Corporate Travel Destinations

In a recent blog article posted by Cvent entitled, Caribbean Incentive Travel: Summer Travel Benefits, the top 10 reasons why the Caribbean is a great destination for summer incentive travel are outlined.  While all those are valid reasons, I thought it would be interesting to raise the idea a notch by providing the top 10 benefits to CRUISING the Caribbean for Summer Incentive Travel.

So, here goes:

1.     Lower Cruise Fares – Many cruise lines offer summer deals and specials.
2.    Ability to Visit Different Islands – Why stay put in one resort when you have the whole Caribbean to explore?
3.    No Need to Unpack Several Times – Do it once and you’re free to enjoy the rest of your trip as you island hop.
4.    Activities to Suit All Ages – Whether its the adrenaline rush of the exciting Zip Line ride, surfing the day away on a Surf Simulator or brushing up on your golf skills, there’s something for level of desired activity for any age (also included in the fare!!).  Kid’s Clubs allow for some parental downtime and a variety of spa services are also available on board (spa services are separate).
5.    Meeting Facilities and Event Venues are FREE to Reserve – While resort hotels may discount them during the summer months, on a cruise ship they’re always FREE!
6.    Variety of Dining Options – With multiple restaurants to choose from included in the fare (and some additional exclusive options available for a nominal charge), you’ll never be bored at meal time.
7.    Beat the Summer Heat- What better way to get away from the city heat than to sit back and enjoy the tropical breezes and breath-taking beauty of the Caribbean.
8.    Air Travel More Affordable and Convenient to US Ports – Many airlines have frequent and reasonable flights to cities such as Miami and Fort Lauderdale where cruise ships board, rather than paying a premium to fly directly to an island and having limited flight options.
9.    Expansive Selection of Entertainment Choices – Enjoy a Broadway-class show, dance the night away in one of the many lounges and clubs or partake in deck-side festivities, there’s always something exciting to do on board and once again, included in the fare!!!!

And the last and probably most AMAZING…

10.    Fabulous Sunsets from the Middle of the Ocean-  Truly a sight to behold as you stand on deck and marvel at nature’s wonder while the skies are painted in hues of pinks and oranges.  It’s a view that simply can’t compare to land-locked sunsets.

There are many different companies offering cruise meetings and cruise events, which means that consumers actually have a choice. This might not be immediately obvious as many people still consider cruise meetings to be an alternative meeting format. Despite this common misconception, there are a few things that one needs to consider when evaluating different cruise lines: What is their focus? Some cruise lines handle cruise meetings but have a focus on specific aspects or target audiences.

• Where do the cruises go? Not all cruise liners travel to all parts of the world. If certain locations are important then there is going to be a limitation placed on the available cruise lines to meet business needs. Fewer choices tends to drive price up.
• Do they charter? Some cruise lines offer chartering of small, medium, and even full-sized cruise liners for the right amount of money. Chartering cruise liners can actually be surprisingly affordable for businesses with the means, especially compared to the alternatives.
• What are the meeting facilities like? Most cruise liners have meeting facilities, though space is always at a premium aboard a vessel at sea. This means that larger meetings need to be held in dining halls, theaters, and other rooms. Sometimes this can be the perfect invitation for unique meeting formats, so be willing to be flexibile.

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.

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.

New York City, the seat of financial activities in the US, has been experiencing an economic crisis ever since the bank debacles. However in spite of all the economic trouble, this busy and active city attracted millions of business visitors in 2008 and continues to do so. This reflects the popularity of the city as a much sought after business destination for event planners and their clients.

The city is also all geared up to improve its meeting facilities and innovative tools as well as resources are all out there for you to explore. Now that’s some good news for event planners who have been waiting for the bad times to pass by. The event-planning infrastructure in New York is certainly happening!

A newly reopened information center that deals with meeting planning issues adds to the advantages offered by this vibrant city. When you land in New York, be assured that you will receive only world-class hospitality and flawless service from the meeting planning industry. It’s truly a pleasure to be in New York, whether for business or pleasure, or for a combination of both. Continue reading »