By Gilly Bachelor

Black Friday has become one of the busiest weekends of the year for travel advertising: flashing banners, 24-hour countdowns, and promotions claiming “unbeatable savings.” But unlike TVs or kitchen gadgets, travel doesn’t behave like a retail product — and a Black Friday deal isn’t always what it seems.

As an independent travel advisor, I look at live holiday pricing every day. Here’s the honest truth about Black Friday in the travel world, including the genuine savings we are seeing this year.

Travel Isn’t Stock on a Shelf

Holidays aren’t sitting in a warehouse waiting for discounts. Prices change based on:

  • Airline seat availability
  • Hotel occupancy
  • School holidays and peak seasons
  • Global demand

So in popular travel periods — like Dubai at Christmas, Mauritius at Easter, or the Maldives during winter — prices rarely drop. In fact, they often increase during Black Friday because demand is already high.

Your Guide to Black Friday Travel Deals...

Not Every Black Friday Offer Is New

Some travel companies simply repackage existing promotions and market them as “Black Friday only.” Sometimes the same offer:

  • Has been available for months
  • Is running all year
  • Appears bigger due to an earlier price increase

Not illegal — just marketing. And that’s why it pays to check the real value before booking.

But Yes… There Are Genuine Savings

Among the noise, a few offers are truly worth grabbing. This year, we’re seeing real, meaningful Black Friday value, especially when it comes to:

  • Specific dates
  • Family holidays
  • Early booking for 2026

Example: Santa’s Lapland 2026

Some 2026 departures currently include £100 off per person, which is genuine and absolutely worth taking if you’re thinking ahead.

Lapland trips rarely discount due to high demand and limited availability, so any reduction is meaningful — especially for families.

If Lapland is on your wish list for next year, this is a good time to talk to me.

Strategy Saves More Than Speed

A countdown timer doesn’t mean you’ll miss out forever. The best value usually comes from:

  • Booking popular dates early (like Lapland and Christmas sun)
  • Travelling in shoulder seasons for better prices
  • Letting me monitor fare releases and hotel inventory

A smart strategy will always beat a rushed “quick, book now” deal.

My Promise to You

If a Black Friday offer is brilliant, I’ll tell you.
If it isn’t, I’ll tell you that too.

You’ll never be rushed. The right holiday at the right price matters more than a marketing deadline.

Your holiday isn’t a product — it’s your time, your memories, your relaxation.

Want to check a deal you’ve seen?

Send me the screenshot, link, or details. I’ll confirm:

  • If it’s genuinely good value
  • What’s included
  • Whether better options exist
  • If you should book now or wait

Send me a message, give our office a call on 01902 288104, or book an appointment. Gilly Bachelor Travel Expert are more than happy to help!