We’re getting close to that season when your inbox will be flooded with “purchase Buy BUY!” notifications from every retailer that has managed to have you sign up over the years. They are eager to inform you about all the products that could enhance your life. Black Friday occurs the day after Thanksgiving in the USA. It doesn’t carry a dark day implication; instead, it refers to when many retailers finally turn “into the black” financially for the year and realize most of their earnings.
This was likely more accurate before the advent of online shopping, as only the most enthusiastic individuals storm the shopping malls and Walmart on a day meant for family time. Numerous studies indicate that aside from a handful of loss leader items, you won’t discover significantly lower prices than those available if you shop a week before or after, particularly online.
The reality is that even businesses not dealing in physical products feel compelled to participate in this event, so each year you can expect Black Friday travel promotions from companies offering experiences instead of tangible gifts to wrap and place beneath a tree adorned with lights. Since I manage several travel websites, I’ve already received at least 20 emails regarding these promotions well ahead of time, covering everything from cruises to hotels to excursions. Therefore, if you’re making vacation arrangements, this could be a prime moment to save some money on your bookings.
## Tours and Cruises
I don’t frequently discuss group tours here and even less about cruises, but I’ve experienced both in various ways, and they can be quite sensible if costs are managed. I’ve participated in some remarkable small ship tours with between 12 and 150 people aboard, and I’ve also engaged in numerous group excursions for a day and longer trips with companies like Intrepid or local tour providers where I’ve had a wonderful experience.
When you book this type of journey, you might be paying slightly more than if you were to organize everything independently, but the advantage is that *you don’t have to* handle all the arrangements alone. Rather than spending days conducting research and communicating with local providers, someone else manages all the arrangements for accommodation, transit, and guides.
So moving on, let’s discuss Black Friday offers for group travel. Not every organization will have them, particularly those outside the USA, but those with a sizable American clientele are likely to have some sort of promotion. You can explore cruise deals with companies like CruiseDirect, or if you have a travel agent, they may have already reached out to you. I prefer river cruises and have noticed a plethora of offers from companies such as Viking, Avalon, and AMA Waterways.
If you’ve traveled with a tour operator previously, they’ve likely already contacted you regarding a sale or will be doing so this week. If this is your first time, think about your desired destination or type of experience you wish to have and start browsing around. There’s a good chance you’ll discover considerable discounts on a trip that interests you, whether it’s with a large global operator like G Adventures or Intrepid, or a smaller company that focuses on a specific area or type of tour.
If you have a well-off relative looking to fund a multi-generational trip to an incredible location, now would be an excellent time to remind them about the sales. You might persuade them to secure that small ship cruise in the Galapagos, that extraordinary trip to Antarctica, or that Italian dream journey they’ve been contemplating, but at a reduced price.
## Hotel Chains and Villa Rentals
There isn’t any logical necessity to discount hotel rooms just because it’s a sale weekend at retail outlets, but logic doesn’t seem to apply in this case. Numerous sale announcements will appear from major hotel chains and independent properties simply because it gives them a reason to promote what they have to offer and secure some business.
If you are a member of a loyalty program with a specific hotel chain, keep an eye on your emails for announcements of discounts ranging from 10% to 30% for no apparent reason. I’m already observing these from multiple hotel chains and OTAs like Hotels.com and Agoda.
If you’re planning to visit a specific location in the coming months and haven’t made any bookings yet, take some time to browse and see what’s currently available. It might be beneficial to type “Black Friday deal [destination]” into a search engine and check what comes up. Then do the same on sites like Expedia or Booking.com, as there are certainly properties ready to join the sale hype.
## Related Services for Travelers
If there’s a related purchase you’ve been contemplating recently that you haven’t finalized, this would