG ).

Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) is one of the world’s largest providers of online travel and related services. It provides online travel services in more than 220 countries through its brands which include Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, KAYAK, and OpenTable. Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) is also one of the best travel stocks to buy . On February 22, Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) reported strong earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2023. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $32, surpassing EPS estimates by $1.95. The company’s revenue for the quarter grew by 18.15% year-over-year and amounted to $4.78 billion, ahead of market consensus by $73.37 million. Here are some comments from Booking Holdings Inc.’s (NASDAQ:BKNG) Q4 2023 earnings call:

“As we look to the year ahead, we see strong growth on the books for travel that’s scheduled to take place in 2024, which gives early indications of potentially another record summer travel season. As we’ve noted previously, a high percentage of these bookings are capable and what is on the books today for the summer period represents a small percentage of the total bookings that we expect to ultimately receive. David will provide further details on fourth quarter results and on our thoughts about the first quarter and full year 2024. Looking back at the full year of 2023, I am proud of our efforts to drive more benefits to our travelers and supply partners while also delivering record-setting industry-leading financial results. We reached a significant milestone last year with our customers’ booking an all-time high of over 1 billion room nights on our platform, which was an increase of 17% versus 2022.”

As the demand for travel and tourism continues to grow, companies operating in this space are launching new products, engaging in mergers and acquisitions, increasing investments, and forming contracts and collaborations. Marriott International Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is an American multinational hospitality company. It operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts in more than 130 countries around the world. On March 7, Marriott International Inc. (NYSE:MAR) announced that it has entered into an agreement with Victoria Park Hotels Ltd. to launch The Park Lane Hong Kong, Autograph Collection. This new addition is set to become part of Autograph Collection Hotels by early 2025. Autograph Collection Hotels’ portfolio includes more than 300 independent properties in some of the most desirable locations around the world. Situated within a 28-story mixed-use complex featuring retail spaces on the lower floors, the new hotel is projected to have 820 guest rooms, an executive lounge, 3 unique dining venues, extensive event spaces spanning over 1,700 square meters, and various recreational facilities. Some of the guest rooms will boast stunning views of Victoria Harbour, while others will overlook the city or Victoria Park in Hong Kong.

On February 7, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) announced an exclusive strategic partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) that will introduce guests of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) to a wide range of hotels in some of the most popular destinations around the world. This collaboration will significantly enhance Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s (NYSE:HLT) luxury offerings as unique SLH properties become part of the esteemed Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, and LXR Hotels & Resorts brands.

Now that we have discussed what’s going on in the global travel and tourism industry, let’s take a look at the 20 largest travel companies in the world.

A line of travellers queuing for a commercial flight, emphasizing the airport management operations.

Methodology

In this article, we have listed the 20 largest travel companies in the world. To find the top travel companies in the world, we sifted through various sources including industry reports, our own rankings in addition to rankings available on various websites, and consulted stock screeners from Yahoo Finance and Finviz. For companies that are publicly traded, we decided to rank them according to their market capitalization as of March 9. We used fiscal year revenues to rank the companies that are not publicly traded. For foreign companies, we converted the market caps and revenues to US dollars according to their respective exchange rates, as of March 9. Finally, we narrowed down our selection to rank the 20 largest travel companies in the world based on their market capitalization and revenues, which are listed below in ascending order.

20. Host Hotels & Resorts Inc. ( NYSE: HST )

Market Capitalization: $14.9 Billion

Host Hotels & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:HST) is a major American lodging real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in hotels. It owns a diverse portfolio of luxury and upper-upscale hotels. Host Hotels & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:HST) has a market capitalization of $14.9 billion as of March 9, 2024.

19. Hyatt Hotels Corporation ( NYSE: H )

Market Capitalization: $16.12 Billion

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) is an American multinational hospitality company. As one of the world’s top hospitality companies, it manages and franchises luxury and business hotels, resorts, and vacation properties in more than 70 countries across 6 continents. As of March 9, 2024, Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) has a market capitalization of $16.12 billion.

18. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC ( NYSE: IHG )

Market Capitalization: $17.4 Billion

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) is a British multinational hospitality company. With more than 6,000 hotels in over 100 countries, it is one of the world’s leading hotel companies. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) has a market capitalization of $17.4 billion as of March 9, 2024. It ranks 18th on our list of the 20 biggest travel companies in the world.

17. Expedia Group Inc. ( NASDAQ: EXPE )

Market Capitalization: $18.5 Billion

Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE) is an American travel technology company. As one of the top travel agencies in the world, it owns and operates various brands including Expedia, Hotels.com, CarRentals.com, Vrbo, Travelocity, Trivago, Orbitz, Ebookers, CheapTickets, and Expedia Cruises. As of March 9, 2024, Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE) has a market capitalization of $18.5 billion.

16. Southwest Airlines Co. ( NYSE: LUV )

Market Capitalization: $20.44 Billion

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) is an American airline company. It offers low-cost air travel service with frequent flights of mostly short routes. As one of the biggest travel companies in the world, Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) has a market capitalization of $20.44 billion as of March 9, 2024.

15. Qatar Airways Group

Revenue: $21 Billion

Qatar Airways Group is the flag carrier of Qatar. Owned by the Government of Qatar, it is one of the world’s top airlines and it currently flies to over 170 international destinations. Qatar Airways Group generated an annual revenue of $21 billion in the year 2022-2023. It ranks among the top 15 on our list of the 20 largest travel companies in the world.

14. Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL )

Market Capitalization: $21.38 Billion

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) is a British-American cruise operator. As one of the world's largest leisure travel companies, it owns some of the most well-known cruise line brands in North America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Australia. Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) has a market capitalization of $21.38 billion as of March 9, 2024.

13. Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited (SEHK:0027)

Market Capitalization: $21.83 Billion

Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited (SEHK:0027) is one of Asia’s top developers and operators of integrated entertainment and resort facilities. It owns and operates a broad portfolio of integrated resort, retail, dining, hotel, and gaming facilities in Macau. As one of the top travel companies in the world, Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited (SEHK:0027) has a market capitalization of $21.83 billion as of March 9, 2024.

12. Delta Air Lines Inc. ( NYSE: DAL )

Market Capitalization: $27.17 Billion

Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL) is one of America’s major airlines. It is also one of the world’s largest airlines by number of passengers carried. As one of the top travel companies in the world, Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL) has a market capitalization of $27.17 billion as of March 9, 2024.

11. Amadeus IT Group S.A. (BME:AMS)

Market Capitalization: $27.31 Billion

Amadeus IT Group S.A. (BME:AMS) is a Spanish multinational technology company that develops technology and software for airlines, travel agencies, hotels, payment providers, and other travel-related businesses to enhance their operations and customer experiences. With a presence in more than 190 countries, the company provides software solutions for the global travel and tourism industry. As of March 9, 2024, Amadeus IT Group S.A. (BME:AMS) has a market capitalization of $27.31 billion.

10. Trip.com Group Limited ( NASDAQ: TCOM )

Market Capitalization: $28.27 Billion

Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) is a multinational travel service company that ranks among the top 10 on our list of the largest travel companies in the world. It owns and operates several travel agencies and travel fare aggregators including Ctrip, Qunar, Trip.com and Skyscanner. As of March 9, 2024, Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) has a market capitalization of $28.27 billion.

9. Ryanair Holdings plc ( NASDAQ: RYAAY )

Market Capitalization: $32.3 Billion

Ryanair Holdings plc (NASDAQ:RYAAY) is an Irish airline company. As one of Europe's largest airline groups, it is the parent company of Ryanair, Ryanair UK, Buzz, Lauda, and Malta Air. With a market capitalization of $32.3 billion as of March 9, 2024, Ryanair Holdings plc (NASDAQ:RYAAY) ranks 9th on our list of the 20 largest travel companies in the world.

8. Emirates Group

Revenue: $32.6 Billion

Emirates Group is Dubai’s state-owned international aviation holding company. It owns Dubai National Air Travel Agency (dnata), an airport and ground services company, and Emirates Airline, one of the largest airlines in the Middle East. Emirates Group generated an annual revenue of $32.6 billion in the year 2022-2023.

7. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. ( NYSE: RCL )

Market Capitalization: $32.71 Billion

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL) is a global cruise holding company that owns and operates cruise brands including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. As one of the world’s largest cruise line operators, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL) has a global fleet of 65 ships traveling to around 1,000 destinations around the world. The company has a market capitalization of $32.71 billion as of March 9, 2024.

6. Las Vegas Sands Corp. ( NYSE: LVS )

Market Capitalization: $38.81 Billion

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) is an American casino and resort company that owns and operates integrated resorts in Macao and Singapore. As a driver of valuable leisure and business tourism, it is one of the world’s largest hotel and casino companies. With a market capitalization of $38.81 billion as of March 9, 2024, Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) ranks 6th on our list of the 20 largest travel companies in the world.

Click to continue reading and see 5 Largest Travel Companies In The World .

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Disclosure: None. 20 Largest Travel Companies In The World is published on Insider Monkey.

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The best tour operators in the world: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards

Scott Dunn

It’s been a challenging few years for tour operators but the names below are in it for the long haul (as well as the short and medium), honing itineraries and managing expectations. So who prepared your travel documents this year? Red Savannah and Black Tomato scored highest for first-hand knowledge, and Exodus Adventure Travels and Abercrombie & Kent for on-the-ground support. But when it came to all-round endeavour, Scott Dunn and The Turquoise Holiday Company were leaders of the pack. Both report a surge of interest in Asia, as well as multi-generational travel, solo adventures to Namibia, Bhutan and Mexico, and authentic experiences such as outback stations in Australia and bear lodges in Canada.

These are the best tour operators in the world, according to the 2023 Readers' Choice Awards . The scores below are percentages representing overall average levels of satisfaction.

The Turquoise Holiday Company

The best general tour operators in the world 2023

15. Cox & Kings. Score 88.00

14. Hayes & Jarvis. Score 89.44

13. Carrier. Score 90.73

12. Simpson Travel. Score 91.48

11. Kuoni. Score 92.82

10. Mr & Mrs Smith. Score 93.29

9. Kensington Tours. Score 94.14

8. Audley Travel. Score 94.77

7. Original Travel. Score 95.44

6. Cazenove + Loyd. Score 95.92

5. The Ultimate Travel Company. Score 96.75

4. Abercrombie & Kent. Score 97.12

3. Elegant Resorts. Score 97.39

2. Red Savannah. Score 97.96

  • The Turquoise Holiday Company. Score 98.42

Scott Dunn

The best travel specialists in the world 2023

15. Wild Frontiers. Score 94.81

14. Martin Randall Travel. Score 95.17

13. Intrepid Travel. Score 95.40

12. Wilderness. Score 96.54.

11. Inntravel. Score 96.88

10. Oxford Ski Company. Score 97.15

9. Kirker Holidays. Score 97.47

8. andBeyond. Score 97.61

7. Ampersand Travel. Score 97.65.

6. InsideJapan Tours. Score 97.79

5. Steppes Travel. Score 97.88

4. Black Tomato. Score 98.03

3. Exodus Adventure Travels. Score 98.15

2. Healing Holidays. Score 98.35

  • Scott Dunn. Score 98.70

Bizvibe Blog

Global B2B Marketplace for Supplier Selection, Vendor Selection

Top 10 Travel Companies in the World by Sales in 2020, Travel Industry Factsheet

top 10 travel companies in the world

The Current State of the Travel Industry

As economic prosperity rises all over the world, the top 10 travel companies in the world are contributing to stellar growth and driving critical innovation by leveraging technology in a modern travel industry.

How big is the travel industry?  As the economy for travel and tourism becomes more lucrative for a global audience, the travel industry grows as well. The global travel industry has grown from USD 6.03 trillion in 2006 to USD 8.27 trillion by 2017, growing at a CAGR of 2.9% — making the travel and tourism industry one of the world’s largest industries in the world in terms of global economic contribution (direct, indirect and induced).

  • Discover who are the top 10 travel companies in the world by sales in 2020?
  • A complete ranking and breakdown of 20 of the top travel companies in the global travel industry right now.
  • Travel and tourism industry trends and stats you should know.

BizVibe is already helping the top travel companies in the world connect. Connect and track the latest news and insights from these companies.

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Travel Industry Trends and Stats

  • Convenient booking remains the biggest trend in the global travel industry.
  • Solo Travel: Leisure travel is no longer just a family affair.
  • The travel and tourism industry generated 10.4 percent of all global economic activity last year.
  • The travel industry is the second-fastest-growing sector in the world, ahead of healthcare (+3.1%), information technology (+1.7%) and financial services (+1.7%), and behind only manufacturing.
  • Last year, travel and tourism increased its share of leisure spending to 78.5 percent.
  • Three in five travel companies say they offer customer service via chat.

Top 10 Travel Companies in the World by Sales in 2020

Who are the top 10 travel companies in the world by sales as of 2020? The following is a list of largest adventure travel companies and top travel agencies ranked by sales generated in USD billion.

Top Travel Companies in the World

1.    Expedia Group

What is the best travel agency? That’s a hard and subjective question to answer, but if you were to go by the best travel agency in the world in terms of sales, then your answer is Expedia Group. Expedia Group is an American online travel shopping company for consumer and small business travel. The company is mainly known for its travel fare aggregator websites where you can drop in and book all your travel needs from flights, car rentals, and even hotels. Expedia is also a metasearch engine to search up and plan your entire travel plans.

Expedia is a travel technology company that brought in sales of USD 99 billion last — making it the leaders in sales among the top 10 travel companies in the world on this list. In addition to the main expedia.com website, the company runs multiple websites from the best travel companies including Travelocity and trivago.

  • Founded: 1996
  • Expedia Group Headquarters: Bellevue, Washington, USA
  • Expedia Group Sales: USD 99 billion
  • Expedia Group Number of Employees: 24,000

Expedia Group Products and Services

  • Classic Vacations
  • Expedia CruiseShipCenters
  • Expedia Local Expert
  • Expedia Partner Solutions
  • Hotwire Group
  • Travelocity

2.    Booking Holdings

Number 2 on this list of the top 10 travel companies in the world is the American company Booking Holdings Inc. The company is known for operating travel fare aggregator websites and travel and tourism search engines such as its flagship booking.com, as well as Priceline.com, Agoda.com, Kayak.com, Cheapflights, Rentalcars.com, Momondo, and OpenTable. Booking Holdings generated sales of USD 92.7 billion last year, with nearly 90% of its profits coming from booking.com and outside the USA. Book Holdings is truly a global travel company that is expected to continue generating stellar sales within the global market.

  • Booking Holdings Headquarters: Norwalk, Connecticut, USA
  • Booking Holdings Sales: USD 92.7 billion
  • Booking Holdings Number of Employees: 24,500

Booking Holdings Products and Services

               .

  • Cheapflights

3.    American Express Global Business Travel

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) is 3 rd on this list of the top 10 travel companies in the world. GBT is a corporate management travel company operating under a 50% ownership stake from American Express. GBT is known as a business travel management company, major corporations use GBT’s services to manage corporate travel and meetings programs, providing services and support to business travelers.

Last year, GBT brought in sales of USD 33.7 billion — making it one of the top travel companies going by sales figures.

  • Founded: 2016
  • American Express Global Business Travel Headquarters: Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
  • American Express Global Business Travel Sales: USD 33.7 billion
  • American Express Global Business Travel Number of Employees: 17,400

4.    BCD Travel

BCD Travel ranks 4 th on BizVibe’s list of the best travel companies by sales figures in 2020. BCD Travel is a provider of global corporate travel management and the largest travel company in the Netherlands. Currently, the company operates in over 109 countries and last year generated USD 27.1 billion in sales. BCD Travel’s parent company is BCD Group, a privately held Dutch company focused on travel services and corporate travel management.

  • Founded: 2006
  • BCD Travel Headquarters: Utrecht, Netherlands
  • BCD Travel Sales: USD 27.1 billion
  • BCD Travel Number of Employees: 13,800

BCD Travel Products and Services

  • Travel management
  • Travel consulting, meetings and events

5.    CWT

Formerly known as Carlson Wagonlit Travel, CWT ranks 5 th on this list of the top 10 travel companies in the world by sales in 2020. CWT is a travel management company that manages business travel, meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions, and handles event management. The company is known for running a top tier B2B travel management platform, offering business travel, technology, and meetings and events management across 145 countries.

Last year, CWT generated sales of USD 25 billion — making it one of the top travel companies in the world in terms of transactional sales.

  • Founded: 1994
  • CWT Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
  • CWT Sales: USD 25 billion
  • CWT Number of Employees: 18,000

6.    Flight Centre Travel Group

6 th on BizVibe’s list of the top 10 travel companies in the world is Flight Centre, the largest retail travel agency in Australia.  Flight Centre is headquartered in Brisbane and was founded in 1982. Flight Centre operates over 2,800 stores and offices under various retail and corporate brands in n Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Hong Kong, India, China, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and Mexico.

Last year, Flight Centre generated USD 16 billion making it one of the top travel agencies in the world by sales numbers. 50% of the company’s sales come from leisure and 50% from business.

  • Founded: 1982
  • Flight Centre Headquarters: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  • Flight Centre Sales: USD 16 billion
  • Flight Centre Number of Employees: 20,600

7.    Travel Leaders Group

Ranking 7 th on BizVibe’s list of the top 10 travel companies in the world is the Travel Leaders Group, a multi-unit travel industry company headquartered in New York City that has more than 7,000 company-owned, franchised and affiliated travel agency locations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Mexico. The company has more than 52,000 travel agents worldwide and last year generated sales of USD 7.12 billion — making it one of the best travel agencies around. USD 3.73 billion in sales come from 52,000 hosted agents.

  • Travel Leaders Group Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
  • Travel Leaders Group Sales: USD 12 billion
  • Travel Leaders Group Number of Employees: 4,000

8.    American Express Travel

American Express Travel is a full-service global travel and lifestyle network and 8 th on this list of the top 10 travel companies in the world by sales. Last year the company generated sales of USD 6.27 billion. In March 2014, American Express announced that it signed an agreement to create a joint venture for business travel and spun off its corporate travel business like American Express Global Business Travel

  • Founded: 1915
  • American Express Travel Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
  • American Express Travel Sales: USD 6.27 billion
  • American Express Travel Number of Employees: 5,000

9.    Direct Travel

Direct Travel is a leading travel management company, DT creates personalized solutions through an agile approach to corporate travel, meetings & events, and leisure. The company ranks 9 th on BizVibe’s list of the top 10 travel companies in the world due to its stellar sales figures — generating USD 5.4 billion in transactional sales last year.

DT sells directly to consumers for corporate travel, meetings and incentives, group travel, and leisure vacations., with 87% of its sales coming from its business segment; 8% from leisure, and 5% from all other avenues.

  • Founded: 1980
  • Direct Travel Headquarters: Centennial, Colorado, USA
  • Direct Travel Sales: USD 5.4 billion
  • Direct Travel Number of Employees: 2,000

10.  Corporate Travel Management

Rounding out BizVibe’s list of the top 10 travel companies in the world in 2020 is Corporate Travel Management, a global provider of innovative and cost-effective travel solutions spanning corporate, events, leisure, loyalty, and wholesale travel. CTM provides local service solutions to customers around the world, through a blend of CTM owned and operated offices and a network of independent partner agencies. Last year, CTM generated USD 5 billion in sales — making it one of the top travel companies in the world by sales numbers.

  • Corporate Travel Management Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, USA
  • Corporate Travel Management Sales: USD 5 billion
  • Corporate Travel Management Number of Employees: 725

This is BizVibe’s list of the top 10 travel companies in the world in 2020 by sales. These companies are changing the way businesses are pushing the boundaries in the global travel industry and are leveraging technology to push travel agencies and corporate travel management to new heights.

Reach out to the top travel companies on BizVibe today.

Top Travel Companies by Sales in 2020

The following is BizVibe’s complete ranking of the top travel companies in the world by sales figures in 2020.  This list of travel companies are paving the way for success in the travel industry, connect with them on the BizVibe platform to track the latest news and insights from these companies.

The Future of the Global Travel Industry

What’s the future of the global travel industry? As economic prosperity rises throughout the world, the travel industry will be flooded by people from all over the world, and businesses are going to be at the forefront of this growth pushing their services to meet demand. Expect the top 10 travel companies in the world to continues pushing the industry to new heights. The main thing to keep in mind going forward as more people travel from all over the world is that the future will be about more travelers and easier to reach places

Connect on BizVibe

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15 Best Tour Companies of 2024

Tour companies like Intrepid Travel and G Adventures can help you create the experience of a lifetime. Choosing the right company depends on your destination and travel preferences.

Best Tour Companies

Guided tours can be a great way to experience a new destination, but you want to make sure you get the best experience possible. How can you find the best tour companies to guide your adventure?

Whether you’re looking for group trips, self-guided tours, river cruises, tours for solo travelers, or overseas adventure travel, you want to find a tour operator that can deliver a seamless, enjoyable, and authentic experience, all without zeroing out your bank account.

Here are the top 15 tour companies out there today. I’ll walk you through what each excels at and how to pick the best one for you.

  • Our Top Picks
  • Best Tour Company Overall: Intrepid Travel
  • Best Small Group Tour Company: G Adventures
  • Best for Day Tours: Get Your Guide
  • Best Tour Company for Solo Travelers: Go Ahead Tours
  • Best Tour Company for Families: Adventures by Disney
  • Best Tour Company for Seniors: Trafalgar
  • Best Tour Company for Europe: Tauck
  • Best Tour Company for Italy: Insight Vacations
  • Best Tour Company for Ireland and Scotland: CIE Tours
  • Best Iceland Tour Company: Nicetravel Iceland
  • Best Tour Company for Spain and Portugal: Cosmos
  • Best Egypt Tour Company: Exodus
  • Best Asia Tour Company: Klook
  • Best Tour Company for Israel: Click Tours
  • Best Tour Company for Greece: Epos Travel Tours

Intrepid Travel : Best Tour Company Overall

Interpid Travel

When you imagine travel tours, you may picture massive group tours and a bus packed with 50 noisy, gawking tourists.

That’s not what you get with Intrepid Travel . This company specializes in adventurous and immersive small group tours with an average of 10 people.

Operating on all seven continents, Intrepid offers a huge range of trip types to fit any traveler. You can choose biking tours across New Zealand, river cruises in Europe, trekking in the Himalayas, or wildlife safaris in the Serengeti. There are options for all-female adventures, family expeditions, active trips for adventure travelers, or trips catering specifically to 18-29 year olds.

If you don’t want to spend the trip of a lifetime sitting on your butt looking out a bus window, Intrepid Travel is for you. Their group trips are designed to fully immerse you in the culture and beauty of a new place. Here are two examples of what you’ll get from Intrepid Travel:

With the Alaska: Hike, Bike, & Kayak tour, you are led by an expert guide on a range of active adventures through some of Alaska’s best scenery and national parks. You’ll go sea kayaking, cycle along the rugged Alaskan coast, and hike through Denali National Park.

If you’re looking for more of a cultural experience, the Premium Sri Lanka tour is an incredible journey through the culture, history, food, and wildlife of this island. You’ll explore ancient temples, eat incredible food with locals, and search for leopards in the country’s wildlife preserves.

One last perk: Intrepid Travel is a Certified B-Corp, meaning they are dedicated to doing good in the world. They donate to worldwide relief causes and offset the carbon footprint of every trip they operate.

G Adventures : Best Small Group Tour Company

G Adventures Logo

If you’re looking for small group tours, G Adventures is one of the best in the category. Just like with Intrepid, their tour groups average 10 people, so, with G Adventures, you won’t have to deal with being part of a massive hoard of tourists.

So what sets G Adventures apart? Unlike many tour operators, they focus on helping you get exactly the experience you’re looking for instead of packing every day with a rigid schedule. Every trip offers a wide range of optional activities that you can pick and choose from to personalize your experience. Plus, you can opt for more free time to explore or hang out on your own.

I also love that G Adventures hires all local guides. They put a lot of emphasis on their guides, even calling them CEOs (chief experience officers). That means you get local, insider expertise on your trip. Your tour director will speak the local language, know the best spots to eat, and fully understand the culture.

If you’re looking for big luxurious hotels and resorts, G Adventures probably isn’t for you. Instead of going to the big chain hotels, G Adventures uses locally owned and operated lodgings.

This has two benefits. First, you get a much more authentic local experience. Big hotel chains don’t have the same charm and character as a true local hotel. Second, your money will go toward benefiting the local economy rather than some giant corporation. That’s a big win for G Adventures in my book.

Get Your Guide : Best for Day Tours

Get Your Guide

You may not need or want a fully guided multi-day group tour, But sometimes it’s nice to have the guidance of a local expert for a truly unique experience that you couldn’t get otherwise. Choosing day tours is a great way to get the benefits of guided group tours without being stuck with a tour group for your entire trip.

Get Your Guide is my favorite resource for finding amazing day tours, entry tickets, and other travel experiences. It’s perfect for more independent travelers who can manage the details of their own trip, but are looking for shorter guided tours.

How does it work? Get Your Guide is essentially an online marketplace where you can search for and reserve tours, museum passes, adventure activities, and more.

For example, let’s say you’re planning a trip to Sweden. On Get Your Guide, you could book a dog sled adventure to see the northern lights, a day cruise on an icebreaker ship, a “ghost-walk” historical tour of Old Stockholm, and a guided ice climbing excursion.

I’m already getting excited about that trip.

Go Ahead Tours : Best Tour Company for Solo Travelers

Go Ahead Tours

Solo travel can be a bit intimidating, especially if you don’t have a lot of travel experience. I’ve found that group tours can be a great way to ease some of the stress and make it easier to enjoy your trip as a solo traveler.

Go Ahead Tours is one of the best tour companies that specializes in trips for solo travelers. With their solo trips, you always get a private room at no extra cost, and the other travelers in your tour group will also be solo—so you don’t end up as the awkward 17th wheel in someone else’s family vacation. As a solo traveler with Go Ahead Tours, you get all the benefits and security of a group trip, and you’ll meet other amazing people traveling the world on their own.

Go Ahead Tours focuses on small group itineraries in tour destinations around the globe, from popular destinations to locations off the beaten path. Want a food-centric trip across Italy? Check. Want to visit South America and hike to Machu Picchu? Check. How about a wildlife safari in Kenya? Yep, they’ve got that. Go Ahead Tours offers the best group tours for solo travelers, and you may even make some new friends on the way.

Adventures by Disney : Best Tour Company for Families

Adventures By Disney

Family travel can seem complicated, especially if you have younger kids. Group tours can help simplify planning the dream trip, but tour operators often plan trips focused on adults, so younger travelers may get bored quickly.

Adventures by Disney is one of the few group travel companies that specialize in family-oriented trips and tours, from South America to Scandinavia. Disney Vacations designs their group trips to have something for everyone: wine tastings for the adults, adventure scavenger hunts for the kids, and sights and experiences that will engage your entire family.

Disney Adventures trips are a bit pricier than many other group travel companies, so not all families will be able to afford them. However, if you can make it work with your budget, your family will get an amazing experience that you just won’t find from more mainstream travel.

Trafalgar : Best Tour Company for Seniors

Trafalgar is one of the biggest (and best) group travel companies in the world. They offer hundreds of international trips to popular destinations around the globe.

Trafalgar’s guided tours are great for travelers of all age groups, but they cater particularly to senior travelers. The majority of Trafalgar guests are over 50. It’s also great for family tours to get grandparents and grandkids spending quality time together.

If you’re looking for highly active itineraries with adventure activities packed in, Trafalgar may not be the best for you. They focus more on cultural immersion, history, architecture, and local cuisine. Trafalgar is a great choice if you want to take a deep dive into the essence of your destination.

You can count on having a tour leader who is an expert in the local culture and history, and you will come home with tons of new knowledge.

Trafalgar focuses primarily on land-based tours, but they also offer a range of cruise vacations if you want to travel by sea.

Hotel stays, meals, transportation to/from the airport, and all the logistics are all arranged for you. You can even add on flights, extra hotel nights, and travel insurance so you don’t have to worry about any additional complications for your trip.

Tauck : Best Tour Company for Europe

Tauck

Tauck is another big name in group tours that operates on all seven continents. While they have guided tours all around the globe, Tauck is an especially good choice if you’re looking for a group tour in Europe.

It’s easy to go to European cities, see the major tourist sites, and head home without really diving deep into the culture and spirit of the place. My favorite thing about Tauck is that their European tours are designed to give you more than just the standard tourist experience. Their Yellow Roads of Europe tours take you off the beaten path for a truly unique European experience.

Every Tauck tour pairs you with handpicked expert local guides who will help fully immerse you in the experience.

Tauck offers both river cruises and land-based group tours. If you want a unique European experience, imagine cruising through Western Europe along the Seine.

Insight Vacations : Best Tour Company for Italy

Insight Vacations

Almost every traveler dreams of a bucket list trip to Italy. What’s not to love? Amazing food, amazing sights, amazing culture, Italy has it all.

If you’re looking for the best guided tours in Italy, I highly recommend Insight Vacations . Insight offers tours all over the world, but their Italy tours are especially good. Whether you want to see the major sights, learn to live like a local, or sample the best food from around the country (or all of the above!) they’ve got tours for you.

As an example, you could choose their Best of Italy Tour for your next trip. This 11-day tour includes stays in Rome, Florence, Venice, and more. You’ll learn from local artisans, eat farm-to-table meals on the foothills of Mount Vesuvius, and get a VIP tour of the Vatican (including areas normally off-limits to visitors).

Insight’s tours are all led by local tour guides who speak the language and have in-depth knowledge of the culture and history of each site you visit.

If you’re traveling with a group of 10 or more people, Insight Vacations can also put together custom itineraries specifically for your group.

CIE Tours : Best Tour Company for Ireland and Scotland

CIE Tours

If you’re into history, stunning scenery, charming towns, or good times at the pub, you would probably love touring Ireland and Scotland. CIE Tours is technically based in the US, but it’s partially owned and operated by the Irish government. It specializes in travel to Ireland, Scotland, and a few other European countries.

This dialed-in focus means that there are no better guided tours for Ireland and Scotland. I highly recommend their Taste of Scotland and Ireland Tour . In 11 days, you’ll experience sightseeing in Glasgow and Dublin, a day cruise on Loch Ness, carriage rides through the Irish countryside, and a feast in a historic castle.

Their tours have a great balance of exciting sightseeing and activities with enough downtime to relax or do plenty of exploring on your own. It’s a great way to get all the benefits of group travel without feeling like you have no control over your schedule.

If you want more freedom, CIE also offers independent adventures. They will build an itinerary for you and book your lodgings, admission tickets to attractions, and rental car (or you can opt for a private driver). You can choose from their pre-packaged itineraries, or build your own custom trip.

I also appreciate that CIE Tours has fairly affordable rates that include all admission tickets and most of your meals. Plus, they often offer discounts on airfare!

Nicetravel Iceland : Best Iceland Tour Company

NiceTravel

Maybe you’ve always been intrigued by Iceland’s wild, untamed beauty (I know I have). If you want to experience this first hand, Nicetravel Iceland is one of the best group travel companies in this amazing country.

Nicetravel Iceland by three local Icelandic families, so they have a lot of local expertise. They offer trips ranging from 8 hours to over a week and have itineraries to suit any type of traveler, whether you want to relax in natural hot spring pools or hike along the glaciers and coastlines.

They focus on small group tours, and you’ll never have more than 19 people in your group. Most of their tours start from the capital, Reykjavik, and will drive you to various destinations in Mercedes Sprinter Vans. Way better than the huge tour buses many other companies use.

In addition to standard tours for sightseeing, they also have a range of tour options for more adventurous travelers. You’re in the right place if you want to explore caves, hike on glaciers, or raft down raging rivers.

Cosmos : Best Tour Company for Spain and Portugal

Cosmos

For a tour operator on the Iberian Peninsula, Cosmos is one of the best choices, especially if you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg. Cosmos has been guiding group travel for nearly a century, and they employ expert local guides to help you get the most from your trip.

The Cosmos Best of Spain and Portugal Tour is an incredible 13-day group travel itinerary. You will stay in 7 amazing cities across the two countries and visit a wide range of historical sites.

Cosmos is also a good choice for responsible travel, as they have several initiatives to support local communities and planet-focused nonprofits like the African Wildlife Foundation, The Ocean Cleanup, and Trees4Travel. I appreciate companies that are taking steps toward sustainable travel.

Exodus : Best Egypt Tour Company

Exodus Adventure Travels

It’s hard to visit any travel website without seeing a picture of the Great Pyramids. Egypt has captivated the minds of explorers and travelers for centuries, and it is worth having on your bucket list.

If you want a guided tour of Egypt, I highly recommend Exodus Travels . With destinations on all seven continents, Exodus Travels is one of the most popular group travel companies for adventurous travelers, and their Egyptian tours are particularly good.

With 9 different guided tours in Egypt, you can find the perfect itinerary for your trip. Exodus Travels is a true expert in the industry and hires incredible guides for their group travel excursions.

Plus, Exodus Travels also offers trips that are perfect for family travel.

Klook : Best Asia Tour Company

Klook Logo

Whether you want to experience the hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo or an adventurous trek to Everest Base Camp, Klook is one of the best group travel companies for Asia.

Klook is more than just a tour operator. It is a marketplace for everything travel, from airline tickets to hotels to tickets to museums, theme parks, and more. Klook offers trips for small groups or individual travelers all around the globe, but they are based in Asia, and that’s where they focus.

Klooks South Korea Tour will take you to Nami Island, through beautiful gardens, and into a centuries-old palace in Seoul.

Click Tours : Best Tour Company for Israel

Click Tours

Click Tours specializes in group travel in Europe and the Middle East, and Israel is by far their most popular tour destination. In Israel, Click Tours will offer trips ranging from 3-day highlight tours to 18-day deep-dive cultural experiences.

They focus on small group travel, and your tour group will have 15-24 guests. That means you get more personal attention and a more authentic experience of the country.

A tour of Israel with Click Tours will focus on historical and archeological sites. You’ll visit temples and ruins that are thousands of years old as well as dive into the amazing food and rich culture of Israel.

Epos Travel Tours : Best Tour Company for Greece

Epos Travel

If you’re looking for a group travel trip to Greece, Epos Travel Tours is a local company based in Tripolis that offers tours across the country.

Since Epos Travel Tours specializes only in Greece, you can expect catered trips and insider knowledge. They are truly the experts in travel to Greece, and their trip itineraries are designed to help you get the most from your trip, whether you want to visit historical sites or delve into amazing food and culture.

If you’re into history and architecture, their tour of Ancient Corinth is hard to beat!

Best Tour Companies FAQ

Which is the best tour company in the world.

In my experience, Intrepid Travel is the best tour operator. They have amazing small-group tours.

What are the top travel companies?

The top travel companies for tours include Intrepid Travel , G Adventures , and Trafalgar .

Is Globus or Trafalgar better?

Trafalgar is usually the better choice. They offer amazing all-inclusive tours around the world.

Are tour companies worth it?

Group travel can be worth it if you want the stress and planning taken out of your trip.

Who is the biggest tour company?

Disney is the biggest tour company by revenue.

How do you know if a tour company is legit?

It is a good idea to look for reviews of a tour company on TripAdvisor.

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Jakob Thygerson

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10 Largest Travel Companies In The World

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Travel, while rewarding, can also be stressful. With so many options for flights, hotels, and rental cars, and so many variables that can quickly go wrong, it’s all too easy for a relaxing vacation or a productive business trip to quickly become harrowing and unnecessarily expensive.

Because of this, individual travelers and companies who require their employees to travel have been hiring experts to plan trips and handle unexpected hurdles for them for decades.

Now, thanks to the internet, travel companies have shifted to also providing tools for travelers to book their own trips with the same access, discounts, and assurance they’d receive if they hired an agent to do it all for them.

If you prefer to have someone do it all for you, though, many of these organizations still provide live service via their travel agents as well.

There are a number of these travel companies around the world, and in this article, you’ll find a list of the top ten ranked by sales revenue in 2019.

Expedia Group Jobs ( Overview )

Booking Holdings Jobs ( Overview )

American Express Jobs ( Overview )

BCD Travel Jobs ( Overview )

Carlson Wagonlit Travel Jobs ( Overview )

Flight Centre Jobs ( Overview )

Fareportal Jobs ( Overview )

10 Largest Travel Companies in the World

Expedia Group . Seattle, Washington , U.S.A.

2019 Sales Revenue: $107.9 billion

Founded in 1996, Expedia Group is an online travel company that uses its online platforms to help travelers find flights, hotels, and other travel services without having to hire a travel agent . It has three business segments through which it serves individual customers, creates partnerships with businesses, and generates advertising revenue.

Expedia started out as a division of Microsoft. In 1996, Microsoft launched the website that is now Expedia.com as Microsoft Expedia Travel Services, one of the first online travel agencies. In 1999, Expedia was spun off into a public company.

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Booking Holdings . Norwalk, Connecticut , U.S.A.

2019 Sales Revenue: $96.4 billion

Formerly The Priceline Group, Booking Holdings was founded in 1997 with the launch of Priceline.com, an online travel website that used a bidding model for pricing. It then began to expand its portfolio by acquiring travel companies and changed its name to Booking Holdings in 2018.

Today, Booking Holdings operates through six brands: Dutch startup Booking.com, the company’s original Priceline platform, Singapore-based accommodation booking program Agoda, car hiring platform Rentalcars.com, travel search engine Kayak, and restaurant reservation provider OpenTable.

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American Express . Jersey City, New Jersey , U.S.A.

2019 Sales Revenue: $34.1 billion

American Express Global Business Travel (referred to as GBT) is an organization that works with businesses to help them organize and manage their travel programs.

GBT helps clients easily find the best deals, book flights, hotels, and meeting venues, manage the risk that comes with their travel programs, and support travelers as they go in case their flights get canceled, or they run into other snags.

Even though GBT started as a part of American Express and has kept its name, the company is now a joint venture between American Express and several other investors.

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BCD Travel . Utrecht, Netherlands

2019 Sales Revenue: $27.5 billion

Similar to GBT, BCD Travel offers travel consulting and management services to companies. BCD Travel operates in 109 countries and boasts a global client retention rate of 98%.

Founded in 2006, BCD Travel was born when BCD Group, a privately owned travel company that owns BCD Travel, purchased and combined TQ3 Travel Solutions Management Holding GmbH, The Travel Company, and WorldTravel BTI.

BCD Travel is based in Utrecht, Netherlands, but it also has its headquarter locations in Atlanta, London, and Singapore. It has one subsidiary, global meetings, and events agency called BCD Meetings and Events.

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Carlson Wagonlit Travel . Minneapolis, Minnesota , U.S.A.

2019 Sales Revenue: $24.8 billion

Originally called Carlson Wagonlit Travel, CWT is a travel management company that was founded in 1994. It serves businesses by providing business travel, meeting, conference, exhibition, incentives, and event management services.

These services are called CWT Energy, Resources and Marine, CWT Meetings and Events, CWTSatoTravel, CWT Solutions Group, and RoomIt by CWT.

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Flight Centre . Montvale, New Jersey , U.S.A.

2019 Sales Revenue: $16 billion

Flight Centre Travel Group is a travel agency that serves both leisure and corporate travelers. It was founded in 1982 in Sydney, Australia, and just 13 years later, the company opened locations in the U.K. and Canada.

FCTG arrived in the Americas in 1995 when it opened up a Flight Centre store in Canada, and it expanded into the U.S. in 2008 when it acquired Liberty Travel and into Mexico in 2015 when it acquired Koch Overseas de Mexico.

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Internova Travel Group. New York City, New York, U.S.A.

2019 Sales Revenue: $7.46 billion

Internova Travel Group was founded in 2008 and owns a variety of travel companies and agencies in over 80 countries. Its main markets are the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Mexico.

Internova owns over 6,000 travel agencies and represents over 65,000 travel advisors. Internova’s services include luxury leisure and premium corporate travel products, hosting, franchising, and meetings and incentives advisory.

American Express . New York City, New York, U.S.A.

2019 Sales Revenue: $6.93 billion

American Express Travel is an online travel booking platform that allows customers to plan and book their vacations. Unlike the similarly named American Express Global Business Travel, it is a subsidiary of American Express Company.

While you don’t have to have an American Express credit card to use these services, customers who have cards earn points on their purchases, and American Express Platinum cardholders avoid a variety of service fees and access bonuses such as vacation package discounts, dining credits, and room upgrades.

American Express Travel also offers live travel agents available 24/7 to help customers with any travel snafus or questions they may have.

Direct Travel. Centennial, Colorado , U.S.A.

2019 Sales Revenue: $5.8 billion

Direct Travel is a travel management company that focuses its efforts on middle-market customers. It offers corporate travel, meeting and event, and leisure travel services.

Founded in 1980, Direct Travel has over 60 locations in the U.S. and Canada. Since its founding, the company has acquired several leisure travel companies, one of which, Satrom Travel and Tour, Inc., became Direct Travel Personalized Experiences in 2016.

Fareportal . New York City, New York, U.S.A.

2019 Sales Revenue: $5.34 billion

While its services are travel-related, Fareportal is first and foremost a technology company. It has five travel brands that it powers through its software and flight booking technology.

Fareportal operates in North America, Europe, and Asia, offering online booking platforms for both leisure and corporate travelers, 24/7 trip booking services, and live travel agents available to help customers in a variety of locales and languages.

Fareportal partners with more than 600 airlines, one million hotels, and hundreds of car agencies to provide customers with the best options available.

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Abby is a writer who is passionate about the power of story. Whether it’s communicating complicated topics in a clear way or helping readers connect with another person or place from the comfort of their couch. Abby attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in writing with concentrations in journalism and business.

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Top 100 companies worldwide: Travel & Tourism

Company Insights data table

The travel & tourism industry includes the activity of selling travel, tour, transportation, and accommodation services to both the public and commercial clients. Additionally, the activity of arranging and assembling tours that are sold through travel agencies or directly by agents, such as tour operators, as well as other travel-related services, such as reservation services are also included. The travel bans and social distancing measures that were put in place during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic severely affected worldwide travel and tourism. Due to these restrictions that the industry’s environmental impact declined significantly. Given that the industry is gradually recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, consumer spending on hotels is expected to have an annual increase of 3.7% until 2025.The number of large companies in the travel & tourism industry is an indicator of the overall economic performance of that sector. Not only do these companies provide jobs for the local markets, but they are also able to achieve success in global markets, thus generating greater value.

Reasons to buy This Company Insights data table shows essential KPIs of the world’s leading companies in the travel & tourism industry, ranking them by overall revenue, and includes household names such as Tui and Expedia Group. It is the perfect basis for your sales department when it comes to building a list of leads. Use our data tables as a starting point for conducting comprehensive market research and/or gaining a better understanding of foreign markets.

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24 Top-Performing Travel and Tourism Corporations

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The travel and tourism industry is a bustling market, encompassing a wide array of enterprises that offer both national and international travel services. This industry includes, but is not limited to, online marketplaces for short-term accommodations, hotel booking platforms, and comprehensive travel agencies that offer customizable holiday packages. Companies in this sector strive to provide a seamless experience for travelers, from booking the perfect lodging to planning an entire trip. As the world becomes increasingly digital, these companies are focusing on enhancing their online features and accessibility, creating interactive platforms to engage customers and meeting the demands of the modern-day traveler.

Top 24 Travel and Tourism Companies

  • Website: airbnb.com
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
  • Founded: 2007
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Latest funding type: Ipo

Airbnb is an online marketplace and hospitality service that enables people to rent or lease short-term lodging including vacation rentals, apartment rentals, homestays, hostels, and hotel rooms.

  • Website: hotels.com
  • Headquarters: Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • Founded: 1993
  • Latest funding type: Acquired

Hotels.com is a leading online travel company that offers a wide range of hotel bookings and vacation rentals worldwide. They provide users with easy access to hotel discounts, cheap hotels, hotel rates, and hotel reservations. With a large inventory of accommodations and a user-friendly platform, Hotels.com is a trusted choice for travelers.

3. Thomas Cook India Limited

  • Website: thomascook.in
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
  • Founded: 1841
  • Headcount: 1001-5000

Thomas Cook is a travel company that offers holiday packages and travel services. They provide customizable domestic and international tour packages, including honeymoon packages and adventure trips. Thomas Cook also offers currency exchange, travel insurance, visa services, and international money transfer.

4. TUI Nederland

  • Website: tui.nl
  • Headquarters: Rijswijk, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded: 1995

TUI is a travel company offering a wide range of vacation packages, including flights, accommodations, and activities. They provide various options for different types of travelers and destinations.

5. Alpitour

  • Website: alpitour.it
  • Headquarters: Torino, Italia, Italy
  • Founded: 1947

Alpitour is a trusted company that offers secure and guaranteed vacation packages. They provide inclusive travel insurance and 24/7 assistance for a worry-free trip. With destinations in Capo Verde, Messico, Repubblica Dominicana, Maldive, and Madagascar, Alpitour offers discounts and a variety of packages. They specialize in resorts and top-rated hotels worldwide. Alpitour also offers gluten-free options and a range of travel services, such as catalogs, rules for traveling, and insurance.

6. Travelocity

  • Website: travelocity.com
  • Headquarters: Dallas, Texas, United States
  • Founded: 1996
  • Headcount: 51-200

Travelocity.com is a travel booking platform that offers a wide range of services including hotel bookings, vacation rentals, vacation packages, domestic flights, car rentals, and travel blog. Customers can find unique places to stay and access special discounts and features. The company values privacy and offers support for booking cancellations and refunds.

  • Website: orbitz.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1999

Orbitz.com is an online travel agency that offers flights, hotels, rental cars, vacation packages, and activities at competitive prices.

  • Website: sunsail.co.uk
  • Headquarters: Surbiton, Surrey, United Kingdom
  • Founded: 1974
  • Headcount: 501-1000

Sunsail.co.uk is a company that offers yacht charter and sailing holidays. They provide bareboat and skippered sailing holidays in various destinations around the world. Their services include flotilla charters, sailing schools, and yacht ownership options. Customers can choose from a range of boats, including catamarans and monohulls. Sunsail.co.uk is a trusted and reliable provider of sailing vacations for individuals, families, and groups.

9. Teletext India Private Limited

  • Website: teletextholidays.co.uk
  • Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana, United Kingdom
  • Founded: 1992

Teletext Holidays is a travel agency offering a wide range of holiday packages to various destinations. They provide customers with the opportunity to book all-inclusive, self-catering, and other types of holidays. With a user-friendly website and a mobile app, they aim to make the holiday booking process stress-free and convenient.

10. Panorama Leisure (PT Panorama Sentrawisata Tbk)

  • Website: panorama-group.com
  • Headquarters: West Jakarta, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
  • Founded: 1972

Panorama Group is an integrated tourism company that offers exceptional services to travelers exploring the world. They provide tour packages, transportation services, and hospitality solutions to make their customers' adventures convenient, enjoyable, and memorable.

11. The Moorings Yacht Charters

  • Website: moorings.com
  • Headquarters: Clearwater, Florida, United States
  • Founded: 1969

The Moorings is a company that offers a variety of charter options for sailing and powerboat vacations in idyllic coastal regions worldwide. They provide sail yachts, catamarans, monohulls, and crewed yachts for charter, along with essential extras and skippered vacations. With their innovative fleet, industry-leading service, and stunning destinations, The Moorings ensures unforgettable yacht charter experiences.

12. Dream Yacht Charter

  • Website: dreamyachtcharter.com
  • Headquarters: Annapolis, Maryland, United States
  • Founded: 2001
  • Headcount: 201-500

Dream Yacht Charter is a leading company in the yacht charter industry, offering a wide range of sailing vacations to various destinations. They provide fully crewed and bareboat charters, as well as by the cabin charters. With a diverse fleet of monohulls and catamarans, customers can sail their dream vacation in the Caribbean, Europe, and other beautiful locations. Whether experienced or new to sailing, Dream Yacht Charter has options for everyone.

13. Pitchup.com

  • Website: pitchup.com
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom
  • Founded: 2009

Pitchup.com is a website that offers a wide range of accommodation options for outdoor enthusiasts, including camping pods, caravans, and lodges. They have a vast selection of locations across various countries, providing a convenient platform for customers to find and book their ideal outdoor getaway.

14. Minar Travels (India) Pvt. Ltd.

  • Website: minartravels.com
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, New Delhi, India

Minar Travels is a travel company that has been providing unique and unforgettable experiences to travelers for over two and a half decades. With a commitment to excellence in every aspect, the company has earned numerous honors and accolades. Their goal is to create remarkable journeys and incredible experiences for their clients.

15. Berge & Meer Touristik GmbH

  • Website: berge-meer.de
  • Headquarters: Rengsdorf, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany

Berge & Meer is a travel company offering a wide range of luxury vacation packages to various destinations around the world. They specialize in providing unique and memorable experiences for their customers.

16. Christian Tour

  • Website: christiantour.ro
  • Headquarters: Sectorul 1, Bucureşti, Romania
  • Founded: 1997

Christian Tour is a travel agency that offers a wide range of vacation packages to various destinations. They provide all-inclusive, full board, half board, and bed and breakfast options. Their offerings include beach resorts, city breaks, cruises, and adventure tours.

17. Join UP!

  • Website: joinup.ua
  • Headquarters: Kyiv, Ukraine
  • Founded: 2010

JoinUP is a company offering travel services, including tours, flights, and hotel reservations. They provide a wide range of vacation options for various destinations.

18. AAT Kings

  • Website: aatkings.com
  • Headquarters: Alexandria, Nsw, Australia
  • Founded: 1925

AAT Kings is a company that offers exciting and adventurous small group tours in Australia and New Zealand. They are committed to the wellbeing of their customers and provide a range of guided vacations, short breaks, and day tours. With experienced Driver Guides, they offer immersive experiences in stunning landscapes and rich cultural destinations.

19. Exoticca

  • Website: exoticca.com
  • Headquarters: Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  • Founded: 2013
  • Latest funding type: Debt Financing

Exoticca.com is a travel company offering curated, unique and luxury travel experiences to exotic destinations around the world. With a focus on personalized itineraries and high-quality service, Exoticca.com provides customers with unforgettable adventures.

20. ruf Jugendreisen GmbH & Co. KG

  • Website: ruf.de
  • Headquarters: Bielefeld, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
  • Founded: 1981

RUF.DE is a company offering a wide range of youth trips and holidays, including beach and sport camps, party clubs, language experiences, and city trips. They provide various activities and programs, allowing young people to learn, have fun, and make new friends while enjoying their vacation. With a focus on affordability and quality, RUF.DE offers a diverse selection of destinations and accommodations for youth travel.

21. Inside Travel Group

  • Website: insideasiatours.com
  • Headquarters: Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
  • Founded: 2000

InsideAsia Tours offers custom holiday and vacation planning services for various destinations in Asia. They provide personalized travel consultants to help create perfect trips.

22. Marvel Tours

  • Website: marveltours.in
  • Headquarters: Kochi, Kerala, India

Marvel Tours is a company that offers personalized travel experiences to individuals and groups. They provide a wide range of travel services, including customized itineraries, accommodation bookings, transportation arrangements, and guided tours. With a focus on delivering exceptional customer service and creating unforgettable travel memories, Marvel Tours aims to make every trip a truly unique and enriching experience.

23. Phil Hoffmann Travel

  • Website: pht.com.au
  • Headquarters: Glenelg, South Australia, Australia
  • Founded: 1990

Phil Hoffmann Travel is a travel agency that offers a wide range of travel services and experiences. They specialize in luxury travel adventures and provide personalized travel planning, including flights, accommodations, tours, and more.

24. Creatur Viajes

  • Website: creaturviajes.com
  • Headquarters: Mexico, Maine, Mexico
  • Founded: 1980

Creatur Viajes is a travel agency specializing in adventure tourism, offering exciting and unique vacation packages. With a focus on providing unforgettable experiences, they cater to a wide range of travelers, including young adults and honeymooners.

Want to find more travel and tourism companies?

If you want to find more companies that offer comprehensive travel-related services and accommodations you can do so with Inven . This list was built with Inven and there are hundreds of companies like these globally.

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11 guided tour companies that offer trips around the world

For people who like traveling with like-minded people, guided tours can be the perfect way to see a new destination..

Megan duBois

Like cruising and theme park vacations , guided tours aren’t for everyone. But for people who especially enjoy meeting (and traveling with) like-minded people on vacation, guided group tours can be the perfect way to see a new destination—and make some new friends along the way. 

Some guided tours are geared toward groups of a dozen or fewer, while others can accommodate 50 or more travelers. Most guided tours include accommodations and some meals. In all cases, the tour companies who operate group tours take most of the complicated planning out of the equation , leaving you to focus on simply enjoying your vacation. 

The best guided tour operators

If you’re ready to give tour groups a try, consider one of these guided tour operators that rank among the very best in the world. 

MAKE MEMORIES: Tours for everyone: 11 best companies for family vacations

Tauck Bridges

Guided tour operator Tauck has been a leader in high-end group tours since its founding in 1925. Operating land-based group tours on all seven continents (as well as river tours in Europe and small-ship tours around the world), Tauck caters to families, couples, and solo travelers.

ACTIVE TRAVEL:   5 best senior adventures for travelers age 50+ The average size of a guided tour group with Tauck is 35 to 44 guests, though the group size may vary depending on the season and the nature of the tour. Travelers enjoy Tauck for its attention to detail and ease of planning. Prices for tours vary by location, type of tour, and season, but the average Tauck tour starts at around $4,000 and goes up from there for one room with two guests. 

2. Trafalgar

BMG Scotland Ledard Farm with Fergus and Gregor Wood

Taking groups on guided tours to destinations around the world since 1947, Trafalgar runs trips to nearly every corner of the planet except Antarctica. The mostly land-based guided tours are offered year-round, including to popular destinations like New Zealand and Africa. The number of guests on tours vary based on the destination. Africa tours are the smallest with a maximum of 20 guests, while the United States and Canada tours are the biggest with up to 52 guests. 

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In addition to its standard tours, Trafalgar also offers women-only tours . Other travelers who may enjoy Trafalgar are adventure travelers and foodies. Trafalgar tours start at just under $2,000 for one guest.

3. Collette

Grattan Bridge in Dublin, Ireland (Photo: Shutterstock)

No travel company brand has been doing group trips longer than Collette , which has been in business since 1918. The group touring agency goes to all seven continents and has 179 different tour options. Its top tour destinations are Ireland, Italy, and Iceland. 

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Collette’s small group exploration tours allow for 14 to 24 people per tour, while its classic group tours can be up to 44 people. Collette primarily serves an older audience of travelers over 55. Tours with Collette start at just under $1,500 per person. 

4. Grand Circle Travel

Grand Circle Group River Cruise

Another popular group tour option for travelers over 50 is Grand Circle Travel , which has been in operation since 1958. Grand Circle’s variety of land-based tours and river cruises range in size from 24 to 47. Trips with Grand Circle start around $2,400 but vary based on the destination and season. 

5. Adventures by Disney

Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise – Adventure Guides

The luxury travel arm of Disney, Adventures by Disney is known for its focus on guided family tours . Since its founding in 2005, the company has continued to add new touring options with land- and river cruise-based adventures to destinations worldwide. Tours with Adventures by Disney can have upwards of 40 people, including kids under 10 years old. The tour company does offer some adult-only adventures as well. 

LEAVE THE PARENTS AT HOME:   9 skip-gen vacations grandparents and grandkids will love

One reason why travelers choose Adventures by Disney for family vacations is that they likely already partake in other Disney vacations and know the level of service Disney can provide. Adventures start at just under $2,100 for one person for a short two-night escape. 

6. G Adventures

Peru Sacred Valley Womens Weaving Travellers CEO

Best known for its cheaper group tours that span the globe from Croatia to Tanzania, G Adventures was founded in 1990 as a way to bridge the divide between solo adventure travel and more mainstream travel. G Adventures focuses on small group trips; the number of travelers per group is typically between 10 to 15 participants. 

7. Intrepid Travel

Older man hiking on an Intrepid Travel Peru trip

Eco-conscious travelers will want to consider a group travel vacation with Intrepid Travel , which is known for its active stance on climate action and sustainable travel. Intrepid offers tours for families as well as more strenuous walking tours and cycling tours. Since 1989, Intrepid has been taking small group tours of about 10 people around the world from Bali to Antarctica. 

8. Backroads

Participants on a Backroads tour, a company that has tours for older travelers

Travelers with a more active lifestyle who want to take a group tour will want to look into Backroads , where hiking and biking tours are the main attraction. Backroads has been traveling around the world from famous U.S. national parks to the glaciers of Antarctica since 1979. Backroads offers more than 200 different tours, most of which have an average of 16 participants. Prices start around $2,500 per person. 

9. Classic Journeys

Luxury group tour operator Classic Journeys (founded in 1995) offers tours to destinations around the world, and are especially well tailored to travelers interested in wildlife or local food and drink. These small group tours are typically no larger than 12 guests. Land-based trips start around $3,300. 

10. Thomson Family Adventures

Special guides help kids connect with local cultures (Photo: Thomson Family Adventures)

With a focus on family travel, Thomson Family Adventures has been operating group tours to more than a dozen destinations since 1998. These bucket-list-worthy trips are limited to no more than 25 people. Tours start at $3,190 per adult and teen and $2,990 per child. 

11. Road Scholar

Seniors on active tour

Since 1975, Road Scholar has provided educational tours around the world for small groups of 12 participants or less. The trips are ideal for those who want to do a deep dive into a destination’s culture or be immersed in nature. These budget-friendly trips start around $750 per person. 

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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2024

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Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2024 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Adventure Travels

Images of nature around the mountains and lakes of Slovenia as seen on the Exodus Travels' Lakes and Mountains of Slovenia walking tour

With trips on every continent, Exodus Adventure Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten-path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Adventure Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 8-16 people and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Adventure Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Aventure Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Adventure Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Adventure Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

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Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

Groups of hikers walking and camping around the mountains of Kilimanjaro with World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

People visiting famous sites around China with the G Adventures' China Express group travel tour

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,014 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $799 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $749.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

best travel company in world

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Shots from around Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and accommodations provided by Intrepid Travel's Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 10 million dollars to over 160 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-35 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience foodie trip of a lifetime Intrepid Travel’s South Korea Real Food Adventure , which includes time in three cities and an overnight temple stay.

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Aerial shots of various islands and coastlines around the Croatia and Dalmation Islands and shot of sailboat belonging to Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Shots of the interior and exterior of the Ocean Adventurer ship and shots of nature around Antarctica as seen on the Chimu Adventures' Antarctica Fly Cruise

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination. For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina).

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $6,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

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Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Collage of images from the For the Love of Travel Lapland Tour

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to closer destinations like Mexico or Costa Rica—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Collage of shots from DuVine's Holland Bike Tour

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Collage of images from the different cities involved in the Abercrombie & Kent Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife & Nature: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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From Booking Safaris to Planning Global Vacations, Here Are the 10 Best Travel Specialists

After a year off-grid, our winning specialists are providing customized experiences from jet travel to road trips., the editors, the editors's most recent stories.

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Roar Africa Safari

Travel specialists have never been more essential than they are right now, with their invaluable ability to pivot, re-book and offer advice. We picked 10 standouts in the luxury field from across the world, a directory of those who embody that above-and-beyond spirit essential in the past year.

Christoper Sitwell, Cazenove + Loyd

best travel company in world

Wilmot-Sitwell has been working in travel for more than three decades. The co-owner of a 16-person London-based agency specializes in long-haul luxury, often to far-flung sites in rural Africa and Asia. The team there spent much of 2020 canceling or postponing trips—most recently, unpicking rescheduled itineraries to the Tokyo Olympics when a ban on foreign spectators was announced.

The firm anticipated today’s conscious-travel concerns from the outset, always focusing on owner-run and locally staffed independent operations, such as preservation outfit Campfire in Zimbabwe. Cazenove + Loyd also offsets the entire carbon cost of its research recces via a partnership with CommuniTree , a 12-square-mile tropical reforestation project in Nicaragua. Clients can easily opt into this, too; anyone whose itinerary swoops through the country can visit the project and personally plant the trees.

Learn More: Here

Tanya Dalton, Managing Director UK, Greaves

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Dalton leads the UK office of this India specialist outfitter, which was founded by her Mumbai-born grandfather in 1978 and later run by her mother. With generations’ worth of in-depth experience and exclusive connections at her fingertips, she arranges custom trips as luxe as they are immersive. Depending on their interests, travelers may find themselves granted entrée to private palaces, sacred religious sites and landmarked government buildings; meeting with celebrated curators, authors, artisans, jewelers, chefs or astrologers; or exploring desert wilds while staying at plush mobile camps.

Dalton’s team—45 in Delhi and Mumbai, and 15 in the UK—helped extract some 40 clients from India at the start of the pandemic, as borders closed. Now she’s helping guests plan their return. On her radar currently are safaris to spot India’s rising tiger population, top-end hotel openings in Rajasthan and a new single-suite wooden boat that’s perfect for privately cruising the Ganges, Bhagirathi and Hooghly Rivers.

Jules Maury, Scott Dunn Private

best travel company in world

Maury runs this offshoot of the UK-based travel firm, focused entirely on bespoke itineraries. Much of her work during the pandemic involved extended stays for home-schooling families who were looking to live and work in a new locale, whether spending two and a half months at Gili Lankanfushi in the Maldives or a month in residence at Antigua’s Jumby Bay. Another guest commandeered the five-room Sheldon Chalet in Denali National Park, an ultra-secluded property accessible only by a 45-minute helicopter ride.

The SDP team follows multiple pro-social protocols when it travels and encourages clients to follow suit, including the Pack for a Purpose program, in which visitors pack requested supplies in their luggage for distribution at the destination. It’s laser-focused on ethical practices, too. Animal welfare is a priority, so providers that offer bullfighting or elephant riding are not used, and there’s a pledge that 90 percent of all operators will not provide single-use plastics to guests by the end of 2023.

Deborah Calmeyer, Roar Africa

best travel company in world

The Zimbabwe-born Calmeyer has carved out a discrete niche as the ultimate elite safari planner, with the ability to pull off near-impossible requests, even during the pandemic. Rwanda’s government requires a negative PCR Covid-19 test for visitors, but offers only the throat-swab version at Kigali airport—a problem for one Roar Africa client, desperate to go gorilla-trekking but phobic about anything touching his throat. Calmeyer set up a protocol change, arranging for a nose swab to be administered instead.

She has offices in Nairobi, Johannesburg and Cape Town, with the HQ in New York, and Roar Africa continued to pay drivers, freelance guides and its staff even during lockdown, as governmental support in situ was scant. Roar Africa supports several social programs, including an all-women anti-poaching academy in Kenya, which has so far graduated almost 30 fully trained rangers, and underwrites a scholarship at a college of tourism in South Africa that trains women to work at local hotels and lodges.

Catherine Heald, Remote Lands

best travel company in world

Remote Lands’ expertise centers entirely on planning ultra-luxury trips for Americans to Asia, with offices in New York and Bangkok, plus country managers in every locale.

Heald and business partner Jay Tindall try to ensure a positive impression both for their guests and by them, encouraging clients, for example, to fund the digging of a water well for a local family whenever Siem Reap in Cambodia forms part of the itinerary. Conscious of the higher carbon footprint of itineraries that span the continent, the pair deliberately minimize the number of flights, private or commercial.

Last year, a Texas couple who were planning to go solo to Asia to celebrate both his 70th birthday and their 40th wedding anniversary had to postpone, and instead Heald helped them turn their three-week, four-country trip into a reunion with their grandchildren, whom they plan to take along this November.

Beks Ndlovu, Founder of African Bush Camps

best travel company in world

Ndlovu has maintained momentum, despite the safari industry’s devastating year. The operator and hotelier kept his entire 600-person staff employed while also unveiling Khwai Leadwood, a new high-design lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. It’s the latest in his eco-conscious properties; he has rolled out 16 of them in 15 years across three countries, a remarkable achievement. Each has a light footprint, via solar farms and water recycling, while also offering direct support to surrounding communities via the company’s ABC Foundation.

Even amid the logistical and medical constraints of the past year, Ndlovu seamlessly pulled off a recent journey for 14 people to Zimbabwe via private plane. “There was a lot of juggling, but it was well worth it,” says Ndlovu, who advocates for guests to spend their tourism dollars with brands that preserve wilderness areas and empower minorities and locals. “We continue to make the effort in identifying key talent that we can support and help rise to the surface.”

Cedric Reversade, Unique Properties & Events

best travel company in world

Luxury travel was already tilting toward villa rentals before the pandemic made the idea of privacy, and self-containment, even more appealing. The London- and Paris-based Reversade and business partner Koskas offer discreet access to the world’s best rental homes in hot spots like Saint-Tropez, Ibiza and Capri while also acting as a travel concierge.

Take the California client who had bought a piano nobile on the Grand Canal in Venice, just before the first lockdown—and for whom they managed to secure a visa even when borders were shut. They also arranged excursions in the city, like a day on Burano with the glassblowers and a night visit to San Marco. Or the polo-loving English client who ditched her Chelsea townhouse for a seafront estate in Ibiza they’d wrangled on her behalf as lockdowns loomed; she then took trips around Spain, including lunching with a retired rejoneador from whom she bought two horses to ride at her country estate.

Cari Gray, Gray & Co.

best travel company in world

Based in Santa Monica, Calif., Canadian expat Gray runs a lean team of about 10 with a particular expertise in active luxury. Take the trip to Argentina and Uruguay which shuttled her guests between cycling spots by private jet. It was due to start just as Argentina shuttered its borders last March, so Gray’s team pivoted, re-booking the group on a similar itinerary in California within 24 hours.

She’s determined that the lavish sums spent by clients truly uplift every destination, especially in developing areas. One pair of travelers sponsored GPS collars on a research project for rescued elephants at a local animal reserve in Namibia and witnessed the process firsthand. And an always recommended pit stop in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco is one of the late Eve Branson’s projects, which employs local women making crafts. It isn’t all do-gooding, though: Gray is renowned for arranging Michelin-caliber chefs to cater alfresco at the end of a day’s hiking.

James Jayasundera, Ampersand Travel

best travel company in world

Sri Lanka is one of the rare destinations in Asia that have managed to create a program that allows visitors to experience the country during the pandemic, and no one is a better expert to help navigate an itinerary in that new normal than Rome-raised Jayasundera and his five-person, almost two-decade-old firm. Visitors can stay in designated hotels, he explains, and even go sightseeing, as long as they remain in “bio bubbles” to protect the local populace from imported infection.

Jayasundera started early, noting the preferences of each of his 12-strong family as they traveled constantly in his childhood, and has made such attention to detail a hallmark of his commercial operation. Inclusivity is a longtime passion, with a strong presence in the LGBTQ community among both staff and clients, and efforts to use female guides where possible to offset challenges around equality.

Mark Duguid, Carrier

best travel company in world

The 60-person, Manchester-based Carrier plans less than 5,000 trips per year, allowing it to retain a reputation for flexibility. It’s willing to change itineraries within hours of departure and never charging amending fees. Duguid and his team were well placed, then, for the challenges of last year: See the couple from the UK who seized the chance to travel when permitted during a break in lockdowns, heading impromptu to the Maldives as an add-on to a last-minute visit to Dubai. Carrier recognized the appeal of the outdoors for travelers in the last year, too, and created an exclusive trip to Octola in Finland’s Arctic Circle, a five-star private wilderness reserve where local guides hosted open-fire lunches and ran excursions on husky sleds and snowmobiles.

Duguid reports a surge in so-called revenge spending, noting that the average booking value for 2021 has risen 90 percent year over year, with clients indulging in once-in-a-lifetime trips after lockdown restrictions loosen.

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The World’s Best Railway Companies, According To Globe Travel Awards

From the plunging canyons of Canada to the foothills of the Himalayas, these rail companies will carry you to the wonders of the world.

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T here’s something truly enchanting about hearing the rhythmic chug of a train as it glides through bewitching landscapes, weaving together the romance of a bygone era with adrenaline-pumping adventure as you pass snow-dusted mountaintops, glacial lakes, and gaping forest reserves. So whether you’re shooting across the English Channel or meandering through the Swiss Alps on the world-famous Glacier Express , here are some of the world’s best rail companies to journey with, shortlisted in the 2024 Globe Travel Awards .

1. Rocky Mountaineer

GoldLeaf Service

Rocky Mountaineer offers luxury train journeys through some of North America’s most spectacular scenery, from the mountain passes and plunging canyons of Canada to the far-reaching deserts and hoodoos of the US . You can choose from four rail routes and pick from three service levels– SilverLeaf Service , SilverLeaf Plus Service ( US only) or GoldLeaf Service ( Canada only).

Onboard, you'll find sweeping panoramic windows in glass-dome coaches with an open-air viewing platform, complimentary cocktails, and gourmet à la carte meals from Alberta striploin steak to Fraser Valley chicken paillard. Journeying in daylight, you’ll sweep past stretching rivers, canyons, and waterfalls as you spot roaming bears, elk, salmon, osprey, and eagles.

Join its ‘ First Passage to the West in Canada ’ expedition from Vancouver to Banff as you pass through the iconic Spiral Tunnels and traverse the Continental Divide –or opt for the ‘ Rockies To The Red Rocks in the US ’ tour exploring vast stretching landscapes between Moab , Utah , and Denver as you pass the Ruby Canyon , Mount Garfield , and enchanting hoodoos.

2. Great Rail Journeys

Bernina Express

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Great Rail Journeys is best known for its escorted rail tours, offering almost 170 itineraries in Europe and over 50 countries worldwide–from exploring the Swiss Alps on the Glacier Express to chopping through Edinburgh and Scotland’s Highlands .

New for 2025, Great Rail Journeys has announced three new tours–the ‘ Deccan Odyssey ’ will take travelers from India’s bustling capital, Delhi , to the foothills of the Himalayas by modern rail and charming Toy Train –visiting iconic sites like the Taj Mahal , the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur and the spiritual Varanasi beside the sacred Ganges .

Its ‘ Classic Kenya Safari ’ will see guests drive through the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park , journeying through Crescent Island before embarking on a wildlife viewing in Nairobi National Park and a bush tour of a World Heritage forest reserve.

On the ‘ Highlights of Vietnam ’, you’ll explore the Mekong Delta, sample the street food in Hanai , sail through the jungle-draped islands of Halong Bay , ride the Reunification Express , and fly to Ho Chi Minh City where you'll visit the Cu Chi Tunnels .

3. Eurostar

Eurostar High Speed Train

Established in 1994, Eurostar is is world-famous for its high-speed trains carrying millions of passengers each year through the Channel Tunnel from London to major European cities like Paris, Brussels , Amsterdam , Rotterdam , Antwerp , and Cologne, traveling at a speed of up to 300 kilometers per hour (meaning it is sometimes faster than flying).

With a fleet of 51 trains, Eurostar offers the largest international high-speed network in Western Europe , serving 28 destinations in Germany , Belgium , France , the Netherlands , and the United Kingdom –and aims to carry 30 million passengers a year with 100% renewable energy by 2030.

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Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

The Top 3 Mystery Travel Companies

best travel company in world

  • Types of Travel

Mystery travel has been around for a while .

I first heard of this concept back in the early 2010s—when it was mentioned as a punch line for the future of travel.

I don’t remember where I read the line, but the gist was this: Travel has become so saturated with options that the only true frontier is a ‘mystery trip’ with an unknown destination and itinerary.

Whoever posited that notion was spot on, if slightly ahead of their time.

Over the last few years, mystery trips have gained popularity. They closely resemble the idea put forth over a decade ago.

To stoke a deeper sense of intrigue, excitement, and wanderlust, some travelers hand the reins over to experienced travel agencies that put together a trip for them.

Travelers just answer a few questions that lay out factors like their budget, group sizes, interests, phobias, and similarly important information.

After that, dates are solidified, flights are booked, and travelers pack their bags as best as they can with what information they have.

Who actually goes on mystery trips?

Mystery trips are sneaking into the mainstream more and more.

In 2023, Wizz Air launched a Mystery Trip social media campaign. A select group of adventurers paid a one-time fee to travel on an unknown adventure.

Wizz’s mystery trip saw passengers jet-set to Las Vegas where they were treated to a stay at the Flamingo. That sounds like a devilish trick to me since the Vegas Strip is at the very, very bottom of my bucket list.

But Wizz’s passengers seemed happy with the setup; unsurprisingly, most travelers were in their twenties. Full of energy. Undeterred by the things that they saw on the Strip.

Young and adventurous travelers are a great demographic for mystery trips—but that isn’t the only target market.

Most mystery trips rightfully come with a hefty price tag. Like any adventure, there’s a lot that goes into creating a great itinerary. And if you’re going on a mystery trip, you should be okay with investing more for a quality (and thorough) experience.

The coolest mystery trips I’ve seen offered are all squarely in the adventure and/or luxury travel spheres.

If you’re looking to venture out on a mystery trip, I’d suggest starting with one of the companies below. I would personally hand them thousands to ferry me away to unknown places.

Few & Far’s Unknown Experience

I already spent an entire article raving about how cool this trip looks.

But let me do a bit of summarizing—Few & Far is a luxury and sustainable travel company. Its founders have used their background in glamping and eco-friendly travel to roll out some of the coolest safari tours and remote, wilderness experiences I’ve ever seen.

Their goal is simple: Use eco-hospitality to not just protect fragile and gorgeous ecosystems, but actively support and improve these places. They do that through a robust community-led approach and cutting-edge sustainability practices.

The company offers an Unknown Experience that’s built on this ethos. If I’m handing total control to any travel company, Few & Far is my top selection by a long shot.

Pack Up + Go

Pack Up + Go is one of the very first companies to make mystery trips mainstream—which I think is helped by the website’s solid design. Their platform makes it easy to shop around for different types of mystery trips, which goes a long way in ensuring curious travelers that they’re experienced and legitimate.

Visitors can explore plane trips, road trips, and outdoor destinations. Trips include the basics of itinerary planning, lodgings, dinner reservations, and full-time traveler support.

Mystery trips can be as short as two nights or as long as ten. Depending on the program, solo strips can cost as little as $1,350—an affordable price point by any stretch.

That makes Pack Up + Go a solid choice for anyone who feels dissuaded by heftier bills. Additionally, I like that the platform offers plane-based travel or car-based travel. I’d probably start with a road trip as a first-time mystery tripper.

World Mystery Trips

World Mystery Trips is an international and far-reaching platform.

If you’re on the fence about whether a mystery trip is right for you, just visit the website—it’ll convince you pretty quickly with prompts like, ‘ It’s time you put the thrill back into your vacations, don’t you think ?’

Similar to Pack Up + Go, World Mystery Trips has a good decade of experience under its belt. It’s also a lot more geared toward international adventures, which can help travelers interested in cultural exchanges get even more out of their trip.

Uniquely, trips aren’t planned based on bookings.

Instead, travelers can sign up for a mystery trip. These opportunities are listed alongside the other trips offered by World Mystery Trips. (Even if unknown adventures aren’t your thing, the other offers look pretty cool!)

Image of Tay Belgeri

Tay Belgeri is a content writer with global experience. She writes for brands like Santander Bank, PokerStars, DraftKings, and OddsChecker. Her affiliate posts have appeared on AP News, Ranker, Notion, OK! Magazine, and other major sites. She writes about a variety of cultural topics (from sports to high fashion) but specializes in travel. Originally from Missouri, she now lives in Spain. In a few years, she will have spent more time outside the US than inside it. Career highlights: • Selected to present research by the National Council of Undergraduate Research (2014) • Acquired grants for New York City’s first Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration (2015) • Joined OddsChecker’s US Launch team (2020) • Shortlisted for the Foreword INDIES (2021, 2023)

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Fortune Holiday World one of best travel company in Mumbai has unveiled its special travel offers for Diwali and New Year

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This Airline Has the Best Rewards Program in the World, According to a New Study — Plus, See the Top 10

One airline from the U.S. came in the top three.

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The process of earning and spending airline reward miles can often be a daunting one. You have to pick a credit card, try to game out how to build up miles, and then find the best deals to take you to your dream vacation.

Point.me , an airline point concierge service that assists with reward bookings, has compiled an extensive global ranking of the world’s best airline rewards programs . The detailed report ranks 62 of the world's airlines and relied on 55 of the site's experts as well as years of data from point.me. The company ranked on several factors such as redemption rates, ease of booking, customer service quality, and change fees.  The top-ranking program in the world is Air France and KLM’s Flying Blue rewards program, according to point.me. The reasons cited included the ease of booking, the low cost of redemptions, and the ability to book on partner airlines within the SkyTeam alliance.  The Flying Blue program regularly posts promotions and discounts on reward tickets, for example the airline is currently offering a 15,000 mile reward ticket between New York (EWR) and several European destinations. 

“Getting real value from airline loyalty points is often significantly harder for passengers than it needs to be,” said Adam Morvitz, CEO of point.me in a statement released to T+L. “These rankings draw on our team’s collective travel expertise and deep data-led insight from our reward search engine.” After Air France/KLM (93.06), Air Canada’s Aeroplan (77.43), United’s MileagePlus (72.22), British Airways Executive Club (69.10) and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (69.10) rounded out the top five.

American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways, JetBlue, and Avianca were highly ranked in the top ten. The report also breaks the scores out based on region. For comparison, the lowest-rated US-based carrier reward programs included Spirit Airlines’ Free Spirit (22.22), Frontier Airlines’ Frontier Miles (18.06), and Sun Country Airlines’ Sun Country Rewards (17.01). These programs were rated as being restrictive in redemption, or expensive to use. Despite its loyal following, Delta's SkyMiles program also scored poorly with a 49.31. This report about airline rewards comes as the Department of Transportation is investigating US-based airlines for potential unfair practices in their loyalty programs.

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  26. Fortune Holiday World one of best travel company in Mumbai has unveiled

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