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Improving employee engagement and making a favorable impression are two of the main reasons why savvy organizations offer travel incentives. Well-planned trips pay off, as evidenced by the following statistics:

  • 96% of trip earners reported that the opportunity motivated them.
  • 89% of people who earned travel rewards felt appreciated by their employer.
  • 73% of trip earners reported an increased feeling of loyalty towards their employer.
  • 77% had increased feelings of truly being part of the company.

Source: (1)

You stand a much better chance of achieving these objectives if these trips include powerful experiences that leave a lasting impression. Employees who go on incentive trips want to connect with the locals and their culture in an authentic way, create unforgettable moments and taste the flavors of the local food and drink. They want to have an immersive experience that feels well-rounded and unique.

But how do you give top performers these experiences? By incorporating these 3 factors into the itinerary.

AUTHENTIC CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Experiencing the local culture is one of the top reasons why people travel. Whether the destination is in the United States or across the world, travelers crave that connection with the locals and their culture.

There are many different ways you can give your travel incentive earners this opportunity, including:

  • Participating in culture-specific activities like crafting, dancing, kayaking and woodworking.
  • Going to events like festivals that highlight cultural traditions.
  • Engaging in culturally infused transportation such as a riverboat cruise, or rides on a camel, sleigh, gondola, rickshaw, cable car, or safari Jeep.
  • Teaming up with locals to cook and serve dishes that are specific to the area.

A simple yet effective way to weave the culture into incentive travel is to stop and talk to the locals. Yes, it really can be that simple. And make no mistake, your top performers will gain a lot from these interactions. You can improve the chances of having authentic conversations by leaving tourist-saturated places behind and venturing into areas where locals spend their lives.

Make sure you prepare in advance for interaction by doing the following:

  • Conduct thorough research into the social etiquette and customs of the locals and educate travelers on them, to ensure they do not accidentally offend anyone. You could even provide a written guide in digital form that they can download and keep handy on their mobile device.
  • Safety is of paramount importance anytime you enter areas that are lesser known to tourists. Again, researching the places you are considering taking trip goers is critical. Follow all safety precautions and make sure the group stays together at all times while in these areas.

LOCAL CUISINE

While eating at area restaurants is perfectly acceptable, preparing and sharing a meal is a much better way to experience the culture. Doing so is a rite of passage, as participating in the meal preparation is cultural immersion at its strongest.

One benefit of this activity is learning details about local cuisine: how it is made, the history of the dishes and why they have become woven into the fabric of the culture. Instead of merely being told that a certain dish has certain ingredients, top performers get to add the ingredients themselves, which elevates the experience.

Working side-by-side with locals while preparing the food is a powerful experience travelers will not soon forget. After all, how many people can say they did the same thing?

And when the food is ready to eat, your incentive earners can take pride in knowing that they played an essential role in creating the cuisine. It makes dining on the dishes especially satisfying.

LOCAL VENDORS

From gift bags to personal essentials, working with local vendors to source items is an absolute must. By doing so, you support the community and reinforce your company’s image as one that is worldly and cares about the world around it. Plus, it is yet another way to interact with the culture in that area.

It is important to account for different forms of currency if you are dealing with vendors for an international trip. Familiarize yourself with the local currency and adhere to it when discussing any associated payments and fees.

You should also exercise great caution in your communications to ensure you are speaking to vendors in a way that is considered respectful in their culture. Practices and wording that might be perfectly acceptable in the United States could be offensive in that country.

A PASSPORT TO ADVENTURE

Remember, anytime you are sending people to a place with a culture different from your own, respectful behavior and words are of the utmost importance. Preparation and education will help you avoid potentially damaging missteps. Make sure that any activities your travelers engage in:

  • Are not harmful to the community in any way.
  • Have been approved by the locals.
  • Demonstrate appreciation to the community.
  • Honor the local culture.
  • Do not perpetuate stereotypes.

When you put these golden standards into practice and incorporate powerful experiences into the trips you plan for travel incentive earners, you give them a passport to adventure. The trips will truly feel like a reward worth the time and effort. 

Are you considering a travel incentive program? Contact Gavel International for expert help planning a program that maximizes your budget and results in raving reviews from attendees. 

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SOURCE(S):

1 https://2996427.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2996427/Participant-Viewpoint-Survey-Part-I.pdf

Jeff Richards
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