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?