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A Guide to the Top Incentive Travel Destinations For 2 0 2 2

Incentive travel remains a top motivator, and many reward earners are eager for a new adventure (or just a change of scenery).

For some top performers, an upcoming incentive trip could be their first time traveling since the pandemic began—a trip they’ve been dreaming about for ages. Our experts are excited as ever to craft once-in-a-lifetime experiences to make travel dreams a reality, as well as help travelers navigate evolving safety guidelines.

Related: There are a lot of reasons to be excited about incentive travel in 2022. See our top 5 . 

Your top performers deserve the very best, a destination that will motivate them to keep putting in all that hard work. A destination that is memorable, distinctive, and perhaps not-so-traditional.

Whether it’s tropics or bustling cities, these are the 10 most attractive destinations our buyers are booking right now for incentive travel. Any of the 10 experiences will make your hard-working trip qualifiers feel appreciated and re-energized.

Classic European Sites

Madrid, Spain

Art, cuisine, nightlife, architecture—the capital city of Madrid has it all, along with a rich history to impress.

Highlights:

• Tour the Paseo del Arte museums, including the world-famous Prado, with works by the Impressionists and Pablo Picasso
• Wander the Parque del Retiro , an expansive urban park
• Listen to street musicians at Plaza Mayor , the grand central square

Hotel recommendation:

• Stay at Four Seasons Madrid , a brand-new property in the heart of the city. Walk to key attractions then return to a restful, modern retreat.

Dublin, Ireland

A small capital city with big personality, participants love Dublin for its friendly people, rich cultural heritage and happening nightlife scene.

• Enjoy the lively Temple Bar area with its many pubs and live music
• Tour the Guinness Storehouse brewery for the history of the iconic beverage
• Visit Trinity College , the oldest college in Ireland and alma mater of many literary greats, including Jonathon Swift and Oscar Wilde
• The Westbury , located in the center of town, is a destination itself because of its gorgeous central stairway and private art gallery.

Loch Lomond, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland 

Seek out the “bonnie banks” of Loch Lomond, an inland lake made famous by the Scottish folk song of the same name, and take in the beauty of the surrounding Lowlands and Highlands.

• Explore Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park , which became Scotland’s first national park in 2002
• Journey through Dumbarton Castle in the ancient capital of Scotland
• Spend a day at the Loch Lomond Shores shopping district, which includes outdoor activities, boat trips and an aquarium
• Built in 1700 and renovated in 2020, the castle-like Cameron House is one of the most sought-after hotels in Scotland.

Sunny Tropic Locales

San José del Cabo, Mexico 

San José del Cabo offers a more relaxed atmosphere than its better-known counterpoint Cabo San Lucas. Enjoy shopping, an enchanting plaza and dining experiences, all with plenty of sunshine and miles of beaches.

• Amble through the Art District for unique shopping and live music opportunities
• Scuba-dive the coral reefs of Cabo Pulmo National Park , a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Swim with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery
• Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve opened in 2021 and boasts ocean views and indoor/outdoor living spaces in each guest room.

Nassau, Bahamas

For a tropical experience with a healthy dose of urban energy, check out Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. Originally home to pirates and hustlers, the streets are always bustling.

• Witness the pirate history of the Bahamas with the wax recreations at the Pirates of Nassau Museum
• Delve into the past at Fort Charlotte , a British-colonial fort constructed in the late 18th century
• Walk through the natural wonderland of Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre
• For large group travel, stay at the accommodating Grand Hyatt Baha Mar (it has 1,800 rooms on property!). Be sure to take advantage of its new Baha Bay water park, which opened July 2021.

Palm Beach, Aruba 

One of the most popular islands in the Caribbean, Aruba is known for its white, sandy beaches and all-inclusive resorts. Don’t be afraid to wander off the beaten path here!

• Stroll through the cozy capital, Oranjestad , for shopping and restaurants
• Observe magnificent waves beat against the rocky coast at Conchi “Natural Pool”
• Climb the landmark California Lighthouse for 360° views of the island
• The Ritz-Carlton Aruba includes its own casino and is currently refurbishing all its suites.

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Costa Rica has incredible biological diversity. Discover all the beauty of its unspoiled beaches, fast-flowing rivers and national parks in Guanacaste.

• Engage in outdoor adventures such as zip-lining and rock climbing
• Take a day trip to iconic Arenal Volcano for horseback riding and hiking
• Investigate local fauna by partaking in activities like bird watching
• The Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo underwent renovations in 2021 for an extra luxurious feel. Guests staying in Peninsula Papagayo can sign up for exclusive small group eco-activities .

U.S.-Based Adventures

Big Sky, Montana

For fresh air and wide-open skies year-round, escape to the natural splendor of the mountains of Montana. Outdoor enthusiasts praise Big Sky for its variety of activities.

• Ski the famous slopes at Big Sky Resort
• Hike Yellowstone National Park , one of the most popular national parks in the U.S.
• Learn fly-fishing at some of the best rivers for the sport in the world
• For a combination of lodge living and modern comfort, book rooms at Montage Big Sky .

Nashville, Tennessee

While best known for its country music, Nashville is a destination spot for its revived downtown, festivals, shows and nightlife.

• Sample the best of downtown Nashville in the Lower Broadway District , an area popular for live music, honky-tonks, restaurants and shops
• Attend concerts at the Ryman Auditorium , the original home of the Grand Ole Opry
• Go behind the scenes of country music at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Hotel recommendations:

• The soon-to-open Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown will be adjacent to the Music City Center convention center. The hotel promises a rooftop pool with bar and easy access to downtown attractions.

Hanalei Bay, Princeville, Hawaii

Hanalei Bay, a picturesque setting on Kauai, the Garden Island, offers several pristine beaches for surfing, paddleboarding, swimming or simply relaxing.

• Play golf on courses designed to wrap around the spectacular coastline at Makai Golf Course
• Study nesting seabirds and marine mammals at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
• Shop for authentic carved wood souvenirs from local artisans in Hanalei Town
• 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay , formerly the St. Regis Princeville is undergoing a full renovation that will infuse it with authentic details such as native greenery and reclaimed materials. It will be accepting group business beginning in October 2022.

Mandy joined ITA Group in 2005, serving in operations before transitioning to the purchasing team as a Buyer and Supervisor. In her current role as Lead Buyer, Mandy leads the internal presale process for financial and insurance brands, conceptualizing events, building program budgets, negotiating supplier partner contracts, and maintaining client and supplier relationships. She works closely with internal sales and operations teams to bring strategic recommendations to each program. Mandy enjoys traveling, attending concerts, cheering on her beloved Iowa Hawkeyes and Kansas City Chiefs, and spending time with family and friends, especially her two sons.

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Sales Incentive Trip: How to Make Yours Successful in 2025

You’ve chosen to take your team on an incentive trip this year. The beaches are already calling.

But where do you begin?

A successful sales incentive trip, or President's Club, is important to your bottom line and your employee engagement. But creating a successful trip is more than just selecting a cool spot and wishing for the best.

At its best, an incentive trip will motivate, reward and excite your employees, all within budget. At its worst, you could be facing an expensive flop of a trip.

Let's make sure your sales incentive program isn't a waste of time and money.

Here are our main tips to make it a success.

• Set clear goals (and budget)
• Example incentive trip agenda
• Select your destination and consider logistics
• Send out clear communications
• Create Special Moments with Branding, Gifting, Entertainment and More 
• Make Onsite Amazing: Participant Engagement and Motivation 

What is a Sales Incentive Trip?

A sales incentive trip is an all-expenses paid trip given to top sales performers. These trips are often called President's Clubs. Incentive travel programs give you the opportunity to pamper these sales employees while also motivating them to achieve their sales targets next year.

In fact, the Incentive Research Foundation found , " In 2022, the percentage that found group incentive travel to be ‘extremely’ or ‘very motivating’ increased to 91%, with only 1% stating they did not find incentive travel to be ‘motivating at all’."

These incentive trips also give your team the ability to mingle with other top performers as well as executive teams, which in turn will help teams bond and motivate each other for the year ahead.

Corporate incentive travel programs can include an array of your top-performing sales team, including account executives, SDRs, sales operations managers, and even marketing managers, as you see fit. We recommend analyzing your team on multiple levels to identify the right mix of top sales performers.

The key to successful sales incentive trips is a mix of the right destination, the right activities, and the right people. This article will cover how to make that happen.

1. Set Clear Goals (and Budget) Before You Start Looking at Location

What do you want to achieve with this incentive trip? Connect your employees to executives? Motivate them to perform even better next year? Reinforce company culture? Simply lift company morale?

Whatever your objectives are, make sure you clearly outline them and share them with your planning and executive teams.

These will be your guiding lights throughout the planning process, and will help you measure your program’s success once it’s complete.

Tying Incentive Program Goals to Budget

We often encourage our clients to think of the big picture when planning sales incentive trips. It’s more than just planning a trip on budget.

Sometimes the most important goals are the least tangible: creating inspiration, wowing attendees, or reinforcing your brand purpose.

Understand how these goals weave into your hardline numbers goals, then make sure to revisit them throughout the planning process.

Budget will be an important part of this planning process as well. Make sure you know what your top-line budget is, as well as how much you want to spend per person.

Take into account things like travel costs, activity costs, gifting, and more.

2. Design Your Program: Agendas, Activities, and More

The design of your incentive program is vitally important. Here are some key questions to ask as you craft your agenda.

• Is this a week-long excursion or a couple nights of fun? IRF found that "Half (50%) indicated that a trip between 4-6 days would be ‘ideal’."
• Do you want your executive team to attend?
• Does your team need multiple scheduled activities or more free time?
• Do you want team-building activities throughout?

Think through all the different aspects of your program, from duration to activity needs. How you can weave in elements like gifting or special events to create meaningful experiences?

Create a draft agenda for your event that you can share with executives.

Example Incentive Program Agenda

Here’s an example of an incentive travel program agenda:

• AM/Day - Arrivals with special concierge welcome, gifts in rooms
• PM - casual welcome dinner
• AM - casual breakfast, optional yoga or morning workout at the beach
• Day - selection of group activities, such as snorkeling, spa, jet skiing, or hiking
• PM - taste of the local culture dinner with local entertainment
• AM - group networking breakfast
• Day - free day at resort, option to participate in give back volunteering activity
• Small activities throughout the day, such as painting sessions, spa, yoga, etc.
• PM - small dinner selections throughout the resort
• AM - casual breakfast, free time
• Day - selection of group activities
• PM - celebration dinner with award ceremony
• Final morning to enjoy free time

The Incentive Research Foundation found that "ample time to relax" is important to guests, " with 89% saying it was ‘extremely’ or ‘somewhat important.’" Downtime is essential for successful incentive programs.

3. Select Your Destination and Consider Travel Logistics

Now that you have an idea of what you want your sales incentive trip to look like, it’s time to start sourcing venues.

There are many considerations to make when selecting your venue, so we recommend checking out these recommendations on how to find the best location for your incentive trip.

Logistics Questions to Ask

• Do you need to fly in people from around the world?
• Or are most of your employees located in a central spot? If everyone is located in North America, it may not make sense to fly them all across the world (unless that’s enticing, of course).
• How far is the location from the airport?
• Will you need to coordinate buses?
• Will your attendees want to visit the city near where you’re staying or do you want everything to stay within the resort you select?
• What unique experiences will your attendees want to partake in?

These questions and more are covered in our guide to selecting the right destination .

Activities, Transportation, Shipping, and More

Beyond selecting your destination, you’ll need to figure out how to schedule activities, what transportation you need, where to order gifts, how to get supplies to your destination, and more.

With an eye on your budget, you’ll want to make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck while still providing local experiences for your team.

Incentive travel is meant to be exciting and rewarding for your team, so make sure they'll actually like what you choose to do.

Once you have these logistics in place, it’s time to start layering in communications, excitement, and more.

4. Create Excitement and Send Out Clear Communications

Communicating your program to your team is key to ensuring engagement and excitement for your sales incentive trip. There are several areas you can level up your communications, including social media graphics, registration communications, and pre-event gifting.

Custom Graphics

Many companies will create custom graphics for their incentive programs that employees can share on networks like LinkedIn to promote their selection for the trip. We love a custom "President's Club" logo for these graphics too. ( This kind of sharing is a major reason why incentive trips fare better than cash rewards .)

Registration Communications

Registration should include all the logistic info that your attendees need to know. This includes how to book their flights (or what company will be coordinating for them), how to reserve their +1’s spot, what to wear, what to expect, and where they should go for emergency info.

These can all be housed in one registration site that they can reference. Also consider sending a PDF option for them to download in case they don't have WiFi while they're traveling.

The Fun Stuff

There are many other ways you can create excitement and make your team feel special before the trip. Other touchpoints we like to include prior to the sales incentive trip are:

• Gift box inviting them to register . This can include items they can bring on the trip, like a nice beach towel or sun hat.
• Printed or virtual trip brochure. Build excitement for the trip and relay important information with a custom trip brochure.
• “Hype” emails. Ongoing outreach that gets your team excited for the event.

5. Create Special Moments with Branding, Gifting, Entertainment and More

Your goal for your incentive trip is to drive home brand loyalty throughout the trip. Otherwise, it’s just another vacation for your team. Here are some suggestions for branding, gifting, and more.

Incentive Program Branding

There are several ways we like to reinforce branding during incentive programs. The key here is to make the brand feel like it’s part of the experience without being too obvious about it.

• Custom incentive trip logo. Create a logo that’s used throughout your event and is exclusive to this trip. Any gifts that attendees take home will feel exclusive and they’ll want to sport the new swag.
• Pillows, coasters, and more. Sprinkle your brand throughout the event with custom pillows and decor that is subtle but still consistent.
• Fun surprises. We’ve had everything from the company name written in sand to logos projected on the walls at nighttime events. Think of unique ways to bring your brand into different scenarios throughout the event.

Incentive Gifting

Gifting is another area where you can reinforce your brand. We often like to mix luxury gifts with some branded opportunities. This could include local gifts wrapped in your branded gift bags or non-branded gifts coupled with branded postcards. If you’re looking for ideas, we’re happy to brainstorm with you.

Entertainment Branding

Think about how you can weave your brand into areas like entertainment as well. Does the sailboat you take out have a flag with your company logo? Will the evening entertainment sport a hat with your logo? What are some creative ways you can tie in your brand to areas beyond the decor?

We like to mix in local entertainment with branding to give an authentic travel experience while still reinforcing the brand.

6. Make Onsite Amazing: Participant Engagement and Motivation

Everything pre-event has fallen into place. Your attendees have successfully arrived at your destination and you’re excited to get the week kicked off.

The next part is key to ensure your goals are met: engaging and motivating your attendees.

If you’ve put all the right pieces into place, such as an engaging agenda and effective branding, then your attendees should be excited to participate.

Making sure all the activities run smoothly is key to making sure people actually participate and don’t just skip off to tan the whole weekend. 

But it’s also important that you, as the host, are able to give attention to your attendees and not spend the whole time trying to put out fires. This is where an incentive travel agency can really make sure the onsite portion runs smoothly so you can focus on your attendees.

Next Steps: Creating the Trip of a Lifetime

Your sales incentive trip is an opportunity to inspire and motivate your sales team for another great year.

Careful planning and facilitation will ensure you hit those goals.

This includes choosing the right destination for your group, planning a careful agenda, and making sure everything runs smoothly onsite.

There’s a lot to balance when planning a successful incentive trip. Having the right partners can help you create a successful incentive program without pulling your hair out in the process.

GoGather offers fully-managed or a la carte incentive travel programs for your incentive travel experiences, and can help you manage everything from site selection to gift sourcing. Learn more about our incentive travel offerings and reach out to us to brainstorm your next trip.

Frequently Asked Questions: Incentive Trips

What are incentive trips for employees.

Incentive trips are reward-based travel programs that companies can plan for employees. Incentive trips seek to reward and motivate employees in a group setting, with travel to exciting and new places.

Why are incentive trips important?

Incentive trips motivate, reward and inspire sales teams to perform. They also allow top-performing employees to connect and motivate each other in ways they might not be able to in a traditional office setting.

What is an example of incentivized travel?

An example of incentivized travel is: a biotechnology company had an excellent year and decides to plan a trip to Cabo to reward its sales teams. The company (and their events agency) plan everything from the 5-star hotel to flights to daily activities like sailing and horseback riding. Attendees are rewarded with fun evening events, upscale gifts, and time to relax with their plus-one.

How do you plan an incentive trip?

• Begin with your goals and budget
• Source locations based on your goals and budget
• Select activities that your attendees will enjoy
• Communicate travel arrangements and agendas clearly
• Allow for leisure time and relaxing activities, like spa days
• Create special moments with gifting and awards
• Leverage an events agency, like GoGather, to help you manage all the moving pieces

Katie Moser

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15 Corporate Incentive Travel Program Tips

By: Angela Robinson | Updated: May 01, 2023

You found our list of the best corporate incentive travel program tips !

Corporate incentive travel programs are initiatives that offer all-expenses paid trips and experiences in exchange for extraordinary performance. For example, a trip to Thailand or Mexico. These programs aim to motivate employees and raise morale, loyalty, and productivity.

Travel incentive programs are one example of employee incentives and employee engagement ideas , and can be a popular employment benefit .

This article includes:

• incentive travel examples
• incentive trips for employees
• group travel incentive programs
• corporate incentives besides travel

Here is the list!

Incentive travel examples

When it comes to destinations and trip experiences, possibilities are endless. Here are a few examples of incentive travel programs to give you inspiration:

• A stay in the British countryside complete with castle tours
• A food tour through Italy or France, or through your home city
• Museum crawl through New York City
• Hotel and tickets to a Broadway or West End show
• A Seine River expedition through Germany
• Weeklong country-hopping tour
• Hiking excursion in the mountains
• Wildlife interaction at a sanctuary
• Wine country visits
• Behind the scenes tour of a nearby brewery
• Weekend stay at a local bed and breakfast
• Tropical beach escape
• Historical tour of a prominent city
• Hot air balloon rides
• Passes and accommodation to a cultural festival
• Company cruises
• Glamping or camping
• Team building retreats

The items on this list provide a solid baseline for program structures, but there are many possibilities for irresistible trips that will drive employees to perform at their best.

Corporate incentive travel program tips

From soliciting suggestions from staff to leveraging social media, here are the steps for creating an effective corporate incentive travel program.

1. Ask your staff for ideas

A travel program is only an incentive if your staff wants to take the trips you choose. Instead of outright guessing, or stealthily scanning your staff’s Instagram vacation posts, ask your staff for destination and activity ideas.

First, gather plausible options for countries, cities, accommodations, excursions, and activities. Then, distribute a survey, and use the feedback to inform your selections. Consider including a write-in option on your questionnaire so employees can point you towards any useful travel resources or discount programs.

2. Determine the goal of your program

The point of an incentive program is to achieve a particular result or encourage a certain behavior. Thus, when designing your incentive trips for employees, it is important to outline the goal.

Corporate incentive travel program objectives may include:

• Specific sales targets
• Increased client satisfaction scores
• Decrease in paperwork errors
• Shorter customer wait times
• Quicker production turnaround time

The goal of the program may include multiple aims, and targets may vary by position or department.

Trips are a significant investment, and organizations expect a worthwhile return on such a weighty investment. By outlining clear goals when introducing the program, you justify the expenditure and link the reward to a clear result.

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• icebreaker games
• bingo cards

3. Provide clear guidelines to staff

Higher management are not the only parties that benefit from having accurate expectations for the program. When announcing the initiative, provide clear guidelines to the staff so employees understand how to earn the rewards. For best results, communicate the necessary targets, performance period timeline, methods of measurement, and ultimate prizes.

You may also want to mention:

• The level of date flexibility for trips. Can attendees choose from multiple months or weekends, or will there only be one date for the trip? If the latter, then disclose the date upfront.
• Whether or not family members and guests can join the trips.
• Included amenities vs add-on options.
• Accommodations the company can make for staff with special circumstances.

Misunderstanding requirements could lead to staff missing out on the opportunity, causing disappointment. Employees want to feel that managers are upfront and honest, and clear communication fosters trust.

4. Consult a travel expert

Corporate travel programs require a great deal of planning and logistics management. Coordinating such a program alone can feel overwhelming, but travel and events companies that specialize in running incentive programs can simplify the process.

Here are some recommended travel incentive companies:

• American Express Meetings & Events
• Creative Group Inc.
• First Incentive Travel
• Peak Performance Meetings & Incentives
• Bishop McCann
• Bi Worldwide
• Fox World Travel
• Maritz Global Events
• George P. Johnson Experience Marketing
• World Travel Inc

Even if you decide not to hire a third-party vendor to manage incentive trips, consider consulting a travel agent or other professional who has experience planning and executing group trips. If nothing else, then read HR blogs for advice. You do not need to reinvent the wheel; you can rely on the guidance of professionals who have seen success with incentives to shape your program.

5. Research multiple vendors

While destination management companies often advertise packages that remove the hassle from corporate travel planning, these all-inclusive offerings are not always the best options for your needs. Working with multiple event providers may be a more cost-effective solution that results in better experiences for your employees.

Consider branching out and enlisting different companies for transportation, accommodations, catering, and experiences such as museum tours or adventure sports outings. At minimum, research and compare multiple destination management companies to ensure you find the best deal and optimal level of service.

6. Negotiate exclusives

Most travel incentive companies work with organizations to create tailored, customized plans. When designing trips, securing exclusive amenities and activities can make the experience even more attractive. For instance, booking an illustrious restaurant for a private party with a special menu, or receiving an after-hours, behind-the-scenes tour of a historical site with an expert. Planning experiences that attendees cannot replicate during personal visits makes the experience feel more unique, which compels employees to work harder to secure their spots on the trip.

7. Use organizational resources

While a travel incentive trip differs from a business trip, branches in other geographical regions can be a great help to your planning process. Offices in other states or countries might be able to make an introduction to a contact such as a travel coordinator, local guide, restaurateur, or hospitality professional that can help you coordinate your trip. You might even take advantage of special corporate discounts or offerings thanks to your relationship with the sister site.

Even if your organization does not have locations worldwide, you may employ a teammate who has previously worked, traveled, or lived in your destination and can offer recommendations. Tapping into your company’s internal resources improves the journey.

8. Stick to a budget

Travel programs are rarely low-cost perks. Expenses like transportation, accommodation, meals, and entertainment add up quickly, even if your group remains local. While increases in worker output and performance often justify the price of the program, it is still important to stick to a budget to ensure a balanced return on investment.

Researching beforehand helps avoid overspending. Before you commit to a destination or travel package, ensure you understand the total cost, including any additional expenditures such as insurance, service fees, non-included meals, transportation between venues, and tips for service staff.

Remember that if employees show interest in pricey experiences that the company cannot cover, then you can compensate by scheduling free time and allowing attendees to purchase optional activities.

Here is a list of ways to spend your budget at year-end .

9. Be liberal with options

Your group is a diverse bunch with a wide range of interests. One employee’s dream trip might not be another’s. To guarantee that all travelers enjoy the experience, arrange an array of activities that suit many tastes. For example, plan a bar crawl one evening and an open mic the next. Or, give attendees the choice between wine tasting, rock climbing, or touring a museum.

When planning activities, keep in mind:

• Physical ability
• Level of socialization
• Dietary needs
• Non-alcoholic options for non-drinkers
• Price, if members pay out of pocket
• Cultural sensitivity and inclusivity

Keep these considerations in mind not only when planning activities, but also when booking trip details. For instance, steer clear of destinations with recent human rights violations or recent racial tensions in favor of diverse and inclusive locations where all guests feel welcome.

10. Focus on the experience more than the destination

While the ability to travel to a foreign country or a lively city is a major draw, the location is not as important as your team’s overall happiness. Instead of fixating on the destination, focus on the experience. You do not need to pick a flashy locale to garner interest in the program. Attendees can have fun in a neighboring town or an off-the-beaten-path destination if you plan meaningful and engaging activities.

When choosing a venue for your trip, explore unconventional options and open yourself to interesting possibilities. Aim to connect your staff meaningfully with the local culture and with each other. Keep an eye out for experiences unique to your host city, and aim to be travelers rather than simply tourists. In essence, unlock the full potential of each city, neighborhood, or business instead of relying on the allure of the destination to do the heavy lifting.

11. Offer resources and assistance

Assuming that every trip member is an experienced traveler is a mistake. Travel programs generate interest among a wide range of attendees, from globetrotters to folks who have yet to step foot in an airport. Because there may be a discrepancy in the travel knowledge within your group, offering resources and assistance is helpful. Even if your package includes transportation, members may need to book plane tickets individually, in which case you should designate a helper to answer questions and resolve issues.

Consider also providing:

• Passport and visa application assistance
• Packing tips
• Applicable CDC advisories and vaccine information
• A guide to cultural norms in your destination country
• Travel medical and insurance resources
• Currency exchange services
• Safety recommendations and emergency contact information

You can equip the group with helpful literature, hold informational sessions, and create online forums where attendees can ask and answer questions, too.

12. Use trips as an opportunity to expand employees’ worldviews

While the trip acts first as an incentive and reward, the vacation can serve as an educational tool, too. By incorporating cultural experiences, you expand teammates’ worldviews, teach empathy, and develop soft skills that enhance employees’ abilities to interact with clients and colleagues.

To capitalize on the effects of the trip, select a destination that pushes staff out of their comfort zone and introduces new viewpoints and experiences. To achieve this end, the destination does not have to be a foreign country. Every country is culturally diverse, and workers benefit from visiting a new region, or even connecting with a distinct subculture close to home. The trip can be an opportunity not only for employees to relax and have fun, but also to grow.

13. Maximize team bonding

Being in an unfamiliar place together can bring a group closer together. Shared experiences are the root of team building, and group trips establish common ground and memories that form a foundation for continuing relationships. Group travel incentive programs can not only save companies time and money, but also supercharge group development. One of the best approaches to travel programs is to maximize team bonding potential by planning group excursions and team building activities and scheduling time for group reflection.

By dedicating Slack channels, social media groups, team chats, pre and post trip sessions, and shared online photo albums to the trip group, you can further fuel interactions between members.

Here is a list of team building ideas to try.

14. Leverage employee testimonials and social media

Organizations devote significant resources to travel programs. One way to optimize return on investment is to leverage employee testimonials and social media as a way to market company culture and motivate colleagues to strive for future travel incentives.

A few suggestions:

• Distribute a survey at the end of the trip. Make the survey completion a scheduled activity, or incentivize feedback by holding a prize drawing in tandem.
• Ask employees to submit photos and captions to the marketing team for the company social media page
• Coordinate a social media takeover campaign where trip attendees schedule content for company social media channels
• Encourage attendees to tag posts on personal accounts with the company handle and a specific hashtag.
• Dedicate blog posts to the experience
• Compile a highlights reel of the trip by editing together video clips
• Allow participants to speak about the trip on a company podcast
• Invite attendees to speak at information sessions for future trips

Most folks appreciate having a platform to share their stories and experiences. This user-generated content has many uses both internally and externally, such as in recruitment materials, marketing projects, and employee engagement campaigns .

15. Offer alternatives to travel

Although travel is an enticing incentive, it is not a universal motivator for all employees. Familial obligations, health complications, fear of flying, or a distaste for travel are examples of conditions that might prevent staff from reaping the rewards of the program. To better suit the needs of your entire organization, offer alternatives to trips, such as material bonuses or more localized experiences. Examples might include a chartered day at a nearby winery, tickets to the hometown sports team game, or extra paid time off. Read the next section for more suggestions on non-travel incentive rewards.

Other corporate incentives besides travel

Travel is not viable to every employee’s circumstances. For a more universally appealing incentive program, consider offering alternatives to travel. The following list offers a few suggestions.

Bonuses are the most common employee incentive. Monetary rewards give employees more autonomy over their winnings, since staff has the discretion to use the extra cash as they see fit. Not to mention, a financial award sends the message that the organization shares extra profits with staff, thus compelling employees to generate more revenue for the company.

When introducing financial incentives, it is important to explain a clear bonus structure so that the staff has a solid understanding of expectations and performance metrics.

2. Extra paid time off

Instead of scheduling a trip for employees, you could offer extra paid time off so that employees can travel when, where, and with whom they prefer. Through this method, your staff may opt for a staycation instead, choosing to use the extra time to catch up on errands, develop side hustles, spend time with family members, or relax at home. This approach signals that the company values employees’ personal time and appreciates work life balance. Plus, offering extra time awards employees more freedom to customize their prize.

3. Concerts

Concerts are close-to-home adventures. Music and nightlife enthusiasts love the chance to attend live performances. Access to sold-out or exclusive events, good seats or entry into VIP areas, and other perks like complimentary food or merchandise sweeten the deal. Partnering with a corporate-facing event company or local concert venue can help you net discounts and special offers for your employees.

4. Sporting events

Tickets or company box seats at a sporting event are an enticing prize for sports fans, salespeople, and anyone who relishes the energy of a live game. Best of all, since seasons consist of many games, you can divide the performance period into multiple benchmarks, and employ ticket giveaways as an ongoing motivator. Also, sports inspire attitudes of camaraderie and teamwork which you can channel into your workplace.

5. Technology

New gadgets and upgrades hit the technology market daily. Keeping all gadgets updated can be a challenge, so technology rewards are tempting incentives.

A few suggestions for technology incentives:

• smartphones
• video game systems
• action cameras
• smartwatches and fitness trackers
• wireless earbuds
• 3-D printers

Consider offering technology upgrades for personal use, work use, or a mix of both. For example, promise to buy high-tech printers for the winning department.

6. Parking spots

Parking can be a surprisingly effective employee motivator, especially if you work in a city with scarce or expensive parking options. Even if the office building houses a company garage, employees may eye a desirable spot. Winning a prized parking spot or a complimentary pass checks one box off of the proverbial to-do list and makes the morning commute less hectic. If parking is not part of your employee benefits package, then consider offering the amenity as a prize.

7. Fitness classes

Fitness is important, but not always inexpensive. While many companies offer wellness credits, gym memberships, or exercise classes as perks, bonus fitness services can make attractive prizes.

Here are some ideas for fitness incentives:

• Home gym equipment
• Subscription to online Yoga classes or Peloton
• Personal trainers
• Workout wardrobes
• Fitness trackers and smart devices
• Unusual exercise classes like parkour or circus aerobics

Even if your company provides regular exercise options, an upgraded fitness experience can serve as extra motivation.

8. Charity donations

Monetary gain is not a universal motivator, and at times philanthropy can drive efforts more effectively than cash rewards. One alternative to material prizes is to donate an agreed amount to a charity of the awardee’s choice.

Pro tip: Allow employees to suggest charities that fall within prescribed guidelines instead of picking from a limited list to ensure that workers can raise money for a cause they are passionate about.

9. Task management services

While you may not be able to give your employees extra hours in the day, gifting task services is the next best option. Hiring professional errand-runners frees up time in your employees schedules for relaxation, self-care, and self-improvement.

Suggestions for task services:

• Grocery deliveries
• Laundry and dry cleaning services
• Cooks or professional meal preppers
• Cleaners or organizing consultants
• Childcare services

Consider gifting credit towards multiple-service providers like TaskRabbit and Thumbtack so awardees can choose the most useful options.

10. Meals with executives

Lunch or dinner with a member of the C-suite serves the dual function of providing a complimentary meal along with quality time with higher management. For best results, offer one-on-one meetings or small group experiences so that every awardee has ample opportunity to interact with the executive. Similar bonding opportunities include golf games, tennis matches, hikes, creative classes, winery or brewery trips, or video game showdowns.

11. Massages and self-care

Some workers might not treat themselves to massages, spa-days, and other self-love splurges, but will indulge if gifted an activity. Pampering experiences inspire employees to achieve a goal while emphasizing the importance of self-care.

Here are some examples of self-care incentives:

• Manicures and pedicures
• Salon appointments
• Meditation session
• Career consulting or meeting with a life coach

These prizes send the message that companies care about employee wellbeing as well as performance.

12. Extraordinary events

Though some folks use the term incentive events interchangeably with incentive trips, at-home events can offer the excitement of travel minus the forms, transportation costs, or downtime at the airport. Extraordinary events give employees opportunities to socialize, participate in new experiences, and make memories with colleagues.

Some examples of event incentives include:

• Improv or standup comedy shows and workshops
• Cooking classes with renowned chefs
• Laser tag tournaments
• Winery or brewery tours
• Cocktail party at the CEO’s house
• Amusement park trips
• Early access to a new venue
• Special sales or product trials

Limiting the number of spots at these events and awarding entry only to high-achieving employees makes the occasion feel more special and motivates staff to strive towards a goal.

Final Thoughts

Travel is one of the most common bullet points on bucket lists, which means that trips serve as a powerful motivator. By affording employees opportunities to travel, you expand their world views and supercharge their relationships with teammates, all while rewarding extraordinary efforts and results and assigning great value to your workers’ contributions.

Next, check out this list of employee wellness program ideas and this list of incentives to return to the office .

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FAQ: Corporate incentive travel programs

Here are answers to the most common questions about corporate incentive travel programs.

What are corporate incentive travel programs?

Corporate incentive travel programs are motivational campaigns that reward top-performing employees with trips or special experiences. The aim of these programs is to increase staff loyalty, morale, and productivity. Incentive programs typically target specific goals such as fulfilling sales quotas, meeting product development deadlines, or raising customer satisfaction scores.

What are some good corporate incentive travel program tips?

Some good corporate incentive travel program tips include:

• Ask your staff for ideas
• Determine the goal of your program
• Provide clear guidelines to staff
• Consult a travel expert
• Research multiple vendors
• Negotiate exclusives
• Use organizational resources
• Stick to a budget
• Be liberal with options
• Focus on the experience more than the destination
• Offer resources and assistance
• Use trips as an opportunity to expand employees’ worldviews
• Maximize team bonding
• Leverage employee testimonials and social media
• Offer alternatives to travel

Though travel programs require extensive planning and organization, following the proper steps can ensure that your program pays off by raising employee output and morale.

What are good companies to use for corporate incentive travel programs?

There are many providers who offer and arrange trips and engaging events for corporate incentive programs.

Here are some recommended companies to use for corporate incentive travel programs:

When selecting a partner organization, research multiple providers and choose an option that fits your company’s budget, company culture, and particular needs.

Do corporate incentive travel programs work?

Travel programs can be powerful motivators. Employer-sponsored trips are an attractive reward, especially when the experiences include exclusives such as exclusive tours, private accommodations, and company parties. Travel programs are an especially compelling incentive for sales teams, though the perk can motivate a vast variety of positions and departments.

Though travel is a hefty investment for organizations, the corresponding rise in productivity is significant. Plus, funding trips signals that employers value their workers efforts and personal growth.

What makes incentive travel programs effective?

Clear goals and benchmarks, measurable metrics, smart internal marketing, meaningful experiences, and attractive awards are all factors that make incentive travel programs effective. The best determinant of the operation’s success is the level of foresight, consideration, and communication that goes into the planning and execution of the program.

Besides travel, what can employers offer in incentive programs?

Some non-travel incentive program rewards include:

• Extra paid time off
• Sporting events
• Parking spots
• Fitness classes
• Charity donations
• Home services
• Meal with an executive
• Massages and self-care
• Extraordinary events

Not every team member is able to travel, yet providing alternate rewards allows dedicated employees to reap the rewards of their efforts.

What is the difference between a corporate incentive program and an employee benefits program?

Organizations offer employee benefits across the board to all workers, although benefits packages might vary depending on position and band level, and individual candidates may be able to negotiate a more attractive package. While benefits programs are ongoing, built-in rewards, incentive programs are auxiliary, often limited-time offers. Corporate incentive programs exist to motivate employees to hit specific targets within a particular time frame.

Author: Angela Robinson

Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com.

Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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The Five Elements of a Successful Sales Incentive Trip Program

• The sales incentive trip is an important piece of the total sales compensation program
• When designed and deployed appropriately, incentive trips can drive additional performance
• Organizations should consider five critical elements when designing and managing a sales incentive trip

Sales roles are demanding and high-stress positions for every organization. Sales employees have to prospect, build relationships, manage opportunities and perform myriad other tasks in order to achieve short-term and long-term revenue objectives . These roles typically have high turnover rates, and replacing sales reps costs companies hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Companies need to optimize their hiring process, infrastructure and compensation philosophy to create and sustain a successful sales organization.

One way organizations reward top performers and retain top sales talent is running a sales incentive trip program (also known as Winner’s Circle or President’s Club). When positioned, promoted and executed properly, incentive trips can help drive improved results and foster a competitive environment — and they can be cost-neutral.

• Alignment. The sales incentive trip is an opportunity to promote alignment between functional groups that make up the revenue engine by recognizing both quota-bearing and non-quota-bearing employees. Although some companies limit attendees to sales reps, others foster a more inclusive environment by including sales overlays, sales engineers, marketing and sales support. Another option is to offer multiple versions of an incentive trip. For example, the top sales performers can attend the President’s Club trip, while a second tier of top performers attends a “circle of excellence” event. Each type of incentive program can reward attendees with gifts, dinners or monetary awards.
• Transparency. Create a calendar-year or fiscal-year incentive trip schedule. The schedule should include hard deadlines to calculate winners (beginning of the year or fiscal year), announce the next year’s trip (early Q1), design and set qualifications for next year’s trip (Q1), assess the most recent trip’s feedback (Q2), and plan the incentive trip (Q3). It is in your company’s best interest to plan early and lock in discounted pricing.
• Accountability. Create clear ownership and consensus with a committee and a formal charter. A steering committee should include executive leaders, sales stakeholders and non-sales functional stakeholders. Non-sales stakeholders may include representatives from finance, legal, HR and the compensation team. Sales stakeholders may include sales leadership, top sales reps, sales operations and sales enablement leaders. A charter should include program vision, objectives, scope, milestones, timelines, risks, and roles and responsibilities for each committee member.
• Fairness. Complement existing compensation plans and set attainable thresholds for reps to qualify for the sales incentive trip. Setting unrealistic targets or thresholds can actually have the opposite of the intended motivational effect as reps immediately decide they can’t compete effectively. Create targets that are attainable and quantifiable. Sales reps should have control over the key performance indicators to qualify for the incentive trip, and targets should fit within existing sales compensation plans (e.g. reps must attain 150% of quota to qualify). Do not set qualifications on activity or judgment (e.g. filling out opportunity plans or needs to meet a “qualified” state on the basis of the manager’s discretion).
• Connectivity. Consistently communicate and market the sales incentive trip throughout the organization. Spread posters around the offices and incorporate reminders into the employee portal site to create and maintain excitement. Present data on a monthly and quarterly leaderboard. Communicate results in a way that enables sales employees to easily understand the calculations behind them.

Hiring, developing and maintaining a high-performing sales organization is not easy. Best-in-class companies have incentive programs that align with company goals and are understood throughout the organization. The sales incentive trip is an important piece of the compensation program. Create excitement and incent your best performers with a sales incentive trip. Your company will experience lower turnover and increased sales tenure.

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