Any company that is reviewing its incentives and bonuses needs to keep an eye on the bottom line while simultaneously trying to find the best value possible for their spending dollar. It is simply a question of economics, but that does not necessarily mean that an affordable trip to Nebraska is going to seem attractive. A cruise on the other hand is almost always a great travel option worth considering and can be surprisingly affordable. Here’s why cruise travel should be on the incentive plan of any company with travel incentive options:

• Incentive cruises are all inclusive, meaning that they are incredibly easy to budget.
• All inclusive means no need to give spending money and collect receipts or give out a prepaid company credit card.
• Cruises are almost universally considered to be enjoyable which probably explains why they have been around for so long.
• Cruises can change the recipient(s) perceptions of the company dramatically, and not in the same way that a ‘fun’ vacation to Nebraska might do the same. A partner might become more amenable to agreements, an employee more loyal, a supplier more reliable, and so on.
• Regardless of the outcome of a cruise, the recipient is likely to sing the praises of the company to any and all that will hear. Nothing beats good word of mouth, nothing.

Not everyone in the office can get the big promotion and the corner office, but that does not mean that there are no other rewards to dole out to encourage performance and loyalty. In fact, some of those rewards can be tax deductible while simultaneously offering an immediate and direct benefit to the company, such as incentive travel where meetings or other events are part of the plan. Here’s how it works:

• Corporate travel and meetings are very common, but usually the top few people in any department get to go. If a new promotion has been handed out, consider letting the runners up to the position go as sort of a second-place prize. This shows them that even though they may have come so close to getting that coveted promotion, that they are not truly that far away. Special perks are still available, and Joe’s corner office as much as perk as it is a ball and chain.
•  It is usually best not to announce the travel meetings or travel events as a secondary prize before any decision making is done regarding who gets which promotion. Instead, try approaching the proposition of meeting travel as a conically prize as a way to reward those that try so hard to please and perform their duties with diligence. Loyalty and hard work deserve rewards, and those rewards are even better when they help smooth over potentially ruffled feathers while still putting the needs of business first.

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 is an wonderful way for a company to not only show top-performing employees their appreciation, but to provide them with the motivation they need to continue to be at the top of their game. When organizations are considering planning incentive travel, there are numerous destinations from which to choose. Whether the destination is close to home or across the ocean, it is important that the travel incentive spark the interest of the organization's employees. If employees are not interested in the travel itinerary or destination, the motivational aspect of the trip will be moot and productivity may be stifled. Increasing productivity is an important factor.

While these land venues such as hotels and resorts can be quite interesting and are often located in desirable cities, employees may not find these types of meeting venues as attractive as other types of incentive travel. One type of incentive travel that is becoming popular is incentive cruises. An incentive cruise allows organizations to hold meetings at sea while treating their employees to tropical, exotic, and far away destinations. Incentive cruises provide employees with a serene setting to think outside the box which can lead to increased productivity. Increased productivity and paradise? It can happen with an incentive cruise.

When companies contact a meeting planner to assist them with incentive travel, there are several things that the meeting planner must know to ensure a successful trip. Many times, the company has not even considered some of the most basic elements that the meeting planner needs to plan incentive travel. In order to plan an incentive program that will right for the company, the company and the meeting planner need to know the ultimate goals of the incentive travel as well as the company budget. Companies usually have an idea of their budget, but concrete goals are sometimes lacking. Knowing these goals will be essential to incentive travel planning. Once these crucial details are determined, a meeting planner can begin designing and preparing an incentive travel itinerary.

After goals and budget have been established, a meeting planner will make a recommendation regarding the location of the event. Once the location has been approved and confirmed, a meeting planner will be responsible for negotiating a competitive travel package for the company. When a satisfactory package has been secured, a meeting planner will then begin planning events based on the company's incentive travel goals. A meeting planner will assist the company in facilitating all aspects of the trip.

It is no surprise that employees are motivated to work harder, increase sales and productivity, and improve their performance when they know that their efforts will be rewarded. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and to know that their hard work does not go unnoticed, which is why it is so important for all companies to implement some type of employee appreciation or incentive program. Some companies offer merit raises, performance-based bonuses or branded merchandise as prizes, while others choose gift cards or cash awards. While each of these options has its own particular appeal, incentive travel truly is the best, most effective choice that is often much more appealing to employees.

Here are five reasons your company should choose incentive travel to motivate your employees:
1. Incentive travel – whether it is a two-week European adventure or a weekend trip to a nearby ski resort – is far more memorable than other incentive options and will have a longer lasting positive effect.
2. Cash and gift cards are nice, but incentive travel provides your employees with the opportunity to actually have new experiences and enrich their lives.
3. Depending on your industry and pay scale, the incentive travel you offer might actually be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for your employees.
4. Incentive travel, such as incentive cruises, is generally perceived to have a much higher value than the actual cost to your company.
5. Offering incentive travel is much more personal than handing out gift cards or branded merchandise and is a more meaningful expression of your appreciation.

Incentive travel planners may find themselves arranging travel packages for a variety of winners, including some with high salaries and others with more moderate incomes. Because of this, planners must ensure that all of their participants will be able to enjoy their travel awards equally, particularly if staff members at different pay rates will be traveling to the same destination at the same time. Fortunately, there is a very simple, convenient way to accomplish thus that is sure to appeal to all of the participants that receive travel awards: cruises.

Incentive cruises are an excellent option for incentive travel and provide an all-inclusive travel package that will allow each of your winners to fully enjoy their travel incentive, regardless of their personal budget. With included meals and snacks, complimentary room service, first-run movies at no charge, use of fitness facilities at no additional cost, free onboard activities, nightly entertainment and duty-free shopping, travelers at all income levels will find incentive travel cruises an appealing, enjoyable experience.

Opting for incentive cruises also provides additional benefits to the incentive travel planner and the company paying for the travel awards. As a cost-effective option that is simple to organize and sure to encourage employees to perform, cruises are an ideal choice when it comes to planning incentive travel.

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.