Corporate Travel Destinations

If you plan your next business meeting or conference anywhere in Fiji, you can be fairly certain that it will be a very well-attended event. There is something about the South Pacific in general, and the islands of Fiji in particular, that holds a distinctive allure for travelers of any sort. This makes Fiji an ideal option for incentive travel, an international business meeting, an executive retreat or a convention. When you select Fiji as a corporate travel destination, your attendees will obviously enjoy resort living, pristine beaches and excellent local dishes, but also incorporating more traditional components into your corporate travel plans will make the trip much more meaningful for your participants.

Fiji has a rich history and culture, including traditional ceremonies, dances and arts, many of which are still practiced today either in welcoming guests or in everyday Fijian life. You can add a whole new dimension to your corporate event in Fiji by arranging to include some of these traditions. For example, you may want to consider opening your event with a meke, which is a traditional dance most often performed as part of celebrations, social events and religious ceremonies. Fijian women perform fan dances, while men use spear and clubs, and each movement tells the story of Fijian folklore.

Opening your event with a meke will make your event more memorable and will set the stage for a fantastic meeting or conference that pays respect to Fijian heritage.

Executive retreats are a mainstay in mid- and large-size companies, as well as many smaller businesses, and provide an environment that is dedicated to establishing new goals, revising policies and procedures that are no longer effective, determining how best to guide and grow the company, and choosing the best tack for moving forward into a strong, successful future. Whether or not your company is in need of a significant change in course, an executive retreat at sea is sure to provide the setting and motivation needed to deliver the results your firm needs.

Executive retreat cruises can be easily arranged for small or large groups and can allow for up to a 40% savings over planning your event at a land-based venue. Additionally, all-inclusive cruises are ideal for establishing and staying within your company’s budget with meals, accommodations, entertainment, drinks, onboard activities and meeting facilities included in one upfront price. At the same time, cruise ships offer many additional luxuries that your participants can choose to partake in, such as spa treatments, boutique shopping and land excursions, which increases the appeal this option will have to your attendees.

Executive retreats at sea have the dual benefits of providing well-equipped meeting facilities that will assist participants in staying motivated and meeting goals, while also allowing your participants to enjoy a memorable, relaxing vacation experience when not in meetings. This allows your executives to accomplish the necessary tasks and return to the office at the end of the retreat refreshed, revitalized and ready to implement the policies or changes agreed upon during the retreat.

Visit Seasite.com to find group cruise planning tools that will make planning your next executive retreat a breeze.

When planning for a successful executive retreat, there is much more to keep in mind than simply finding the right venue and arranging for transportation and accommodation. Of course, these are critical aspects of retreat planning, but if you are also involved in the hands-on planning for the day-to-day aspects of the executive retreat, these seven tips will help you plan for success.

Ensuring the success of an executive retreat starts long before arriving at your destination. Here are seven tips for meeting planners to make sure your executive retreat is productive and effective:

1. Double-check your guest list. It is crucial that you make sure you have invited all of the major players and that they are on your list for receiving materials and planning logistics.
2. Determine the main goals and objectives for the retreat.
3. Distribute materials beforehand that clearly state these goals and objectives so that your participants know what to expect.
4. Assign homework to ensure that your participants are prepared.
5. Send out reminders a few days before the retreat to make sure everyone remembers to complete and bring their homework.
6. Arrange to have a professional facilitator run the business portions of the retreat.
7. Assign someone with the task of maintaining a thorough record during the retreat of who volunteers or is assigned to complete tasks, as well as the deadlines.

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.

For a different kind of group cruise experience, you may want to consider barge cruising on rivers in Europe. This type of laidback cruising is ideal for groups of 12 or less and offers a casual, intimate atmosphere that is perfect for an executive retreat, a teambuilding experience or small-scale corporate meetings and events. Barges are often captained by the owner and cooking is often taken care of by the owner or the spouse of the owner, with local foods that are purchased daily before leaving the night’s mooring spot in the morning. This adds to the houseguest feel of barge cruising, and generally also makes for wonderfully outfitted barges that show distinctive pride of ownership.

During the day, guests will enjoy slowly making their way down Europe’s inland waterways, and then will have the opportunity to go ashore to visit quaint villages or wineries before heading to bed each night. Many barge cruises include tours of sites of historical or cultural importance and sometimes have eclectic, impromptu entertainment during the evening. Some barge cruises also offer optional extras, such as hot air ballooning, which can make your corporate travel even more memorable. Exclusive ship charters allow you to organize an intimate awards ceremony or relaxing incentive travel package that is sure to appeal to your attendees.