Corporate Travel Destinations

The Cyclades (or Kyklades) are a group of islands within the greater group of Greek Islands. These are the Greek Islands of the travel posters with the white Mediterranean-style architecture situated above pristine beaches surrounded by the azure waters of the Aegean Sea.

Make no mistake, these scenic islands are known the world over for their historic beauty, temperate climate and exciting ambiance. With that fame comes crowds, and in high season this is not the place to find a secluded retreat. This is; however, the place for people who know how to enjoy life. And for those people, the islands of The Cyclades are well worth the crowds.

The Islands of Santorini, Paros and Mykonos are excellent first-time visitor destinations and corporate travelers will find plenty of facilities for events or meetings. But on these islands, there are also plenty of opportunities for fun. The summers are hot with a bit of wind in August and September, so the beaches are full of sun worshipers. In the evenings most people go to the local taverns to sit and enjoy a drink while gazing on the beauty that surrounds them. There are regular ferries running between the islands and island hopping is a must for a Greek Islands trip.  In addition there are great Greek Island cruises that would be a perfect addition to your corporate meeting schedule or incentive travel package.  Many cruise lines offer itineraries to popular Greek Islands, so planners may want to consider booking an incentive cruise.  The group cruise planning tool at Seasite.com is the only online tool that will give you access to all cruise lines when sourcing a cruise.

Rio de Janeiro is a no-brainer for corporate travel planners looking for a destination that has five star accommodations and corporate meeting facilities, along with all the recreation and nightlife of a world-class metropolitan city. Like it hot? Rio is for you, as the average annual high temperature is 86 (°F) and, in the summer months, the highs are a comfortable 81 (°F), with nice moderating sea breezes on the beaches. There's something for everyone in the tropical metropolis: beaches, amazing nightlife, rock climbing, hang gliding, hiking, swimming – anything you can think of is probably available here.

This is the home of such beaches as Copacabana and Ipanema, and the beaches are lined with world-class tourist hotels that can accommodate most price ranges and preferences. Surfing, snorkeling, body boarding and kite surfing are just a few of the water sports available. And then there's Carnival.

The centuries old Rio de Janeiro Carnival is something that just has to be experienced. It lasts just four days but you won't find a more intense four days of celebration and extravagance on the planet. This cultural festival is the main reason many people travel to Rio and is a fun way for attendees to unwind after a long day of meetings.

For fun, interesting history, a great climate, and amazing things to do, you can't beat Rio de Janeiro as a destination for corporate travel with a twist.

How about an exotic location where your attendees will be surrounded by unbelievable scenery while enjoying a restful retreat? A place where they can easily get to city attractions and nightlife, and then retreat back to their spa resort to recharge? Costa Rica offers these and many more opportunities for the corporate traveler. There's something for everyone here: golfing, pristine beaches, rain forests and high-end luxury resorts. Within 15 minutes of San Jose airport your attendees can be relaxing in an incredible mountain spa and basking in the beauty of this tropical paradise, and then can easily head back down to the city refreshed and ready for your corporate event.

Over one million visitors per year have learned the secret of Costa Rica as a world-class travel destination but here you won't find the unremitting crowds and "touristy" feel of some better known destinations. This is the ideal place for a healthful retreat where one can enjoy natural beauty free from daily stress and tension. For those looking for something a little more active, there are also outdoor adventure opportunities like white water rafting in the Orosi River Valley or sightseeing on the Paccare River. Above all, this is an excellent corporate travel destination for planners looking for an enticing location that will allow attendees to unwind between events.

It is not without reason that Cancun is known worldwide as a preferred resort destination. There's something for everyone in this tropical seaside vacation spot. Located on Mexico's eastern shores in the state of Quintana Roo, Cancun is a top pick for corporate travel planners who are looking for a temperate climate, sandy beaches and an active night life. Approximately 4 million visitors come every year to enjoy the area in 24,000 hotel rooms and dine in over 380 restaurants. Corporate travelers from the colder regions to the north especially appreciate the warm winter weather with average highs of 82°F in December. There's no better way to beat the winter blahs than a visit to this tropical retreat.

Urban legend would tell us that the location for Cancun was selected by computers. The fact is that a team of researchers worked to locate and select the city's ideal location. Modern day Cancun is the final result of a 1967 feasibility study conducted by Banco de México. Failing to locate enough private investors, the Mexican Government had to finance the first nine hotels. From those humble beginnings Cancun has grown to become a world-renowned tourist resort. Along with the many resort and vacation facilities, Cancun offers excellent venues for corporate meetings and events.

Santo Domingo, located on the coast of the Dominican Republic offers the perfect blend of modern amenities and rich history and culture. Christopher Columbus first came upon this region in 1492, with his brother, Bartolome Colon, founding the city of Santo Domingo de Guzman in 1498. As the first city in the New World, UNESCO naturally awarded it status as a World Heritage Site and visitors can still walk along the cobblestone streets of the original city, now called Colonial City, where the first university, church, hospital and monastery constructed in the New World can still be seen.

A popular destination for the cruise meeting industry, the Port of Santo Domingo has two cruise ship terminals: the Don Diego Terminal and the San Souci Terminal. Each of these terminals allows passengers convenient access to nearby Colonial City, as well as a number of important historical sites and landmarks, many dining options serving scrumptious local cuisine and nightspots that come alive each evening with the vibrant sounds of merengue. Santo Domingo is considered one of the most important cultural capitals of the Americas and offers a wide variety of entertainment, dining, shopping and cultural attractions, such as the museums of the Plaza de Cultura, the Columbus Lighthouse and the Parque Colon.

A well-established, modern public transportation system makes getting around this historic city a breeze, which will allow your attendees to take in all that Santo Domingo has to offer between scheduled meetings and events.

Las Vegas hotels sometimes offer some great deals for corporate meeting planners, but just a short drive away in Henderson, Nevada you might be able to save even more by taking advantage of competitive corporate travel packages offered by Henderson hotels. Henderson hoteliers know that they are competing with the big boys on The Strip, and are often willing to go the extra mile in offering extra niceties or negotiating stellar deals on hotel rooms, meeting spaces, rental items for events and meals.

Henderson is just minutes away from the offerings of Las Vegas, which allows your attendees to easily drive or take public transportation to enjoy gambling, buffets, fine dining, world-class shopping and Vegas shows. If you are including a show or event in Las Vegas in your corporate travel planning, an affordable, convenient bus charter will deliver your attendees to the event and back to the Henderson hotel and, even with this small additional expense, you will still see overall savings from opting for this Vegas suburb, instead of one of the main resort hotels on The Strip. You could also use some of the money you save to provide additional entertainment options, such as a chartered bus to Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Mount Charleston or the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

Situated at the north end of the Las Vegas Strip, the 217-acre Wynn Las Vegas Resort is a 50-story gleaming testament to the opulence and glamour that is Las Vegas. Opened in the spring of 2005 by the master innovator Steve Wynn himself, this 5 star resort offers the ultimate luxury designed for the exclusive Vegas traveler.

But does the Wynn really live up to the hype? Here's a quick review of the highlights to help you decide for yourself.

Rooms:

The Wynn offers some of the largest and most luxurious rooms on the strip – 5 suite types in all, ranging form over 640 square feet up to 1950 square feet. They offer wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with fabulous views of the Strip or the exclusive Wynn golf course.

All rooms offer cordless phone, fax, high speed Internet access, Pillowtop king-sized signature Wynn beds with 320 thread count European linens, In-room massage, manicure, pedicure and hair styling services, Desert Bambu™ bath amenities, over-sized Turkish towels and flat-screen LCD high-definition TVs. Plus all suite guests have private pools and terraces.

Casino:

The 110,000-square-foot casino offers the full range of table games, including Blackjack, Big 6, Craps, Caribbean Stud, Roulette, Let-it-Ride , Pai Gow Poker, Pai Gow, Three Card Poker and Casino War. If slots are your preference, you can choose from over 1850 slot machines in denominations ranging from 1¢ to $5,000.

The twenty-seven table poker room offers Hold'Em, Omaha Hi-Low, and mixed game combination with game limits ranging from $4/$8 up to $100/$200. There are also higher limit games as well as pot limit and no limit games.

The Wynn casino stands apart in that it offers lots of natural light and very little smoking.

Golf:

Created by the world famous Tom Fazio exclusively for Wynn resort guests, the golf course is actually integrated into the resort itself so that your first tee is less than 50 feet away from the hotel. This is the only on premise 18-hole, par-70, championship golf course on the Las Vegas strip and includes nearly 6 miles of cart paths, two marshland areas using natural groundwater, and a 37-foot-tall waterfall.

Shows:

Franco Dragone, the man behind 'Mystère', 'O', and Celine Dion's 'A New Day', has created an all new show at the Wynn called 'Le Rêve' (The Dream). Performed in a domed theater where no seat is more than 40 feet from the action, this show is the first of its kind in Vegas.

Restaurants:

If you've always wanted to dine with the most famous chefs in the world you can do it at the Wynn. Chef Paul Bartolotta of the Ristorante di Mare was named the Best American Chef – Midwest by the James Beard Foundation. Executive Pastry Chef Frédéric Robert was named Restaurant Pastry Chef of the Year by Filere Gourmande Magazine and Pastry Chef of the Year by Champerard Guide. Chef Alessandro Stratta heads the Riviera Cuisine which was called the Best New Restaurant 2005 by Esquire magazine and received the AAA Five Diamond Award of Excellence for 2006.

The Wynn offers over 15 restaurants to choose from with a vast selection of cuisines so you'll never get bored (or even have to leave the resort!).

Spa:

The spa offers 45 treatment rooms for massage, body treatments, facials, and hydrotherapy. Enjoy a customized massage to sooth away the stresses of the day or relax with a loved one in a couples massage.

Choose from the very latest in anti-aging technology with specialized facials including the Anakiri Active Enzyme Facial for added exfoliation and nourishment or the Naturopathica Custom Facial which is based on traditional European deep cleansing techniques.

Shopping:

The 75,000 square foot Wynn Esplanade is where you'll find the most glamorous, chic names in fashion: Chanel, Dior, Oscar de la Renta, Gaultier, Louis Vuitton and and the only Manolo Blahnik boutique outside New York.

For men, there's Brioni and of course the Penske-Wynn Ferrari and Maserati showroom. And if that isn't enough, just a few steps across the street you'll find the Fashion Show mall.

With it's prime location and exclusive shopping boutiques the Wynn is a favorite hot spot for top fashion makers and shoppers alike.

In light of the recent world events, these increased airport security (and beyond) measures are becoming a fact of life with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. However becoming educated and following a simple system can help you avoid foreseeable hassles.

1. Do not bring 'Prohibited Items' to the airport (common sense items like swiss army knives, lighters, etc)
2. Use carry-on luggage for valuables such as cash, a laptop, and jewelry. Also to be placed in carry-on luggage are cameras and undeveloped film (The X-Ray will not damage film under 800 speed).
3. Tape your personal contact info or business card to the bottom area of the laptop and any other valuable you deem necessary.
4. Avoid wearing metal/foil containing clothing, accessories, and items (such as coins money clips, cell phone, keys, medicine, gum wrappers, batteries, lottery tickets, cigarettes, etc). In the case of things like coins and keys, try placing them altogether in a specified bag so it's easier to take them out and put them back in later.
5. Avoid wearing shoes that contain metal and/or have thick soles. The reason for this is because shoes do not have to trip off the alarm in order to have their own specific search procedures applied (so nothing can be hidden in the shoes).
6. At the holidays  make sure you do the wrapping of the gifts upon arrival, or ship them as opposed to bring them to the airport pre-wrapped as these will be checked by security personnel.
7. Arrive an hour to an hour and a half earlier before your scheduled departure since you will be searched no matter if you plane leaves in 5 minutes or 5 hours.

If you are looking for an exciting, innovative venue for an upcoming convention, conference or trade show that will ensure great attendance with its wide-ranging appeal, you may want to consider hosting your next event on a cruise ship. Whether you opt for a dockside charter or an event at sea, cruise ships – which can accommodate up to 5,000 people – will significantly increase the appeal of your event.

Attending a conference or convention on a cruise ship will be something new and exciting for most people, and will be enticing enough to convince indecisive folks that they should definitely attend.

Cruise ships offer a self-contained venue with all of the services and amenities you need for a successful event or meeting at sea and can be organized in a way that will support a variety of event budgets. They also provide the opportunity to have a willingly captive audience for your event, particularly if you opt for a full-ship charter, which allows you to customize the entire venue and schedule, including liberal logo placement to increase awareness and recognition of your brand.

When you opt to host your next conference, trade show or convention on a cruise ship, it is sure to be a memorable event that will have the attendees talking about you and your planning services long after they are back on shore, ensuring that they will remember your company name the next time they are in need of event planning services.

If you are planning a cruise for your next corporate or incentive travel event, you may be considering whether chartering a ship would be a more appropriate option than booking reservations on a cruise line containing unaffiliated passengers. It may or may not be, depending on a number of considerations.

First of all, it is important to know your options. When chartering a cruise ship, you often can choose between group, half-ship and full-ship charter options. Full ship charters obviously allow for the greatest freedom, customization, exclusivity and prestige, while group-level charters will likely be most cost-effective.

Each of these options comes with pros and cons; however, they all offer distinct benefits for those determine that chartering a ship is their best option.

In order for chartering a ship for your next cruise event to be a good idea, you will need to have a solid headcount of attendees, a good understanding of your meeting space needs and the resources to make a significant financial commitment upfront, generally guaranteed by a letter of credit.

Once these things are in place, your next task is finding the perfect cruise ship to fit your event needs. This will need to include appropriately-sized meeting spaces, overall costs that are within your planning budget, a suitable destination and an overall quality that suits the level of service and prestige required by your cruise event.