Travel Incentives Motivate Employees over Most Other Employee Incentives

Incentive programs are used to inspire a set of desired behaviors or accomplish defined objectives in a specified time frame. Travel incentives deliver businesses with the opportunity to encourage individuals to heighten performance, increase sales, or provide enhanced service to customers. A variety of options are available to aid an organization in receiving the right results including:

  • Monetary
  • Gift Cards
  • Certificates
  • Merchandise
  • Travel

Not all forms of compensation will provide the same degree of motivation and numerous companies are beginning to step away from traditional monetary rewards to gain desired outcomes. These rewards do not have the high trophy value offered by travel alternatives. They are often viewed by participants as part of their compensation package rather than as a reward program. The lift supplied by this type of compensation disappears quickly as the awarded participant uses the cash to pay bills or buy something they have been putting off due to lack of funds. Studies show merchandise programs involving items such as high-end electronics to be far more effective over monetary choices. Travel incentives deliver the most memorable experience and have begun to take the lead among businesses desiring to receive long term results.

Why Do Trips Make the Perfect Inspirational Tool?

Travel incentives supply the opportunity to have a memorable experience in a location many do not have the time or money to visit. The reward can consist of destinations throughout the world such as Italy or France. Companies are easily able to incorporate the incentive as part of business objectives by scheduling a meeting during the trip or adding a charitable event to the roster. The right destination, time frame, and promotion tactics make it possible for a company to:

  • Heighten Staff Performance
  • Engage Personnel
  • Draw In High Quality Employees
  • Increase  Perceived Job Value
  • Encourage Desire Behaviors

A carefully planned travel incentive is capable of increasing performance by a minimum of twenty percent. This number is boosted when a trip oriented reward is applied to a team setting. The initial offering of a program results in an immediate spike of productivity and raises interest among personnel. A company can expect to see continued increases in productivity if the award is promoted correctly.

The decision to incorporate travel incentives as part of a compensation program makes it easier to attract highly skilled individuals. Additionally, studies have found that long term programs supply better results over short term choices like cash or merchandise. Employees love to feel valued and while a monetary choice does allow them to remove a little stress, it does not provide the sense of accomplishment or loyalty seen after receiving a once in a lifetime trip. These experiences stay with the winning participants, encourage them to try harder for the next opportunity, and boost workforce loyalty to the company. By choosing travel incentives over alternative options, a business will be able to retain quality staff members and receive continued performance spikes. Trip incentives are the perfect tool for motivating individual employees or departments to meet objectives and provide a memorable award for a job well done.

Algarve, Portugal: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination

Algarve is a destination in south Portugal along the Atlantic coastline that offers a scene of beautiful beaches combined with tranquil waters. The region’s economy consists of tourism, fishing, seafood, and fruit production with travelers being most frequent during the summer months. Oranges, figs, and almonds are some of the most significant items produced in the area. Algarve, Portugal is one of the highest ranked tourist destinations in the region. Approximately seven million people from around the world make their way to the location each year. Why do so many individuals choose this location when planning a getaway? Algarve, Portugal delivers stunning views consisting of mountains, islands, lagoons, beaches, and the Atlantic waters. Visitors have the opportunity to view limestone caves along the coastline or watch a variety of birds as the location is a common stopping point for a number of species. Additionally, the area supplies countless entertaining and adventurous activity choices to visitors of all ages.

An Impeccable Spot for Creativity or Nature Exploration

Algarve promises fun on the beach, great family memories, a plethora of dining options, and plenty to do. The supplied coastline and rural countryside of this location deliver a one of a kind contrast to the creative or nature loving visitor. It is a great vacationing choice for individuals with specific interests such as:

  • Photography
  • Nature Walking
  • Water Activities
  • Painting
  • Bird Watching
  • Area Exploration

The natural beauty supplied by this destination brings people desiring a pleasurable and relaxing getaway from various countries together. Algarve travelers typically enter through the Faro Airport by plane; however, the location is also reachable by travelers through alternative means. The summer months of July through September are the busiest travel times due to the locations outstanding weather. Travelers seeking a getaway full of new experiences have a winning choice with Algarve since the area promises more than anyone can do during a stay. Exciting activities combined with picture-perfect views has made Algarve, Portugal one of the top tourist destinations in the world!

What to Do In Algarve, Portugal

Individuals choosing Algarve as their vacation spot have numerous options for fun, relaxation, and exploration. Exquisite beaches are just the beginning when traveling to this region of Portugal. Area weather patterns provide sunny, dry days where individuals have the opportunity to take walks, do a little sightseeing, or choose from several types of activities. Visitors yearning for an active vacation have these sporty options:

  • Cycling
  • Tennis
  • Surfing
  • Golf
  • Kayaking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Rock Climbing
  • Wakeboarding

Those desiring to have an extreme adventure can add the choice of kitesurfing to their roster. The family friendly destination offers less risky adventures including water parks, zoos, and boating trips along the coastline. Visitors can take a dinghy into the local caves or hang out with the dolphins. The regions large variety of accommodations makes it easy to visit Portugal on any budget. Whether visiting alone, with someone special, or the entire family, Algarve delivers the perfect mix of fun and new, exciting adventures. A memorable beach setting and an abundance of activities make this unique island paradise a fruitful choice for individuals or incentive travel.

Travel Incentives for Employees Are Proven To Increase Productivity & Sales

Businesses seeking to motivate their sales or general staff to accomplish an objective or perform better have many incentive options to choose from and it is important to know what choices provide the most outstanding results. Monetary rewards such as a quarterly bonus are less effective since they provide short term recognition to the participants. Merchandise oriented awards are only effective if they offer employees something they want and have difficulty obtaining on their own. Travel incentives for employees have been proven to be the most result driven, long term option for maintaining consistent productivity or sales increases. Why is this option more reliable than any alternative choice? These rewards are not the same as a simple family vacation because they offer individuals the opportunity to gain an extraordinary experience without paying out of pocket. Trip incentives are an applicable program choice for:

  • Reaching a Defined Goal
  • Encouraging Teamwork
  • Performance Recognition
  • Attendance Improvements
  • Heightening Sales
  • Raising Morale
  • Retaining Top Employees

A well planned trip incentive is capable of heightening morale or productivity while supporting corporate values and staff loyalty. Certain characteristics must be present to receive a desired boost in productivity or sales. A company should take ample time to plan out the purpose, objectives, time frame, promotion techniques, and offered reward before presenting the program to an entire staff or department.

Creating a Successful Incentive Program

The structure and marketing of an award program will play a significant role in the experienced end results. Public recognition is imperative for motivating all participants since being recognized by peers provides its own morale boost. A system must be created to recognize each top performer with a reward of acceptable size or value. Companies choosing to use travel incentives for employees will gain a better outcome by evaluating the target group or individuals in regards to their current earning level, desires, and tax implications. An employee with extra funds will have no problem paying any required taxes for the received trip whereas others could be incapable of taking the trip due to this factor. These considerations are essential before planning out an incentive program:

  • Company Goals
  • Total Cost
  • Targeted Group
  • Type of Award
  • Performance Tracking Methods
  • Goal Achievement Obstacles
  • Methods for Measuring Results
  • Participant Preferences

Each of the above items will have a pivotal role in the success of a chosen travel incentive for employees. The reward must fit the lifestyle and financial condition of the participants to be a motivator. Individuals only making enough to get by are not going to be inspired to work harder for a trip that is immediately above their means. Those who travel frequently or have extra cash on hand are less motivated by a trip they can take any time on their own. It is important to fit the offered reward to the target group in order to receive the desired increases. Additionally, a company needs to have concrete methods in place to measure performance, recognize top achievers, and evaluate an incentive program after it has been completed. Companies who take the time to properly evaluate each aspect of a program will experience the biggest boosts in productivity and sales.

Boston, Massachusetts: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination

Boston, the largest and oldest city in Massachusetts, is well-known for its cultural roots in the New England region of the United States. The greater metropolitan area houses over four million inhabitants with a total of over seven million spanning the entire region. It was originally founded in 1630 by England colonists and later became the location of events such as the Boston Tea Party. The city offers multiple tourist spots centered on major turning points as the nation curved its path to what it is known as today. After independence was gained, the region became an important shipping and manufacturing location. It housed the first public school found within the independent nation as well as the first subway system.

Modern Boston

The metropolis offers an enormous look into the initial development of the United States to travelers. It has strong ties to the original New England customs and the accent heard by those traveling through the area is referred to as Boston English. Local food focuses on seafood with dairy and salt coming in at a close second. Government and religion in the region are greatly influenced by Irish culture. An abundance of theatres are spread throughout the city in addition to performing arts and classical music venues. Historic sites from the American Revolution time period have been preserved in the Boston National Historic Park. Visitors can move ahead a few years to explore the deep roots of hardcore punk as it was the original birthplace of the music genre. Religion remains as a prominent focal point in the region as well due to its historical background.

Versatility by Season

Every season in Boston offers its own little delights both in scenery and held events. Summer creates the perfect setting for strolling through a local park or sitting at an outdoor café. Fall is a great time of the year to sightsee along the many walking trails in the area including the popular historic Freedom Trail. The cobblestone pathways of the Beacon Hill portion of Boston make a memorable romantic atmosphere in the winter as they are lit up by street lamps. Whatever the time of year, Boston provides a welcoming atmosphere combined with stunning scenery and a variety of activities.

City Highlights

Museums in this metropolis offer visitors the chance to become familiar with local history or see artistic masterpieces. The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum delivers a live reenactment of the beginning of the American Revolution that is a must see for any historical enthusiast. The Boston National Historic Park is another location where the roots of this region can be explored. It provides vast information about Boston’s role leading up to the American Revolution. Those wanting to take in the scenery have ample opportunities to walk in parks or visit a historic part of the city. Boston has an exquisite nightlife, countless performing arts choices, and numerous forms of entertainment. It is a beautiful place to visit any time of the year and a shining example of how a city can continue to grow with the times.

New York, New York: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination

The “Big Apple” is one of the most populated and famous metropolitan areas in the United States. As the center focal point of this extensive region, it houses one of the largest harbors in the world and offers plenty of famous attractions.  New York, home to the United Nations Headquarters, has greatly impacted commerce, technology, entertainment, and education. While English is the main language of the densely populated area, approximately eight-hundred languages can be heard throughout New York City. It was originally a trading post area found in 1624; however, today the metropolis is a booming location consisting of a diverse culture and abundant opportunities.

The Empire State Building

This one-hundred two story skyscraper spans over fourteen hundred feet in height and is a notable piece of architecture throughout the world. The Empire State Building remained as the tallest building on the planet for almost forty-one years. It now ranks third in height among all skyscrapers within the United States. Seen as an icon of the American culture, the marvelous sight consists of Art Deco style architecture and was made a preserved historic landmark in 1986. It is an architectural wonder every visitor must see as they make their way to this exciting location.

Statue of Liberty

One of the most famous landmarks of New York City, the Statue of Liberty is a sculpture of neoclassical nature that can be found on Liberty Island as part of the harbor. It was given as a gift by the French in 1886 after Frederic Bartholdi completed the design. The robed figure was meant to represent the Roman goddess, Libertas, who stood for freedom. It is not only an iconic landmark to those living in the United States, but also a welcoming statue to those arriving from abroad to enjoy the freedom offered by America.

Times Square

This iconic visitor attraction of New York City is located in Midtown Manhattan at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue. Stretching across five streets, this portion of the city is sometimes referred to as “The Crossroads of the World.” This section of the city is known as the Broadway theatre district and as one of the busiest intersections for pedestrians. The heavily visited tourist location is also an important contributor to the entertainment industry. Notable landmarks in this busy portion of the city include the TKTS booth, the Coca-Cola sign, Times Square Studios, MTV Studio, The Hard Rock Café, and Planet Hollywood.

Coney Island

Coney Island sits on a peninsula next to the Atlantic Ocean in the southern part of Brooklyn. It was originally a barrier island not connected to the main land; however, a land fill caused a partial connection to form. Coney Island is well known for its amusement parks, which were popular at the beginning of the twentieth century prior to World War II. New additions to the area include the MCU Park and a minor league baseball team. Visitors come to the island every year to have a day of fun at the amusement park and see the much depicted sight of the famous Wonder Wheel overlooking the ocean.