Corporate Travel Destinations

Cruises are unique corporate destinations for a number of reasons, but one of the least considered reasons would be the fact that the trip really is the destination. Consider how much time busy businesspeople waste every year traveling all around the world in order to get to Conference A or Seminar B. Now take that time and multiply it by an executive salary, add in hotel and travel fees from multiple companies and the number quickly balloons in the billions or trillions of dollars.

Consider the difference that cruise meetings have ot offer to the bottom line:

• The amount of time that expensive business people spend on cruises tends to be more productive than time spent on aircraft and/or airports.
• Most cruises feature multiple ports of call, which makes flights shorter and less airline/airplane transfers likely.
• Businesspeople also get to recharge their mental and social batteries while on cruises, and that alone is difficult to put a price tag on. It certainly beats allowing high-powered individuals to take time off and spend time on the golf course.
• The fact that the method of travel is actually a destination in and of itself means that more work and more relaxation can be enjoyed.
• By getting more services from a single vendor, in this case the cruise line, it is possible to save lots of money.

When planning a cruise meeting or at least considering a meeting at sea it is important to realize that a cruise environment is unlike any other. Where else can you find so many services, goods, and styles of accommodation under one roof? The biggest difference between meetings on a cruise ship and meetings in more traditional environments is that meetings on a cruise ship can take entirely different form without seeming unusual. Here are a few great ideas for alternative cruise meetings:

If the meeting is small, consider taking the meeting in the massage center. A few powerful individuals can relax while resolving problems or planning a potentially successful course of action while they are extremely relaxed.

Medium sized meetings could be conducted from the spinning floor or the palates class. A little physical exertion can get the mind working at high-speed. After all, oxygen is carried to the brain in the bloodstream, and getting the heart pumping increases the amount of blood and oxygen being circulated.

A shuffleboard environment is also a great way to have multiple groups of people get acquainted, and perhaps conduct informal conversations prior to the start of formal meetings that can be held in more formal settings.

Seaside conference rooms are also a great alternative to vistas of cityscapes and real jungles trump concrete jungles when it comes to scenery every single time.

There are two extremes to consider when planning corporate travel: all-inclusive options or planning every single detail. Here are some points to consider when deciding which way to go:

If your sole purpose at the company is to plan travel and there are really no other tasks to perform, all-inclusive travel options can still be used at the end of research if they are viable. Using all-inclusive options as a go-to option every single time might be a quick way to end up on the unemployment line or with a promotion, depending on the situation.

All-inclusive travel is often a great way to save time and money, but it sometimes lack in options. This is generally not a problem for the vast majority of people, but those with special needs will probably need to plan at least some of the details. Since many all-inclusive incentive travel options are all or nothing, this means that a few custom options that are above and beyond the call of duty might require planning every single detail.  An all inclusive incentive cruise is a great way to save and thrill your attendees.

Planning every detail might seem like a great way to save money, but it often ends up being more expensive. Add to this the time and effort put into planning and it is easy to see why all-inclusive travel options are so popular with so many business travelers.

Free enterprise and entrepreneurship are the cornerstones of American business and a core part of our collective psyche, of this there is no doubt. Sole proprietorships evolve into small businesses, grow into medium sized businesses, and can even become massive global corporations in much the same was as Wal-Mart has evolved, but part of that growth requires knowing about the role that corporate travel plays in growth. Here are a few points for anyone that runs their own business to consider when it comes to corporate travel:

Networking is essential, and it is not limited to the state, region, or even country any more. Today it is more important than ever to be networking all over the world as soon as possible. Who knows when a single trip will open a door that starts the ball rolling on something big?

Numerous business credit cards offer generous travel incentives and mileage perks, so take advantage of them while learning how to manage cash flow. This is the very essence of killing two birds with one stone.

Being aware of business conditions in other countries and adjacent industries is often the first step in avoiding future problems or being able to exploit future opportunities before the competition. The early bird gets the worm, and those that are late go hungry.

Corporate travel is always a balance between profitability and exclusivity. Simply put, profitability is the benefit derived from any activity minus the costs and opportunities lost by taking the course of action. This causes many to inherently think of affordable destinations for corporate travel, but this is where exclusivity comes into play. Exclusivity is the concept that the more unique or interesting the destination, the more the trip is generally worth in a less quantifiable manner.

For example, an incentive cruise for employees to Hawaii is probably considered to be a lot more interesting than an incentive travel promotion to Nebraska. While there is nothing inherently wrong with Nebraska, it is simply not considered to be as exclusive and/or interesting as Hawaii. The key is to strike a balance between cost effective travel options and here are a handful of destinations that are surprisingly cost effective while generally being viewed as very exclusive:

Bimini – While small, it is a very affordable locale for hosting small gatherings and meetings. Just do not plan anything during hurricane season.

Oregon – Believe it or not, Oregon is home to a wide range of climates and terrain, which makes from some very interesting and affordable locales.

Sedona – Gorgeous sunsets, excellent hiking, top-notch spas and world-class golfing make this relaxed venue a great spot for meetings and corporate events.

When it comes time to start discussing corporate travel options and ways to justify the expenses, which are usually very low compared to leisure travel, it is possible to forget the tax benefits of corporate expenses. While tax law is incredibly complex, the following generalities are often accurate and beneficial to the company’s bottom line:

• By availing themselves of the networking opportunities and other business options, most businesses can find it very easy to allow for their business trips to qualify as business expenses that can be written off as tax deductions.

• Tax deductions related to travel may not necessarily be on a 1 to 1 basis in terms of dollar value, but having a loss largely consumed by tax liability that in turn presents business opportunities or advantages is generally considered to be a great idea.

• Excellent records should be kept of all corporate travel expenses. Consider using inclusive travel options for easier accounting and less time spent planning.

As with any tax-related issue, it would be wise to consult with a qualified accountant to make the final determination regarding what is and is not allowed for deductions. A short meeting with the staff accountant or outside accountant could be the difference between stepping up to the challenge and opportunities available or continuing on a stable but less profitable path.

When most business people think of exotic corporate travel, they start to conjure up passports and visas that are required to travel to some far flung exotic location. Instead, consider some of the more interesting and exotic corporate travel destinations within the U.S. such as:

Las Vegas – There are few destinations within the borders of the United States that have as much variety to offer business travelers as Las Vegas. Even Atlantic City takes a distant second to this jewel in the desert.

Hawaii – Sun-drenched Pacific islands that have been included in countless movies and television shows for their raw natural splendor are obviously the very definition of exotic. That does not mean that Hawaii is not affordable, though a plane ride or cruise will be required due to its location.

Alaska – Looking to cool things down a bit? Try ice fishing in Alaska or simply booking a hotel with an amazing view of glacier-capped mountains and pristine forests blanketed in snow.

The Florida Keys – Florida’s keys are amazingly gorgeous, and full of history. Add to this the number of quality hotels offering inclusive travel options, and the Keys are a particularly exotic yet practical domestic destination.

The Grand Canyon – Looking for a great getaway that still has creature comforts and is perfect for outdoor meetings? The Grand Canyon in the northern section of Arizona is affordable and awe inspiring.

If you have heard of incentive cruises but are not entirely sure what they are, then you might have a lot to think about when you discover what an incentive cruise is. Simply put, an incentive cruise is a cruise that is offered as an incentive for meeting certain goals or criteria/criterion. Incentive cruises can be offered to employees, partners, suppliers, customers, and even potential recruits. Here are some interesting thoughts regarding incentive cruises from multiple points of view:

• Employees and recruits tend to view incentive cruises as a major perk and fringe benefit, and it can also be considered a source of inspiration. Those workers that meet the requirements to go on an incentive cruise are often the standard to which other employees hold themselves.
• Partners and supplies may value their business relationship more with partners that show a willingness to build rapport and look at the big picture. This could prove vital in cases where globalization or other factors shift the position of a company in a volatile market.
• Valued customers may feel a similar connection to a company that shows just how much their business is valued by offering incentive cruises to their top clients. In some industries these types of incentives are even the norm, but in others that are niceties that separate the serious players from the rest.

One of the best benefits of having cruise events is that, well, they are cruise events! This means that everyone gets to have a great time and escape their daily grind, unless they happen to work on a cruise ship. Since the chances of that rare occurrence seem remote at best, the simple fact of the matter is that anyone attending cruise events is likely to be inspired. In fact, even those that are not invited along for the cruise event are likely to be inspired. Consider the following:

Partners and suppliers that meet key goals and are offered a limited number of cabins on cruise events are likely to value the business relationship in terms that are measured in more than just dollars and cents. This can be very valuable as globalization continues to cause long-term market readjustments that can allow for fierce competition from new adversaries overnight.

Employees can be inspired by the opportunity to travel on the company dime, especially when it involves cruise events and rubbing elbows with the top brass. The stories they tell when they get back are likely to prove inspirational in their own right.

Executives and top talent are likely to consider cruise events to be perks, even if a little work or a few meetings are involved.

One of the best aspects of cruise meeting planning is that most cruise liners have in-house planners and a complete staff to take care of virtually every possible need and/or want. The result is that anyone handling cruise meeting planning can be as thorough and detailed as they like, or they can go the other route and allow the in-house planners and staff to take over some of the burden. Here are a few examples to consider when determining how much effort to put into cruise meeting planning:

Most cruise ships have at least one chef, many now have upwards of five, and full catering staffs on call. This means that catering options are already available right out of the box, and amount of time and energy you spend planning meals and parties is up to you.

Virtually all cruise ships have activities directors, and many cruise ships reserve space upon request for group activities. If you need space for a meeting, or just a private social gathering, all you have to do is ask. The question is: where do you stop asking? The event/activity coordinator can probably handle a lot more than just setting aside a room if only they asked.

Save money and allocate resources more efficiently by determining which aspects of the meeting planning should be handled in-house and which can be well-executed by someone else.