Corporate Travel Destinations

Staying closer to home was the trend in this year's Incentive Travel Buyer's Handbook survey.  Although, domestic destinations such as Florida, California, Arizona, Hawaii, and Nevada are still popular, many planners are going the urban route with incentives to Washington, DC, Chicago, New York City, or regional destinations like North Carolina, Kentucky or Michigan.

The recession has hurt the travel industry, creating a buyer's market for many destinations.  Planners with a budget are being enticed with lower than average rates, "stimulus" packages, and individual attention that was often lacking in good times.

Global destinations did not fare as well as in previous years in the survey.  However, there are incentives to travel internationally, too, such as a stronger dollar, special group travel promotions, and the prospect of smaller crowds in popular cities such as Rome, Paris and London.  

The bottom line for incentive travel planners is to do your homework, and look for the bargains in destinations that will thrill your attendees.

If you are one of the lucky corporate travel planners whose client wants an activity planned for her event but doesn’t know what, you may have the answer for her immediately: a spa treatment. While it seems like an expensive indulgence, remember that spas have been considered an expendable item by many people who have recently been hit by financial concerns. This leaves pricing, availability, and choice of package squarely in the buyer’s market. Here’s how to use it to your advantage.

Spas Help Keep Events Low-Key

You don’t have to pay for a huge ballroom, D.J.s, bands, keynote speakers, or food and beverage when you book a spa visit. Gala extravaganzas are frowned upon in light of the recent government guidelines for business meetings, and the public has become keenly aware overspending by companies they respect. Help those companies stay respectable by cutting back on the excess and adding to wellness. Continue reading »