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Congratulatory emails and gift cards are pretty nice incentives, but what stands out as a reward to show the most appreciation?
It has to be a top-of-the-line incentive trip, of course!
Ready to find out why incentive trips are the ultimate way to give back to your teams?
An incentive trip is a performance enhancement tool companies can use to inspire employees to go above and beyond. Incentive trips are a key aspect of your reward and recognition program that motivates outstanding performances measured against clearly defined goals.
We can classify incentive trips as one kind of extrinsic reward. In the past, a typical extrinsic reward included bonuses, promotions, or salary increases. However, trips to new countries with colleagues are becoming an increasingly attractive job perk, especially in the eyes of younger workers. In fact, over three-quarters of Gen Z workers state that being able to travel as part of their job would make them more likely to stay with the company long-term.
An incentive trip is a chance to remind your employees how much they matter. That kind of appreciation works wonders for team morale, loyalty, and even creativity.
So it could be time that your company jumps aboard and capitalizes on the appeal of an incentive trip. Surf Office makes it easy. Whether it’s a tropical escape or a city adventure, we can organize corporate incentive trips that your team will be talking about for years to come.
A well-organized incentive trip brings benefits to the company that lasts long into the future. Create a mental picture, where your teams have just smashed their annual targets. Instead of just sending a congrats email, you reward them with a week in Bali. Their trip has yoga classes and brainstorming sessions over breakfast at the beach. That’s a morale boost that no email can deliver.
Let’s break down the intricate ways an incentive trip can elevate your teams:
Revitalized team morale
Rewarding your employees with a well-earned trip shows a deep sense of appreciation for all they do. You’re communicating the message of “Well done, you’re killing it!” with a trip to an unforgettable location. Incentive trips are generally awarded when someone hits a clear target, so this serves to engage and motivate them to dig deep and push for the finish line.
A physical and mental rejuvenation
A weekend or full week in an idyllic location (with a bit of pampering) can provide a much-needed reset after a difficult period. There’s no fighting fatigue and burnout Chances are, your teams will strive to elevate their performance, so your teams could be coming back glowing from the perfect incentive trip.
A chance to deepen bonds between employees
As they travel as a group, there are countless chances for each member to bond over the adventure. An incentive trip sets the stage for connections that last, ensuring they return tighter, happier, and with more inside jokes that they’ll cherish forever.
A stronger sense of loyalty to the company
Investing in your team means that, in turn, they’ll invest in you. Organizing a killer incentive trip creates a perk that makes your standout performers much more likely to dedicate themselves to the company and reduce turnover rates.
Developing creativity and innovation
By organizing an extravagant trip, you’re thinking outside your usual rewards and recognition. Changing the scenery sparks loads of fresh new ideas. If you include teambuilding activities and brainstorming sessions into your incentive trips, we guarantee your teams will be able to give fresh insights and perspectives into their job.
Boosting employee confidence
Incentive trips not only reward employees but also instill a sense of accomplishment and pride. When each person is recognized and celebrated for their hard work, their confidence skyrockets. They’ll come back walking taller, ready to tackle any challenge.
Memories that last a lifetime
Unlike monetary bonuses, which can be spent and forgotten, incentive trips create experiences that employees will cherish for years. Snorkeling with your coworkers or sharing inside jokes about that one time Angela from HR fell off her paddleboard. Memories like these stick around, reminding your team how valued they are.
A sharp recruitment tool
When word gets out that your company rewards hard work with unforgettable trips, it becomes an attractive selling point for talent on the market. Incentive trips signal to top talent that your organization values its people and isn’t afraid to invest in their well-being.
An employee incentive trip is the perfect opportunity to deliver some one-of-a-kind activities to remember. Team-building activities on an incentive trip let people bond closer than ever before.
Here’s a lineup of some team-building hits straight from our Surf Office playbook:
When we think of incentive trips, organizing for employees is the first thing that comes to mind. But what about using them to reward your customers? These experiences can be just as impactful for the people who keep your business thriving.
Offering incentive trips to customers as part of loyalty or reward programs can strengthen relationships and open doors to new business opportunities.
Consider inviting a top client to an exclusive getaway or using a dream destination to celebrate a successful partnership. This leaves a lasting impression that goes beyond contracts and handshakes.
So how do these trips translate into benefits for your customers (and your business)? Here are the ways an incentive travel company can bolster the workplace:
Improved customer service
Happy employees equal happy customers. When your team feels valued and motivated, they’re more likely to deliver exceptional service. That positive energy translates into better service and more delighted customers. Everyone wins.
Strengthened customer relationships
Why stop at employee perks when you can wow your clients too? Incentive trips are like a traditional thank-you card, except instead of paper, it’s plane tickets. Bringing your top customers along for the ride shows them you value their business and aren’t afraid to go the extra mile (or thousand).
Enhanced company reputation
Offering incentive trips to customers as part of a rewards program screams that you really mean business. You’re displaying how you’re interested in more than just the bottom line. You’re in it for connecting with customers and stakeholders. Your customers notice and spread the word while your reputation grows.
Increased innovation
You might not immediately think that incentive trips would lead to more groundbreaking ideas, but they do. Incentive trips give your team fresh perspectives, and those lightbulb moments lead to better solutions for your customers.
Consistency in quality of service
Having a happy and motivated team at work means your customers feel it too. Incentive trips create a ripple effect of positivity. Your teams become more tightly-knit and productive. That kind of energy means every customer interaction is as smooth as the itineraries we plan for you!
Driving sales through customer incentives
Offering incentive trips to your customers as part of your loyalty program is a massive selling point for your company. The trip can inspire loyalty and drive repeat business, showing your clients that you’re committed to their success.
If you’re awarding customers with incentive trips, you can also add a splash of group activities if multiple people are going. Exploration of local landmarks and group fine-dining can bring attendees together. I mean, who doesn’t love a little fun to balance out the business? Keep it tailored to the group and certifiably unforgettable!
Group incentive trips are a fantastic way to keep your top performers thriving and motivated. The magic starts with the destination reveal and lingers long after the last souvenir is unpacked.
At Surf Office, we’re making these benefits a reality. Our incentive trip planners are ready to forge the perfect trip for you that hits all the right notes; fun, meaningful, and truly memorable.
Here’s what we deliver when organizing your incentive trip:
Our corporate travel planners have explored the globe to formulate fresh, creative incentive ideas in flawless settings. We believe an incentive trip should be more than a reward—it should be a VIP experience that your team will talk about for years. We’ve accumulated experience from more than 160 locations worldwide, so from exclusive activities to stunning venues, we’ve got it covered.
Planning the trip and incentive ideas can easily feel overwhelming. That’s why our team takes care of the entire incentive travel package. We’ll ensure every penny spent delivers maximum value, so you can impress your team and keep your finance department smiling.
Every trip we organize is designed with care and creativity. From bucket-list itineraries to thoughtfully crafted experiences, Surf Office ensures your program stands out. Want to make an impression? We’ll design moments that leave your participants in awe—and make you look like a total rockstar.
This isn’t our first rodeo. At Surf Office, we bring years of experience in organizing seamless, cost-effective, and unforgettable incentive trips. We know the best insider tips and tricks to maximize value, and we’re ready to make your vision a reality.
No matter how well you plan, things can change unexpectedly. That’s why we pride ourselves on being flexible, proactive, and committed to delivering a 5-star experience every time. When you work with Surf Office, you can trust that every detail will be handled with care and expertise.
At Surf Office, we specialize in creating unforgettable group incentive trips that inspire and delight. Whether it’s a coastal escape, a vibrant city adventure, or something totally out of the box, we’ll handle every detail so you can focus on celebrating your team’s success.
Organizing the perfect incentive trip isn’t easy to do alone. More often than not, people reach out to an incentive travel agency. Getting the trip right can depend on many factors suited to your company. Here are a few steps we look at when designing an incentive trip that brings the most out of your teams:
Step 1: Choosing the right destination
The destination is an integral aspect of the perfect incentive trip. Bustling cities don’t provide the same atmosphere as tranquil countryside settings. The spot you choose should align with the team’s overall vibe. Not sure where to start? We’ll guide you with options that fit your goals like a glove.
Step 2: Tailor your itinerary
Striking the balance between adventure, relaxation, and team-building activities is needed to keep everyone engaged and excited. We’ve organized itineraries that strike the perfect chord with hikes, hop-on tours, and specialist cooking classes. We understand the delicate balance between activities for chilling out or developing team bonds.
Step 3: Leave the logistics to us
Flights, accommodations, meals, and activities - we handle it all. Our experiences have helped us shape incentive trip logistics down to an exact science. Together with your team, you can sit back and focus on the fun.
These tips work best for teams of 15 people or less. What about if you have a bigger group? Check out our guide to team-building activities for large groups.
Remember, remote workers often don’t know each other before the retreat. Likewise, remote employees tend to be introverts. Keep this in mind as you design your approach to team-building activities for remote employees.
For more information and to get started planning your retreat, get in touch with Surf Office. We’re happy to help!
Avocode’s retreat as a mini startup accelerator
Avocode is a tool that helps designers and developers collaborate on one seamless platform. For their work retreat, the team spent 10 days with Surf Office Lisbon working as a mini-startup accelerator.
The group of 20 divided into small teams on day one, and then spent the time working on specific projects. The last day of the retreat was dedicated to presenting each team’s results with the rest of the group. As a result, Avocode’s work retreat drove innovation. Their result is a great example of how to make the most of limited time to do some creative thinking.
Mynd retreat resulted in 12 new products features
Mynd is a property management company based in California. For their work retreat, Mynd’s team of 32 people relocated for 10 days to Surf Office Barcelona. Like Avocode, they spent the first three days running a hackathon. The team developed 12 new product features in a quick sprint of innovation.
Mynd’s approach to their work retreat was to prepare beforehand; key design elements were already in place when they arrive in Spain. As a result, the team could move quickly and work without designers. Consider what you need to do to prepare before arriving onsite for your work retreat.
Mattermost’s innovative design retreat
Mattermost is a communication software company that makes a Slack-alternative messaging platform. Their team retreat in Lisbon combined innovation and team-building in five days.
Mattermost spent their work retreat building a product roadmap, discussing their core values, team-building, and hosting a hackathon. Check out more in this video from their CTO, Corey Hulen.
Invision’s team comes together for beach meetings
Finally, InVision is a product design tool and 100% remote company. The team met in Ericeira for a work retreat with Surf Office.
They split their time between team bonding – stand-up paddle, surfing, and eating incredible seafood – and a hackathon. During their one-day hackathon, InVision built new product features and internal communication tools.
Are you planning a strategy meeting, design sprint, hackathon, kickoff meeting of a new project or “just” regular work time?
Whatever it is, we’ve got your back.
Expect a professional working environment with:
And of course, very fast internet.
Each team has a bit of a different expectation when it comes to their retreat experience and that’s why you have the flexibility to choose different types of accommodation ranging from premium ensuite rooms to shared accommodation.
All of our accommodation options are located in central areas within walking distance from the restaurants and grocery stores. You don’t need to rent a car or use public transportation to move around. We want to make your stay as easy as possible.
You have 100% security that your booking won’t be canceled (anyone with experience of last-minute group booking cancellation can relate).
We understand that your team might be growing and you might need to add additional rooms over time, you’ll have this flexibility too.
We’ve built a system that makes retreat planning easy and fast.
We’ll plan every detail of your retreat from start to finish, so that you don’t have to. This includes:
You will get a personalized schedule and online dashboard with all of your retreat information before your retreat starts. Our onsite support will show you everything you need to know upon your arrival and make sure everything goes smoothly for you and your team.
“Thanks for a great offsite venue @surfoffice – we had a blast!”
James Allgrove, Head of Growth at Stripe UK
1. Confirm Details
You will confirm with us the number of people, location (we can also recommend the best location based on where your team is located and prices of flights), dates and your desired setup for accommodation.
2. Invoice & Payment
After confirming details, we will send you an invoice. You can pay by wire transfer, credit/debit card or PayPal.
3. Team Retreat Planning
This process is super easy. With our playbook you will quickly create a personalized schedule. We’ll make sure you get all the information well before your retreat time and you will have our support person available throughout the whole process.
4. Retreat Time
Expect an introductory tour after your arrival. Our onsite support is available in case you need anything. We will give you local tips and remind you about your planned activities throughout the retreat.
Choose from hundreds of locations in Europe, America, Asia-Pacific, and North Africa.
