Travel Destinations

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!

#EliteIncentiveTravel #EliteTravelGroup #EliteDestinationWeddings #EliteAdventureTravel #incentivetravel

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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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One destination we offer for our incentive travel programs is Cancun, Mexico. Not only does the city boast some of the nicest all-inclusive resorts, it’s also home to some of the world’s prettiest beaches and most exciting nightlife, and come to think of it exciting daytime entertainment, around. If you are lucky enough to be heading to Cancun anytime soon here are a few things you can do while vacationing there:

Swim with Dolphins at Dolphin Discovery – You’ll hop on a boat for a quick 20 minute ride to Isla Mujeres and then join dolphins and other marine animals in turquoise waters surrounded by white sands and palm trees.

Eat until you’re stuffed – Cancun has world-class restaurants that appeal to any taste from their French delicacy restaurant L’Escargot to their authentic Mexican restaurants such as La Destileria. You will definitely find it difficult to go hungry on this trip!

Get pampered at one of the many spas – Cancun has spas aplenty, but they are mainly located in the hotel zone. You can expect to pay a premium because these spas are all located within hotels, but experiences such as the 90-minute bamboo massage at Royal Sands or the meditation session in a Mayan sweat lodge at Xbalamque will quickly revive your energy levels and renew your sense of Zen.

Beach it at one of the many beach clubs – Because Cancun is known for non-stop entertainment many of the restaurants and bars along the beaches of Cancun feature music and fun along with food and yummy adult beverages to keep the party going 24/7.

Dance the night away at Coco Bongo – Coco Bongo is possibly Cancun’s most popular nightclub. So popular in fact, that it is frequently featured on travel shows and websites. With a capacity of 3,000 it gets pretty crowded here so be prepared to wear as little clothing as you are comfortable with and bump into lots of people as you jam to the hottest beats.

Have you ever been to Cancun? What was your favorite thing about the city?

#EliteIncentiveTravel #incentivetravel #EliteTravelGroup #Honeymoongiveaway #EliteAdventureTravel

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There are lots of companies out there offering travel vouchers for companies to use as incentives to get their employees to meet quotas, have better attendance, to boost performance and so on. In this post I’d like to give a word of a caution on using MLMs (multi-level marketing companies) such as YTB, WorldVentures, Tripazon and the like for your travel voucher incentive programs.

First, there is no guarantee the rep you are working with will have the slightest clue about travel! When people sign up for travel MLMs they generally have been given a promise of easy riches and traveling around the world for deep discounts or even for free. More often than not they don’t know the first things about the travel industry or the things you will need to know. Elite Travel has been in the business nearly two decades and our agents are highly trained in everything they sell.

Second, no experience also means no reputation. How can you rely on this agent of this company? Sure, the company may have been in business more than a minute, but the people working for them could have literally started the week that they pitched you their incentive program. There is no guarantee they are reputable. Elite Travel has served hundreds of thousands of customers and successfully managed millions of dollars worth of bookings in the travel industry. Our testimonials and client loyalty speaks for themselves!

Third, the company could go out of business quickly and/or your rep could decide to stop working. Most MLMs require you pay out of pocket up front for travel vouchers and this is a risky move on your behalf. More and more MLMs have been getting shut down by programs such as the FTC for fraudulent and unethical business practices. When the company goes out of business or an agent quits working for the MLM vouchers sold could be deemed worthless.

Finally, MLMs are in the business of converting customers into travel sales people. The first thing you can expect is that your employees will be given a high pressure sales tactic promising them riches the sell travel to friends and family.

Want to learn more about working with Elite? Call us at 1-866-726-9090 today!

#EliteIncentiveTravel #incentivetravel #EliteTravelGroup #AWordofCautiononIncentiveTravelProgramsviaMLMS

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You made it through 2014 by the skin of your teeth and managed to keep your job. However, there is no denying you were incredibly bummed when you didn’t earn the incentive trip your boss was offering to sales people who met a certain quota. Well, brush it off because it’s a new year so it’s time to really get clear on your goal of earning that trip this year! If you’re ready to rock 2015 you’re in luck because I’ve compiled a surefire way to help you earn that dream trip this year!

Step 1: Let go of last year. It’s over and done with and dwelling on missed opportunities will bum you out and potentially ruin your clean slate.

Step 2: Make a list of potential sales leads- First, write down or type up a list of everyone you know. Then, go back through that list and see which people in your list would benefit from what you are selling.

Step 3: Create an amazing sales pitch! Check out our post on how to make the sales pitch HERE.

Step 4: Make the sales pitch!

Step 5: After the pitch, if you haven’t made the sale, contact your potential client again! Don’t waste too much time on the potential client though. Remember, time is money! Check out our post about when to give up on a sales lead HERE.

Step 6: Make the sale and then repeat steps one, two and three. Continue these steps until quota is met.

Still concerned you won’t meet your quota? Check out our post on easy ways to increase sales HERE.

Don’t wait until the deadline of the quota approaches either. Doing this could cause you to watch everyone else earn the trip while you stay glued to your desk chair again! Don’t be that employee in 2015. Instead, start right away! Check out ways to stop the procrastination cycle HERE.

#EliteIncentiveTravel #incentivetravel #EliteTravelGroup

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Congratulations! You have worked hard and earned the incentive trip. Now, it’s time to get down to the business of planning the dream vacation you saved up all those travel points to take.

First, you need to take the time off from work. Put in your vacation request as soon as possible. For some employers you will need to request vacation weeks or months in advance especially if you plan on taking your trip around the holidays.

Second, decide where you want to go. Many of the companies we work with set up a list of destinations to choose from so contact us and let us know which trip you want to take. Side note- you may be able to pay extra for an extended stay. For example, if you earned a free three night stay but really want four or five nights we may be able to extend your stay for an additional fee. Should you want to extend your stay please let us know in the early stages of planning as making changes after booking is not always easy.

Third, book your flights if necessary and get your documents in order. If it’s an international trip you will need a passport and without paying an expedition fee a passport can take four to six weeks to obtain!

Next, it’s time to start packing. Look up the area’s weather reports for the time you will be there and pack accordingly. No one wants to be wearing shorts in 30 weather°, just like wearing a heavy jacket makes no sense when its 86° outside!

Be sure to pack a little extra cash too! Even though your trip might be an all-inclusive vacation it never hurts to have some buffer money for emergencies and incidentals.

Lastly, head to the airport and take your trip. Arrive early to avoid the risk of missing your flight due to unforeseen circumstances. Check in, hop on board and enjoy your travels knowing that you deserve this getaway.

#EliteIncentiveTravel #EliteTravelGroup #TammyLevent #sales

Looking for yet another reason to offer a travel incentive in your business? How about this one? Travel is good for the health of your employees! In fact, according to the BBC, “Workers who take time off are more productive, have higher morale and are less likely to mentally ‘check out’ on the job. They also report less stress and burnout.” Fox News also reported that men and women who vacation regularly are at less risk for heart disease or a heart attack.

So what is it about travel that benefits the health of your employees?

Travel makes you well-rounded as an individual. Learning about new cultures expands the mind thereby helping your mental health.

Travel helps your personal relationships. Giving your employees the chance to take a break from the daily grind and reconnect with their families helps their emotional and mental health.

Taking a break means resting and this helps your employees’ physical and mental health. No one can go non-stop 24/7 without eventually breaking down. Giving your employees a trip provides them a wonderful stress-free break.

Travel generally means being more active and being active can boost immunity.

Typically travel is a major goal for people and having the opportunity to cross certain destinations off of an employee’s bucket list benefits their mental health.

All the good feelings associated with travel carry over when the employee gets back to work. They come back mentally, emotionally and physically refreshed and excited about the prospect of working towards another vacation. The best part is if they took pictures on the trip they can use those to remember how good they felt on vacation recharging them throughout the time until their next trip.

#incentives #incentivetravel #EliteIncentiveTravel #TammyLevent #EliteTravelGroup #travelincentives

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