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Cheap Incentive Travel

5 Reasons Italy as a Great Travel Incentive

by Tammy Levent December 14, 2016

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When isn’t a trip to Italy a good incentive? It would be very hard to convince anyone that a trip to Italy isn’t worth working hard for, but if you need some encouraging, how about this:

Wine and Food: Food, wine and Italy all go hand in hand and you can’t go to Italy without a sip of wine or a taste of pasta and pizza. Stroll the Mercato San Lorenzo food market where you can shop for your favorite Italian spices and other delicacies as well. Make sure you also try bigoli, the pasta of Venice. Wine connoisseurs will love the fact that Italy has 20 major grape growing regions, so leave room for a wine tasting in your tour schedule. Stop by Perche’ No, which has been owned and operated by the same family since 1939, and enjoy some gelato.

History: From the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church to the Colosseum in Rome and such famous artwork as Michelangelo’s David and the Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, Italy is filled with history. The Vatican Museums have an entire history of the pontiffs as well. Soccer also plays a big part in Italy’s history and is an important pastime in Italy. There are also many architectural sites to visit, including the Climb the Duomo and Bell Tower, where you can climb the 476 stairs and see a view of the entire city. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous museums in the world and has collections of paintings of the fourteenth century and especially from Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo.

Romance: Ah mi amore! Italy is all about the love and romance and one of the most romantic places in Italy is adore Amalfi, which includes nine other beautiful towns. Visit Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, and the Paper Museum or explore the passages of Positano. Tuscany’s beautiful landscapes are beautiful enough to enjoy with your loved one and, when you are done, take a dip for two in Saturnia, one of Tuscany’s thermal baths, with sulphurous waters.

Tuscany: One of the most beautiful regions of Italy, Tuscany’s winding country roads and the rolling hills are breathtaking. Here you can enjoy cooking classes, a lush landscape and amazing art at The Duomo.\

So much to do, so little time, so enjoy Italy!

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When it comes to rewarding your employees

by Tammy Levent August 9, 2016

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Employees want to feel appreciated when they are working hard. They want to know that their bosses like the work they are doing and the hard work they are putting in. You should want to show your employees how much you appreciate and value them too. Maybe they pulled in a big fish who wants to have a family reunion with hundreds of his closest relatives, or maybe they landed a huge corporate client and you will be handling all of the travel arrangements. If you’re looking for more of a reward than an honorary certificate or an ‘Employee of the Month” picture and applause, there are several ways that you can do it:

Money: Everyone likes cash, but it really is just temporary. When the money is gone, the reward feels like it’s over. Unfortunately, it has been known to backfire too. For example, while you might think that employees could always use more money, employers that use straight cash to motivate employees might find that their employees think that money matters more to employers than anything else. However, money can be used in different forms as a rewards. Think of gift certificates to local restaurants, movie theaters, or stores. Want to think larger? How about a gift certificate for a weekend away?

Gifts: Sometimes a small token of appreciation is the perfect way to reward a job well done. Perhaps the latest in music technology, a television, a big batch of books from their favorite author, a Netflix subscription, box of decadent Swiss chocolate or a beautiful bouquet of flowers is just enough to say ‘thanks,’ without breaking the budget.

Trips: Being in the travel industry it would make sense to give a trip as an incentive reward to your employees. These trips do not have to be luxury trips to a private island or a 15-day cruise around Europe. If your employee deserves a big reward for a job well done, then perhaps a weekend getaway to a bed and breakfast, or an overnight cruise to nowhere might be appropriate. An all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas, depending on your location, could be an option or even a night in a luxury hotel with room service and an in-room massage could be exactly what your employee needs after putting in hours upon hours helping you to grow your business.

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Cheap Incentive Trips

by Tammy Levent June 29, 2016

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Employees work to earn money and put a roof over their heads, clothes on their back and food on the table. In this day and age, money is a primary motivating factor. Employees can also use their income to enjoy things they want to do while also pursuing personal hobbies and passions.

Employees also like to be rewarded for a job well done. There are two types of compensation for hard-working employees: direct and indirect. Direct compensation consists of things like cash money and bonuses, while indirect compensation consists of non-cash incentives, such as trips, which they say are becoming much more popular.

Giving your employee a trip doesn’t mean you have to set them up on a high-end resort island with top-of-the-line amenities, especially if that’s not in your company budget. There are more affordable ways to provide a trips as incentives:

Think close to home: Is there a bed & breakfast in your employee’s hometown? A close weekend getaway is a more affordable option than a vacation package that includes airfare. Throw in a gift card for a few meals. Vacations to national parks with tours of the local towns are another low-budget option that provide great memories. How about a themed vacation, such as a weekend winery tour, amusement park tour, or beach getaway?

There are some cities that are much more affordable than others thanks to free attractions. For example, free attractions in Washington D.C. include the Smithsonian National Zoo, the National World War II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, Jefferson Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Library of Congress.

Still not convinced that a travel incentive program is right for you? Call Elite Travel and we can answer any additional questions you may have.

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Hawaii Incentive Trips

by Tammy Levent June 1, 2016

Hawaii, with six main islands, beautiful landscape and foliage, dormant volcanos, beaches with multi-color sands, and its deep history, makes for an amazing location as a travel incentive trip.

Volcanos: Get up-close-and-personal with Hawaii’s many dormant volcanos, such as Mauna Kea, on the island that stands 4,205 m above sea level, the highest point in the state. There’s also the famous Diamond Head Volcano State Landmark in Honolulu as well as also other beautiful sights to behold, including Waimea Canyon, on Kauai’s West Side, which has been described as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” that goes for 14 miles and is 3,600 feet deep.

Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor: Hawaii is filled with a lot of rich history on the islands and of course much of it surrounds the attacks on December 7, 1941. The Pacific Aviation Museum is where you can see World War II-era planes, including an actual Japanese Zero and a Stearman N2S-3 once piloted by former American President George H. W. Bush, as well as exhibits and a 12-minute film that details the events. Pearl Harbor still remains an active military base and a National Historic Landmark.

USS Bowfin: Dubbed the “Pearl Harbor Avenger,” the USS Bowfin, which is over 10,000 sq.-ft. and includes 4,000 submarine-related artifacts, was launched one year to the day after the events of December 7, and it completed nine successful patrols before eventually arriving at Pearl Harbor. Today, the Bowfin is a National Historic Landmark and museum ship where visitors can get a first-hand experience on what it was like to work aboard a World War II-era sub.

Humpback Whales: Relax on the islands, but also look in the ocean and watch the beautiful humpback whales. You can visit the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and head out into the water for a closer view.

Get Active: Kauai is known for kayaking and mountain tubing, while Oahu is the mecca of big wave surfing, canoe rides on Waikiki Beach and snorkeling on Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. Hookipa Beach is also known as the windsurfing capital of the world and then there’s scuba diving in the Lanai Cathedrals. Molokai is known for sports fishing, while Hawaii hosts deep-sea sports fishing and tournaments. There’s so much to do on the beautiful islands.

Of course a visit to Hawaii wouldn’t be complete without sampling the cuisine, especially poi, a thick paste made from taro root that is steamed, baked or pounded, poke (raw fish), and fresh pineapple.

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Why Travel Incentives Motivate Employees to Work Harder

by Tammy Levent March 24, 2016

Ask anyone why they work and odds are their answer will be either “because they have to” or “for the money.” Employees who work for the money are more likely to work harder if given the opportunity to earn additional incentives. Incentives motivate employees to work harder because they equate their pay to the amount of effort they put in. So, when employees feel as though they are being rewarded for their efforts they will naturally work harder.

A travel incentive feels more valuable than money because a dream trip is something many people wouldn’t ordinarily buy. Research shows that although cash bonuses are always an attractive reward, travel gifts top the list of most desired employee rewards. Cash can be spent, or even squandered in a heartbeat but an all-expense paid trip is something that people fear they can rarely afford, let alone have the time to take.

Several companies choose not to offer travel incentives to their employees because they find it difficult to justify adding vacations for their staff to the budget, but the truth is the companies that do offer travel incentives are better at recruiting and keeping productive employees that maintain higher levels of motivation.

Want to learn more about incentive programs for your business? Start here:

Also see the best destinations article here.

Still not convinced that a travel incentive program is right for you? Call Elite Travel and we can answer any additional questions you may have.

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Non-stop Flights are Better for Incentive Trips

by Tammy Levent March 11, 2016

Regardless of whether you are going abroad or simply across the United States, if you will be flying to a destination for your incentive trip, non-stop flights are better than those that require stops and layovers. Though the trip may be cheaper if you have multiple stops, let’s take a look at why you’re far better off going the non-stop route.

1. The chances of baggage being lost is reduced because there is only one stop. Even if you go through customs, your baggage won’t change hands nearly as many times as it would with multiple stops.

2. Chances for delays are minimized. You’ll reach your meeting in one swift flight. Consider this for a moment- what happens if your flight gets delayed? Heading there it will mean missing out on some of your vacation. But, what about on your way back? If your flight is delayed, or heaven forbid, canceled, will your boss understand you not making it into work? This was a vacation after all. Odds are the absence or tardiness resulting from your delay won’t be excused. On another note, risks of delays is one reason why it’s a good idea to fly home a full day ahead of the time you’re expected back to work for any vacation you take.

3. You’ll save a lot of time and get to your vacation destination much faster. If a straight shot flight is 12 hours, but multiple stops force your travel time to take double or triple that you’re losing valuable vacation moments.

4. Taking off and landing will be a one time thing on the way there and once on the way back. This may seem trivial to you, but for people who get nervous during those moments of flying one way flights are a God send.

So, for your next flight, especially for one that is for an incentive trip from your boss, make sure it’s a non-stop flight. You’ll be glad you did!

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Vegas as a Travel Incentive

by Tammy Levent January 5, 2016

If you’re like many employers, you fear using Las Vegas as a travel incentive because you don’t want gambling to be associated with a perk of working for you. But, there is so much more to Vegas than gambling! If you were to choose Vegas as a destination for your next corporate incentive program, here are 5 things that you can do that don’t have anything to do with gambling:

Take in a show

The glitz and glamor, the special effects, the glowing lights, the famed showgirls- can you imagine a better place in the world to watch a live act? No wonder Las Vegas has become a top destination not just for tourists, but a top venue that celebrities worldwide hope to get the chance to perform in.

Stuff your face with all you can eat

There are so many restaurants in Vegas! This is truly one of the eatery capitals of the world with virtually every possible type of food choice accessible. Plenty of celebrity chefs make appearances to try out new food ideas, but buffets still reign supreme in some Vegas locations as one of the best ways to try dozens of options in one sitting.

Shop all day and all night

Shopping in Vegas can feel as over the top as the shows they produce on their various stages. The malls, if you can even call them that, are as much amusement as they are shopping center. Simply walking through the stores of the resorts will transport you to the bazaars of the Middle East, the canals of Venice, the Forum of ancient Rome, and a promenade of bygone Hollywood.

Splash in a Plethora of Pools

The resorts in Vegas don’t just have pools, they have “water play facilities,” and some have full on water parks. If you’re lucky, you can even score an invite to one of the many pool parties resorts host to draw in tourists. Spend time swimming, tanning, lounging and of course sipping on a poolside Pina Colada. Las Vegas simply has some of the best pools in the world!

Get Pampered at the Spa

If the quality of the pools have you excited, wait until you see the health spa facilities. The spas you can enjoy vary by resort, but typically contain a variety of body and massage treatments, steams rooms and saunas, fitness equipment and much more. You’ll be relaxed in no time here.

This list doesn’t even scratch the surface of all the non-gambling activities you can enjoy, and you can bet on that! So, the next time you are debating about where to send employees for a corporate incentive travel program, reconsider a Vegas holiday. It might just be the most international experience one can enjoy without ever leaving the states!

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Using Social Media to Earn the Incentive Trip

by Tammy Levent December 8, 2015

The use of social media is important for any business. It can grow your profits as well as your brand recognition. Using social media to establish relationships and to understand your prospects is a great way to earn your next incentive trip faster and more efficiently. If you want to tap into this path to more sales, here are a few things you need to do that will help establish your presence as well as a following across various social networking platforms:

Discover the most effective approach for connecting with prospects

Before joining a social network, you have to understand your customer base. Establishing a presence in every social media platform is good, but hanging out where your customers are is better. Find out where your ideal customer is regularly posting and join them there!

Post regularly and keep posting

There’s really no such thing as posting too much quality content. Sure, posting sales pitches non-stop is a bad idea, but if you are posting stuff that your customers actually want to read or see, it can only help your cause.

Be the expert in your field

Be ready and able to give advice on the products and services you are trying to sell. Offer suggestions and insights like ‘how to’ and ‘how not to’, ‘things to avoid’, ‘the best way to get the very best’, ‘what makes it the greatest’, ‘the best way to correct it’, etc. You’ll notice these are attention grabbing and problem solving which is exactly what your customers are looking for.

Create content that is engaging

Don’t just focus on posting articles about your product or service- use content such as pictures, funny videos and inspirational quotes to keep your customers engaged. The goal is to get your content liked and shared and these types of posts will help you build a following faster.

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Follow these methods and you’re definitely going to see an increase in your sales numbers. Just make sure before you do any of it, that you get the boss’s approval. The last thing you want is to get reprimanded or worse for posting things you’re not allowed to!

Hacks You can Use for Your Flight on your Incentive Trip

by Tammy Levent November 4, 2015

It’s no secret that travel can be quite stressful. Even if you have earned a free incentive trip, you could be dreading the flight you have to take to get to your destination. If this sounds like you, you’re in luck because we’ve got some simple hacks you can use to make your flight on your incentive trip a little easier! Aside from the usual tricks of early check in, choosing your seat ahead of time and arrive at the airport early, here are some tips you can use while you’re actually in the air.

Bring headphones. We’ve all seen it before, or should I say heard it before. The crying baby that seems to be on every flight in the history of ever. By bringing headphones you can drown out the baby noise, and as a bonus that chatty neighbor sitting next to you over-sharing about their long lost relatives they are going to see. You know who I mean!
Of course, if you’re bringing headphones, you gotta bring something to listen to. Opt for a tablet that you have pre-downloaded music and videos to. While you’re at it, bring an external power source to extend the life of your battery. You can get these for as little as $10 in some stores and it can as much as double the time length of your battery. For longer flights, bring two back up sources. Just make sure you have them charged before you get on the plane.
Pack snacks in your carry on. You’re likely to get a free beverage, but most flights don’t include food anymore without charging a fee. Save some coin by bringing your own snacks. Think trail mix, crackers, heck you could even bring a sandwich. Just don’t bring anything liquid to eat to avoid the wrath of the TSA.
Consider an eye mask. This is especially great for late night flights when you want to block out the light from that guy sitting next to you that will not turn off his overhead light even though it’s 2 a.m.!
Don’t forget a book. Inevitably your tablet will die and you’ll need a real book. Besides, you can only read that sky shopping magazine the airline provided so many times before boredom sets in.

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Now, we want to hear from you! What’s your favorite hack for making your flight time less stressful? Leave a comment below!

When to Pay For Extras at All-Inclusive Resorts

by Tammy Levent October 5, 2015

beach In the past we have stated that all-inclusive resorts are the best option for incentive travel programs. The main reason is because you get the most bang for your travel buck and you know exactly how much your vacation will cost going in. Still, with all-inclusive resorts there are often options for upgrades. These upgrades can be anything from special excursions to additional meal items not included in the all-inclusive price. With the vacation already taking care of your food, lodging and a lot of entertainment, when should you pay for extras at an all-inclusive resort? To answer this, let’s take a closer look at what an “extra” might be.

– Spa treatments: Typically spa treatments are not covered with all-inclusive resorts. Guests looking for massages, facials, pedicures and manicures can expect to pay a pretty penny for these services too. However, there are often daily specials to save you some coin and some resorts offer loyalty programs for frequent visits.

– Off-site excursions: Many water sports are usually included as well as on site game rooms and scheduled events, but if you are looking for tours, adventure activities and things to do that are not on property there will be additional fees.

– Higher than top-shelf liquors: Many all-inclusive resorts include top-shelf liquors, but there are liquors that are even pricier that likely won’t be included (i.e. that bottle of Macallan that goes for $85 a glass).

– The highest quality cuts of meat and fish: Obviously you wouldn’t expect $250 per oz. caviar to be included in your all-inclusive rate, but some travelers are thrown by the extra fees for premium cuts of meat and some species of fish.

– Internet: Yep, that might not be included in your all-inclusive resort fee.

A good rule of thumb is to expect that the more premium the service, activity or food/drink you want is, the more likely it is there will be an added fee for it. So, back to the question of when to pay for the extras- The answer depends on you. If this is the only time you will ever be in this destination or feel like its a once in a lifetime opportunity for the item that costs extra and you can afford it, why not go for it? Do research ahead of time into possible extra charges and see what works best for you, your budget and your desires.

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