People all over the world are struggling with the effects of the recession. It has hit the United States pretty hard and many people are just grateful to have a job. Incentive travel is a good means to lift the spirits of your staff and keep them motivated to do more locally and globally.

Many corporations select a charity and sponsor various events to raise money or supplies for their cause. This could be through employee blood donations or food donations or outright monetary gifts. Philanthropic gestures can be combined with incentive travel. Exotic locations offer the opportunity for tourists to help the local economy in personal and significant ways.

Philanthropic travel can be part of a team building exercise. Designating an afternoon during an incentive trip to get involved with a local charity just makes people feel better about themselves, creating a special bond between visitors and locals. Offering a local organization a “hands-on” rather than a hand-out is a show of respect for their efforts and leaves their dignity intact.

Try matching a local cause with one at your travel destination. For example, hunger is a world wide concern. The team that volunteers with a soup kitchen away from home returns more compassionate and wiser than when they left home.