Because cruises exude luxury, many businesses mistakenly believe that incentive cruises are beyond their budgets. Many may not even consider a cruise event or ship charter as a business incentive due to the “cost” of the cruise. However, incentive cruises are really no different than other forms of business incentives. For example, the cost to secure accommodations for a group at a hotel can range significantly. Some hotels and resorts are much more expensive than others. This same concept applies to cruise events. When businesses opt for meetings at sea, the business can find a price point that will be right for them.
The type of cruise a businesses chooses should be based on the needs of the company as well as the participants. Businesses rewarding a few employees with a business incentive such as a ship charter may desire a more luxurious cruise, while businesses treated hundreds of employees to a cruise event may opt for a more basic cruise package. Not only can a cruise easily fit in the budget of almost any business, but an incentive cruise can be very motivating for employees. Even when businesses have a price point to meet, they should still consider an incentive cruise as a viable option.
It’s hard to invoke the word Paris without conjuring up images of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, or the Champs-Élysées. Lovers may prefer Paris in the spring, but fall brings on a feeling of its own in France’s most renowned city, and it is a good choice for business incentive travel.
If your client’s tastes lends toward fine dining, wine, or designer clothes Paris is a perfect fit. September 30 through October 8 is International ready to wear fashion week that culminates in an elegant fashion show. In October the annual grape festival at Montmartre honors the fruit of the vine in all its many forms. Many great chefs believe Paris to be home to the greatest dining experiences to be had anywhere and certainly fine cuisine is available all year long.
If sporting events are of more interest, the Tennis Masters Series might catch your eye. Held in November, the competition, also known as the Paris Open, draws crowds from across the globe. On a more whimsical note, there is another athletic event held in Paris during the autumn months.
Every fall waiters from all over Paris cluster in front of the Hôtel de Ville, balancing heavy trays of water bottles and glasses. The Course de Garçons de Café is wonderful comic relief for anyone who has been at the mercy of a Parisian waiter.
Many travelers have been avoiding countries like Mexico for fear of crime. However, common sense precautions can go a long way towards a safe and exciting business incentive trip. Here are some ways you can help your clients avoid being victims.
Environmental Awareness
First, dispel myths. Second, explain the realities. For instance, if most of the crime in a certain places happens in the inner city subway system, provide a guide to other means of travel. If the crimes are primarily pick-pocketing, make a checklist of safety measures for your travelers–pick-pocketing is not a violent crime, and travelers who are properly prepared will be able to enjoy their trip without losses to petty thievery.
There are, of course, global havens for robbers. One of those places is the ATM. No matter where you are, avoid using these machines unless they are located in safe hotel lobbies, inside secure banks, and sometimes in stores (although that’s a little dicey). Read the rest of this entry »
Like any other business, spas have been hit by financial concerns. They have responded by lowering prices, offering half-time treatments, and better deals for groups. All these actions benefit you, the business meeting planner, in lots of different ways.
Booking Groups
Spas have lost a lot of their group business. Meetings have been canceled or rebooked on the internet and luxuries have been cut. Public perception has interfered in spa bookings as well–what blue collar worker wants to bust her tail all day for a failing company while her CEO is very busy being surrounded by candles, small fountains, and new age music as he gets a massage?
This makes it a perfect time to use spa visits as part of your business incentive travel packages. Prices are down and availability is high. Read the rest of this entry »
Event planners who work with inventive groups are faced nowadays with clients who just don’t have the money to spend. Smaller business are trying to cut out luxuries with the hope that no one will say anything, and larger companies–especially the ones with bailout money–are trying to regain an image of competence and frugality. Incentive travel is a scary proposition for them both.
Enter the cruise. These are often much more affordable choices for people who love to travel in general, and could be your answer to the problem of affordable incentive travel. Why? Because cruises are relaxing, cruise lines have expanded their ports of call, and many of them offer sightseeing excursions in the cruise package.
Another cost-cutting advantage of the cruise is the other inclusions. If you book a pyramid tour in Egypt, for instance, you also have to plan for accommodations, meals, other activities, etc. All of this is included in the cruise. Cruises offer enormous and variable meals spreads, and there is something for everyone there. Read the rest of this entry »
