Prevue: How do you create the just-perfect incentive program combining the outdoors and an active program.
Boutwell: The reason why clients consider cruises for their incentive program is to connect their guests to the outdoors and the oceans all while traveling in exceptional style with all comforts at their fingertips. This past summer we took a group of 20 guests from the port of Dubrovnik by private bus to a small vineyard in the south of the country by the Bosnian and Montenegro border. Once we arrived at the vineyard, all guests were fitted for helmets and given electric mountain bikes for a 10-mile ride through the countryside, stopping along the way to see historical sites and learn about life close to the border. Once we returned to the vineyard, all guests were treated to a private wine tasting before returning to the ship. By offering tours that combine adventure, history, culinary, and outdoors, it appeals to more of our guests by giving them an experience they would not be able to recreate on their own.
Detail an over-the-top incentive program that hit all the marks.
The best incentive must combine bucket list worthy destinations, over-the-top dining choices, world-class entertainment, amazing tour choices for our guests when visiting ports arounds the world, and networking and collaboration within the team. With Crystal we visit over 100+ countries every year to offer our guests the freedom to choose where they would like to travel to from cruise lengths of 5-14 days or longer. Our ships were built with entertainment and group space in mind. Crystal is part of Abercrombie and Kent Travel Group; our company has the on-the-ground services and teams to create and offer unforgettable and immersive experiences throughout the world.
How important are industry partners in creating an incentive experience that wows attendees?
Having reliable and trusted partnerships is critical in providing incentive travel experiences. Our team at A&K are not only the on-the-ground experts, but they also own the busses, the tour boats, have all the local staff, and their head office in country.
Provide three tips for planners to create an incentive program that hits it out of the ballpark.
What is most important to my attendees? Cuisine and dining options. An intimate size to push my attendees to have time together and collaborate in ways that an office or hybrid work environment does not allow for. And the flexibility of the cruise line when it comes to on board programing.