Incentive Travel is a powerful performance tool used to inspire outstanding workplace behaviours. It forms part of wider reward and recognition programs designed to motivate employees to exceed targets.
Reward and Recognition – why use incentive travel?
While cash bonuses and merchandise are common rewards, they tend to have short-term impact. Incentive travel, on the other hand, offers a memorable, often transformational experience—something money can’t easily buy. It’s often shared with a significant other, amplifying emotional engagement and motivation.
Incentive trips also strengthen company culture and encourage stronger bonds between employees and leadership.
The Role of Incentive Travel in the Industry (MICE)
Incentive Travel represents the “I” in the MICE industry (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events). Unlike meetings or conferences that focus on education, incentive travel is designed to motivate and inspire.
As defined by SITE, it is « a powerful business tool to reward and unlock human potential to achieve corporate objectives. »
The choice of destination is key—it must emotionally engage the participants to truly serve as a motivational prize.
The objectives of an incentive travel programme
Incentive travel can help companies to:
- Increase sales
- Build morale and loyalty
- Grow market share
- Improve teamwork and customer service
It is widely used in sectors such as Finance, Insurance, Automotive, FMCG, and Direct Selling.
Supply chain and stakeholders
The incentive travel ecosystem includes end-user companies, agencies, airlines, transport providers, hotels, venues, restaurants, attractions, and more. It engages the most touchpoints of any MICE segment, both at the source and in the destination.