Corporate Travel Destinations

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.

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.

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.

Corporate meeting planners are often called upon to book travel destinations in far away places with romantic sounding names. It’s easy to forget all the wonderful places in the United States that are more affordable and every bit as exciting as an island paradise. California has some excellent travel locations that allow you to book meetings in luxurious yet affordable destinations.

Have you considered adding a wine tasting agenda to your next corporate meeting? Monterey County has some excellent vineyards and many add special venues upon request. What about holding your meeting aboard the Queen Mary? The retired ocean liner is permanently docked in the Long Beach area.

The recently renovated convention center in Long Beach is located downtown and is within walking distance to the Aquarium of the Pacific, great restaurants, and famous shopping districts like Shoreline Village and The Pike at Rainbow Harbor.

California in the winter months can be a welcome relief from the snow and frigid weather other parts of the U.S. experience. Your team can relax and be kids again at one of the many amusement parks or enjoy the unparalleled pampering of exclusive spas.

This state runs the gamut of family fun to sophisticated entertainment. Surprise your team by rediscovering the wonders of America.