Category Archives: Luxury Incentives

by

Dubai Incentive Travel – New and Improved

Dubai Incentive Travel – New & Improved

by Anne Thornley-Brown, MBA, President
Executive Oasis International

Burj Khalifa, Dubai – World’s Tallest Building

I’ve travelled to about 23 countries and worked in 11. It’s not too often that one gets to visit a place where everything is sparkling shiney and new but that’s a perfect description of Dubai. Dubai is a futuristic Arabian nights fantasy that has emerged from the sand dunes during the past 5 years so there are always new things to see and do. I’ve been going there since December, 2000 and there is always a fresh adventure or attraction awaiting the visitor. I make a point of building these adventures into the incentive trips and team building retreats that my company, Executive Oasis International, designs and facilitates for its clients. I just got back from Dubai. What changes did I notice? What new adventures have we added to our line up?

New & Old Landmarks

When I first went to Dubai, the clock was the most prominent and recognizable landmark in Dubai.

Then it was the Burj al Arab.

Now it’s the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. I blogged about it and and shared photos when it was under construction a few years ago. I finally got a chance to see it. For days I could not get a clear snapshot, everything was hazy. On my last day, just before I boarded the bus to go to Abu Dhabi for my Etihad Airways Flight, there it was gleaming, sparkling and new.

Sparkling New Hotels

I stayed at this brand new Jumeirah property on the Jumeirah Palm Islands last week. They hosted my clients before we all headed off to the luxury Bedouin camp for an overnight desert safari.

Here is the opening ceremony from just a few months ago.

Here is another property that has opened since we were last in Dubai:

Luxury Desert Team Building

Executive Oasis International has een offering desert team building in Dubai for some time now. We just offered our most recent team building retreat a week ago for one of our client’s from Saudi Arabia. Come, take a glimpse at what goes on during a team building retreat at a luxury Bedouin camp. I’ve just blogged about it.

Luxury Desert Team Building in Dubai

We’re always looking for something new to add excitement to our desert team building sessions. So, when a Saudi Arabian company engaged us to design and faciltiate their team building retreat, we put our heads together, did some brainstorming. The client came up with some ideas and we came up with some ideas. We built a number of adventures into their time in Dubai.

Other Great Dubai Incentive Travel Experiences

World’s Most Luxurious Dhow Cruise
Outdoor Paintball

The team loved it so much that they stayed twice as long as they were originally scheduled. Everyone agreed that it was a highlight of their trip.

Target and Skeet Shooting
Keeping Your Cool in Dubai

We’ve all heard about Ski Dubai, a place where Emiratis, expats and visitors can cool off and enjoy some winter fun. Now you can kick things up a notch and have more fun in the snow:

You can also chill out by heading over to the Middle East’s only ice cafe. Take a peek:

by

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.

by

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

by

Luxury Car Events to Reward Corporate Teams

Luxury Cars: A World of Possibilities for Sales Incentives & Corporate Events

by Anne Thornley-Brown, M.B.A., President

Executive Oasis International

 

 

In 2008 & 2009, many companies put their incentive travel programmes on hold due to “optics” or a decline in corporate performance. Some companies are not ready to re-instate their foreign incentive travel programmes. Instead, they are on the lookout for memorable and unique experiences closer to home to reward their team and build customer loyalty.

Inspired by the day I spent with BMW Canada at their Toronto Advanced Driver Training Programme and my recent visit to Montreal during the Formula 1 (F1) Montreal Grand Prix in June, I decided to showcase luxury driving experiences around the world. Luxury driving incentives offer great possibilities as an alternative to foreign incentive travel.

Remember, if you do want to offer any of these incentives for your team, it’s important to make your plans early as all of these experiences sell out quickly.

This blog entry is light on text and heavy on incredible, fast action videos. Pick a location close to you:

Sit back, relax, and explore.

 

 

Canada

Toronto

BMW Advanced Driver Training

This experience was great fun and a sure-fire strategy for improving the driving skills of your sales teams and the other members of your team who are on the road.

 

 

It’s a combination of classroom instruction and exercises in a BMW training vehicle on their closed track.

When? July

  • Full Day: 20 People
  • Half Day: Two Groups of 16

This is the video of the oversteering exercise that I shot during the day I spent with BMW Canada. I learned a lot . The instructors were very supportive but I must admit that I was too much of a “fraidy cat” to make may car spinout when it was my turn to try it. Oh well, next time.

 

 

Honda Indy

 

 

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series

  • When? July

Mosport International Raceway

When? All Year

 

 

Montreal

BMW Winter Driving School

When? Late January – Early February


  • Full Day: 16 People


F1 Montreal Grand Prix

When? June

 

 

USA

Winter Driving School

 

 

South Carolina

 

 

United Arab Emirates

Dubai

BMW Advanced Driver Training

Abu Dhabi

Formula 1 – F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

When? November 12 – 14, 2010

 

 

Ferrari World

When? Year Round (Opening November, 2010)

 

 


Bahrain

BMW Driving School

 

 

Formula 1 (F1) – Bahrain Grand Prix

When? March

 

 


Japan

Suzuka

Formula 1 (F1) – Japanese Grand Prix

When? October 8 – 10, 2010

 

 

Singapore

Formula 1 (F1) – Singtel Singapore Grand Prix

When? October 8 – 10, 2010

BMW Advanced Driver Training

 

 

Malaysia

Bukit Tinggi Downhill

Every October, adrenaline junkies get to experience the thrill of racing like stunt drivers down one of Malaysia’s tallest hills. Take a peek at what happens.


Sepang International Circuit

BMW Advanced Driver Training

 

 

 

Kuala Lumpur

Formula 1 (F1) – Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix

When? April

 

 

Other Destinations

BMW Advanced Driver Training

Also Available in Japan, Sweden, Singapore, Malaysia, South Carolina

 

 

 

When You’re Ready to Go

Whether you decide to stay home in 2010 and 2011 or you’re ready to venture further afield, we’ll take you there. Executive Oasis International would be pleased to arrange:

  • a day excursion to a local adventure with time for your business meeting
  • a full package bundling a luxury driving experience with transfers, hotel, transportation to and from the track, meeting facilities, business facilitation, tours, excursions, gala awards dinner

Contact Executive Oasis International for more information about any of these luxury driving exeriences for corporate events and incentives:

 

Luxury Corporate Events