Berlin, Germany: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination

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Almost everyone has seen those MasterCard commercials that list the price tag on costs during a certain outing, but the result or culmination of the outing is said to be “priceless.” Those commercials are a perfect analogy for monetary bonuses versus the opportunity for corporate group travel. A solid monetary bonus at the end of the year for a job well done is satisfying and rewarding, but to receive an all-expense paid travel destination for a long needed vacation is beyond monetary value. Rest, relaxation, refreshment, recuperation, adventure, fun, excitement—to experience all of these wonderful adjectives by achieving an earned travel vacation is priceless. Many businesses understand the need for their employees to experience a life adventure sure to create lasting memories, which is why many companies are opting to provide corporate group travel for their successful workers, sales representatives, and executives.

Those unaware of the vast riches of history and culture found in the city of Berlin, Germany often conjure thoughts of the city as the epicenter during World War II when hearing its name. However, if you ask anyone who has been to Berlin, it would be safe to assume that people who have been there would tell you it is a marvelous city that should be visited at least once in a lifetime (but once you go, you will want to arrange multiple visits to go back). We can begin with the architecture, where visitors will find the most impressive and breathtaking constructions and buildings in all of Europe, one of which includes the famous Brandenburg Gate. Due to its rich history and culture, Berlin has some of the most interesting and educational museums, full of enthralling information and artifacts that date back centuries, and help explain the city’s influences and formation. Directly related to Berlin’s spectacular history is the reason why visitors will find several historical sites and monuments—including remaining remnants of the Berlin Wall—all of which are devoted to the memory of the city’s presence, influence, and resilience during periods of accomplishment, triumph, and achievement, as well as during setbacks and missteps.

An individual who is fascinated by abounding history and vast cultural phenomena would fall in love with Berlin, Germany. Those who appreciate a city with so much history, storied events, and, of course entertainment and adventure should be happy to find, through corporate group travel, their company or enterprise offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit such a city. Be thankful your place of business provides such a unique and fortunate opportunity, and, if given the chance, work hard for the pleasure of a dream trip to one of Europe’s most famous and magnificent cities.

Amsterdam: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination

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Amsterdam delivers a little something to every vacationer rather the desire lies in seeing famous works of art or relaxing with a cup of coffee in a local coffeehouse. As one of the largest cities in the Netherlands, Amsterdam started out as a tiny fishing village and transformed into a vital world port at the time of the Dutch Golden Age. Canals, developed during the 17th century, lie at the center of Amsterdam and provide an interesting view of this destination. Visitors have several intriguing activities to choose from including:

  • Historic Canals
  • Museums
  • Anne Frank House
  • Red-Light District
  • Cannabis Coffee Shops
  • Boutiques
  • Entertainment Venues

As a popular tourist destination, Amsterdam caters to just about every individual interest whether traveling alone or with the family.  Museums housing pieces of work created by some of the most famous artists in the world can be found throughout the city. The locations oceanic climate is influenced by western winds from the North Sea and winters are mild for the most part. Summers remain fairly hot with an average temperature of just a little over seventy degrees.

Transportation in Amsterdam

Most attractions in the city of Amsterdam are easily accessible by foot; however, services such as public transit can be used to get around. Public transit systems use a ticketing system where a reloadable or disposable card is purchased for touring the city. Travelers have the option of buying a ticket based on hours that ranges from one to one-hundred sixty-eight hours at no additional cost. Public transportation options in the city include the Tram, Metro, and bus with ferry services or boat rentals as alternative choices. Bicycle rentals offer another interesting form of travel and visitors can always grab a taxi at a little higher price. Whatever mode is chosen for getting around, Amsterdam has plenty of choices for having a fun-filled vacation.

Things to See & Do

While the museums, districts, and coffeehouses are common drawing points for visitors, a variety of alternative experiences lie around every corner including a large number of historic buildings. The street pattern found in Amsterdam remains basically unaltered from what it was in the nineteenth century since the area did not experience any significant bombings during the Second World War. Visitors with architectural interests should spend a little time at the historical city centre. Consisting of approximately ninety islands and countless bridges, the centre provides a beautiful view regardless of the time of the day.

The Van Gogh Museum, Ann Frank House, and the Rijksmuseum are a few of the artistic sites of the region. A museum card can be purchased to have access to more than four-hundred museums found throughout the Netherlands. Private tours are an option for seeing all the city has to offer and can be taken by boat, bus, or car. Visitors can also take a free tour in one of the diamond factories or spend a day walking along the canals while shopping at a market or boutique. Amsterdam offers plenty of options for the active traveler or those who just want to relax when staying at this exquisite destination.

Travel Incentives: Generating a Plan to Boost Organizational Achievement

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Objectives are the first and foremost item of assessment as an organization begins to develop a travel incentive package. Selected goals must be specific, achievable, measurable, appropriately timed, and support the culture of an organization. Difficult to achieve objectives or those of ambitious nature are exciting, but can often lead to disappointment for everyone involved. While the criteria should be challenging, every determined goal must be reachable by applying a valid amount of effort. Objectives that cannot be measured or are not timed right make it highly difficult for anyone to earn the reward. This creates a level of discouragement capable of harming any future trip oriented efforts. For example, putting a program in place for boosting profits at the slowest time of the year is a good idea; however, goals should be set in accordance with average profits in order to avoid requiring participants to try to reach unreasonable sales totals. Timing has to be in sync with the desired goal to receive the most optimal results.

The Basics of Reward Program Design

A trip oriented reward program is frequently open-ended or close-ended; however, a company can set up a package falling between the two. Open programs consist of a planned set of objectives where a precise result has been laid out. They target the largest percentage of average performers, but also make it difficult to budget due to an unknown number or earners. Close-ended programs set an exact number of individuals who can qualify for the award and are easier to budget. The biggest drawback of this choice is the possibility of alienating certain people within a company. A good example is someone making the sales quota, but not being given the opportunity to receive the award. These programs also allow the same individuals to consistently win the offered trip. Resentment among coworkers is common when the same person is awarded the prize. A policy limiting the number of repeat wins is a good idea when a close-ended program will be used. Multi-level approaches with a mix of both basic types allow everyone to have a chance at the opportunity and still supply the recognition repeat earners need to continue performing above par.

Trip awards pay for themselves when a company carefully plans out and budgets the event. Administration costs typically fluctuate between five and fifteen percent depending on the travel incentives intricacy along with the amount of required analysis. Communication, promotion, and given awards additionally contribute to the total package cost. The time period designated for participants to earn the reward must align with the objectives. Diminishing sales might require a short term plan while quarterly improvements during a healthy profit era are ideal for a long term reward program. It is important to remember that federal government regulations view the reward as a form of income. Market value, program type, and merchandise costs could be required to be reported as part of each earners income. These factors must be taken into consideration and remain a priority as a company starts planning their travel package.

Incentive Travel is Bouncing Back: The Comeback Continues

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Incentive travel seemed to be dead for many companies; however, recent studies show this motivational concept to be making a strong comeback. A decline in these motivational awards was seen as the recession took hold. In 2011, the industry began seeing significant business increases that have continued to steadily climb. Why the change of mind as the economy began to take a turn for the worse? Companies were forced to cut costs and even encouraged to eliminate these programs due to the less than desirable actions of other businesses. AIG, in particular, gained bad publicity as they continued to deliver trip incentives while applying for government bailout money. The impressions left on the public after this event caused numerous organizations to eliminate these programs.

This concept has re-entered administrative processes, but is a little different from before thanks to the series of events right after the recession began. Companies need to be able to provide the right motivation and rewards. Budgeting, program justification, and business centered rewards have become prevalent as incentive travel gains popularity once again. Some of the less permanent changes seen include:

  • Smaller Budgets
  • Shorter Traveling Time-Frames
  • Reduced Numbers of Participants
  • Less Lavish Accommodations
  • U.S. Rather Than Out of Country Locations

 

These changes accommodate strains put on businesses by the economy while maintaining public image. A shorter, closer trip is easier to justify over the countless distant destinations available for this type of package. As the economy begins to upsurge, several companies are beginning to expand their programs in an effort to inspire individuals or teams to meet a goal or set of objectives. One of a kind destinations, reasonable travel lengths, and comfortable accommodations can be affordable when handled by a professional.

What Permanent Program Changes Are Being Seen?

A few changes are expected to never go away as incentive travel continues to become increasingly popular. Organizations have heightened focus on justifying the business benefits of offering an incentive such as this. The financial aspects are thoroughly evaluated and must be shown to provide sufficient benefits for the money spent. Companies are incorporating business meetings, charitable events, and additional items to make this type of reward more reasonable. Social media is being applied for the promotional aspects of an incentive travel package and used by various organizations as a form of continuous communication involving the award.

While the justification process can seem extreme, multiple individuals see these alterations as positive. Absence of these programs has enlightened their true benefit to organizations in need of increased productivity, morale, or individual performance. Employee engagement has drastically dropped and individuals are in severe need of something that creates a more positive environment as well as the impact necessary for future success. Incentive travel professionals can meet strict financial budgets without taking away the “WOW” factor individuals need to continue striving to achieve the award. It takes the right planning, effective communication, and an exceptional prize to make these programs work. Professionals understand the obstacles faced when desiring to implement this type of program today and can create a rewarding experience for even the smallest organization.

How Incentive Travel Motivates Your Team

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We’ve all imagined the image of relaxing on the beach with a cold drink and our main squeeze. You can actually hear the water crashing into the shoreline and feel the warmth of the sun. Even the salty smell so familiar to the ocean can be present when dreaming of this perfect getaway. It is this type of visualization that makes incentive travel a success. The same picture is depicted on television commercials, in travel brochures, and everywhere in-between. Employers understand the impact these programs can have on productivity or attitudes in the workplace. An enticing getaway offers continued motivation long after the trip has been experienced. Individuals perform the same visualization tactic when a trip becomes a possibility in a work environment. This vision feeds a person’s longing to earn such a reward consequently allowing companies receive improved work ethic, an inspired staff, and astounding productivity.  

 The Inspirational Benefits of Fulfilling Unobtainable Desires

Incentive travel must fulfill a difficult to obtain desire to be effectively carried out over an extended period of time. You want to offer something that promises long term company loyalty and the unique experience necessary to foster continued drive. Cash awards are short lived meaning the incentive disappears as soon as the monetary amount does. Travel provides memories unlike any other incentive since pictures and conversations are available for motivational backup. This direction also allows hard working staff members to get a much needed break for their continued efforts. Additional factors make incentive travel the best choice for team motivation. Here are a few reasons why these programs deliver better results:

  • Destination Awards Are Remembered Longer
  • Provide the opportunity for A More Exciting Program
  • Workers View Cash as a Form of Compensation
  • Trip Possibilities Remain on the Mind As Work is Being Performed
  • Travel Opportunities Encourage Increased Efforts
  • Ability to Supply an Appealing Reward

While only a few people will actually receive the award, the idea itself increases the output of every person who has the possibility of winning the getaway. Various surveys show equivalent results making incentive travel the best direction for obtaining productivity, sales, and individual work ethic improvements. Companies choose this direction as a way to receive organizational benefits while supplying the recognition necessary for incomparable group or individual effort.

These programs can deliver astounding results when they are organized well and defined correctly. Companies desiring to offer such a reward to a team or as an individual incentive should ensure it has easy to understand goals, an exceptional itinerary, and the inspirational elements necessary to foster productivity. Various aspects determine how a reward is perceived by individuals. Most attempt to put a monetary value on the trip, but then view it as a performance award rather than a compensation item. They then justify if the required effort is worth the achievement offer and gain reinforcement through the trophy value of the award. A trip supplying a high monetary value, improved status, and that is viewed as a possible achievement will stir increased motivation. We can help you incorporate these aspects into a goal oriented program to ensure this endeavor is not only affordable, but a worthwhile company investment.