25 Jan 2016 | by Anthony Kelly

No matter how much your employees love the work they do, showing appreciation of the effort they put in will always go down well. A simple ‘thank you’ might suffice for the most part, but when the team has been under pressure for a long period, have performed extremely well on a project, or have gone above and beyond the call of duty, it might be worth considering a bigger gesture.

What is Incentive Travel?

That’s where we come in. Incentive travel is the term we use for taking your staff on a trip, either long or short-haul, and is a fantastic way to reward your staff. Our destinations range from Barcelona to Dubrovnik to Banff, and from luxury getaways where the goal is rest and relaxation, to action-packed adventures that get the blood pumping.

The Benefits of Incentive Travel

 A study found that Incentive travel in the U. K. is generating significant employee engagement. A majority said it made them feel appreciated (87.5%), increased loyalty (80%), “belongingness” (78%) and trust (75%) toward their companyA happy and motivated workforce is crucial for the success of any organisation. Incentive travel helps to engage and motivate employees by working with them to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 

Avoid last-minute panic for your next incentive and download our incentive  travel checklist

An Opportunity to Bond

Taking your team away gives them the opportunity to bond. There’s no need to do cheesy ‘team-building’ exercises when they are interacting naturally while white-water rafting. They will have the chance to strengthen existing relationships in a relaxed environment, away from the stresses of everyday life in the office, and you may find that employees who have never had cause to speak previously might end up building a friendship. This results in a much closer workplace, where people are not afraid to take the initiative, ask for advice and input from other departments, and you can expect to have a more cohesive team. People who are happy and fulfilled on a social level at work are much more likely to work hard!

The Boost in Creativity 

Another aspect that will boost workplace activity is the creativity that results from a refreshing break. The daily grind gets to even the most dedicated worker, and taking a little time away from a problem or project might be exactly what’s needed to see the best solution.

Build Trust

Allowing room in the budget for fun events like this shows employees that the wealth is shared, and that their jobs are secure. By taking them away for a trip, you are showing them that they can trust their management, and that their careers are safe, even in this time of financial upheaval.

Motivation 

But perhaps the biggest benefit of incentive travel is its use as a motivational tool. That big trip is the light at the end of the tunnel, and the more exciting, the better. If your team knows that the late nights and hard work are appreciated, they are going to give it their all. And long-term employees will remember the magical places they have been, the exciting activities, the delicious food, and, most importantly, the convivial atmosphere, and will be loathe to leave your company. Why would they start somewhere new when they know that the effort they put in is acknowledged, appreciated, and rewarded right where they are?

 

Anthony Kelly

By Anthony Kelly

Head of New Business MarketingMore articles by Anthony Kelly