Corporate Travel Destinations

Employee incentive programs are essential to any company wishing to recruit and retain the top talent in their field of business or industry. Customized travel incentives, according to industry surveys, is an excellent incentive program that can be utilized to motivate employees. This is especially true if the travel destination is thought to be exciting and adventurous. While many companies are considering scaling back their travel incentives because of current economic conditions, taking steps such as these may be ill-advised and ill-timed. Cutting back on incentive travel can damage employee morale and decrease productivity. On the other hand, incentive travel can increase productivity by as much as 20 percent and foster a more solid employee commitment to the company.

One popular and affordable incentive travel program available today is an all inclusive Caribbean cruise. Choosing an all inclusive incentive cruise can save businesses up to 40 percent compared to land travel. The reason all inclusive cruises are so affordable is because almost everything is included. Meals, lodging, meeting rooms, activities, entertainment, and rooms service are all included in the cost of the cruise. The Caribbean is an exotic, breathtaking, and fascinating cruise destination. This is why all inclusive Caribbean cruise for employee incentives is such an exceptional idea.

There are many advantages of inventive travel programs such as all inclusive Caribbean cruises. These cruises afford employers and employers the opportunity for: team building, education, and increased zeal for the company. An all inclusive Caribbean cruise for employee incentives is a fantastic way to reward top-earners and encourage others to reach these same levels of greatness.

All inclusive Caribbean cruise for employee incentives is an incentive travel program that companies and organizations should seriously consider. Cruise ships offer group-friendly itineraries that build employer and employee camaraderie through team building activities, tour excursions, and sales incentive awards. Cruises can be customized to groups of all sizes and interests. Incentive travel programs, such as all inclusive Caribbean cruises, can help motivate individual employees and create a staunch group cohesion as well.

There are some factors that have got to be taken into consideration when traveling with a group: Accommodations, meals, meeting rooms, A/V equipment, activities, entertainment, and many, many other assorted details. Organizing group travel can swiftly become a nightmare as expenses start to rack up and overwhelm many companies scanty travel budgets.

Decreasing expenses to save costs on incentive trips such as these will effect in less than excellent trip reviews from individuals in the group, having the possibility to decrease employee morale and negatively affect productivity. Rather than organizing an expensive expedition on land, companies and organizations should think about taking their attendees on a cruise event to the Bahamas.

With land based venues, each feature of the excursion must be planned on an separate basis. The hotel may not have a restaurant or have only one dining option. Separate meeting area may have to be reserved, and all of the A/V equipment considered necessary may not be provided by the business meeting facility. When the meeting is over, employees may not know where to find local entertainment or activities they would enjoy. In addition, attendees have no real incentive to network or spend time with one another outside of scheduled convention events. Finding transportation for the group from the hotel to restaurants, activities, and meeting spaces can also be difficult.

Now think about a cruise ship. A cruise meeting is more often than not all inclusive, and incentive planners can adapt the cruise to meet the needs of their clients. Compared to land based venues, a group cruise event can save companies as much as 40 percent. This is because luxury accommodations, gourmet meals, meeting rooms, A/V equipment, activities, entertainment, and many other services are inclusive of the cruise fare. Therefore, taking a group cruise to the Bahamas can be less costly than organizing a trip on land. Moreover, the Bahamas is a tropical, exotic destination that will be seen as exciting and adventurous. Since everything is included in a cruise, participants can network together and participate in activities as a group. This helps to build unity and cohesion between the company’s top performers and management.

Taking a group on a cruise to the Bahamas is certainly more advantageous that most companies realize. Rather than spending on hotels and expensive restaurants, save money and book a cruise event. A cruise to the Bahamas will be memorable, and it will give new employees an incentive to work harder and achieve distinction. Incentive travel programs are essential to the success of a company and retention of top talent. Incentive travel programs such as a group cruise to the Bahamas is an admirable method to attract top talent to a company, motivate success, and give the organization a conspicuous edge.

Organize a group incentive cruise meeting to the Bahamas for your next incentive event. Seasite.com offers group incentive cruise meeting planning resources that will make it easy to plan group incentive cruise meeting events entirely online.

While organizing an meeting at sea for your next corporate travel destination, you may choose to take into consideration the prospect of including a stop on a private island as part of your tour. Some cruise lines now offer ports of call to private islands, usually in the Caribbean, as a portion of their cruise itinerary. Despite the fact that the cost of food, beverages, water sports equipment and other items will generally always cost more on a private island than they would at a conventional stop for an onshore excursion while in port, there are many good advantages to selecting cruise lines that include destinations at private islands.

Private islands may at times be populated with other vacationers, but they are not full with con artists or pickpockets, as are some public beaches, which delivers a more enjoyable setting for your attendees. Security is always there to safeguard that visitors will have no qualms about being mugged or having their belongings taken if they turn their backs, and your attendees can rest assured that the beaches will be impeccably clean and always pristine. Banana boat rides, scuba diving, snorkeling, massage and spa services, beverage bars and cafes are common features on private islands, making them an excellent pick for day-long beach entertainment, and possibly even organized events, depending on what type of agreement you can negotiate with the cruise company.

A cruise meeting is one of the most excellent ideas if you really want to motivate employees. Your meeting attendees will never forget the delight of stopping at several alluring destinations and just unpacking one time. Additionally to increasing attendance, incentives like an all inclusive incentive cruise will be much easier on the incentive travel budget, too.

Cruise meetings can save up to 40 percent over a land-based hotel venue, and extend fabulous onboard facilities and dining choices. Also, cruise ships are now being designed with meetings in mind, e.G. Dedicated meeting facilities, cutting-edge technology, flexible public spaces and roomy theaters that can often accommodate as many as 1,600 people. With most cruise lines, conference space and A/V equipment are complimentary, and the dedicated meeting facilities extend groups more privacy and technology.

Venues like a cruise ship's fabulous show lounges, comedy clubs, and culinary centers can stimulate creative thinking and team building. And there is no shortage of fun activities and challenging sports facilities for your incentive group to take part in between meetings, offering tons of motivational appeal (and bragging rights) for event participants of every age.

An all inclusive incentive cruise can save you up to 40% compared to hotel venues since so much is included. Meals, meeting rooms, A/V, coffee breaks, activities, entertainment and even room service are part of the all-inclusive cruise fare.

The Caribbean is generally one of the first places that come to mind when people think of cruising and most folks who have been on cruises have cruised the Caribbean at least once. With so much emphasis placed on cruising the Caribbean, does this take away from its appeal as an incentive travel or corporate travel destination?

Some well-traveled cruisers may not find a Caribbean cruise event particularly motivating, but the ongoing popularity of the exotic beaches, intriguing cultures, fantastic weather and crystal clear waters that the Caribbean offers continues to make this region one of the most visited areas in the world year after year. With the sheer number of travelers partaking in Caribbean cruises and resort vacations, it is clear that the distinct allure of the Caribbean has not waned over the years. This continues to be one of the most popular cruise destinations for both business and leisure travel, and also continues to be a region that offers great deals for corporate travel planners.

If your company has offered an incentive cruise to the Caribbean as your incentive travel package for the last 20 years, then perhaps your staff would appreciate seeing another option available and might find a change to be more motivating. However, aside from this particular situation, cruising to the Caribbean has maintained its popularity over the decades for a reason. Sure, it is one of the most common cruise destinations, but that is simply more evidence of its allure.

When it comes to corporate group cruise planning, the Caribbean is and always will be a popular option that will likely never lose its appeal.

Are you planning your next team meeting and are in search of a new, exciting venue? If so, why not consider Puerto Rico? There are several reasons to look at this island destination that has been dubbed La Isla del Encanto (the enchanted island), including beautiful scenery, great hotel venues and a plethora of local attractions.

With San Juan being a hub for many airlines, Puerto Rico is often the first stop for travel to the Caribbean. Also, as a U.S. commonwealth, the U.S. dollar is Puerto Rico’s currency and U.S. citizens do not require passports. These added benefits allow travelers to experience a land that is unlike any other area in the U.S. without the hassles of foreign travel.

Whether it is a meeting to further engage your clients, a teambuilding trip to rejuvenate your employees or an executive retreat, the Hotel Condado, El San Juan Hotel, Marriott, Hilton or Ritz-Carlton are all excellent venue options that are located in San Juan and offer corporate discounts, small and large meeting rooms, and all of the amenities you expect from topnotch meeting venues.

After your participants have met their goals and objectives, take an overnight trip to Culebra Island, which is accessible by ferry or a 15-minute plane ride. Here you can take jeep rides through the dunes, visit the Culebra National Wildlife Preserve and the Bioluminescent Bay, or sunbathe on any of the eight exquisite beaches, including Flamenco Beach, which is ranked #2 on a list of the top 10 most exotic beaches in the world.

The island of Aruba is part of the Dutch Antilles located in the Caribbean just north of Venezuela. Every year, tourists are drawn to its sun-soaked shores to enjoy relaxing beachside vacations filled with water sports, long walks on sandy beaches, sipping cocktails under a beach umbrella and SCUBA diving in the crystal clear waters of the nearby coral reef off of De Palm Island. A cruise terminal and international airport are located on the island, allowing corporate travel planners and event planners to include this Caribbean paradise as part of a group cruise, or as a single corporate travel destination. The Reina Beatrix Airport (AUA) is just 2.5 miles from Oranjestad, which is also the home to the main cruise port, which is located just a short five-minute walk from the city center.

The main cities on the island are San Nicolas and Oranjestad, each of which offers a variety of meeting and event venues, with two of the most popular resort hotels on the island being the Aruba Gold Coast and the Occidental Grand Aruba. Popular attractions and activities available on the island include water sports, horseback riding, biking, bird watching at the Bubali Bird Sanctuary, the weekly Bonbini Festival at the Aruba Historical Museum and an 18-hole championship golf course.

Whether you are planning a group cruise, incentive travel package or corporate event, you simply cannot go wrong with Aruba.

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.

Corporate travel rewards can often be difficult to book. Trying to find out what an employee, retail partner, or prized client wants can be an exercise in futility. It’s often hard to get an answer if you ask, and if it’s supposed to be a surprise it’s just a guess anyway on the part of the Big Boss.

One destination that has a high rate of success and approval is the tropical island. Although it is generally a popular destination, the idea of the private island is sometimes forgotten. Anyone who wants to give the gift of relaxation, beautiful scenery, and peace should consider the private island as a destination.

Private does not necessarily mean free of options. It doesn’t mean your client will be marooned until she decides she is no longer stressed and can come home. It means that there are choices. She can stay in bed for the whole trip if she wants, lie on the beach and read, but there is sometimes golf, tennis, equestrian activities, and much more a short distance away. But on a private island it means you don’t even have to be aware of them.

These amazing destinations can also be romantic. If your client knows that the traveler has an anniversary coming up, you can book a honeymoon island. You can find special dinners for couples, and even activities just for the two of them.

So before you throw your hands in the air in despair over a difficult plan, find out if there is space on an island somewhere. You have a good chance of being successful.

To supplement housing for this prestigious meeting, where leaders of 53 Commonwealth countries will convene to discuss global, political and economic issues, Landry & Kling has secured two ships on behalf of the GORTT, Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas and Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess, which will be docked within walking distance of the Hyatt Regency, the host venue.  In addition to supplementing local accommodations with up to 2,500 more sleeping rooms, the ships will also function as adjunct convention facilities and dining venues to complement the Hyatt Hotel.  A host of meetings will be held on board the two cruise ships, and a casino will be transformed into a trade show with up to 20 table-top exhibits.

During the recent Fifth Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Princess Cruises’ “floating hotel” Caribbean Princess was the venue for 2 days of Plenary Sessions, luncheons, and Closing Ceremonies for the Private Sector Forum and for all Youth Forum Events on April 15-16. The ship was docked adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Trinidad.

“We are thrilled and honored to have been chosen to play a pivotal role in making this important gathering a success,” said Joyce Landry, CEO of Landry & Kling.  She added, “This project has been months in the making, and we look forward to putting our creativity and expertise to work on behalf of this prestigious event.”

As with any meeting of global governments, and particularly one as multifaceted as this is, there are a number of key aspects beyond the housing element that come into play for the Landry & Kling team, such as government protocol, security, multiple event logistics and the efficient flow of thousands of people from venue to venue to ensure a seamless operation.

While the actual CHOGM retreat will take place from November 27-29, the ships will arrive in Port of Spain on November 22nd and 23rd, as will participants for parallel events such as the Youth Forum and the Commonwealth Business Forum.  To accommodate the week-long activities, Landry & Kling will be staffed 30 strong in strategic locations – the airport, cruise terminal, accreditation centers, and on board the ships – to ensure the event is staged with exact precision and flow.

As the premier company organising cruise events around the globe for more than 27 years, providing additional housing where demand for accommodations outstrips supply, has been one of Landry & Kling’s hallmarks.
What the concept of floating hotels means is that port cities and destinations around the world who never dreamed of hosting world class events and meetings can now vie for their share of the pie.

Beverly Khan, Deputy National Coordinator for the National Secretariat said, “Landry & Kling was the invisible force that brought it all together” during the Fifth Summit of the Americas.  She noted that the cruise event specialists provided close to 3,000 rooms for attendees and a venue for pre-Summit events and planning sessions ranging from 400 to over 1,000 people for various parallel events including a live simulcast onboard the vessels for the opening ceremony followed by receptions onboard.

About Landry & Kling

Landry & Kling, cruise event specialists and pioneers of the meetings-at-sea concept, provide turnkey solutions for the planning and implementation of global meetings and events-at-sea.  Throughout its 27-year history of creating and delivering highly personalized, results-driven and unforgettable cruise events, Landry & Kling’s services and expertise has been in incentive travel, ship buy-outs, multiple dockside ship charters for global events and other on-board corporate functions, from site selection and ship sourcing, to contract negotiations and custom cruise planning.

In April 2009, Landry & Kling co-founders Jo Kling and Joyce Landry were inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame, recognizing their significant contributions and innovations in the cruise industry.  The company, which is based in Miami, the Cruise Capital of the World, is certified as a diversity supplier by WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) and was been named among the Top Small Businesses in the United States by DiversityBusiness.com.

In an unprecedented move that will revolutionize the cruise industry, this fall Landry & Kling will debut Seasite.com, the only online cruise platform for meeting and event planners.  (www.seasite.com)

For more information on Landry & Kling, visit www.landrykling.com or call 800-448-9002.

Planning corporate events can be quite tasking, however if the venue is something as beautiful and charming as the region of the Bahamas, the effort is worth taking. An eternal favorite with business visitors and event planners, the Bahamas is a splendid business destination offering a wide array of delightful facilities and experiences.

Business can truly become a pleasure in the Bahamas. There are three main areas that you could explore for your business visit- the Grand Bahama Island, the Out Islands, and Nassau.

The beautiful Grand Bahama Island

Three things define the Grand Bahama Island- superb golf facilities, vibrant casinos, and cosmopolitan shopping. So whether you are a sports buff, shopaholic, or simply love to try your luck with gambling, this island has all that it takes to offer a splendid business vacation. Continue reading »