Tag Archives: sales incentive trips

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Corporate Incentive Travel: Top 10 Christmas Markets

Top 10 Christmas Markets: A Virtual Video Voyage

by Anne Thornley-Brown, President

Executive Oasis International

If you time your sales incentive trip or foreign corporate retreat for late November or early December, you can give your team an opportunity to capture the magic and still be home long before Christmas. A Christmas market is a truly memorable experience to build into your company’s incentive travel itinerary. Your team will talk about it for years. To ensure that you get the best hotel rates and airfares, begin your planning well in advance.

If you need help in selecting your destination, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll start with a visit to some German Christmas markets followed by more stops around the world in search of the top 10 places to find Christmas markets. It’s the time of year when everyone is tired and winding down for Christmas so, our approach this time will be light on text and heavy on video.

 

What is a Christmas market?

The tradition started in Germany in the 15th century and its spreading place all over the world. In the weeks before Christmas, the markets are transformed into colourful places of light, colour, music, and excitement.

Germany

The Christmas Market tradition continues throughout Germany. This videoclip will show you what German Christmas Markets look like today.

Ludwigsburg Barock – Weihnachtsmarkt/Baroque Christmas Market


France (Historically Germany)

Strasbourg Christmas Market

Opened in 1540, Strasbourg Christmas market is reputed to be one of the world’s oldest and most famous Christmas markets. It’s in the famous Alsace Region that has gone back and forth between France and Germany over the centuries. It sits right on the border of France and Germany and has flavours of both cultures. The Christmas market is a distinctly German tradition that was started when Strasbourg was part of Germany.

 

France

Paris Christmas Market

The lights are incredible:

 

Austria

Vienna Rathaus Christkindlmarkt


 

The Czech Republic

Prague Christmas Market

 

Japan

Yokohama German Christmas Market

Tokyo – Strasbourg Christmas Market

When you’re in Japan, you’ll have a chance to enjoy the seasonal illuminations that are becoming popular in cities all over Japan.

 

Estonia

Tallinn Medieval Christmas Market

 

UK

Lincoln German-Style Christmas Market

 

Canada

Toronto Christmas Market NEW

Brand new for 2010, Toronto Christmas Market is taking place during the first 2 weeks of December at The Distillery District, a historical complex. It features a massive Christmas tree, beer gardens, Santa’s Lane, a feriss wheel, and a variety of festive music including carolers, classical organ concerts, and Bavarian brass bands.

While you’re in Toronto, be sure to spend an at Black Creek Pioneer Village for the mesmerizing Christmas by Lamplight. As carolers stroll through the village, you’ll get a glimpse of a traditional Canadian Christmas of the 19th Century as you visit perfectly preserved and festively decorated homes from that era. You can also sample Christmas goodies and savour the delights of a traditional Christmas turkey dinner complete with all the trimmings.

 

Jamaica

Brawta: Christmas Grand Market – Down Memory Lane

“Brawta” means a special extra give in Jamaican patois. This bonus Christmas market is my Christmas gift to you. I didn’t include this in the top 10 for 2 reasons. This note is more historical than current. Also, many companies don’t have the budget to provide incentive trips for the whole family. Definitely, if an incentive trip is held over Christmas, it has to be a family affair.

Christmas Market or Grand Market, is no longer celebrated throughout the island. However, it has left a cultural imprint on modern Jamaican Christmas celebrations so I thought it would be interesting to include it. A few communities have introduced Grand Market Night celebrations on Christmas Eve in honour of this tradition. If you ever are in a position to offer this or to pay for employees and give them the option to upgrade and bring the entire family, why not try Christmas in Jamaica one year. Special church services take place throughout the island. You’ll enjoy traditional black cake, sorrel (a delectable Chrismas drink), chocolate tea, carols, and, of course reggae. Grand Market, a uniquely Jamaican tradition, dates back to slavery days 2 centuries ago. Some of the traditions live on but others are dying out.

If you’re lucky you may even catch Jonkonnu. As recently as the early 1970s, Jonkonnu bands could be found all over the island and they would have performances and parades after Christmas. Now only a few communities keep this tradition alive with it’s colourful cast of characters.

I’ve heard my parents talk about them and, as other parts of the world are transplating the Christmas Market to their own shores, I do hope that Jamaica will revive this centuries old tradition.

 

Here is where you can find more Christmas Markets:

Other Corporate Christmas Event Planning Blogs:

 

 

Photo Credit: Batislava Christmas Market, -12°C

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Corporate Incentive Travel: How to Request Proposals

Corporate Incentive Travel: Requesting Proposals (RFPs)

by Anne Thornley-Brown M.B.A., President
Executive Oasis International

This post is inspired by what has been landing in our inbox as well as recent conversations with other incentive travel houses, team building providers and event planners.

The following scenario is becoming more and more common.

  • A member of staff sends an e-mail requesting an urgent quote
  • The information provided is at best sketchy.
  • When the prospective supplier responds and asks clarifying questions, may times the e-mail is never answered.
  • Early in the process it becomes clear that the person making the inquiry hasn’t got a clue about objectives, the purpose of the trip, budget, or what is to be included.
  • At other times, there is a delay and to expedite the process, we send out a short document with a couple of options and request feedback about which are of interest so that we can prepare a full proposal
  • Typically, there is no response or a reply that they are awaiting feedback. Feedback to obtain very basic information takes weeks or months. Often, it is never received

Once a proposal has been submitted it turns out that either:

  • the budget is significantly lower than what was indicated
  • no budget has ever been allocated
  • no authorization had ever been given for a trip and the person making the inquiry was just being “proactive” based on what happened last year

The initiative is scrapped or put on hold. Sometimes, the whole process is stalled at the starting gate. Basic information is never provided and the prospective client vanishes into the stratosphere. This scenario happens so often that suppliers have invented for the term “falling off the face of the earth”. It’s poor business etiquette and it reflects very badly on a company when employess display it.

I would be interested in some feedback as to what is going on in corporations that is creating this scenario.

  • Why are the employees who are tasked with obtaining quotes given only minimal information?
  • Why is there such a delay in providing even the most basic information?
  • Are companies no longer briefing employees about basic etiquette for dealing with prospective suppliers?

Since these scenarios are becoming more and more prevalent, I decided to prepare a guide to how and when to request proposals for incentive travel.

You’ll also have access to a free downloadable tool to assist you in pulling together the information needed when requesting quotes for sales incentive trips, team building, sales rallies, and other corporate events.

When to Request a Quote

It’s really quite simple. Request a quote when:

  • A member of the senior management team has given authorization for a sales incentive trip
  • A budget has been approved
  • The company is in a position to make a decision within 5 – 10 business days of receiving the quote
  • Alternatively, there is a clear and specific procurement process with definite timelines, checkpoints, and decision making criteria


Information Basics for Incentive Travel Quotes


I realize that some of the information we’re covering in this blog entry is very basic. Unfortunately, it may be basic but it no longer seems to be common practice. I’m not sure why and can only guess that maybe people are so overwhelmed with heavy workloads that they’re cutting corners. As a time saving tool and to assist you in pulling it all together, we’ve included a downloadable:

Free Incentive Travel RFP Planner[.DOC]


When requesting a quote, the following information is essential.

  • Group Size
  • Purpose of trip (i.e. strictly recreational to reward the team, combination of business and recreation)
  • Preferred dates (minimum of 3 options)
  • Preferred destinations (all of them)
  • Objectives/ Expected Outcomes
  • Is facilitated team building to be included? This will require 2 – 3 days plus an orientation.
  • Class of accommodation required (i.e. 4 star, 5 star, 6 star, 7 star
  • Double or single occupancy
  • Is the group open to a night of camping out?
  • Are tours required?
  • Is a gala or awards dinner required

In addition to this, it is also helpful to know what the company has done in the past so that there is no duplication in the proposed options.

RFP Best Practices: A Matter of Courtesy

Once a decision has been made it is extremely important to contact everyone who submitted a proposal to:

  • Inform them of the decision
  • Provide feedback about why they were not selected

It is never acceptable to just disappear. The provider must close the loop with all of the venues and suppliers they contacted on your behalf.

Follow-up

Once a company has gone through the time and trouble of preparing a proposal, expect to hear from them with updates about once a quarter. It is certainly not acceptable to delete e-mails without reading. If circumstances change and the company no longer requires incentive travel services, politely contact the service provider, inform them of the change in status and ask to be removed from the distribution list.

Dealing with prospective suppliers in a less than professional manner, reflects poorly on your company and will, over time, tarnish its image and hurt it’s reputation in the marketplace. When all is said and done, this all comes down to common sense and common courtesy. Unfortunately, these commodities don’t seem to be less and less common and that’s unfortunately.

For more information, also see:

Executive Oasis International is a Toronto based management consulting firm that offers incentive travel and team building retreats in Canada, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, and the Caribbean.

Photo Credit: Sebastiaan ter Burg

Photo Credit: S.C. Asher

Photo Credit: Muffet

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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.