Cheap Incentive Travel

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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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.

1. 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!
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.!
5. 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!

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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A common destination many of our Elite Incentive Travel clients send their employees to is Dominican Republic. When it comes to incentive trips, however, folks often wonder what there is to do in the various destinations. So, in this incentive destination spotlight we thought we would share five fun things you can do if you are lucky enough to earn a trip to Dominican Republic.

Cascade or Canyon the Damajagua and Ciguapa Falls – You’ll start the day innocently enough with a hike to the top of the falls and then you will rappel down them. Some people even take these tours as opportunities to just jump the long drop into the water. Bring comfy shoes for the hike and expect them to get soaked when you get to the falls.

Whale watch – If you have ever wanted to watch thousands of humpback whales get together, mate and/or give birth, Dominican Republic is a great place to watch this because every year hundred of thousands of whales can be seen off the Península de Samaná providing tourists with stunning sights you won’t soon forget.

White water raft – The Río Yaque del Norte is the Caribbean’s only river you can safely go white water rafting on. Prepare for some intense rapids to raft over, but it will be quickly before you know it and you will be rewarded with some nice flat water glide across as you enjoy the mountainous views.

Visit the first American Cathedral in Santo Domingo – Santo Domingo is home to The Cathedral of Santa María la Menor which is the oldest Cathedral of the Americas.

Sunbathe at Playa Rincón – This beach is often touted as the best of the Caribbean because it is largely undeveloped and offers barely any shade. You’ll barely find any vendors and don’t even bother looking for facilities. What keeps this beach so pristine is its difficulty in accessing it. In fact, there is just one rocky road leading there from Las Galeras.

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Have you ever been to Dominican Republic? If so, what was your favorite thing to do there?

The big key to earning an incentive trip is that you have to sell enough goods/services to earn it. How to go about making more sales has always been a hot topic. So much so that it’s a common discussion amongst marketers and sales geniuses on podcasts, blogs and even YouTube videos. The top tip they all seem to come to for increasing sales? Simply listening to your customer’s problem and providing the solution. That’s it. Not gimmicky, no sleaze- just listening and providing.

Read our post on what makes a great sales pitch.

Where do you find the people that have the problem that you have the solution to? Go to the online forums where these people are complaining about the problem. See if it’s trending on Facebook and Twitter. Give your ideal customer profile to your favorite data provider and ask for only those leads. If your boss allows it ask friends and family on social media who needs what you’re providing and then listen for responses. Go to competitor websites and see who is commenting on their blog and reach out to those people with a better offer.

Should you give up on a sales lead? Read this to find out.

Okay, you’ve done all that and are still struggling to sell. Why aren’t your ideal clients buying what you’re selling? Maybe they think it won’t work for them. Perhaps they believe that you are more hyped about the product or service than you should be. Or this could be a financial issue. Again, this comes back to listening. You need to listen to why you haven’t converted the prospect to a customer so that you can provide a solution that closes the deal.

Bottom line, listen to what people want and then, if you can provide the solution make the pitch. If they still don’t buy listen again to find out why. Listening and providing options will land you more sales guaranteed.

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One common destination that companies choose for incentive trips for their employees is Jamaica. What is it about this island country that has so many people flocking to it annually? Let’s dive into what makes Jamaica such a popular choice!

– It’s a hop, skip and a jump from the United States. Located just 90 miles south of Cuba, most people can get to Jamaica with just a day of flying time. Even a flight all the way from Seattle, Washington to Jamaica is just under seven hours if you can fly direct.

– There are so many sites to see there. You could swim in the Blue Hole or walk the Seven Mile Beach, hike to the Dunn’s River Falls or kayak in the Glistening Waters. There are also countless dance clubs to get your groove on, eateries to indulge your culinary senses, water sports that will keep your adrenaline pumping and spas to relax and unwind.

– Three Words: Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. There are Jimmy Buffett Margritaville locations all over Jamaica and the most popular is found in Montego Bay. Located on Montego Bay’s famous “Hip Strip,” it is thee place for fun and entertainment and- you guessed it- margaritas!

– The country has some of the best all-inclusive resorts in the world. Employers love all-inclusive resorts because they are budget-friendly. Employees love all-inclusive resorts because of how much they get while vacationing! Along with lodging your employees will enjoy all of their meals, drinks and several water sports. With everything they need on-site the guess work is removed leaving extra time to just unwind and recharge their batteries before they have to head back to the office.

If you are an employee who stumbled onto this page because you want to convince your boss that he should create and incentive program at your company check out this post!

#EliteIncentiveTravel #EliteTravelGroup #EliteDestinationWeddings #Honeymoongiveaway #EliteAdventureTravel

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After you earn your trip and your bookings are complete the real planning begins. It’s time to decide what you will pack for your vacation. Here are some ideas to help you figure out just what to put in your suitcase and what to leave at home:

– Consider where you are going and when you will be there: You wouldn’t pack a winter coat and boots for a sunny place like Cancun would you? No! You’re likely packing swimsuits, tropical shirts, hats and sunglasses. Still, keep in mind that although most outfits for tropical paradises such as this will be warm weather appropriate you will likely want at least one nice ensemble should you and your travel companions decide to go to a nice restaurant for dinner one night.

– Think about the length of your trip: Most people have a bad habit of over packing. Avoid this by tallying up the exact number of days and nights you will be away and only packing one outfit per day. You might even be able to get away with one outfit for every other day and mixing and matching the pieces on alternate days to create more than one look. Sure, you will have to wear things more than once, but has that really ever hurt anyone? No! Of course, bring clean underwear and socks for every day of travel!

– Leave books at home: If you can think of nothing better than reading a good book on the beach that’s fine, but books can make the weight of your suitcase soar quickly. Swap out those heavy items and avoid overweight luggage fees by bringing something like a Kindle or a Tablet instead with loads of digital books instead.

– Ditch the booze: Just because you can pack something doesn’t mean you should. A breakable bottle in your luggage is just asking for trouble. The last thing you want is your luggage reeking of tequila before you even make it to the bars of your destination. While we’re at it, leave other breakables at home as well.

– Bring toiletries and medications: You might not have access to the things you need at your destination. Bring your prescriptions in their original bottles to avoid customs issues if traveling internationally and be sure to put any toiletries in your checked baggage to avoid TSA issues. Speaking of toiletries, make sure you place them in a plastic bag before packing them in your luggage. This way if anything should burst or leak in transit you won’t ruin your entire suitcase of clothes.

What are your favorite packing tips? Leave a comment and tell us about it!

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When working towards a travel incentive that requires a sales quota you know that every transaction gets you closer to your goal. The easiest way to get more sales is to re-sell to the customers you already have. Why? They already know what you are selling and they already know you. The question is how do you get past customers to buy from you again?

Wow them the first time. There is a saying in sales that customers don’t leave companies, they leave the management. In other words if you didn’t make the customer happy, but they still need or want what you are selling again in the future they will go elsewhere to get it. Wouldn’t it be awful if a co-worker gets the incentive trip but you don’t because your customer wasn’t happy with you and asked for a new sales rep?

Keep in touch after the first sale. Follow up and make sure they are happy with their purchase. Then, later follow up again to see if they need to re-order. Keeping in touch keeps you in their mind and makes them feel like you care about their happiness.

Offer a loyalty discount. Everybody loves getting something they want/need cheaper than the retail price so if your boss allows you to offer discounts reel your customers back in for a repeat purchase with something like a percentage off or free shipping for their next order.

Come up with a new sales tactic. If you are selling products that have a twenty year warranty you shouldn’t be trying to sell to that customer again. However, your strategy here could be that you convince them to buy one as a gift. Maybe they love their new item so much that they would enjoy getting one for a friend/relative.

What is your favorite way to get a customer to buy again? Leave a comment below and tell us about it!

#EliteIncentiveTravel #EliteTravelGroup #Honeymoongiveaway #EliteDestinationWeddings #EliteAdventureTravel #incentivetravel

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