Corporate Travel Destinations

There is a misconception among some segments of the corporate meeting and incentive travel industry that cruises are an extravagantly expensive option for corporate meetings and travel. On the contrary, opting to plan your next corporate meeting onboard a cruise ship can be quite cost-effective and can result in significant cost savings when compared to corporate meeting destinations that are land-based. This is particularly true when travel and event planners take advantage of enticing packages available when planning meetings with multiple attendees. The cost savings can be even greater if most of the attendees live near a port or cruise terminal, avoiding the need for air travel.

The idea of attending a corporate meeting at sea event is also much more exciting and appealing to attendees, which results in them actually looking forward to the trip, rather than dreading yet another event where they spend hours locked in a boring meeting room in Omaha or Kansas City. Onboard activities and entertainment are an excellent way to wind down after a long day of meetings, and offer plenty of options for days off. Stopping in interesting ports of call also adds appeal to shipboard corporate travel, and allows attendees to spend time enjoying attractions, dining, entertainment and shopping off the ship as well.

Plan your next corporate meeting on a cruise ship and you will find that attendees will be happier and more productive as they enjoy the opportunity to both work and play onboard.

In an effort to regain lost market share, some major airlines are implementing special discount airfare programs for corporate and incentive travel. Delta, in particular, is back on track with its previously shelved Delta Meeting Network, which offers benefits such as discounts on published fares, special fares for air travel for more than 10 meeting attendees and one free ticket for every 40 purchased.

Other major airlines are offering similar programs, providing corporate meeting planners and incentive travel planners with new, cost-saving options for air transportation. Companies can contract with Delta, or other airlines, for a particular meeting or event, or for multiple meetings, making this program cost-effective, simple and convenient for meeting and event planners and travel managers.

Another recent change to the air travel industry that is of interest to corporate travel planners is the expansion of Wi-Fi availability among major carriers. AirTran now offers Wi-Fi fleetwide, with Southwest working towards a fleetwide expansion and several other major carrriers, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin America and US Airways implementing pilot programs or beginning to expand availability to multiple routes.

This is excellent news for travel planners that will now have increased options for pleasing clients who need Internet access to complete work or prepare for meetings during their flights.

As host to the 2010 Soccer World Cup, South Africa is now in the news quite frequently. Cape Town, in particular, is being talked about as a destination for both business and leisure travel, as well as a host city for one of the World Cup stadiums. This cosmopolitan city is one of the most visited on the African continent and offers the perfect blend of business facilities and cultural and historical attractions. If you are looking for an international destination for your next convention or corporate meeting, Cape Town is an option that provides a well-established Central Business District, the prestigious Cape Town International Convention Center and luxury accommodation options, as well as beautiful beaches, nearby animal reserves and numerous activities and attractions.

The desirable Green Point neighborhood offers a variety of upscale hotels and luxury, private urban apartments that are within walking distance of the Cape Town Central Business District and the Cape Town International Convention Center. Attendees will enjoy cobbled, tree-lined streets, an array of restaurants and pubs, the eclectic boutiques and cafés on Long Street, taking the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, walking along the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and taking the short drive to visit the Cape Winelands.

These attractions, combined with world-class meeting facilities, makes Cape Town, South Africa an excellent choice for your next event.

When selecting your next corporate travel destination, there will be many unique, beautiful locations tempting you with their distinct offerings. Whether you are planning incentive travel packages or seeking out a location for a corporate meeting, Guatemala should be high on your list of possibilities. To be convinced that this is the right option for your company, all you need to do is simply imagine the luxury and comfort of arriving in the beautiful, bountiful country of Guatemala after a journey on a well-appointed cruise ship equipped with everything your company needs for both work and play during travel.

Guatemala is accessible by both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and has well-established commercial ports to accommodate the arrival of your guests. On the Atlantic Coast, ships are accommodated in the Santo Tomas de Castilla Port, which is located in Amatique Bay, while ships arriving on the Pacific Coast are welcomed at the Puerto Quetzal.

Once ashore, there is no end to the possibilities for exciting shore excursions, unique shopping experiences, world-class golf and visiting some of the many important historical sites that have survived to tell the tale of Guatemala’s rich history. World-famous coffee plantations, lush rainforests, Mayan monuments, smoking volcanoes, cultural festivals, markets filled with handmade crafts and breathtaking natural beauty are all waiting to be explored by visitors to this culturally-rich, unique country.

The cruise meeting planner at Seasite.com offers incentive planners a one-stop resource for sourcing incentive cruise events, no matter what destination your group desires.

Hosting meetings in the South has increased in popularity in recent years, particularly with numerous large companies, such as Boeing and several auto manufacturers, increasing their presence in southern states. States like South Carolina are working hard to provide exceptional deals and incentives to encourage meeting and incentive travel planners to consider their states as viable destinations, which increases the appeal of these already affordable options further.

Columbia, South Carolina is one city that is poised for growth as a strong competitor vying for the business of meeting planners across the country. New hotels are springing up throughout the city, which is expected to result in a total of 13,000 guest rooms by the end of 2010. With its central location within the state, a major university and its well-known affordability, Columbia, South Carolina is one destination option that should not be overlooked. Regional and national conferences are taking place in Columbia at a steadily growing rate, as are regional and national meetings hosted by major corporations located in the South, as well as those headquartered elsewhere.

If you choose Columbia, South Carolina as a destination for your meeting or incentive travel planning, those in attendance will have a plethora of attractions and amenities at their fingertips, including the Robert Mills Historic House and Park, South Carolina State Museum, Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, and the Columbia Museum of Art.

Barcelona, Spain is among the most visited cities in Europe, and with good reason. It is home to a well-preserved medieval district, sensational architectural landmarks by the world-renowned Antoni Gaudi, fabulous Catalan cuisine, a newly finished waterfront promenade, numerous museums and a wide variety of shopping opportunities that appeal to any type of traveler.

With so much to offer and an exceptional climate throughout the year, it is no wonder that this magical city is a top destination for both business and leisure travel.

Barcelona is well connected to major cities via air or rail and boasts a reliable, safe public transportation system, as well as plenty of taxis and car rental agencies. Hotels range from upscale and fashionable, to affordable and comfortable, with options to fit any company’s travel budget.

Business meeting and incentive travel planners should also keep in mind that Barcelona Cards are available, which begin at just $25 per person and provide discounted admission to museums and attractions, as well as free use of Barcelona’s public transportation system. This is a nice addition to a travel package, or simply a friendly tip to pass on to your participants.

More information on the Barcelona Card, as well as general tourist information, can be found at www.barcelonaturisme.com.

 Nearly endless sunshine, perfect year-round weather and 70 miles of beaches are only a few of the reasons San Diego, California should be on your list of destination options for corporate meetings and incentive travel. This Southern California town is just north of the Mexican border and perfectly blends its historic Mexican and Spanish influences with upscale living and numerous popular tourist attractions.

Visitors can opt for a day at SeaWorld or the world-famous San Diego Zoo, an afternoon of visiting museums and taking in the breathtaking architecture in Balboa Park, dining on authentic Mexican cuisine in Old Town or experiencing the lively nightlife of the Gaslamp Quarter. Of course, a day at the beach is always in order, and travelers can choose between the pristine, white sands of Coronado, or the laidback atmosphere at Ocean Beach.

Aside from these popular attractions that will ensure your attendees have a fabulous time when not in meetings or trainings, San Diego also offers a topnotch convention center and numerous downtown and area hotels with meeting facilities. Both the airport and train station are within close proximity to downtown, allowing for convenient transportation options, and the San Diego Convention Center is within walking distance to downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter and some of San Diego’s finest hotels.

Cartagena, Colombia was established in 1533 and was one of the richest ports in the New World during its heyday. Ideally situated on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Cartagena has a diverse, rich history that includes its ongoing importance as a bustling seaport, as well as times when pirates and privateers had to be held off by the construction of the still-standing walls poised to guard the Old City.

Beautiful blue-green waters and sandy beaches have long drawn travelers to this port city, which grew into a tourist mecca with trendy clubs, fashionable hotels and enticing boutiques. This beautiful city is where the world-renowned author Gabriel Garcia Marquez wrote Love in the Time of Cholera and where socialites and celebrities from around the world choose to vacation.

Of course, there was a dark period for Cartagena where tourism dropped off significantly and we began to hear stories of powerful drug cartels and a general unsavory element throughout the city. During this time, corporate meeting planners began to avoid Cartagena as a possible destination, both for safety issues and to avoid marring the image of their client companies. However, now that these days have past, Cartagena’s charm is once again drawing in travelers from around the world, where they find breathtaking emeralds, a vibrant nightlife, beautiful handmade crafts and a plethora of cultural attractions.

Colombia is growing in popularity, but remains an affordable option for companies in search of an enticing locale for their next meeting location.

Meeting and incentive travel planners have many destinations from which to choose for hosting your event; however, there are some that stand out among the options as ideal choices for a variety of reasons. For example, New Orleans is a hotspot for travel these days, particularly among those who understand the importance of tourism dollars to the revitalization of the city as it continues to recover from Hurricane Katrina.

New Orleans has managed to retain and regain much of its charm, and is home to historical and cultural attractions that appeal to travelers in every age group. Historic hotels, museums, antebellum homes and jazz clubs are plentiful, as are exceptional dining and entertainment options. With a business community that is dedicated to restoring New Orleans to its former glory, enticing meeting and incentive packages are readily available. This allows companies to enjoy an exciting destination, while also showing their support for this resilient community and its renaissance.

New Orleans attractions include the Audubon Zoo, the Aquarium of the Americas, Mardi Gras World, swamp tours and the World War II Museum. There are also many free, family-friendly attractions available, such as walking tours of the French Quarter, dedicated evenings for free admission to galleries in the Arts District and enjoying artists’ works and free shows in Jackson Square.

Support the revival of New Orleans and offer attendees an exciting travel destination by incorporating New Orleans into your meeting and incentive planning.

You want to create an incentive event that you can be proud of.  You want your event to be a great success so that you can be excited and happy about all the hard work that you have put into the event.  You will want to make sure that you have the best strategy so that you are creating exactly what you want and need.

1. You want to picture yourself creating the best event that you can.  You will want to allow yourself a lot of time to prepare for the event.  If you are not giving yourself enough time to make the event great, you will not have the best situation that you can.
2. You want to make sure that you are sending out the invitations in plenty of time to all the guests. If you are expecting a rasp, you need to make sure that you are giving the guests enough time to do so.  This will help you be better prepared for the special event so that you can get ready to have a great and successful time.
3. Be ready for mistakes. Everyone makes a mistake and you need to be prepared for him or her.  Things can go wrong at anytime and you want to be sure that you are allowing yourself the time and the help that you need to make it all right.  There are things that you can do to get ready for anything that can happen. You want to always have a back up plan ready and waiting for you. 
4. Being organized is a great way to avoid pitfalls when you are planning an event. You will want to make sure that you have everything ready for your event. You need to be sure that you are able to get things ready for the big event so that you are not forgetting to do something.  You can write things down and make sure that you are crossing them off your list as you go.  This is something that will help you keep on track and ready.
5. Create a time line. You should do this for any event that you are planning. You will want to have everything written out so that you are going to be able to expect things that happen. You want to have the time allotted for all the things that are going to happen during the event. You want to allow time in between for the other things that are going to be done during the event. 
6. Keep on your budget.  If you are not giving yourself a budget at the very beginning of your event, you may be heading for a pitfall. You need to have a set budget so that you are aware of the money that you have to spend. You need to go through and decide what you need and what the cost of everything is going to be.  You will then want to shop around and find bargains that will get you the best prices to fit your budget plan.  You will find it a lot easier to stay on track and keep your event going as planned.
7. Keep everyone on your staff happy. You want everyone involved getting along and making things run as smoothly as possible. You will feel better and be able to get things moving in the right direction and keep everyone working together.  Make the planning environment a great place to be so that everyone is up beat and ready to make this a great event planning process. 

Planning a great incentive event is something that you can depend on when you are using all the tools and method needed to make it great. You will be happy and so will your guests with the great presentation on which you have worked so hard.