Creative Incentive Travel Ideas

Rewarding top performers and motivating staff are key tactics for ensuring company success, and leveraging corporate incentive travel ideas may be the key. Many companies are so busy today that they do not have the time to come up with creative travel incentive ideas, so here are a few from our meetings and incentives experts to get you started.

Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway to motivate staff or a travel incentive idea that raises the bar, check out these incentive trip ideas to reward and motivate your employees.

Incentive trip ideas to motivate and reward staff

Here’s a look at some truly awesome, creative incentive travel ideas to consider.

Spa Escapes

For total rest and relaxation, consider sending staff on a spa escape. They can be pampered and cared for around the clock, returning to work refreshed and ready.

Quick Getaways

Incentive travel doesn’t have to mean a long getaway. Why not plan three nights in New York for staff, with show tickets and dinner at a famous destination restaurant? Long weekend escapes or quick getaways are growing in popularity, Keller says.

Local or Regional Getaways

Do you think you need to send staff cross-country or internationally? Think again. Local and regional getaways can also do the trick, enabling your staff to return to the office quickly.

“We’re seeing more and more of those trips that aren’t too far from home, so they can get away for the weekend and still be back on Monday.”

Keller says that for Midwestern companies, for example, a getaway to Chicago, with a pass to top attractions and a stay at a lovely hotel, would be a welcome incentive travel gift for employees.

Unique incentive travel destinations

Think outside the box when you want something truly unique and special, perhaps to reward a top performer. There are many unique incentive travel destinations, but consider once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable experiences as:

Italy

Italy offers spectacular sight-seeing, phenomenal countryside, and delectable food and wines. It brings so much to the incentive travel table. Keller says they’ve coordinated incentive trips to Italy with unexpected twists, such as a cooking class.

“There’s nothing better than being in a little kitchen in Italy, making pasta and drinking chianti and just enjoying the country’s smells and sights and sounds.”

Galapagos Islands

“The Galapagos Islands is a place people would seldom go on their own,” Keller says. A company offering incentive travel to a place like the Galapagos Islands truly provides a once-in-a-lifetime getaway, not to mention an unforgettable encounter with giant tortoises.

Napa wine country

Napa is a great destination for groups, who can take a wine train through Napa Valley, stopping at little vineyards throughout the region. But if you’re coordinating incentive travel for a smaller group, you may want to consider something even more personal. “A top experience is a vintage car tour, where you ride in a vintage convertible to the vineyards,” Keller says. Visitors meet winemakers and their families, for a truly memorable experience.

A trip to the desert

A trip to the desert can be an eye-opening and truly unique experience. Keller says one group wanted to do desert hiking near Santa Fe, New Mexico. They got that and more. “We arranged a tour where you brought your own llama with you, called, ‘Lunch with a Llama.’” He explains. “It was a surprise. They thought they were going on a hike. They had a beautiful lunch ,and they thought it was a hoot.” And of course, they captured the experience by taking photos with their llamas.

Second-tier Cities

Second-tier cities are also becoming popular incentive travel destinations. These cities often have charming downtowns, great hotels, and wonderful dining experiences.

“We see more and more companies going this direction. They have good airfare and great hotels and a lot to choose from. So, when we price those they come in priced very competitively.” Keller explains.

While being gentle on the budget, second-tier cities often fly under the radar, which is just one reason to work with a reputable organization to help you arrange creative incentive trip ideas for your staff.

Cities like St. Louis, Indianapolis and Birmingham are all great places to consider.

Travel: an amazing teacher and motivator

Employees appreciate bonuses and other financial rewards, but incentive travel gives something much more. Rather than paying the bills, travel can relax and rejuvenate, motivate staff, and expand their horizons. Keller says travel is also a great teacher.

“I’ve been on many of these incentives with groups. The memories and experiences inspired them to travel, learn, and see the world,” he says.

Incentive travel has inspired Keller to continually see the magic of travel, even when he’s experienced a destination many times. When he traveled with a group on an incentive trip to Disney World, he will never forget a traveler’s reaction when she walked into the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

“She had never been to Disney World, and she came in, stopped in her tracks, and cried. She said, ‘This is the most beautiful place,’” Keller remembers. “I’ve been there probably 30 to 40 times in my life, but I won’t ever take it for granted again.”

Incentive travel: a winning strategy for your winning team

Our Fox World Travel meetings and incentives experts believe travel gives your employees far more than a financial bonus ever could. It gives them the motivation to be the best employee they can be, it gives them reasons to be loyal to the company they work fo,r and it gives them an experience they’ll treasure for a lifetime (or whenever they catch a glimpse of that photo of themselves with a llama).

When your company wants to give back to staff, consider partnering with a trusted travel partner for company group incentive travel ideas that will inspire, motivate and delight your employees.