Category Archives: Luxury Travel

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Local Incentive Travel: A Cost Effective Option

The good news is that corporate incentive travel and luxury business travel are recovering.

With the economic recovery on simmer rather than at a full boil, some companies are still proceeeding with caution. They have not released the hold that they placed on their incentive travel programmes in 2008.

For these companies,  local incentive travel is an option worth pursuing to:

  • reward your team
  • express appreciation to top tier clients
  • stretch your budget
  • boost the local economy

If you keep travel time to no more than 2 hours by ground transportation, your team can enjoy a longer stay at your chosen destination.

What does a local incentive travel initiative look like? It could involve a short excursion and an overnight stay at a local hotel. It could take the shape of a 3 or 4 day stay at a local resort. Small teams should consider boutique hotels, inn and lodges to stretch their budgests.

You can kill 2 birds with one stone by including some facilitated team building and a short business meeting on the itinerary. (The operative word is short or it will feel too much like work. An initiative that gives back to the community should also be a key component of foreign and local incentive programmes.

Here is a sample itinerary that builds in enough downtime and still incorporates enough meaningful business activity for companies that are gun-shy about media criticism (i.e. think AIG effect):

Day 1:

  •  Travel to a local destination.
  • Snack
  • Opening remarks by CEO
  • Orientation and group check-in
  • Lunch
  • Relaxation
  • Opening reception
  • Dinner

Day 2:

  • AM: Relaxation
  • Lunch
  • PM: Facilitated Team Building Exercises and Team Briefing for Outdoor Challenges

Day 3:

  • Full day of team building including outdoor team activities and challenges
  • Debriefing

Day 4:

  • AM Relaxation – Choice of free time and leisure activities
  • AM Short business meeting before lunch
  • Lunch
  • PM Philanthropic Activity
  • Gala

Day 5:

  • AM: Relaxation
  • Lunch
  • Departure for home mid-afternoon

If you need to shorten the itinerary, then philanthropic team building  is an option to consider. Since your destination is local, employees could have the option of paying to extend their stay and have spouses and children to the resort for the weekend.

You’ll find many options for local team building at our corporate team building blog. Here are just a few options to consider based on your location:

With local incentive travel, you can create a blockbuster event within the scope of your budget. It’s an option worth considering for companies that are not ready to dive and re-activate their foreign incentive travel programmes.

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Corporate Incentive Travel in Japan

Japan Incentive Travel (Winter & Spring)

Last time, we focused on summer and fall incentive travel in Japan. Winter and Spring are two of the most colourful seasons in Japan with a host of interesting festivals and activities. If you want your team to experience the snow festival (Yuki Matsuri) the cherry blossom festival (Sakura Matsuri from March to May), remember to book your trip WELL in advance.

Winter

Chubu – Mountains:

Sapporo:

Sapporo is most well known for its annual snow festival (Yuki Matsuri) at Odori Park in February featuring huge snow replicas of world landmarks (buildings and attractions). Your group can compete in a scaled down version snow sculpture competition organized especially for you.

Sapporo also has a German Christmas market that takes place every December. You’ll also want to explore the Sapporo Winter Sports Museum.

Yokote City, Akita prefecture:

A 400 year old annual snow festival on February 15 – 16 at Doro Koen Park features small candle-lit rooms called Kamakura carved out of snow during .

Nagano:

World attention was focused on Nagano during the 1998 Winter Olympics. It’s high altitude makes it perfect for skiing, trekking and a host of other winter activities.

Shirakawa:

This is a winter view of the UNESCO World Heritage site featured in our most recent blog entry under “Summer”.

Shirakawa & Gokayama:

Spring

Festivals:

  • On March 3rd., the Hina Matsuri (doll festival) is celebrated throughout Japan.

Nara:

You can get a good view of the sakura and explore Nara Park, known for the tame deer that roam there. Be sure to also take in the Nara National Museum.

World Heritage Site: Todaiji Temple with the world’s largest wooden structure, the Daibutsuden, that houses the Great Buddha of Nara.

Kamakura:

Kamakura was the ancient samurai capital, during the Kamakura shogunate era. It has Kamakura has a famous cherry blossom path that forms a ceiling of flowers. Hōkokuji, the bamboo forest, There is no need to worry about charters. It is accessible by the JR rail system and this would give your team a chance to see another side of Japan.

World Heritage Site: Todaiji Temple with the world’s largest wooden structure, the Daibutsuden, that houses the Great Buddha of Nara.

For help in planning your sales incentive trip in Japan, please visit our website. Then, contact us to let us know your requirements. For the best choice of options and to allow ample time for logistics, it is best to
book your retreat at least 4 – 6 months before you intend to travel:

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Japan: Incentive Travel for all Seasons

Incentive Travel & Corporate Events in Japan
(Summer & Fall)

In Japan, the changing seasons and festivals provide a tantalizing backdrop for your team’s incentive trip. In addition to modern conference facilities, your team can spend some time at a traditional ryokan or a resort with an onsen. Venues for corporate events include gardens, famous samurai movie sets, and feudal mansions. However, it’s important to make your plans and book well in advance. During the summer, well-heeled Tokyo residents escape to the mountain areas to beat the heat. If you want to experience a popular mountain retreat during the summer or Kyoto’s fall colours, your planning can’t be left until the last minute.

We had an excellent response to our light on text virtual tour of Malaysia’s hills so, we’re using the same approach to this virtual tour of some of Japan’s mountain and countryside areas. Come explore the possibilities.

Summer

Due to the humidity, some locals describe Tokyo as a “blast furnace” during the summer. To find relief from the heat, head to the Japan Alps, Hakone, Toyama, or Sapporo.

Festivals: During the summer, there are a variety of summer festivals (Natsu Matsuri) throughout Japan. Almost every night, various communities throughout Japan feature stunning fireworks displays.

  • Bon Odori Matsuri is celebrated throughout the country from Jul 13 – 15.

Hakone: Temperature – 24°C – 30°C (74° – 87°F)

1 1/2 hours southwest of Tokyo by train, explore Japanese culture and add variety to your incentive travel itinerary by staying at a traditional Ryokan (Japanese Inn) or a resort with an onsen (hot spring bath).

Hakone is a stunning mountain retreat that has a number of resorts and ryokans with onsens. Give your team a break from your meetings with a vist to nearby Fujisan (Mount Fuji) and a cruise on Lake Ashi followed by a cable car ride at Mount Komagatake. The panoramic view is absolutely spectacular and on a clear day you will be able to see Mount Fuji. You’ll be able to see the lake below and even the golf course where your team can enjoy a round or two.

Chubu – Mountains : Temperature – 21°C – 30°C (70°F – 87°F)

Every time I watch this video of a journey to the Japanese Alps in the summer, I get goosebumps. I wish I could jump right into the video.

Toyama: Temperature – 22°C – 30°C (72°F – 87°F)

Offering a panoramic view of the 3,000-meter Tateyama Mountains, Toyama is comfortable to visit all year. It has 4 mineral baths including the Unazuki-onsen. Attractions include Zuiryu-ji Temple and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route where you can enjoy river rafting, cable car rides, and view from the Kurobe Dam observatory.

World Heritage Sites: Gokayama Village with ‘gassho-zukuri’ style dwellings

Sapporo : Temperature – 18°C – 29°C (65°F – 84°F)

Sapporo has a number of unique museums and attractions. Start with a tour of the Historical Museum of Hokkaido. Then visit the Bread Museum of Hokuo to learn about the Japanese art of bread making and sample freshly baked bread. There is also a chocolate factory that your team can tour.

If you’re looking for a few hours to unwind between meetings, you can let off steam at Teine Olympia, an amusement park within a forest. If you time your trip well, at any time of year, your team can take in a concert one evening at the Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara .

Shirakawa: For an interesting excursion, travel back in time this UNESCO World Heritage site, a 500 year old, traditional village with thatched roof huts.

Tohoku

It’s always cool and comfortable in this part of Japan that has numerous onsens, the ancient 4,000 – 5,550 year old ruins of Sannai-Maruyama.

Festivals:

  • Every year in August, you can enjoy the Nebuta Festival.

World Heritage Sites: Shirakami-Sanchi Mountains

Fall

Kyoto:

Festivals:

  • October 22 – the Yuki Shrine Fire Festival

Suzuka:

  • October – F1 Formula One

Hakone:

Festivals:

  • November 3 Daimyo Gyorestsu, a re-enactment of a feudal lord’s procession

One trip to Japan is not enough to see it all. So, to create a memorable incentive trip, pick your time of year and one or two areas to explore.

Once again. I have way too much material for one blog entry so I have actually had to split it into 3. The other two parts will go live soon. Next time, we’ll continue next time with incentive travel in Japan during the Fall and Winter.

For help in planning incentive travel in Japan, please visit our website. Then, contact us to let us know your requirements. For the best choice of options and to allow ample time for logistics, it is best to book your retreat at least 4 – 6 months before you intend to travel:

Anne Thornley-Brown has toured Asia 16 times and facilitated workshops and team building sessions for over 2000 executives, managers, and professionals.

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Malaysia Incentive Travel: August in Asia

 

 

Incentive Travel: Asian August – Cooling off in Malaysia

During the summer, temperatures soar in South East Asia. Savvy CEOs in the region have discovered a number of cool and picturesques destinations in Asia to beat the heat and offer memorable sales incentive trips, executive retreats, and team building. Malaysia offers a number of places where your team will be cool and comfortable even in August.

Pahang

First let’s start with a virtual tour of Pahang where you’ll find the communities of where you’ll find Cameron Highlands, Berjaya Hills, Fraser’s Hills, and Genting Highlands.

 

 

Cameron Highlands: Temperature: 15°C – 32°C

I’ll never forget the first time I went to Cameron Highlands. On the way, we stopped at a beautiful waterfall. There was an area with stalls, arts, crafts, blow pipes and a variety of souvenirs. The people working at the stalls were pulling up on motorbikes and some were talking on cell phones.

When we continued our journey, I asked the guide about aboriginal peoples. I said “When I was in Kuching, there were aboriginal settlements nearby. Are there any aboriginal people in this area?
He replied “You just spent time with some Orang Asli. They were the people selling at the stalls”. I guess the blowpipes were a big hint. Never let motorbikes and cell phones throw you off.

On the way to Cameron Highlands, your group has the option of stopping at Kuala Woh Recreational Park for a short scavenger hunt that includes orienteering and a visit to by suspension bridge to the museum to answer trivia, a dip in the natural hot springs and light snacks.

 

 

Cameron Highlands was a real treat. We stopped for lunch at a boutique hotel. An impromptu site inspection and tour revealed spacious rooms and ample meeting room facilities. The Smokehouse Hotel, that has been providing hospitality since 1932, is a possible lunch (or dinner) venue for your group upon arrival in Cameron Highlands:

 

 

We headed off to visit a handicraft centre, gardens and nurseries. We toured at tea plantation and relaxed while we enjoyed tea, scones and an incredible view. I noted that to round an itinerary for your corporate group, in Cameron Highlands, golf, nature hikes, a visit to an Orang Asli (aboriginal) village, and jungle trekking are available.

Before heading back to Kuala Lumpur, we stopped and picked strawberries. It was my last day in Malaysia and I have a very late night flight. As soon as we were airborne, it was a treat to enjoy the fresh strawberries I had picked with whipped cream that had been provided to me at no charge by one of the restaurants in the airport’s departure area. It’s one of those moments in time that you wish you could freeze.

 

 

Berjaya Hills:

Formerly known as Bukit Tinggi (meaning “French Hill”), Berjaya Hills has a French themed resort, beautiful gardens, golf, paintball, horse riding, and a variety of options for team meetings and relaxation.

 

 

Great views – Narration in Arabic

 

There is even a Japanese garden complete with teahouse. Yes, you can experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in the heart of Berjaya Hills.

Japanese Garden Walkthrough

 

 

Nearby, even in the summer, the weather will be comfortable enough to treat your team to a full jungle survival team building experience with overnight camping. The location is popular with local companies so it is imperative that you book your trip at least 4 – 6 months in advance if you want to include this unforgetable experience into your itinerary.

Fraser’s Hill:

 

1,524 metres about sea level, you’ll find Fraser’s Hill, a rainforest hamlet named after Louse James Fraser from Scotland who established a trading staion in the area and went missing in 1919, is a picturesque destination where the temperatures are cool enoug for for retreats, even in the summer.

 

 

It’s ideal for companies that are interested in providing an eco-tourism experience. It is one of Malaysia’s prime locations for bird wartching. Groups can also enjoy golf, horse riding, the Jeriau Waterfall.

 

 

 

Genting Highlands: Temperature 22°C – 32°C

 

 

Enjoy the unforgetable view as cable cars will carry you above the clouds to Genting Highlands, a playground complete with hotels, meeting facilities, a theme park and casino. Horse riding can be arranged nearby.

 

 

Sabah

Kinabalu Park

In Malaysian Borneo, Mount Kinabalu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Asia’s tallest peak, will give your team an opportunity to explore rocky mountain and the rainforest trails below the mountain. With one of the most diverse collections of fauna in the world, Kinabulu Park covers 4 climatic zones.

 

 

Even if your team is a mix of serious mountain cimbers and team members who would prefer to cool off under a waterfall, soak in the curative properties of an open air sulphuric bath, and explore tropical gardens, there will be no shortage of things to do and experiences to amaze.

Golf, and early morning horse riding are also located within easy distance.

Those who dare, can even walk The Torque, the highest via ferrata in the world.

 

 

Let Executive Oasis International Take You to Malaysia


In Malaysia, we can add facilitated business team building and recreational activities ranging from orienteering, jungle treks, and ziplining to mountain climbing and abseiling to your itinerary. No matter what area of Malaysia you select for your summer adventure, one thing is certain. There is so much to see and such a variety of habitats and adventures to explore, your first trip to Malaysia will not be your last.

 

 

For more information the adventures that you can enjoy in Malaysia during the summer and throughout the year, please visit our website:

Photo Credit: NTlam – Cameron Highlands (Top)

Photo Credit: JoChoo – Fraser’s Hill

Photo Credit: xiquinhosilva – Genting Highlands