Corporate Travel Destinations

The world is full of unique corporate travel destinations, but the Pacific Rim has been the focus of the majority of business travel for the past few decades. It appears that Latin America might be making a comeback despite some countries in the area still holding less than friendly political feelings towards the United States in particular and developed nations in general.

That notwithstanding, the fact of the matter is that Latin America is booming and is ready for business. Corporate travel destinations have been established in Mexico, not far from major manufacturing facilities and textile plants. Brazil has an amazing number of extremely high tech manufacturing facilities that produce everything from vehicles to the latest microprocessors. No longer are countries like China, Japan, and Taiwan looking like good long term investments, but Latin America also has plenty more to offer.

Unique cultures, values that more familiar to those from Western cultures are also on tap as well as lower airfares and governments that seem less likely to support local businesses over the rule of law. The result is that longer term investment in Latin America is just another great reason to consider many of our southern neighbors for your next corporate travel destination. The changes a few decades have brought can be truly amazing.

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.

A meeting planner is very aware of the different tastes and preferences that individuals have. There is always the chance that the group incentive destination will not be approved by all participants. For this reason, it is important that event planning be taken seriously and the same attention to detail given to each group event. The travel destination of choice should be carefully considered by the meeting planner and should take into account, when feasible, the preferences of attendees. If a travel destination was not well-received by the majority of attendees, then it may be wise to choose another locale or venue.

A few of the popular and well-liked incentive travel destinations are Orlando, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; and San Francisco, California. These locations are popular because of the excellent entertainment, attractions, and local fare available. Because the cities are popular tourist destinations, the vendors in these cities tend to cater to the needs of their guests. Feeling welcome and at-home is an important aspect of travel, and cities that thrive on tourism are typically great host cities. Even the most finicky of group incentive travel participants may enjoy trips to cities that are friendly, easily accessible, and provide a wealth of entertainment, leisure, and dining options.

The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has released data from a 2010 survey showing the top destinations for summer travel in the United States. Topping the list for eight years running, Orlando, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada continue to be the most popular summer travel destinations, which will surely come as no surprise to travel planners. These hot summer destinations offer sun, warm weather and a wide variety of attractions that appeal to couples, business travelers and families, making them a good choice for both corporate and leisure travel. Due to their popularity, choosing one of these cities as a conference venue or incentive travel destination is sure to increase interest in the event or award.

In addition to Orlando and Las Vegas, other cities in the top ten include San Francisco, Miami, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Honolulu, Seattle and Washington, DC. ASTA also provided data showing the most popular summer travel destinations for 2010 at the state level, which included:

1. Florida
2. Nevada
3. California
4. New York
5. Hawaii

These destinations prove to be among the top summer travel spots year after year, which is important information for corporate travel planners. Knowing the trends regarding the most popular destinations provides valuable insight into which locations will likely be most enticing when selecting destination cities for corporate events, business meetings or incentive travel programs.

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.

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.

When planning an incentive cruise for your next corporate travel destination, you may want to take into consideration the possibility of including time on a private island. Several cruise lines now offer trips to private islands, particularly in the Caribbean, as part of their cruise itinerary. While the cost of food, beverages, water sports equipment and other items will almost always cost more on a private island than they would at a typical location for an onshore excursion while in port, there are many luxurious benefits to opting for cruise lines that include stops at private islands.

Private islands may be populated with other tourists, but they are not filled with hustlers or pickpockets, as are some public beaches, which creates a more relaxing situation for visitors. Security is always present to ensure that visitors will have no worries about being mugged or having their belongings stolen as soon as they turn their backs, and visitors can rest assured that the beaches will be spotlessly clean and always pristine. Banana boat rides, scuba diving, snorkeling, massage and spa services, beverage bars and cafés are common offerings on private islands, making them an ideal choice for day-long beach parties, and possibly even organized events, depending on what kind of deal you can negotiate with the cruise line.

Historic walking tours are available in most destinations and can be a fun, educational way to spend an afternoon or personal day during a corporate event. If the weather is nice, this is a great way to spend time outdoors participating in a leisurely activity that can be enjoyed at one’s own pace. Depending on the city and the type of tour you select, historic tours may or not be appropriate for some attendees with disabilities, so be sure to look into this before adding it the itinerary, or if you are simply listing it as an optional self-guided activity, you should include a note about accessibility.

If your corporate travel destination is in a city with a rich history and interesting architecture, guided or self-guided walking tours are particularly enticing; however, even newer cities often have maps available for visitors pointing the way to important monuments, interesting sights or other points of interest.

Guided tours are sometimes more enjoyable, due to the information and stories shared during the experience, and are usually rather affordable, making this an easy option to add to your travel planning. If guided tours are not available in your destination, or if you are looking for ways to save even more, check the website of the area’s visitor’s center or tourism board to see if there are self-guided walking tour maps that you can download, print and distribute to attendees.

Monaco. The very name conjures up images of wealth, relaxation and prestige. If you are considering a corporate travel destination in which name cache is at all important, don't forget this all time winner in the world of luxurious travel. Surrounded on three sides by France and just a short hop from Italy, Monaco is an ideal location for an extended trip to Europe. For pure pampered luxury that sends a message of style and class, this haven of decadent exclusivity is unmatched.

Monaco is second only to Vatican City as the smallest country in the world. Originally founded in 1228, this constitutional monarchy has been ruled by the same house since 1297. The current monarch, Albert II, is the son of Princess Grace, better known to many as the American actress Grace Kelly before she married Prince Rainer III of Monaco. Considered by some a tax haven for the wealthy of other countries, the population of this tiny country is likely the richest on earth.

What does one do in Monaco? Well, beyond making absolutely certain everyone possible knows that you went there, there are a number of events and attractions that will appeal to attendees, such as the world-famous casino, which is just one of the must-see attractions that attendees can enjoy during downtime or in the evening after a long day of meetings.

How about an exotic location where your attendees will be surrounded by unbelievable scenery while enjoying a restful retreat? A place where they can easily get to city attractions and nightlife, and then retreat back to their spa resort to recharge? Costa Rica offers these and many more opportunities for the corporate traveler. There's something for everyone here: golfing, pristine beaches, rain forests and high-end luxury resorts. Within 15 minutes of San Jose airport your attendees can be relaxing in an incredible mountain spa and basking in the beauty of this tropical paradise, and then can easily head back down to the city refreshed and ready for your corporate event.

Over one million visitors per year have learned the secret of Costa Rica as a world-class travel destination but here you won't find the unremitting crowds and "touristy" feel of some better known destinations. This is the ideal place for a healthful retreat where one can enjoy natural beauty free from daily stress and tension. For those looking for something a little more active, there are also outdoor adventure opportunities like white water rafting in the Orosi River Valley or sightseeing on the Paccare River. Above all, this is an excellent corporate travel destination for planners looking for an enticing location that will allow attendees to unwind between events.