Here at Motivation Excellence, we are big fans of group travel incentives. We’ve seen first-hand over the last 40 years just how effective they can be to engage, inspire, and motivate. In every case, it’s far better at building connections than a bank deposit.
There is always going to be a place for using cash bonuses as part of an overall employment package. They’re practically expected, so as a sales incentive, they can easily fall short motivating your internal sales team.
Group travel incentives, however, are motivational to internal and external sales teams, alike. Traveling, especially with a significant other, fellow top performers and company executives, creates lasting relationships that become worth much more to the future success of your business than writing a check.
Here are three reasons we believe group travel is a dominant motivator for sales incentives:
1. Fond Memories Become Future Goals
Travel experiences generate memories people hold on to. While receiving a bump to a paycheck, gives an instant, and surely appreciated lift, it’s often forgotten by the time the next month rolls around. Unfortunately, extra money ends up being used for gas, groceries or bills more often than being used for something more meaningful or extravagant.
On the other hand, memories of a great travel experience become the motivation to earn the next experience. The “have to do that again” factor can’t be underestimated with group travel incentives. Our travel incentives are filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences individual travelers wouldn’t be able to replicate. That holds incredible motivational value!
2. Loyalty Is Built Through Emotional Connections
Traveling with a group of other top performing individuals is a bonding experience. Sharing incredible activities, meals and training events creates camaraderie that can grow into friendships. Those strengthened relationships translate into increased loyalty and talent retention.
Hosting a group travel incentive is a way to stand out among competitors looking to woo top talent away. Selecting an amazing destination with incredible events combine to create a memorable travel experience that can help a company differentiate even more. One of the best benefits is the intrinsic motivation to achieve the travel reward year after year…adding longevity to loyalty far into the future.
3. Travel Is Happily Publicized
The modern culture values travel so much that there is prestige attached to it. Social media posts are loaded with people’s latest adventures. Now imagine the added pride when someone earns the travel experience through their own efforts. They shout it out for all to know (and follow along)!
Offering a group travel incentive allows the hosting company to cover the expense through an increase in gross profits. Meanwhile, the person who earned the experience put in a lot of sweat equity, but isn’t shelling a dime out of pocket to enjoy the reward. It feels free to them, but also deeply appreciated since the road to get there wasn’t easy.
The added publicity each participant freely gives to the host company on social channels is invaluable. It attracts the attention of colleagues who then want to earn the travel incentive too. The prestige of being a member of “the club” grows, along with the motivation to achieve it. In the end, group travel is a more effective sales incentive than cash in many ways. Whether you’re interested in pushing your internal sales team to new heights, strengthening crucial relationships or differentiating your company’s rewards from your competitors, incentive group travel offers incredible ROI and ongoing motivation. Connect with us to learn more about how it can help your company thrive.
