Any company considering leveraging incentive travel effectively needs a quick crash course in psychology. This is true whether the recipient is an employee, client, partner, supplier, or even a friend in the government. Psychologists refer to the rule of reciprocity when talking about gifts that are given without any strings attached, and that is arguably the best way to offer incentive travel. Don’t believe it? Read on…

Psychologists and sociologists agree that societies revolve around the rule of reciprocity, which states that a recipient of a gift is effectively indebted to the giver. One good turn deserves another, or so they say. This rule is ingrained so deeply in our minds that it is impossible to get out. Don’t believe it? Think of how Hare Krishinas make their money, and realize that they have hundreds of properties and centers throughout the country, and thousands throughout the world all funded on donations given to people that are generally regarded as annoying. How did they become so wealthy despite being nearly universally avoided and disliked as beggars? It is because they offer flowers or trinkets before asking for donations.

This same force can work for companies that offer no-strings attached incentive travel. Workers will feel indebted and become more loyal and productive, partners may start offering better deals, that friend in the government may be willing to repay the favor someday. Generosity has its perks, so be sure to make travel incentive a no-strings attached deal for the best results, even if it seems counterintuitive.

Incentive travel planners are well aware of the many reasons they must keep a watchful eye on the costs associated with incentive travel programs. The company paying the travel expenses will naturally require a detailed list of expenditures and will have a budget that you must stay within, as well as greatly appreciating your efforts put towards saving money without losing quality. However, with all of this emphasis placed on how much incentive travel packages will cost the company, it can be easy to overlook the expenses that the participants will incur.

In some cases, this may be an insignificant detail that does not affect the participants’ ability to enjoy their travel award to the fullest, but for some incentive travel winners, the costs involved may prohibit them from taking full advantage of this opportunity – or from participating at all. It is one thing to arrange a luxury vacation for well-compensated executives who can afford to indulge in room service for every meal at high-end resorts, but it is quite another to arrange a satisfying travel package for hardworking salespeople or staff members who may not have high salaries.

Incentive travel planners should keep this in mind when selecting destinations and would do well to do a bit of basic research on area prices to ensure that affordable meals and entertainment options are available.