An effective travel incentive program, one that truly inspires employees to work harder, offers many benefits for employee engagement and performance. That said, it must be planned and executed carefully to be effective.
What is a travel incentive program? It is a company initiative that rewards high-performing employees with a trip to a destination that is paid for entirely by the employer. The trips are given to a group or an individual, and the destinations are anywhere in the world. The employer decides how long to make each trip.
Why spend money on these trips? Group incentive travel awards were rated “very” or “extremely” motivating by 80% of the respondents in a study conducted by the Incentive Research Foundation. (1)
Some companies prefer to give employees a set agenda that may include attractions and restaurants, while others provide a loose itinerary. In general, it is recommended that at least some of the activities and meals are planned in advance. After all, the recipients might not have any idea what to see and do, or where to eat.
Companies that want to ensure their travel incentive program is successful should go beyond the basics and think about what will motivate their employees to work for the trips. Here are the key attributes of travel incentive programs that inspire employees.
DEFINE SPECIFIC GOALS FOR THE PROGRAM
If your organization is going to spend money on all-expenses-paid trips for employees, it is essential to know the reasons why you are doing it. Goals might include:
- Improving employee performance
- Boosting employee engagement
- Increasing staff productivity
- Demonstrating that your company values employees
- Creating opportunities for colleagues to bond
Regardless of the objective you want your incentive program to meet, they should be clearly laid out in writing. And you should keep them in mind for every single trip you plan. By doing so, you improve the chances of the program fulfilling the goals you set for it.
MAKE THE GUIDELINES CLEAR
Much like leadership should be clear on their objectives when creating a travel incentive program, they should make the guidelines for earning a trip clear to employees. Put together digital documentation that lists all the criteria employees need to meet. These criteria will vary from one team to another, but the idea is to give staff a reference point. Examples include:
- The number of sales they must make (e.g., volume, new customers, achieved quotas)
- How many projects they should see through to completion
- What kind of initiatives they should spearhead
- New training achieved or skills learned
While wins are important to list among the guidelines, do not limit them to clear successes. Sometimes the results are not contingent upon a single employee’s or team’s performance. Therefore, they should be eligible for making a concerted effort regardless of the outcome.
CREATE A REALISTIC BUDGET
This is where travel incentive programs can get tricky. On the one hand, the budget must allow for an experience that will leave employees inspired and motivated. On the other hand, the money spent should balance value, cost, and short-term as well as long-term return on investment.
Negotiating rates and looking for available deals is a great strategy for planning world-class trips without breaking the bank. However, working with a partner experienced in meeting planning often offers the best options for venues and a bigger network for buying power and vendor choices. Additionally, a meeting planner can help you define your budget and handle some or all of the efforts to create the best travel incentive program for you.
CHOOSE DESIRABLE DESTINATIONS
Places with a bit of glamour and/or adventure will get employees’ adrenaline pumping. This includes places that are well-known or some that are growing in popularity. You certainly do not have to stick with overdone tourist attractions. The mere name association is enough.
Destinations can be stateside or international. As long as they offer intrigue to your workforce, they have great potential. Ideas include:
…AND DESTINATIONS THAT OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Interests, tastes, and physical abilities vary from one person to another. When it comes to group trips, destinations should offer a variety of attractions and food to appeal to each traveler. This might not be possible in every case, but you should strive to infuse each trip with as much diversity as you can.
Keeping in mind any travelers that might have physical limitations is also critical. Review each attraction, restaurant, and hotel under consideration to see whether it is accessible to everyone.
IMMERSE TRAVELERS IN THE LOCAL CULTURE
Experiencing the authentic culture of a place is one of the top reasons why people enjoy traveling. Find activities that involve locals who demonstrate their customs to visitors and involve them to some degree.
Examples include preparing an authentic meal, taking dance lessons, crafting commonly used items, and learning basic phrases in the native language. The possibilities are endless. All that matters is allowing travelers to feel like they are a part of the culture. Employees will remember and treasure the memories for a long time.
RESEARCH AND COMPARE VENDORS
Getting a feel for what kind of quality a vendor offers can be challenging, especially for international destinations. Start with their online reviews. Read through them carefully to pick out any positive reviews that might sound fake. Look at how long the business has been operating. These factors will help you begin to narrow down the list.
Once you have a smaller list, compare vendors that offer the same service or product. See how they stack up to each other in reviews. Customer service is also essential to consider, as you want your travelers to be treated well. Take notice of how each vendor interacts with your team and how prompt they are in their responses.
LEAN ON THE EXPERTISE OF A SEASONED MEETING PLANNER
Of course, even if you follow all these tips, there is room for error. After all, your role is not that of a travel agent. This is the reason why leaning on the expertise of a seasoned meeting planner is crucial.
These companies have been planning first-class employee incentive trips for years. They possess expertise and have formed relationships that give them a distinct advantage. By using the services of a meeting planner, you greatly improve the chances of a successful trip.
A SUCCESSFUL TRAVEL INCENTIVE PROGRAM STARTS HERE
By leveraging the tips above, you will build a travel incentive program that has the foundation to achieve the results you desire from it. A solid program will engage and motivate employees, making the money you spend on it very worthwhile.
Are you considering a travel incentive program? Contact Gavel International to help plan a program that maximizes your budget and results in rave reviews from attendees.
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SOURCE(S):
1 https://theirf.org/research_post/the-impact-of-destination-choice-on-motivation/
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