Travel Packages: Who's Buying And Why?

Corporate travel packages are an essential part of business operations, especially for companies that focus on building relationships with clients, suppliers, and other stakeholders. These packages can include business trips, corporate retreats, team-building activities, and company outings. They are designed to streamline the organisation of business travel and provide benefits such as cost savings, employee incentives, and improved employee retention. Businesses that buy travel packages vary from small startups to large enterprises, with specific needs depending on their industry, size, and goals. Understanding the different types of business travel allows companies to optimise their spending and achieve their objectives effectively.

Business travel packages

When organising business travel, it is important to consider the purpose of the trip, such as conferences and conventions, business meetings, sales pitching, corporate events, or team-building activities. The type of accommodation, ranging from hotels to serviced apartments, should also be carefully selected to meet the specific needs of the trip and ensure representatives feel refreshed and prepared for their meetings.

Additionally, businesses have a role to play in their employees' pursuit of personal travel, known as "bleisure travel". By coordinating with employees to add extra days to a business trip, businesses can enhance their employees' overall experience and allow them to explore their destination without incurring additional travel costs.

Overall, business travel packages offer a range of benefits to organisations, including cost savings, improved organisation, and enhanced employee experiences.

Corporate retreats

When planning a corporate retreat, it is important to first consider the goals of the trip. If team-building is the priority, locations with plenty of activities are ideal. This could include hiking, water sports, skiing, yoga, and more. It is also beneficial to choose a location with good work amenities, such as fast Wi-Fi and breakout rooms, if the team will be working during the retreat. Budget is another key factor, as is the duration of the trip and the proximity to major airports.

There are numerous destinations that are popular for corporate retreats. In the US, cities such as Austin, Texas, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Denver, Colorado, are well-liked due to their outdoor activities, food scenes, and entertainment options. Nashville, Tennessee, is also a popular choice, known for its music and beautiful natural landscapes. For companies with bigger budgets, destinations like Hawaii, Cancun, and Jamaica offer stunning beaches and natural wonders. In Europe, cities such as Athens and Porto provide a mix of cultural activities, historic sites, and beautiful scenery.

Corporate travel packages can include flights, accommodation, and activities, all within a single sale. These packages can help businesses save money and time when organising corporate retreats.

Team-building activities

Culinary Adventures

A cooking class featuring local cuisine is a delicious way to unite your team. Alternatively, a food tour through a vibrant neighbourhood lets your team sample the city's flavours while getting some fresh air. This is a great way to explore new perspectives and spark fresh ideas.

Scavenger Hunts

Design a scavenger hunt that takes your team to interesting local landmarks, historical sites, or hidden gems. Incorporate riddles or photo challenges to make it more entertaining. This activity can help your team break down silos and build camaraderie.

Escape Rooms

These immersive experiences are perfect for testing your team's problem-solving skills under pressure. Try to find a room with a theme that ties into your destination for added fun.

Volunteering

Give back to the local community by including a short volunteer activity in your itinerary. This could include helping at food banks, community gardens, or animal shelters. Volunteering is a great way to boost team morale and encourage collaboration.

Creative Workshops

Tap into your team's hidden talents with a hands-on workshop. Pottery, painting, or a local craft class offer unique experiences that encourage self-understanding and self-development.

Outdoor Adventures

Get your team out of their comfort zone with outdoor activities such as hiking, rafting, or a fun fair or theme park visit. These experiences can help improve communication, build trust, and strengthen working relationships.

Games and Sports

Encourage friendly competition with activities such as go-karting, laser tag, or mini-golf, or a round of team sports. These activities can be tailored to suit your team's interests and provide an opportunity to celebrate wins and accomplishments.

Remember to keep your team-building activities engaging and exciting. By adding travel to the equation, you can create lasting benefits for your team and your business.

Exhibitions and trade shows

These events can be big-budget productions, with innovative companies showcasing cutting-edge products. They are particularly beneficial for industries such as tech, healthcare, and finance, where keeping up with trends is crucial. For instance, the Discover Boating New York Boat Show at the Javits Center in NYC showcases new model boats and boating gear, with a wide range of attractions.

Additionally, these events can offer cost-effective benefits, especially when taking advantage of group rates. The investment of sending employees to trade shows can yield significant returns, as it provides a platform for businesses to showcase their offerings and build relationships with potential customers and partners.

The success of exhibitions and trade shows lies in their ability to foster personal connections and trust between businesses and their target audiences. They create an environment that encourages face-to-face interactions, which can lead to increased brand awareness and, ultimately, real travel bookings.

Conferences and meetings

Business travel is an integral part of the corporate world, and meetings and conferences are among the most popular types of business travel. Companies that recognise the importance of face-to-face interactions reap the benefits of stronger relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues. While virtual communication tools like Zoom are easily accessible, nothing beats a handshake when it comes to closing deals and cementing partnerships.

As travel resumes its pre-pandemic levels, many businesses with multiple branches or regional offices will resume their annual industry conferences or company meetings. For remote employees, a centrally-located annual meeting provides the perfect opportunity to build deeper connections with their colleagues. Corporate events can take various forms, including meet-and-greets, business-to-business meetings, and employee-only gatherings. They often present networking and marketing opportunities, as well as the chance to engage in instructional training.

Hotels are a popular choice for hosting conferences and meetings, offering packages to make planning easier for businesses. These packages typically include a fixed, per-person, per-day cost, covering the event space, food and beverage, audio-visual equipment, and other essentials. This simplifies budgeting and cost management for businesses, as there are no surprise additions to the final invoice. Hotels in Europe have long offered these packages, and the practice is now spreading to countries outside of Europe, including the United States.

When planning a conference or meeting, businesses should consider the advantages and disadvantages of meeting packages. The advantages include manageable cost planning, time efficiency, and higher-quality hospitality services. However, there may be limited options for customisation, and businesses may need to pay for people who don't show up if they are paying per person. It's important to shop around and negotiate with hotels to find the best package that suits their needs.

Frequently asked questions