If your company has never invested in incentive travel, this is your sign!

It’s not lost on any of us: now more than ever, investing in shared experiences is unequivocally the best way to create deeper, more meaningful connections, boost morale, and bolster the health of our companies, and the people who make them successful.

When planned and executed with creativity and excellence, these trips have the unique ability to spur on your employees to achieve some of their most outstanding accomplishments, while also cultivating team culture and deepening each individual’s sense of belonging to the group.

What is Incentive Travel?

Incentive travel is generally used as a reward for employees who go above and beyond. It is often used to motivate and reward high performers, and it is a trip (or experiences) paid for by a company.

Trips generally span from a few days to most of a week while activities include anything from team-building to networking opportunities with plenty of free time or planned adventure to explore the location or destination.

More often than not, you see incentive travel used to motivate and inspire sales teams, however more and more companies are adopting this performance boosting and retainment tactic with other departments.

Downside of Incentive Trips or Programs

Incentive trips sometimes get a bad rap OR have the opposite effect. After all, incentive trips are only incentivizing if:

Your employees actually desire the experience on offer.
The achievers have an irreplaceable experience. Incentive trips should never feel familiar. Beyond taking a trip without burning PTO, incentive travel should leave your employees feeling like they were rewarded a trip that they never would’ve planned on their own.

PROTIP: Not sure what destination would really incentivize your employees to do their best work? You never know unless you ask. Sure, you could stalk your employees on social media to discover if you’re trying to motivate beach lovers versus mountain lovers. But the best way to motivate a group is to provide your group options and take a good ol’ fashioned vote.

Fall Colors in the Catskills

Where Should You Host an Incentive Trip?

The short answer is… everywhere. If you have the right team in place, your options are endless.

Our collective is full of experts in the outdoor and off grid experience design space. We specialize in elevated nature-centric events that incorporate unique culinary experiences, awe-inspiring adventure, and incomparable bespoke moments. So really, wherever there’s nature, there’s MINT Collective.

But since you asked, take a look at our 2023 Staff Picks:

Zion, Utah

Southwest Utah is home to the world-famous Zion National Park, an awe-inspiring nature preserve distinguished by its steep red cliffs. Known for adrenaline spiking hikes such as The Narrows and Angel’s Landing, the park is teeming with standout opportunities. A day on your four-day, three-night retreat could look something like this…

Wake up in one of Autocamp’s iconic luxury airstreams to a fresh, locally sourced breakfast served by an award-winning chef.

Flow through a yoga session while appreciating Virgin’s unspeakable beauty.

Explore those same crags and cliffs on a raft, in a harness, or by ATV.
Enjoy an elevated picnic lunch in a private cave.
Unwind with corn hole, cocktails, and charcuterie to the ambiance of a local musician.
Share stories around the fire and chat through table topics while indulging in yet another magical dining experience – this time, prepared by fire.

Moab, Utah

Moab, UT is home to the massive red rock formations of Arches National Park, the mesas and buttes carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers of Canyonlands National Park, and the immense desert landscapes of Dead Horse Point State Park. From the dramatic scenery to the endless adventure options, Moab, UT is undeniably magical. Here’s our list of Moab Must-Do’s…

If you do nothing else, be sure to book your stay with ULUM Moab, an immersive desert hideaway situated in the nest of a beautiful crested red rock.
Grab a coffee and enjoy a walk through ULUM’s backyard to Looking Glass Arch for an exceptionally beautiful sunrise.
Take an exhilarating Jeep tour through Arches National Park to Windows, an area within the park known for its outstanding concentration of breathtaking arches.
Hop aboard a river raft and hit the Colorado for some of the world’s best white water rafting, led by local experienced guides.
Explore Moab’s many slot canyons and sand dunes with an immersive canyoneering experience that combines hiking, rappelling, and bouldering into one awe-inspiring adventure.
Enjoy a beautifully curated feast served by an award winning chef and close the night with community stargazing led by a local astrologist.

Coosa River, Alabama

Only 2.5 hours from Atlanta is Getaway’s Coosa River Outpost, a hotel concept that lends itself perfectly to unplugged, nature-immersive group experiences. Each room being its own luxury tinycabin, Getaway is intentionally designed so that you might feel like you’re the only one on the property. Nestled along Alabama’s Coosa River, the 192 acre property features rolling hills, seasonal wetlands, and cabins with riverfront and ridge-top views. Your custom group experience could look something like this…

Take a welcome tour of Lake Martin by boat, complete with signature cocktails and local craft beer.
Relax fireside while you enjoy live music or activate your creativity with our guided wood burning activity.
Interact with your group’s personal chef while they prepare a mouthwatering multi-course meal over fire.
Greet the morning with sunrise yoga, a sound bath, or guided meditation.
Kayak the rapids of the Coosa River and meet our team at the finish line for a nourishing picnic lunch.
Cap your afternoon with a vineyard tour and wine tasting from Novi Vinyard’s tasting room beautifully perched on the side of Risers Mountain overlooking the family’s 10 acres of vines.

Disconnect to Reconnect

Nature has the power to accomplish in days what may take years to accomplish apart from it. Are you looking for robust group company culture? Do you long for your team to be connected on a deep, impactful level? Are you racking your mind for ways to foster a spirit of loyalty and dedication? There’s arguably no better way to fortify your company, motivate your employees, and express your appreciation than investing in an offline, outdoor, face to face experience.