As travel expenses climb to record highs, budget-conscious consumers are increasingly turning to discounted and unconventional booking methods, including mystery vacations and hostels. Groupon has significantly expanded its mystery vacation portfolio, which began with a single flagship product in North America before growing into a comprehensive offering.
Data shared with CNBC reveals that the company recorded approximately 5,500 orders for these packages during the second quarter of 2026. This figure represents a more than five-fold increase compared to the first quarter of 2025, when only the initial product was available.
The flagship mystery vacation package is priced between $199 and $299 per person, depending on the traveler’s departing airport, and is marketed with a 50% discount. While a small portion of participants are sent to distant international locations such as Singapore or Paris, the majority are assigned domestic destinations like Las Vegas, Atlanta, or Orlando. Travelers typically learn their specific locations within a few days of completing the necessary paperwork.
Tammy Wales, a travel agent based in Georgia, participated in the program and was sent to Orlando. Although she admitted the city was not originally among her top ten choices, she emphasized that the element of surprise made the trip worthwhile. “As long as I’m gone, I don’t really care,” Wales said.
The surge in interest in budget travel options comes amid significant price increases across the transportation sector. According to AAA, gas prices are on track for a record high for the Labor Day holiday, reflecting a roughly 30% annual increase. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that airline fares jumped more than 25% year over year as of July.
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