The power of incentive travel beyond sales teams    

There is no doubt about it. Incentive travel is a powerful motivator.
But who said that incentive trips are just sales drivers? 

Incentive travel programmes can help build and strengthen team members’ relationships, boost employee engagement and encourage better performance. 

Its benefits are well documented. Studies have shown that taking employees on a once-in-a-lifetime all-expenses-paid trip can help alleviate stress, reignite their creativity, and boost morale. 

So, let’s dive deeper and discover why companies should consider investing in reward programmes as incentive travel. 

The benefits of incentive travel

Who said that incentive travel no longer works effectively? 

Incentive travel has been an excellent motivator for years. As reported by a survey conducted by SITE, 96% of respondents agreed that their incentive trips were ‘very effective or effective in achieving programme goals’ as measured by increased sales and revenue. And this is not only when looking at the sales departments.
Corporate incentive travel programmes, in fact, are more than just a trip to an exotic destination; they also represent a special moment of gathering where top performers from the company’s different departments get together (sometimes even for the first time) and share a memorable experience. 

Compared to monetary incentives, these trips (when planned accurately) also help with team building and allow employees to get to know each other better in a fun and relaxed environment. By having the time to bond with one another, incentive trips also help improve communication between co-workers. 

In addition, employees come back from these incentive trips feeling refreshed, motivated, and invigorated, ready to take on whatever challenges the work week may bring.  

This has a significant impact on companies’ culture. As we mentioned, when companies invest in incentive travel, they are committing to recreating a positive workplace culture; by offering employees the opportunity to earn a reward for meeting and exceeding performance goals, you can foster a culture of excellence and achievement. 

 

Incentive trips are more than sales drivers

Incentive travel rewards are not just a sales driver—they can also be used to promote company values, build brand loyalty and improve employee satisfaction.  

By planning the ‘trip of a lifetime,’ companies can show their employees they are valued and appreciated for their exceptional accomplishments and dedication. And everyone likes to be rewarded for their hard work. Hence, incentive travel should always be included in the corporate strategy. 

So, when employees feel appreciated and valued by their employer, they are more likely to be loyal to the company and its products or services. This type of loyalty can also lead to increased sales and profitability for the business. 

On the other hand, when a company gains loyalty from its employees, it also means that it has a higher chance of attracting or event retaining top talent.  

Why employees like incentive trips 

There are many things that employees like about incentive travel programmes; 

  1. One of the most popular is the opportunity to travel to new and exciting destinations and stay in luxurious and fancy hotels. 
  2. Another thing that they like is the chance to relax, have fun, and recharge. After working hard all year, an incentive trip is often seen as a much-needed break. Enjoying some time off in a chilled and friendly environment is always nice. And incentive travel provides employees with the perfect opportunity to do just that, especially for employees who rarely get to take holidays or have families with which they need to juggle work. 
  3. Incentive trips allow employees to experience and enjoy new things, including exclusive visits and tours, team building, or CSR activities. For many employees, an incentive trip is their first time experiencing a luxurious destination or five-star hotel. This can be a truly unforgettable experience that they will remember for years to come. 
  4. Employees like the feeling of being rewarded and recognised. Incentive trips are an excellent way for companies and employers to show appreciation for their teams’ hard work. This is especially true for top performers who may not always feel highly recognised in their day-to-day roles. 
  5. Incentive trips often provide the opportunity for employees to socialise and bond with their peers. This can help in strengthen relationships within the team and boost morale. As we mentioned in our previous blog, “Reward and Recognition: the power of incentive travel,” incentive trips are a great way to get out of the office and explore new destinations while bonding with colleagues, especially if the team is usually located in various parts of the world.
     

According to a survey by the IRF – Incentive Research Foundation, 87% of respondents said they were more likely to achieve their objectives if an incentive trip was involved. In addition, 77% said they would be more likely to continue working for a company that offered incentive trips. 

So, it seems that employees do enjoy incentive trips – and these trips can be very beneficial for businesses.

Get your incentive trip right

But to be a valuable and effective incentive trip that engages your employees and creates a true sense of belonging, you need to get things right and plan your trip accordingly. Your incentive travel programme needs to make participants feel connected to the company. It needs to create excitement, and it needs to be appealing to all participants. 

So, if you want to plan an extraordinary incentive trip, get in touch with the Black Book incentive travel planners today! 

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