TOP 20 INCENTIVE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR 2023

If your sales incentive trip seeks fresh ideas, it may be time to consider new incentive travel destinations. Here’s what we are seeing as hot and happening and luxurious destinations that appeal to incentive winners for something new and fresh for 2023 and beyond.

  1. Sorrento, Italy – A different Italy

The Italian coastline has its magical spots and Sorrento is one of them as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast! A coastal town in southwestern Italy, facing the Bay of Naples on the Sorrentino Peninsula just north of Amalfi, it is perched atop cliffs that separate the town from its busy marinas.  With sweeping water views, travellers will never forget coming over the hill and seeing Sorrento in person.  Sorrento is also known for its Piazza Tasso, a café-lined square with open markets, restaurants, and bars. The historic center of Sorrento is a warren of narrow alleys that’s home to the Chiesa di San Francesco, a 14th-century church with a tranquil cloister. Be sure to try the Limoncello while in town.

Activities available to you:

  A day trip to Capri.

  A guided tour around Pompeii

  A boat ride down the Amalfi Coast with a must-stop in Positano

Sorrento deserves special attention for a future incentive travel trip!

2.  Ireland – Castles & Green Countryside

The West of Ireland – home of Galway, Connemara, Mayo, Clonmacnoise, and Clare – is framed with a rugged coastline, peppered with peninsulas, ports, pubs, and people.

The countryside is home to some of Ireland’s finest evening entertainment and folk sessions, and it plays a little more authentic than the more tourist-friendly, Dublin and Killarney. Shannon Airport offers a convenient way in, and you’ll be greeted with the castle hotels, such as Adare Manor which won the Virtuoso Hotel of the Year Award after its 2-year renovation. Other castle hotels to impress the most well-travelled groups include Ashford Castle and Dromoland Castle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.Portugal – Good value for your Euro

A recent incentive trip to Portugal focused on Lisbon, Cascais, and Sintra.

Attendees considered it one of their all-time favorites. Take your group on a historical tour to Penha Palace in the Sintra Mountains and Quinta de Regaleira or bike the Cascais (pronounced Kash-Ki-sssh) coastline, which offers a string of charming wineries.

There are countless ways to impress participants with everything in reach. We recommend a minimum of four nights to make the most of your time in this dream destination.

 

 

 

4. Switzerland – Small footprint, Endless opportunities

A popular destination on everyone’s bucket list!

Switzerland is a diversified country with so much to offer in a small footprint: from its majestic mountains and incredible villages of Zermatt, Gstaad, and Bürgenstock, to the scenic lake regions in Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, or Lugano, or the bustling cities of Zurich and Bern – there’s truly a destination fit for any type of incentive. 

No matter which region you choose, they each offer visitors a variety of activities and experiences from a visit to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, to the wine region recognized by UNESCO as the Vineyard Terraces in Lavaux, or a visit of the Freddie Mercury statue on the shores of Montreux, or the Luzern Chapel Bridge.

5. Prague – Preserved old-world culture

Nicknamed the city of a hundred spires, Prague tops the list as one of the most unique cities in the world. The capital city of the Czech Republic offers your attendees one of the best-preserved countries on the planet. During World War II, Prague wasn’t as affected by bombings as many other European cities, as planes didn’t have the range to reach Prague. What’s left today are the gothic and medieval influences that make Prague a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

On the older side of the famous Charles Bridge is the Mandarin Oriental, a luxury hotel steeped in history. Today it’s a modern retreat built on a 14th-century monastery, offering sweeping city views, spacious rooms, and a luxury spa. The magic of Prague can be experienced on foot, by vintage car, boat, helicopter, or bike.

6. Dubrovnik – Second-tier Europe

Usually ‘off the beaten path’ and someplace even well-travelled salespeople haven’t explored yet where there is delight and surprise at every turn.

Dubrovnik, Croatia sits atop that list with its historic walls offering a glimpse of an immaculately preserved Renaissance city. Hotel Excelsior is one of our favourites just a short walk into the old city and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Take a day trip to Ston an hour south and experience their preserved town walls, salt works, and mussels!

The Peljasac Peninsula is unique and allows locals to harvest the best in the world. Simply WOW and if you like shellfish—paired with an indigenous grape variety of white wine, of course! The Balkans offer an interesting mix of coastal activities with the Adriatic Sea and immaculate lakes scattered far and wide. It won’t be difficult to capture the attention of the well-travelled in the group with these hidden gems.

7. West Indies – secluded island luxury

The current hot spot in the West Indies is undeniably the secluded island of Anguilla.

Compared to many other Caribbean islands that host the masses, incentive groups will find something a little more authentic in Anguilla. What they won’t find are large cruise ship crowds, casinos, or high-rise hotels. Those are replaced by a surplus of clear, coral-filled waters, unpaved roads, and beachfront villa accommodations.

Water activities are a must, and if you are looking to offer ‘WOW’, water transfer your guests to the private oasis of Sandy Island for an exclusive beach day they won’t soon forget.

8. BVI and USVI – renovations & relaxation

The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) offer unique destinations for incentive travel—no passport, no currency exchange, and no additional mobile network roaming charges make it easier on attendees.

With great airlift direct from many US airports, St. Thomas is the way in and offers a few great hotel options.

The newly renovated Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef offers stunning turquoise views of the Caribbean Sea, the quintessential Caribbean town of Charlotte Amalie, from atop a 30-story cliff. While there, check out their hotel-within-a-hotel, the Seabourn, an Autograph Collection Hotel with ~90 rooms for a boutique feel and beachside vibe.

USVI adventures are best explored on the water—sailing, snorkelling, kayaking and dinner cruises to neighbouring St. John offer a great way to explore the nearby islands.

BVI is made up of over 50 islands, islets, and cays, but make sure to get out on the water to experience snorkelling off the coast and into The Baths – gigantic boulders seemingly out of nowhere forming mini coves, hidden pools, and caves set this BVI beach apart from ALL others! Extra, extraordinary!

 

 

9. Grand Cayman – pristine Caribbean

The long-awaited reopening of this tropical island post-Covid gave it the push needed to reach our list. Grand Cayman was cautious in its reopening approach compared to its neighbouring Caribbean islands. In fact, they finally lifted the restrictions in August 2022 which had required unvaccinated travellers to quarantine for 14 days after arrival.

Known for its beautiful, crystal-blue waters where scuba diving essentially originated, excellent 5-star resorts such as the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa and Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, as well as their pristine beaches, it’s no wonder this centrally located island draws many visitors to its water’s edge each year

10. Costa Rica – Pura Vida luxury

When you hear Costa Rica, you may think of the beautiful city of San Jose, but when incentive travel is the goal, the real reward is 130 miles northwest in the province of Guanacaste.

Among the best properties in this area, you will find the Four Seasons Resort and the Andaz Costa Rica on the stunning Papagayo Peninsula.

These two resorts offer all that is quintessentially Costa Rica, including amazing food, beautiful scenery, and monkeys on your balcony if you are lucky!

From the peninsula, guests have access to the beach, water activities, zipline and jungle tours, white water tubing, National Parks full of local animals, and food and cocktail experiences that rival those in the cosmopolitan capital of San Jose.

11. Los Cabos – Mucho 5-star resorts

Los Cabos must have more 5-star resorts than anywhere else in the world. For many years, the accolades went to Auberge’s Esperanza, One & Only Palmilla, Rosewood’s Las Ventanas, and Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal.

Plus, Grand Velas Los Cabos added a 5-star, 5-diamond all-inclusive hotel into the mix. And the most recent 5-star openings (including several awards for top new hotels) are Zadún, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and the Four Seasons at Costa Palma, 45 minutes up the East Cape.

 

 

 

 

12. Punta Mita – the new kid on the block

Punta Mita is fighting for its spot as Mexico’s latest in luxury and exclusivity. Nestled about 40 miles northwest of Puerto Vallarta, this secluded area of the peninsula is booming with the addition of many 5-star hotels like the newly opened Conrad Punta De Mita and long-time favourites, Four Seasons Punta Mita and St. Regis Punta Mita.

Word around the industry is that Omni is even opening a property there soon! Not only do the accommodations fit the needs of your next group, but the unique name of Punta Mita gives the destination an exotic feel as it’s less recognized among leisure travellers.

 

 

13. Cusco – Machu Picchu & Peruvian culture

Found at the top of most people’s bucket-list destinations, Machu Picchu may have an unfortunate limit on its availability in the near future. This makes it important to visit Cusco now more than ever.

However, don’t think you’re going just for the world wonder; Cusco has its own charms that deserve its fair share of the spotlight. The Plaza de Armas and the Cusco Cathedral, which towers above it, are their own UNESCO Heritage sites. In addition, the lively San Pedro Market allows travellers an opportunity to experience authentic Peruvian cuisine first-hand.

14. Bora Bora – bucket-list bungalows

French Polynesia may not be the easiest to reach, but those looking for an incentive travel destination completely unburdened by tourist traps and crowds can look to Bora Bora.

Surrounded by teal lagoons and coral reefs, Bora Bora’s untouched majesty solidifies its position at the top of almost every bucket-list. From snorkelling with tropical fish to hiking a dormant volcano, to sleeping over the water on a stilted bungalow, there is no shortage of unique experiences awaiting your incentive travel group. The new Conrad Bora Bora Nui is getting rave reviews, while The St. Regis Bora Bora and the Four Seasons Bora Bora have been wowing travellers for many years as well.

 

15. New Zealand – Lord of the Rings scenery

Auckland in the North and Queenstown in the South have large incentive travel appeal with unique, local, and authentic experiences. Boat rides on steamships, sheep herding, world-class dining, top-class rugby matches, and visits to shooting locations from the Lord of the Rings are just the tip of the mountain of one-of-a-kind experiences you can find in New Zealand.

Auckland offers stunning harbour views from the Sky Tower, Waiheke Island vineyard tours, and the Hobbiton movie set. Queenstown is smaller, but offers more unique activities, such as Milford Sound scenic cruises, bungy jumping from the birthplace of the sport, and Shotover jet tours. Diverse landscapes, incredible cuisine, and an endless menu of activities make planning an incentive trip to the “land of the long white cloud” a no-brainer.

16. Big Island – say aloha to Hawaiian renovations

Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection focuses on a luxurious, authentic Hawaiian experience with the spotlight on culture, cuisine, and experiences unique to the Big Island. With a $100 million investment by Auberge Resorts, Mauna Lani feels like a grand opening and was ranked the #1 Big Island resort by Travel + Leisure in 2022. 

 

 

 

17. Deer Valley – easy access to mountain luxury

The Rocky Mountains offer a change of pace from fun-n-sun beach resorts. After landing in Salt Lake City, a quick 40-minute drive whisks club trip winners up into another world. In the mountains, the locals say, “they came for the winter but stayed for the summer.” In the summertime, the stunning mountain views, greenery, and fresh air offer glorious hiking, and the Utah Olympic Park has summer adrenaline activities such as ziplining and extreme tubing.

Deer Valley is the luxury enclave within Park City. Its incentive-quality resorts include:

• The St. Regis Deer Valley with a private ski valet and luxurious accommodations
• Montage Deer Valley with a 35,000 sq. ft spa sanctuary, a fireplace in every room, and smores with homemade, flavoured marshmallows

18. Whistler – great outdoors of Canada

Whistler is home to one of the largest ski resorts in North America, making it ideal for the winter sports enthusiasts in your group while retaining a high degree of incentive-quality hotels and amenities, including Four Seasons Whistler and Fairmont Chateau Whistler, directly located around Whistler Village with great mountain access.

For the more athletic enthusiast, a trip to the Olympic Park offers the opportunity to experience bobsledding, snowshoeing, biathlons, and more. And don’t dismiss Canada as a summer destination! The beauty doesn’t fade once the snow has melted; enjoy the surroundings of the Blackcomb and Whistler mountains with the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, zipline through the mountains, hike, and bike to experience it all.

No matter the time of year, you will be immersed in the culture of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations, and can indulge in eclectic cuisine including a Chef’s Table foodie experience at Barfoot Bistro, followed by champagne sabering, or a sub-zero nightcap at the Ketel One Ice Bar.

19. Deep South, USA – Lowcountry luxury

A trip through South Carolina’s Lowcountry is often a head-tilting choice for the uninitiated, but if you’ve been once, you likely feel the longing to return. There is a reason that Charleston continues to rank as the #1 city in the United States to visit by Travel & Leisure.

This city, as well as the region in general, epitomizes southern charm in every way. The cuisine, the hospitality, and the accommodations are all a step above the norm when it comes to domestic incentive travel destinations. We recommend the centrally-located Hotel Bennett for your stay in Charleston or The Charleston Place for its traditional 5-star excellence. Alternatively, consider an incentive trip at the inspiring Montage Palmetto Bluff or down the coast towards Savannah.

20. Cruising – sample multiple destinations by ship

A cruise is a fantastic way for your travellers to visit several countries while staying under one roof and only unpacking once.  Plus, there are the incredible values of an all-inclusive offering (unlimited dining, beverage packages, onboard Wi-Fi, port excursions, etc.). River Cruising, with brands such as Avalon Waterways or Ama Waterways, offers stops at lesser-known wonders and the potential of full buyouts at a smaller group size of 50-60 cabins.

Larger vessels, like Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas and MSC’s Meraviglia-Plus class ships, include a multitude of onboard activities and entertainment and numerous onshore activities and excursions. Their Mediterranean itineraries are a very attractive offering for North American and European clients. A Med cruise will entice guests with a full itinerary, ultimately checking off “must-see” places on their bucket list. 

 

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