Your Employees Deserve an EpiK Incentive Travel Experience
As the owner of Epik Destinations, a boutique corporate incentive travel agency, I cannot emphasize enough the immense value of rewarding your hardworking employees with an unforgettable travel experience. After a grueling year hitting sales targets, launching new products, and going above and beyond for your company, your team deserves a celebration to remember.
Not only does incentive travel boost morale, inspire loyalty, and increase productivity - it forges lasting connections between team members and creates priceless memories outside the office walls. Whether your goal is to motivate, educate, or simply show appreciation, customizing a corporate trip allows you to design the ideal reward for your unique workforce. From thrilling outdoor adventures, to luxurious spas, to exclusive VIP access - the options are endless with a seasoned travel partner guiding you.
Popular Incentive Travel Destinations
Incentive trips allow companies to reward top employees by sending them to exciting destinations around the world. As a travel agency owner, I get asked all the time - where are the best places to take a corporate incentive trip? There are lots of amazing options to consider.
Beach Resorts
Beach resorts are a top choice for incentive travel. Destinations like Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico and other tropical locations offer the perfect mix of relaxation and fun. Spend days lounging on the beach, snorkeling in crystal blue waters, or playing a round of golf. Luxurious resorts provide amenities like world-class spas and gourmet dining. Hawaii is known for its gorgeous landscapes and Hawaiian culture. Mexico's Riviera Maya features breathtaking beaches and ancient Mayan ruins to explore. The white sand beaches and turquoise waters of the Caribbean create a paradise setting.
Major Cities
For groups that want an exciting urban getaway, major cities like New York, London and Paris make for memorable incentive trips. These world-class cities have endless sights to see, from renowned museums and historic buildings to spectacular parks and gardens. Take in a Broadway show in New York City, tour the British Museum in London, or cruise the River Seine in Paris. Treat employees to Michelin-starred cuisine or bottle service at a chic nightclub. Luxury hotels and shopping provide the full VIP experience.
Adventure Destinations
Adventure incentive trips deliver thrills and create amazing memories. Alaska offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences like glacier trekking, whale watching and flightseeing over majestic peaks. African safaris place travelers eye-to-eye with elephants, lions and more on guided game drives through wildlife reserves. New Zealand provides options like bungee jumping, ziplining and hiking to hidden hot springs. Iceland impresses with natural wonders from geysers to the Northern Lights. For daring groups, active adventures make incentive trips extraordinarily epic.
All-Inclusive Resorts
All-inclusive resorts streamline incentive trip planning by bundling lodging, meals, drinks and activities into one price. Popular options include Santorini's luxurious Vedema Resort with its breathtaking Greek Island views and Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic with access to stretches of white sand beach. All-inclusive resorts provide everything needed to relax and enjoy time with coworkers, from poolside bars to nightly entertainment. Meals at on-site restaurants range from casual to elegant. Premium alcohol and activities like snorkeling come included. With all the details covered, all-inclusive resorts simplify corporate incentive trip planning.
From tropical beaches to world-famous cities to exotic adventures, there are amazing destinations worldwide for unforgettable incentive travel. Careful planning by a travel agency expert ensures an incredible experience employees will be motivated by and remember.
Activities and Excursions
Some of the most popular incentive travel activities we plan for corporate groups include:
Beach Days and Water Sports
A beach day is a must for any warm weather destination. We'll arrange beach cabanas, water sports like jet skiing and snorkeling, and provide coolers of beverages and snacks. Popular beach day locations we book include Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Florida.
Guided City Tours
From open-top double decker buses to walking food tours, a guided tour helps employees experience the history and culture of the destination. We'll customize tours based on group interests, whether it's architecture, food, or museums. Top cities for corporate tours include Paris, London, New York, Barcelona, and Rome.
Cooking Classes
For smaller groups, arranging a private cooking class makes for a unique shared experience. We can book classes focused on local cuisine like pasta making in Italy, Thai cooking in Bangkok, or barbecue in Texas. Cooking classes encourage team bonding.
Wine Tastings
Wine tasting excursions are perfect for destinations like Napa, Tuscany, Bordeaux, or Cape Town. We'll organize transportation and make reservations at top wineries for a guided tasting and lunch. It's a relaxing way to enjoy time with coworkers.
Golf, Hiking, Biking
For active groups, we arrange golf outings at exclusive courses, guided hiking trips for various skill levels, and scenic bike tours. These activities appeal to wellness-focused corporations and build camaraderie. Destinations range from Scotland to Switzerland, Arizona, and more.
Reward Different Employee Levels
It's important for companies to recognize employees at all levels when planning incentive travel. Here are some guidelines based on position:
Entry-Level Employees
For recent graduates and junior employees, consider a short 3-4 day domestic trip to an exciting US city like Las Vegas, Miami, or New York. Focus on fun activities like world-class shows, nightlife, fine dining, and local attractions. Entry-level travelers will appreciate an opportunity to bond with peers and see new places on the company's dime.
Mid-Level Employees
For managers and specialists, a 5-7 day international journey often works well. Destinations like London, Paris, Cancun, Costa Rica, or Rome make great options. Activities and excursions can be more adventurous, such as guided safaris, cooking classes, wine tours, and outdoor adventures. This level trip shows rising talent they are valued.
Executives
High level executives should be rewarded with extravagant 7+ day luxury escapes. Destinations like Bali, Dubai, the Maldives, or Australia are ideal. Everything first-class should be included: private yacht charters, helicopter tours, 5-star dining, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and ultra-luxury villa suites. This shows your most valuable team members how much you appreciate their loyalty and leadership.
Memorable Dining Experiences
One of the highlights of any corporate incentive trip is the food and dining experiences. As a travel planner, I make sure to incorporate special meals and events to create lasting memories for attendees. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
Private Chef Dinners
Hiring a private chef to cook an exclusive meal is a great way to make employees feel valued. The chef can create a customized multi-course menu just for your group and serve it in a unique setting like a villa, beachside cabana or rooftop terrace. The intimacy of a private dinner helps foster relationships between attendees.
Themed Events
Themed dining events like luaus or medieval feasts bring a fun, immersive element to incentive trips. Employees get transported to another time and place through the decor, costumes, entertainment, food and more. Popular themes include casino night, carnival, masquerade ball and roaring 20s.
Cooking Classes
Many travelers enjoy learning about local cuisine through cooking classes abroad. This group activity teaches new skills and often incorporates a visit to a market to pick up fresh ingredients. At the end, employees can enjoy the delicious meal they cooked together. Classes can focus on topics like pasta making, sushi rolling, regional specialties, cocktail mixology and more.
Food & Wine Pairings
Sophisticated food and wine pairing dinners guided by a sommelier provide a special gourmet experience. These events work well for incentive groups interested in fine cuisine and wines. The sommelier pairs each course with a wine that complements the flavors. Between courses, they explain the notes and characteristics of each wine. It's an immersive culinary and educational experience.
Unique Accommodations
When it comes to corporate incentive trips, unique accommodations can really make the experience special and memorable for attendees. As a travel planner, I like to get creative and go beyond just booking standard hotel rooms. Here are some of the unique lodging options I recommend for corporate groups:
Luxury Villas
Renting out a luxury villa, whether beachfront or in the mountains, is a great way to bring the whole team together under one (very grand) roof. Villas allow for both shared communal spaces and private quarters. Some come with pools, home theaters, game rooms, chef's kitchens, and more. It's an upscale take on summer camp!
Houseboats
For a floating retreat, houseboats are a novel accommodation choice. Cruising along scenic waterways, the group can bond while stargazing on the deck, fishing, paddleboarding, or just admiring the passing views. Houseboats usually have multiple bedrooms and are ideal for smaller corporate teams.
Glamping
Glamping delivers "glamorous camping" with a lot more comfort and amenities than a typical tent. We can set up luxury safari tents at campsites with real beds, furnishings, private bathrooms, and some even have butler service. It's a back-to-nature experience without roughing it too much.
Treehouse Resorts
For companies that want a truly unique adventure, I suggest treehouse resorts. These incredible hideaways situate lodgings and facilities high in the forest canopy. Treehouses make for an unforgettable wilderness retreat where attendees commune with nature. Some have wraparound decks, suspended sky bridges, and views for miles.
When it comes to corporate incentive travel, breaking out of the typical hotel room box with creative accommodations energizes attendees and fosters camaraderie through shared one-of-a-kind experiences. As a travel planner, I enjoy wowing corporate clients with unique lodging options tailored to their team.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Broadway/West End Shows & Comedy Shows
Attending a Broadway or West End show is one of the best ways to experience award-winning entertainment in New York City or London. From blockbuster musicals like Hamilton and Wicked to popular plays like Dear Evan Hansen and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Broadway and the West End offer incredible shows that will wow your team. To add an element of exclusivity, work with us to arrange a VIP backstage tour and meet-and-greet with the cast after select performances.
Comedy shows are also a fantastic option for nighttime entertainment on an incentive trip. New York City and London have incredible comedy clubs featuring up-and-coming talent, comedy legends, and big name headliners like Jerry Seinfeld and Dave Chappelle. We can organize VIP tickets to comedy shows and arrange comedians to perform private stand-up sets just for your team.
Concerts & Exclusive Events
Seeing a concert by a favorite musician during an incentive trip will create once-in-a-lifetime memories for attendees. Depending on your group's preferences, we can get exclusive tickets to see top acts in New York City or London, including access to VIP areas and after parties at unique venues like Terminal 5 or the O2 Arena. We can also arrange private acoustic concerts or panel discussions with renowned artists for smaller groups.
Planning around major annual events like the US Open, Wimbledon, New York Fashion Week or the British Open also allows attendees to experience exclusive entertainment like few get to see. Our experts know how to secure the hottest tickets in town.
Pub Crawls & Nightlife Tours
For groups looking to experience the lively nightlife scenes in New York City and London, we offer custom pub crawls and nightlife tours. These guided adventures allow attendees to sample craft beers, cocktails and bar food while visiting the cities' best bars and clubs. We'll handle the logistics, so attendees can focus on bonding and making memories together into the late hours. Consider upgrading to include a party bus or limo rides between stops.
With Epik Destinations as your incentive travel partner, we have the expertise and connections to provide your team with VIP entertainment and nightlife experiences they'll never forget. The bright lights of Broadway, an intimate comedy club, a lively pub crawl - the options are endless for creating an unbeatable incentive trip.
Team Building Activities
One of the best parts of incentive travel is that it offers a chance for employees to bond and build stronger connections outside of their normal office environment. As a travel planner, I will work to incorporate unique team building activities that facilitate relationship growth through shared experiences. Here are some of my top recommendations for corporate groups:
Scavenger Hunts
A destination-themed scavenger hunt gets employees engaged in their surroundings while working together towards common goals. Groups can divide into teams and be challenged to hunt for clues, take creative photos, and solve puzzles. This is a fun way to explore a new city and spark friendly competition. I'll tailor the hunt around your company's values and the trip location.
Escape Rooms
For those who love mystery, escape rooms present an immersive game where groups must solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues within the rooms. It requires collaboration, communication, and thinking outside the box - great skills that translate back to the workplace. Escape rooms can be customized to various group sizes and skill levels.
Voluntourism
Giving back while on an incentive trip can be a powerful shared experience that brings team members closer together. Voluntourism activities like volunteering at a local school, cleaning up a beach, or building a house allow employees to make a positive community impact. This taps into people's desire to serve others and do good in the world.
Amazing Race
Channel the popular TV show with an "amazing race" that sends teams across the destination to complete challenges. This could include navigating public transit, sampling local cuisine, visiting key landmarks, learning local dances/customs, and more. The excitement of the race format combined with experiencing cultural attractions makes for an adventurous team building activity. Group sizes can be tailored to company needs.
Wellness Activities
Planning wellness activities during an incentive travel program can help promote work-life balance and reduce stress levels for employees. Yoga, mindfulness, and meditation classes are a popular option, which can lower stress and increase focus. Scheduling spa treatments such as massages, facials, and body wraps can also contribute to overall wellbeing for attendees. For more active wellness incentives, consider organizing hiking, biking, kayaking, surfing, or stand-up paddleboarding. Swimming and beach sports are ideal for destinations near the ocean. Fitness classes like aerobics, spinning, or strength training are great for groups to get the heart rate up too. Company-sponsored wellness initiatives allow employees to unwind, rejuvenate, and return to work both energized and aligned with company values of work-life integration. Both the body and mind need care, so building wellness activities into incentive trips creates the most holistic employee experience.
Conclusion
Incentive travel can be a powerful way to motivate and reward employees at all levels of an organization. As we've covered, popular destinations like Hawaii, Caribbean islands, and European cities offer amazing options for corporate groups. You can provide memorable activities like luxury excursions, cooking classes, and exclusive entertainment. Accommodations range from oceanfront resorts to boutique hotels.
The key is structuring the experience to align rewards with employee goals. Entry-level workers may enjoy a simple, subsidized getaway. Top performers can gain access to VIP treatment and amenities. No matter the destination or activities, incentive travel strengthens relationships and re-energizes workplace culture.
To learn more about planning a customized incentive trip, contact Tracy at Epik Destinations. We handle everything from transportation and accommodations to special events and team building. Dedicated account managers ensure seamless execution. Subscribe to our email list for destination ideas and travel tips. With the right partner, your next incentive program will motivate, reward, and inspire.
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