EF Explore America

What EF Explore America does

EF Explore America is a Cambridge, MA-based, privately held subsidiary of EF (Education First), owned by Signum International AG, specializing in curated educational travel tours for K–12 student groups within North America. Founded in 1965, the company sells themed tour collections — Popular Class Trips, America's 250th Anniversary Tours, STEM Tours, Social Studies/American History Tours, Performing Arts Tours, Outdoor Tours, Service Learning Trips, High School Trips, Cultural Perspectives, and Train Trips — to U.S. and Canadian middle and high schools, with itineraries to destinations such as Washington D.C., New York City, Boston, California, and Puerto Rico. Differentiated content is delivered via an extensive partnership portfolio with marquee institutions including the Smithsonian, Mount Vernon, MassRobotics, FIRST Robotics, Broadway Inbound, Honor Flight Network, UNA-USA, and Para La Naturaleza, plus an exclusive college-credit pathway through Southern New Hampshire University.\n\nThe operating platform pairs a sales-led distribution model (dedicated regional Tour Consultants, Account Managers handling logistics, Educational Travel Advisors who are former Group Leaders, plus inside-sales Traveler Support Specialists) with on-tour services including 24/7 Tour Directors, a Safety First Program staffed by former FBI and healthcare personnel, a Peace of Mind flexibility guarantee, and a Till Financial cashless-payment integration. The underlying technology stack is a digital traveler account for enrollment, payments, and trip management, supported by an EF Travel ID Badge and standardized group logistics; this is conventional SaaS rather than an AI-native platform.\n\nRevenue is generated through group tour program fees (with a minimum of 35 paying participants per group, multi-year subscription contracts), non-refundable $95 enrollment deposits, optional Travel Protection and Travel Protection Plus insurance premiums, add-on excursion fees, and an annual $50,000 Explorer Scholarship program funded to drive accessibility. The customer base is a long tail of public, private, and charter K–12 schools plus youth organizations; teachers initiate the relationship and parents enroll students, creating a B2B2C transaction structure with documented case-study districts including Houston ISD. The business sits within a broader EF portfolio that includes EF Tours (international), EF Adventures, EF Ultimate Break, EF Go Ahead Tours, and EF Gap Year, providing cross-brand referral across the student travel lifecycle.

Name

EF Explore America

Legal name

EF Explore America, Inc.

Website

https://efexploreamerica.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EF Explore America is the North American K–12 educational travel brand of EF (Education First), selling curated themed student tours across the U.S. and Canada to schools and teachers via dedicated regional Tour Consultants and 24/7 Tour Directors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Travel Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152), Tour Operators (561520), Travel Agencies (56151), All Other Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services (561599)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Student & Youth Educational Tours (THAKAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Culture, Heritage & Arts Itinerary Planning (THAKAOAK), Custom Itinerary Planning with Booking & Fulfillment (Full-Service) (THAKAOAO), In-Country Logistics Coordination & Itinerary Management (EDAIANAE), Excursions, Field Trips & Cultural Activities Logistics (EDAIANAJ), Educational & Student Multi-Day Tour Operators (THAKADAJ), School Group & Curriculum-Led Trips (THAKAGAB)

Keywords

• Educational student tours
• K-12 travel programs
• Class trip planning
• Experiential learning tours
• Educational travel services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Student Tour Program Fees: Core revenue from program fees for educational student tours. Fees based on minimum 35 paying participants for standard shared group rates. Includes full-time Tour Director, transportation, accommodations, meals, sightseeing, and activities.
2. Enrollment Deposits: $95 non-refundable enrollment fee required to complete enrollment and secure spot on tour.
3. Travel Protection Plans: Optional Travel Protection and Travel Protection Plus plans provide cancellation coverage and emergency assistance. Revenue from insurance premiums.
4. Add-on Services: Revenue from optional add-ons including additional activities and excursions, adult supplements, twin room upgrades, special travel requests, and late enrollment fees.
5. Adult Supplements: Adult travelers (20+) pay additional per-person adult supplement to cover difference between student and adult rates for transportation, admissions, and accommodations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

EF Explore America organizes curriculum-aligned, multi-day educational tours for K-12 student groups traveling within North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), with no passport required. The company delivers end-to-end trip logistics including motorcoach transportation, lodging, daily meals, sightseeing, and 24/7 Tour Director supervision through a dedicated Tour Consultant and Account Manager assigned to each school or group. Trips are sold per person with bundled pricing and include themed collections spanning history, STEM, cultural perspectives, performing arts, outdoor education, service learning, and student-only itineraries.

Product overview

EF Explore America is a student educational travel brand operating as part of the EF (Education First) family of companies since 1965. The core offering is a comprehensive portfolio of themed tour collections for K-12 students across North America, including Popular Class Trips, America's 250th Anniversary Tours (2026), STEM Tours, Cultural Perspectives Tours, Social Studies & American History Tours, Performing Arts Tours, Outdoor Tours, Service Learning Trips, High School Trips, and Train Trips. The company operates a service model centered on dedicated Tour Consultants and 24/7 Tour Directors, supported by integrated tools like Till Financial for money management. Support services include Safety First Program, Travel Protection Plans, Peace of Mind Program, and Global Rewards for educators. Educational programs enable students to earn college credit through partnerships with Southern New Hampshire University. The EF family of brands also includes EF Tours (international), EF Adventures, EF Ultimate Break, EF Go Ahead Tours, and EF Gap Year.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EF Explore America: Primary brand for North American educational tours for students and schools

Products and services

• EF Educational Tours Multi-day, all-inclusive educational student tours within the United States, Canada, and Mexico designed for K-12 student groups. Each tour bundles motorcoach transportation, lodging, daily meals, sightseeing, and 24/7 Tour Director supervision under a single per-person price, with a Tour Consultant and Account Manager assigned to every school or group.
• Popular Class Trips Pre-designed, high-demand student itineraries (such as New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and the Mid-Atlantic, Boston and New England, Chicago, Atlanta, and Southern California trips) covering the most-requested U.S. destinations for school groups.
• America's 250th Anniversary Tours A themed collection of educational tours tied to America's 250th anniversary celebrations, focused on U.S. history, founding-era sites, and patriotic milestones for K-12 student groups.
• STEM Tours Curriculum-aligned student tours focused on science, technology, engineering, and math, visiting science centers, technology hubs, and research institutions across North America.
• Cultural Perspectives Tours Themed educational tours designed to expose K-12 students to diverse cultural experiences, communities, and perspectives across North American destinations.
• Social Studies & American History Tours History-focused student itineraries visiting landmarks, museums, government institutions, and battlefields across the United States to support social studies curricula.
• Performing Arts Tours Student tours built around performing arts experiences, including performances, workshops, and venue visits tailored for school music, theater, and dance ensembles.
• Outdoor Tours Outdoor and nature-focused educational tours for K-12 groups, featuring national parks, wilderness areas, and outdoor learning experiences across North America.
• Service Learning Trips Student trips that combine travel with community service projects, designed to fulfill service-learning objectives for K-12 groups within North America.
• High School Trips Educational tours tailored specifically for high school student groups, with age-appropriate itineraries and content within the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
• Train Trips Rail-based educational student tours within North America, offering group-friendly train travel as an alternative to motorcoach itineraries.
• Travel Protection Plans Optional travel insurance and protection plans that families can purchase to cover student travelers against trip-related disruptions, cancellations, and emergencies.
• Global Rewards Program Loyalty rewards program that lets travelers earn credits toward future EF trips for each completed journey, encouraging repeat bookings.
• College Credit Programs Optional add-on program allowing student travelers to earn college credit for completing educational tour coursework tied to their EF itinerary.
• Teacher Training Tours Professional development tours for educators to experience destinations firsthand, designed to help teachers design and lead student trips through EF Explore America.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of travelers say their tour expanded their knowledge of the world
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Smithsonian's National Museum of American HistorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership for America's 250th Anniversary in 2026. Provides museum-developed lesson plans, customized programming, and behind-the-scenes content tied to anniversary exhibitions. EF Tour Directors receive specialized training in historical context and storytelling.
• MassRoboticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit robotics organization providing hands-on workshops for STEM: Boston tours. Students interact with robots, program them to play games and perform sign language, and learn about industries robotics is disrupting.
• Honor Flight NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransports veterans to Washington, D.C. to see memorials for wars in which they fought. Students meet and bond with veterans on D.C. tours, gaining personal connection to military history.
• Mount VernoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorge Washington's estate provides expert-led tours with character actors. EF groups can participate in deeper tours exploring daily lives of enslaved community. Personal storytelling brings history to life.
• United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on 'It's a Better World' campaign focusing on sustainable development goals. Students think deeply about planetary stewardship and global citizenship. Tour Directors trained for engaging conversations.
• Isla CaribeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPuerto Rico local tour guide organization in Ponce. Passionate local guides provide insider perspectives on the city's art, culture, history, and future. Students gain authentic cultural understanding.
• Para La NaturalezacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPuerto Rico nonprofit dedicated to preserving island ecosystems. Manages 30,000 acres of conservation land. Students work with seedlings in tree nurseries, plant native trees, and maintain reforestation areas.
• Broadway InboundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYC theater industry partnership providing Performing Arts tour students hands-on insight. Through improv workshops and Q&A sessions with experienced actors, students gain real understanding of theater careers.
• Boston Tea Party Ships and MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInteractive museum experience on Social Studies tours. Students travel through time to experience 1773 tea dumping with realistic replica vessel and immersive historical context.
• Turnstile ToursminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYC food cart tour partners. Students sample diverse foods and meet immigrant street vendors learning about the vending industry and vendors' essential role in feeding NYC communities.
• FIRST RoboticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTEM Discovery tours feature hands-on robotics workshops. Students learn from robotics experts and program robots using blockchain coding techniques.
• The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York City art museum partnership providing cultural education experiences for touring students.
• Nobel Prize MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing access to Nobel Prize educational content and teacher summit opportunities.
• Freedom ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting First Amendment and news literacy educational content for student tours.
• SpyHerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing educational content for student travelers.
• Southern New Hampshire UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership for college credit program. EF designed course with SNHU titled 'The Global Educator: Learning and Leading in Connected World.' Students can earn 3 transferable college credits.
• Edge (Observation Deck)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYC observation deck featured on High School tours. Modern architecture with glass floor providing unique views from Manhattan, engaging student travelers.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ACIS (American Council for International Studies): Long-standing educational tour operator focused on middle- and high-school student group travel with similar curriculum-linked itineraries, tour director model, and school-district sales motion. Competes for the same teacher-led group booking decision.
• WorldStrides: Largest direct competitor in U.S. K-12 educational travel, offering performance-based ensembles, language immersion, science, and student tours to schools nationwide. Operates the same school-district sales motion and competes head-to-head for the same limited pool of school travel budgets.
• Rustic Pathways: Student travel operator focused on teen service-learning and community engagement programs; overlaps meaningfully with EF Explore America's Service Learning collection and shares the teacher/group-leader-led sales motion and experiential-learning value proposition.
• EF Tours (EF Educational Tours): Sister brand under the same EF (Education First) parent, operating the international counterpart to EF Explore America for K-12 student educational tours worldwide. Most directly comparable operator — same Tour Consultant / Tour Director model, same EF Method framework, same safety infrastructure, but serving the international route that complements (not competes with) EF Explore America's North America focus.
• Smithsonian Student Travel: Operates student educational tours leveraging Smithsonian institutional partnerships — directly comparable content-led positioning to EF Explore America's Smithsonian partnership for America's 250th Anniversary. Targets the same K-12 school administrators and competes for D.C./history/itineraries.
• National Geographic Student Expeditions: Premium educational travel brand for high school and college students with content-led itineraries tied to National Geographic experts — directly analogous to EF Explore America's Smithsonian/Mount Vernon/UNA-USA partnership strategy for curriculum-rich experiences.

Broad incumbents

• Adventures by Disney: Disney's guided family-group travel product with U.S. domestic itineraries targeting families and youth — overlapping customer (parents of school-age children) and overlapping destinations, but priced for affluent leisure rather than school-funded educational travel. Broader incumbent brand with similar logistical capabilities.
• Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel): Long-established educational travel provider focused on adult learners (and increasingly intergenerational/youth programs) with similar experiential-learning framing. An incumbent in the broader 'educational travel' category with overlapping methodology and infrastructure, but serving primarily older learners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/efexplore
• YouTubeyoutube.com/efexploreamerica
• Facebookfacebook.com/efexploreamerica
• Instagraminstagram.com/efexploreamerica/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/explore-america-tours

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EF Explore America