Incentive travel in 2022: good news and surprising trends

Incentive travel in 2022: the industry gets ready for a fresh start

Many incentive winners are impatient to get back to travelling after that Covid19 impact the whole travel industry caused one out of three planners to postpone, change the venue, or cancel in 2021. According to surveys, it seems that things are about to change and 2022 could even get the industry close to 2019 numbers and goals. Incentive travel planners are equally eager to get their programs back on track and this will be achieved first and foremost ensuring safety for all those involved and therefore observing strict hygiene rules. For this reason, health protocols and specific precautions will be paramount.

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Security and customised offers: taking the first steps

To help attendees feel safe, online briefings will be essential during the planning stage. Travel planning will be based on realistic expectations, alongside transparent communication on the part of hotels and destination managers. It is also likely that trips offering outdoor experiences or adventures will be in higher demand than any other category. Also private vacation properties, both at the seaside and in the mountains, are seeing a significant surge in popularity.

Travel customisation will also be crucial, in order to deliver uniquely tailored experiences. Flexible programmes are recommended, as well as giving participants free time in their schedule. The Incentive Research Foundation’s survey also indicated that incentive winners often ask to travel with a partner, and this specific request also needs to be considered.

Don’t forget the lifestyle changes brought about by Covid19

The pandemic has brought about several social changes, that the incentive travel industry cannot ignore in order to restart successfully. Those changes had a huge impact on people’s lifestyles, and travel planners must focus on all of them if they want to succeed, no matter how unimportant they might seem. In the past two years, for instance, many people have adopted pets they can’t get away from, moved to less densely populated geographical areas or experienced increased responsibilities as remote workers. Those factors will have to be factored in when planning incentive travel in 2022, because adapting to a new society, rather than moving away from reality, will make it possible for organisations to move forward.

We must also consider that the costs incurred by the travel industry have increased and companies’ budgets will have to consequently adjust. On the other hand, companies are realising that financial bonuses for employees are certainly a good thing, but that delivering a memorable experience is more effective in keeping valuable workers within the team. The same rule applies to all other corporate events, such as team-building experiences or kickoff meetings.

Again, safety is paramount as people are getting ready to travel again and for this reason, protective measures against Covid19 will have to be effectively implemented for the whole itinerary. The safer, the better: this will be the golden rule for incentive travel in 2022, while the industry is already gearing up to meet the challenge. The crisis is still ongoing, but many workers who fought hard to overcome it want to get back to living and possibly enjoying the incentive trips they earned, even and especially after two years of pandemic lockdowns.

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