What Discover the World does

Discover the World is a UK-headquartered specialist tour operator founded in 1983 and registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02295449), based at One Dorking Office Park in Surrey. The company designs and sells tailor-made adventure holidays to destinations across Nordic Europe (Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Lapland), Polar regions (Antarctica, Arctic, Greenland, Svalbard, Falkland Islands), the Americas (Canada, Alaska, USA, Chile, Argentina), Australasia and Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands, French Polynesia), and Continental Europe (Switzerland, Italy). Its product portfolio comprises approximately 156 holiday packages spanning self-drive itineraries, escorted tours, rail journeys, small-ship expedition cruises, independent travel, and short breaks, with sample per-person pricing from £693 (Icehotel Break, Sweden) to £7,409 (Classic Antarctica cruise).

The underlying technology stack consists of an online travel booking platform with itinerary planning tools, a customer management system, and a travel app for customers, supplemented by standard digital marketing infrastructure (website, email, social channels including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube). The company does not operate proprietary AI systems or exposed APIs. Its core operational technology advantage is the human capital embedded in its travel specialists, who provide firsthand destination expertise through a consultation-based direct-to-consumer sales model operating via phone (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm), email, website enquiry forms, and optional video or in-person consultations.

Revenue is generated through two primary mechanics: margin on packaged holiday sales (accommodation, car rental, rail, excursions bundled with optional flight add-ons) and commissions from supplier partners including Havila Kystruten (exclusive Norwegian Coastal Voyage partner), GJ Travel Tours (Iceland ground operations), Hertz (car rental), and an extensive accommodation network spanning budget guesthouses to luxury lodges (Fairmont, Icelandair Hotels, Treehotel, Arctic Bath Hotel, Icehotel). Pricing is entirely quote-based and tailored per customer, with flights typically excluded and provided as bespoke add-ons. A sister company, Discover the World Education, operates school and educational group trips with a portion of consumer holiday revenue funding an Education Bursary Fund, creating a linked secondary revenue stream in the B2B/B2G segment.

Name

Discover the World

Legal name

Discover the World

Website

https://discovericeland.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Discover the World is a UK-based specialist tour operator founded in 1983 that designs and sells tailor-made adventure holidays to Nordic, Polar, Americas, and Australasian destinations for individual travelers, couples, families, and educational groups via a consultation-led direct-to-consumer model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adventure Travel Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land (48711), Deep Sea Passenger Transportation (483112)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Adventure & Expedition Travel Agencies (THAKAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Polar & Remote-Destination Expedition Tour Operators (THAKADAM), Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (Under ~500 Guests) (THAEADAC), Rail Journey Package Tour Operators (THAKADAN)

Keywords

• Tailor-made holidays
• Adventure travel packages
• Small ship cruises
• Escorted group tours
• Self-drive holidays

Headquarters

HQ city

Dorking

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Package Holiday Sales: The company operates as a tour operator selling complete tailor-made holiday packages including accommodation, transportation, car rental, excursions, and rail travel. Pricing is per person based on two sharing, with flights often excluded from the base package price and provided as add-ons. Revenue is generated through margins on the total package cost.
2. Commission from Partners: The company earns commissions from accommodation providers, cruise operators (Havila Voyages), car rental companies, excursion providers, and rail operators whose services are included in holiday packages.
3. School Trips (Sister Company): A percentage of holiday revenue supports the Education Bursary Fund for school trips through Discover the World Education sister company, creating a linked revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Discover the World is a UK-based specialist tour operator and travel agency that arranges tailor-made adventure holidays, escorted group tours, small ship expedition cruises, scenic rail trips, and self-drive itineraries to destinations including Nordic Europe (Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Lapland), Polar regions (Antarctica, Arctic, Greenland, Svalbard, Falkland Islands), the Americas (Canada, Alaska), Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands, French Polynesia), and Continental Europe (Switzerland, Italy). Packages bundle accommodation, car rental, excursions, and rail travel, with flights quoted separately.

Product overview

Discover the World operates as a travel agency and tour operator offering a portfolio of adventure holiday packages and tailor-made travel experiences. The core product is its Adventure Holidays & Tailor Made Trips service, supported by specific destination-focused products including Norwegian Fjord Highlights, Rocky Mountains in Depth, and Oslo to the Arctic. The company offers multiple holiday types (Self Drive, Rail, Small Ship Cruises, Escorted, Independent, Short Break) organized by destination regions (Nordic Europe, Americas, Australasia, Polar, Continental Europe) and experience categories (Wildlife, Northern Lights, Walking, Family). A sister brand, Discover the World Education, provides school trip services. The company also offers Tesla Model Y rentals with free charging in Iceland as a special accommodation option.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Discover the World Education: Sister company focused on school trips and educational travel experiences

Products and services

• Adventure Holidays & Tailor-Made Trips The company's core service: personalized adventure travel itineraries worldwide, from accommodation booking (guesthouses to luxury lodges) to excursions, transport, and rail components. Offered to individual travelers, couples, families, and solo travelers via direct consultation with destination specialists.
• Norwegian Fjord Highlights (Self-Drive) A 7-night self-drive holiday exploring Norway's Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord, featuring accommodation with private bathroom and breakfast, car rental with unlimited mileage, the Flamsbana railway experience, and 24-hour emergency assistance. Starting from £1,481 per person, excluding flights, ferries, and tolls.
• Rocky Mountains in Depth (Self-Drive) A 6-night Canadian Rockies self-drive from Banff to Jasper via Lake Louise, including 2-night stays at major centres, car hire with unlimited mileage and second driver, loss damage waiver, Ice Explorer ride on Athabasca Glacier, Glacier Skywalk, gondola, cruise, and choice of excursion in Jasper. Starting from £1,521 per person.
• Oslo to the Arctic (Rail & Coastal Voyage) A 13-night independent rail and sea holiday from Oslo to the Arctic: 7 nights in hotels with breakfast, rail travel Oslo-Flam-Bergen including the Flamsbana railway, and 6 nights aboard a Havila ship in a Seaview Superior cabin with all meals included on board. Starting from £3,269 per person, excluding flights.
• Small Ship Expedition Cruises Small ship polar expedition cruises to Antarctica and the Arctic, sailing on vessels such as the Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle, and Douglas Mawson for 2026-2027 voyages. For example, the Classic Antarctica cruise is an 8-12 night small ship expedition cruise from £7,409 per person.
• Rail Holidays Scenic rail itineraries across Switzerland, Italy, Norway, and beyond, including the Grand Tour of Switzerland, Flamsbana railway, and Scandinavian rail journeys (e.g., the 21-night Arctic Rail Odyssey from £5,445 per person).
• Self-Drive Holidays Flexible self-drive holiday packages including car rental, accommodation, and personalized itineraries across destinations including Norway, Canada, Iceland, and Scandinavia. Tailored to individual driving preferences and route interests.
• Discover the World Education (School Trips) Sister company focused on educational school trips and curriculum-linked travel experiences for students, with bursary funding support from the parent brand. Booked through a separate website (discovertheworldeducation.com).

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.8/5 customer satisfaction rating based on Feefo reviews
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Havila KystrutencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership offering Havila Norwegian Coastal Voyages (newest and most environmentally friendly ships - Havila Capella and Castor) as part of tailor-made Norway holidays. The partnership includes 12-day voyages from Bergen to Kirkenes crossing the Arctic Circle, with combined rail and sea itineraries. Havila Northern Lights Promise offered where if aurora doesn't show during trip, a complementary voyage is provided.
• Discover the World EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company focused on school trips and educational travel. A percentage of revenue from holiday bookings goes into the Education Bursary Fund supporting places on school trips. The companies share the Discover the World brand and work collaboratively on responsible travel initiatives.
• GJ Travel ToursminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal tour operator in Iceland providing ground operations for escorted group tours booked through Discover the World. Customer reviews mention GJ Travels and guide Simone de Greef delivering excellent Iceland experiences.
• HertzminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCar rental partner used for self-drive holidays. One customer review mentioned issues with Hertz service during their Norway trip.
• Various Accommodation ProviderscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExtensive network of accommodation partners including Fairmont hotels (Banff Springs, Chateau Lake Louise), Icelandair Hotels, Brandon Lodge, Arctic Bath Hotel, Treehotel, and hundreds of other properties across destinations. These partnerships enable the company to offer accommodation from guesthouses to luxury lodges.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Audley Travel: UK-based tailor-made travel specialist offering bespoke itineraries to similar long-haul adventure and experiential destinations. Same consultation-led model, similar customer demographics, and overlapping product in self-drive, escorted, and small-ship expedition holidays.
• Exodus Adventure Travels: UK-based small-group adventure tour operator with overlapping product in walking, wildlife, polar expeditions and discovery holidays. Both target experienced, nature-oriented travellers seeking guided adventure itineraries.
• Wildlife Worldwide: UK-based wildlife and nature holiday specialist offering tailor-made and small-group trips. Direct overlap on polar expeditions, wildlife viewing, and remote-destination itineraries served by similar specialist consultation model.
• Explore Worldwide: UK small-group adventure operator with comparable product mix across polar regions, the Nordics, and the Americas. Competes for similar customer segments seeking escorted and adventure-led itineraries.
• Wexas Travel: UK-based tailor-made and escorted tour operator covering long-haul adventure, polar, and Nordic destinations. Overlapping tailor-made model and similar geography mix.
• Regent Holidays: Long-established UK specialist tour operator covering Nordic, polar and unusual destinations with tailor-made itineraries — closely overlapping Discover the World's destination portfolio and customer base.
• KE Adventure Travel: UK adventure tour operator with similar small-group and tailor-made products in trekking, walking, and expedition holidays. Direct competitor for the experiential UK traveller segment.

Regional players

• Discover Canada Holidays (Tourcanvacations/Tourcan): Canadian tour operator specialising in Canada and North America holidays. Overlaps on Discover the World's Canadian Rockies self-drive products but is Canada-domiciled.

Broad incumbents

• Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express: Major Norwegian coastal voyage and expedition cruise operator. Direct competitor to Havila Kystruten for coastal Norway itineraries and operator of Antarctic/Arctic expedition cruises that Discover the World resells.
• Quark Expeditions: Polar expedition cruise operator whose vessels (e.g., Ocean Explorer, Ultramarine) feature in Discover the World's small-ship expedition portfolio. Comparable as a direct operator in the polar expedition segment that Discover the World resells.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DiscovertheWorldLtd
• Facebookfacebook.com/DiscoverTheWorldUK
• Instagraminstagram.com/discovertheworlduk
• TikToktiktok.com/@discovertheworlduk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Discover the World