Ayers Rock, Australia: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination

/in

Though monetary compensation for workers who hit specific goals and achievements throughout the business calendar year is always welcomed by employees, sales representatives, and executives, travel incentive programs have gained considerable popularity among company decision makers, and the top-level executives and workers who receive these incredible rewards. The opportunity to sojourn in an area of the world one would not normally visit, especially when it includes an all-expenses paid travel, offers the lucky recipient the memories of a lifetime. If you relish moments of awesome adventures visiting incredible landmarks, then brave the opportunity to visit the Australian Outback and explore breathtaking Ayers Rock, Australia.

Ayers Rock is an immense sandstone rock formation located in the southern area of Australia’s Northern Territory, not too far from the nearest town, Alice Springs. Ayers Rock, known as Uluru by the Anangu—the Aboriginal people of the area and who deem the rock as sacred—is the world’s largest monolith and is Australia’s most famous landmark. Fortunately, those who visit the incredible landmark do not have to travel back and forth from the nearest city, as resorts nearby the rock formation provide accommodations, such as an awestruck “backyard” view of the wondrous and vast monolith.   

A “once in a lifetime” chance to see Ayers Rock is only part of what will come to be considered an unbelievable travel incentive program opportunity offered by your company, this destination puts you right in the heart of the Australian Outback. Aside from seeing the greatest monolith in the world, visitors can enjoy numerous water springs, waterholes, rock caves flush with ancient paintings from generations of Aborigines, rock formations, many Aboriginal sacred sites, and several lifetimes’ worth of spectacular scenery. It would be remiss if there were no mention of the adventurous safari excursions one can embark on while visiting the Outback. As you may already know, Australia is home to wildlife most people are only lucky enough to see in a zoo, rather than roaming free in their natural habitat. Ayers Rock, Australia is truly an outdoor adventurer’s dream come true.

Incentive travel programs are growing in popularity, and this flourishing trend should not come as a surprise because companies are offering hard working employees an expense paid adventure to a part of the world one would not normally travel, or could not afford. Simply stated, Ayers Rock, Australia is a destination unlike any other found on the globe, and this great Australian landmark, as well as the encompassing land of the Outback, will give the fortunate visitor memories that will never be forgotten, and an entire evening’s worth of conversation pieces sure to capture the attention of friends.   

Auckland, New Zealand: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination

/in

Companies often incentivize their employees, rewarding their top earners, sales representatives, and executives with corporate incentive travel, meaning the employee receives an all-expenses paid trip to a premier destination. It is rare for a company to send their top employees to an undesirable location, or else what would be the purpose of corporate incentive travel? Luckily, company decision makers are wise enough to plan an annual travel destination to a place a person could only dream of seeing in a lifetime. One of those “once in a lifetime” travel opportunities can be found in “the land down under,” Auckland, New Zealand.

Auckland, New Zealand is part of what has been coined as “the land down under” (consisting of two landmasses—New Zealand and Australia) due to its location in the southeastern hemisphere. However, depending on where you live, it might be considered a great distance to travel. However, Auckland, New Zealand offers so many unique and desirable features and locales travelers will absolutely fall in love with the mesmerizing city.

Located on the North Island of New Zealand, Auckland is the largest by land mass and most populated city in the country. The indigenous peoples of New Zealand, the Maori, in their native tongue call Auckland “T?maki Makaurau,” meaning “a maiden with one hundred lovers.” The Mairo were the first settlers to arrive in New Zealand by boat, and later other migrants from other Pacific Islands came to settle and helped make up the variously ethnic Polynesian people. Today, Auckland, New Zealand is considered one of the top cities in the world to live, as ranked by the Mercer Quality of Living Survey and the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) “world’s most livable cities.”

If you enjoy spending your free time outside exploring terrain and bountiful outdoor locations, a city more plentiful than Auckland might not exist. Some of the incredible and stunning locations and features of Auckland include its incredible rainforest in the Waitakere Ranges (one of the only places where a rainforest exists outside of the tropics); The Hillary Trail, which connects several regional parks to backpacker campgrounds; and several domains and regional parks spread throughout the city. In addition, as one might expect from a beautiful New Zealand city, Auckland’s beaches are some of the most beautiful found in the world. Their west coast beaches have become famous for surfing, boating, pristine and crystal-clear ocean water, and their uncanny black sand.  

If your corporate incentive travel this year happens to be a ticket to Auckland, New Zealand, put in all the extra work hours you need to guarantee yourself one of the most beautiful cities you could ever hope to find on the other side of the globe! With its stunning features and outdoor recreational activities, incredible and vast culture and ethnic tribal population, as well as wonderful architectural aesthetics, Auckland is not only a city you will love, it may become the city you would love someday to call home.

Costa del Sol, Spain: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination

/in

Coast of the Sun, a translation for Costa del Sol, provides insight on the setting provided by this southern area of Spain. As part of Andalusia, it is one of the many coastal locations residing along the Mediterranean, The region was originally a compilation of small settlements with fishing as a primary activity; however, Costa del Sol, Spain has grown into a renowned worldly tourist destination. The location now caters to more than two million travelers each year and has made its mark as a golf haven. Those making reservations between the months of June and October should plan well in advance as this timeframe is the busiest visiting time for Costa del Sol. It is important to know that a number of the businesses at this tourist destination shut down after October to take their own hiatus after the busy season.

Costa del Sol Sands & Shorelines

An abundance of beach settings are available to cater to the exact needs of each traveler. Individuals wanting the most picturesque coastal front should consider El Bajondillo. It is an iconic set of beachfront near the city of Malaga consisting of soft sand, bars, restaurants, and a few amenities not provided by alternative resort locations. These tourist businesses found along the beach promenade make it easy to access needed items while enjoying a day on the sand or in the water. La Carihuela is another beachfront location where early arrival is a must. Visitors who are lucky enough to get a spot on the sand have the opportunity to watch the village come to life, do a little shopping, and hang out at a café. Widely known as one of the cleanest coastal fronts, it offers several comfy sunshade beds for a day of relaxation and great Mediterranean seafood. La Fontanilla is a black sanded beach with a pedestrian promenade in a smaller setting that tends to be fairly packed during the busy time of the year. It supplies a one of a kind view of the ocean and houses a variety of tantalizing restaurants.

Area Activities

Golf is another drawing point of Costa del Sol since numerous resorts supply memorable accommodations, instant beach access, and excellent tee times. The top ranked courses in the region include Parador de Malaga Golf, Golf Hotel Guadalmina, and Lost Monteros. A few of the courses at this destination have been ranked among the best on the continent of Europe. A stay at one of the resorts makes them easily accessible since booking is hard to accomplish without the assistance of a resort. Park De La Paloma is a great spot to have a picnic or spend the day in nature. The park, lying just off the beaten path of the coastline, covers more than two-hundred thousand square meters. Museums, wildlife areas, water activities, artistic performances, and historic neighborhoods are all part of the island experience. Costa del Sol is a year-round destination where travelers are able to bask in the sun, play a round of golf, and try new, exciting activities. Whatever the interest, this travel destination provides the right atmosphere for a perfect getaway.

Chamonix, France: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination

/in

Chamonix is a popular outdoor destination residing in the south east portion of France and was the original site of the 1924 Winter Olympics. Sitting near the Aiguilles Rouge as part of the French Alps, Chamonix resides as one of the older ski resorts in the country of France and is most notorious for winter sports. Mont-Blanc, one of the highest mountains in the region, is part of the offered skiing experience. The peak’s base serves as a center for a variety of outdoor activities. Extreme sports on the peak include:

  • Ice Climbing
  • Rock Climbing
  • Paragliding
  • Skiing
  • Rafting

The area is also famous for its cable car ride to the top of Aiguille du Midi, which was originally constructed in 1955. This attraction remains as one of the highest traveling cable cars throughout the world and has been combined with another system for reaching Pointe Helbronner. The two allow visitors to cross Mont Blanc in its entirety by cable car; however, the car going to Pointe Helbronner is only open in the summer months. Alpine mountaineers typically flock to Chamonix in the summer to face the challenges supplied by Aiguille du Dru. The area is a favorite location for travelers who love mountain sports such as skiing, biking, and climbing. Visitors must take the highway, ride a railway line, or fly in by helicopter to reach Chamonix upon entering France.

See & Do

While this destination remains fairly focused on active, extreme winter sports, visitors have several sightseeing or exploration choices in Chamonix, France. The Mer de Glace resides as one of the biggest glaciers in the area and can be accessed by the Montenvers rack railway. This railway station provides an astonishing view of the glacier in addition to a view of the Face of Grand Jorasses, which is a famous north face of the European Alps. The Aiguille du Midi cable car is another great tourist attraction consisting of the most significant vertical range among all worldly options and provides a great view of this one of a kind destination. Cable car trips are available to view various portions of Chamonix and visitors also have the option of the Montblanc Tramway when desiring to see the many valleys of this destination. A multi-pass can be purchased by visitors wanting to ride more than one cable car during their stay.

Guided mountain tours and adventure travel expeditions can be taken to explore the French Alps while staying at Chamonix. A mountain sanctuary is an option for travelers wanting to retreat into less developed territory. Those interested in cooking should spend time at the Chalet Academy to participate in quality chef training. Professional guides offer summer or winter tours for skiing, trekking, climbing, or mountaineering. Travelers desiring to ski have choices such as Vallee Blanche, The Brevent, la Flegere, and Le Tour. Hiking and biking are additionally popular activities while staying at Chamonix. It is a great destination for the active traveler who likes new, extreme experiences or families desiring the perfect spot for learning to ski.

Barbados: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination

/in

Barbados is part of the Lesser Antilles in the western portion of the North Atlantic and lies to the east of the Caribbean Sea. The island is one of the regions most developed of all local tourist destinations. With a fairly flat terrain, Barbados experiences two basic seasonal changes with the wet season occurring from June to November. Precipitation takes a large dip beginning in December thus resulting in the months up until May being referred to as the dry season. Temperatures remain at a comfortable seventy to ninety degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year regardless of the season. Gentle breezes aid in the warm climate experienced by visitors and the islands location contributes to a decreased risk of hurricanes. Barbados provides the perfect paradise for travelers who want an outstanding climate, reliable weather conditions, and a relaxing, fun experience.

Where to Go

Visitors desiring upscale resorts should consider remaining on the west coast of the island. This portion of Barbados offers picture perfect views, historical sites, and plenty of amenities. The Botanical Garden provides a plethora of plant species for visitors to look at and learn about. Cricket is a popular game on the island and it’s always fun to catch a game during a stay. The Mount Gay Rum Distillery offers a forty-five minute tour where participants not only get to view how the product is made, but also get to do a little tasting at the end. Each section of the island delivers its own roster of activities and accommodations for meeting individual preferences.

Travelers seeking chain restaurants like Burger King will be out of luck since locals rarely eat beef. Cultural tastes have resulted in fast food choices like chicken at KFC to be the only ones available on the island. Bajan cuisines consist of a spice yet flavorful combination such as stew and beans with toast. The Flying Fish is a signature dish of the area consisting of an outside breading served with a type of mustard sauce. Visitors should try the traditional dish of Pepperpot, which is a pork stew served with a spicier brown sauce. Restaurants in Barbados supply a variety of choices to meet the individual tastes of travelers.

What to Do

Barbados is known by many for its world class water sporting opportunities such as surfing. Visitors have various breaks to choose from based on preferences including the Soup Bowl located on the eastern coast of the island. The south coast has been a chosen location for the Silver Sands windsurfing tour and offers exceptional surfing options. Plantation houses located off the coast provide the opportunity to have a unique meal or view a few exhibitions. Atlantis Submarine Tours supply the chance to view the wonders of the deep from a real submarine and Segway tours can be taken along the north coast of Barbados to comfortably explore the countryside. Additionally, catamaran cruises are available to spend the day snorkeling above shipwrecks. The destination offers travelers a great time of trying new foods, participating in fun activities, and relaxing on the beach while staying at this gorgeous destination.