| Environmental and budgetary
concerns are both looking large on the agenda for
anyone planning a motivational travel programme. But
sometimes you still need to splash the cash to make
it work well, find Martin Croft.
Travel can broaden the mind – and motivate
the team. But are the day of the all-singing, all-dancing
sales conference in some exotic sun-drenched location
over, killed off by the twin threats of global warming
and global economic meltdown? And can a conference
centre in the UK ever really compete with one in the
Bahamas?
Libby Christie (pictured), head of operations at
Unmissable, says “Economic factors are far more
likely to have a negative effect on the incentive
travel industry than the threat of global warming.
There can be no doubt that a shift from the popularity
of far-away and exotic international destinations
is just beginning to be seen”.
Unmissable’s Christie believes that “long
haul exotic locations will always have the edge over
a close-to-home destination. The perception of travelling
to a far flung destination will always conjure up
the feeling of experiencing something exiting and
new”. She acknowledges, however, that “there
are some superb incentive destinations much closer
to home that offer an abundance of luxury and some
great experiences. These include Monte Carlo, The
Amalfi Coast, Bordeaux, Sardinia and St Petersburg.”
If being green is the deciding factor, then there
actually are a significant number of destinations
where clients can be environmentally friendly and
enjoy luxury at the same time, Christie says.
For example, there is a five0star resort in Zanzibar
with 35 villas which are totally self sufficient,
using only energy from the sun and wind and producing
little waste or carbon emissions. The 100 staff has
bicycles, and electric cars to transport guests to
and from the airport.
Christie also points to Iceland, which she says “has
already gone further than any other country in exploiting
its sources of renewable energy. Virtually all of
its electricity and heating comes from hydroelectric
power and geo-thermal water reserves.”
At the end of the day, one thing is certain –
belts will be tightened over the next year to 18 months
and incentive travel will have to justify itself to
the company board, to staff, to shareholders and to
the general public.
That does not necessarily mean an end to staff motivational
trips. But it does mean that marketing directors,
sales directors and HR heads are going to have to
work harder to make sure that they get an acceptable
return for the investment of money and – sometimes
even more costly – staff time required.
- ENDS -
|
