Explore Worldwide furthers expansion in North America with new team and Toronto office

22.05.2024 - 11:59 / traveldailynews.com / Theodore Koumelis

Global adventure Tour Operator achieves B Corp Certification.

TORONTO – Explore Worldwide is making significant strides to grow its foothold in North America through strategic senior hires and a renewed commitment to travel advisors. The adventure company specializes in cultural and experiential tours to 100 countries around the world with small group sizes that average 11 people.

Explore Managing Director Michael Edwards said, “Explore Worldwide is a 40-plus year old, trusted travel brand in the United Kingdom, and we believe our concept of adventure travel that focuses on cultural exploration with elements of walking, hiking, and biking, is growing in popularity for North American travelers.” Edwards noted Explore has seen post-pandemic growth of 56% in passengers from North America.

“Our vision is to become among the largest sustainable, small group adventure tour companies in the North American market,” he continued. “The appetite to travel responsibly will become even more important in the coming years in this market, and as a purpose-led business, we’re excited about the opportunities to ‘Be Better Than Yesterday’ as we grow.” 

On February 9, 2024, Explore became a Certified B Corp, meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability, with an overall B impact score of 84.1. The company has a long and deep commitment to environmentally and socially friendly practices and, in 2022, was the first tour company to measure the carbon footprint of each of its tours, a crucial step towards the goal of reducing its carbon usage by 50% in 2030. The company achieved a 7.2% reduction in its intensity carbon footprint (per passenger night) in 2023, surpassing its goal of 7%.

To grow awareness and business in the region, Explore Worldwide has appointed Katy Rockett as regional director for North America in January 2024. Based in Toronto, Rockett brings 15 years of experience in adventure travel. In her role, she will facilitate the business’s ambitious global plans to achieve 65% growth in the market by the end of 2024. Her focus areas are on delivering exceptional tours, customer service and marketing activity across the region.

Rockett, who came directly from Exodus Travels as general manager and director of growth and held senior marketing positions at Exodus and Intrepid Travel, said active small-group adventures are a rapidly growing trend amongst many North American travelers, as many people are looking to get more out of their vacations.

“I’m most excited about the opportunity to introduce travel advisors and travelers throughout the U.S. and Canada to this immersive and culturally enriching style of travel,” Rockett said. Her initial priorities will