Luxury incentive trips are a great way to reward top-performing employees and show them you value their hard work. While discount vouchers and bonuses are great, sending your employees to incredible destinations is the best way to motivate them to do more, whether exceeding their annual targets or going beyond their usual tasks. 

If you’re thinking of using incentive trips as part of your staff recognition scheme and are looking for ideas to send them, here are some of the best destinations perfect for luxury incentive travel.

Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, making it an ideal option for luxury incentive travel. It boasts modern facilities, centuries-old buildings, and a pleasant climate throughout the year. When planning an incentive trip to Lisbon, it’s worth noting that the city consists of four different sections – the city centre, Nations Park, Belem, and Cascais.

The city centre still holds the city’s old-world charm but with modern conveniences. Meanwhile, Nations Park exudes a more contemporary vibe and is the city’s business and leisure destination. Across the Nations Park is Belem Quarter, where you’ll find the city’s top historical sites and attractions. It’s where you can sample the famous pastéis de Belem, a Portuguese custard pie. Cascais is more like a resort area, home to Lisbon’s beautiful sandy beaches.

When sending employees for an incentive trip to Lisbon, it’s worth adding luxury experiences to their itinerary. It’s a fantastic way to motivate them even more. For instance, you can book a private sailing cruise along the Tagus River. While onboard, they can indulge in a five-course dinner and a delectable Portuguese wine. Cruising along the river is a fascinating way to admire the city’s iconic attractions, from the Lisboa Cathedral to Torre de Belem and Castelo de São Jorge.

Mallorca, Spain
With sparkling hidden coves, stunning stretches of golden-sand beaches, calm and pristine waters, and jagged limestone peaks, Mallorca is nothing short of inspiring. If you want to inspire your employees on their incentive trips, Mallorca would be the perfect place to send them. Furthermore, you will find great accommodation options in Mallorca, perfect for a luxury incentive travel.

Mallorca’s exceptional beaches with clear turquoise waters would be the highlight. You’ll find pretty beaches ringed by dramatic cliffs on the island’s west coast, pine-specked bays in the north and stunning white sand beaches in the south. Away from the coast, you’ll find the jagged limestone peaks of Serra de Tramuntana and the Serres de Llevant, perfect for those who want to take scenic hikes. 

Mallorca is also home to fantastic restaurants serving appetising local and international fares. It also has a vibrant nightlife scene, especially in its capital city of Palma de Mallorca. To further motivate your employees, treat them to a fancy dinner at one of the waterside restaurants in Palma, serving the freshest seafood. You can also send them on a day trip to explore Mallorca’s picturesque hilltop villages and ancient old monasteries.

Sorrento, Italy
When sending employees on an incentive trip to Italy, most people immediately think of Rome, Milan, or Venice. But Sorrento is one of those places that offer the perfect setting for a luxury incentive trip. Nestled in the Campania region of Italy, Sorrento is a fascinating place overlooking the fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Sorrento offers the perfect place to enjoy lazy days at the beach and take scenic strolls by the waterfront with gelato on hand. Your employees will be delighted by the numerous things to do and explore in Sorrento. They can wander around the historic centre, with bustling markets selling everything from handmade Italian leather sandals to limoncello. 

A more luxurious way to enjoy incentive travel in Sorrento is to take a private boat trip to Capri, which comes with food and wine. It’s also possible to visit the picturesque Amalfi Coast on a boat and stay until dinner to indulge in delectable Italian cuisines and wine at one of the Amalfi Coast’s fantastic restaurants and bars. 

Barbados, The Caribbean
Home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and luxurious resorts, Barbados is an ideal choice for luxury incentive travel. The charming Caribbean Island also offers numerous things to see and do, guaranteed to inspire and motivate your employees.  

When planning a trip to Barbados, look for a place on the west coast. It’s home to some of the island’s best beaches and resorts. Also called the Platinum Coast, it boasts a long stretch of pristine white sand beach, guaranteed to delight the employees you’ll send on the incentive trip. But that’s not to say the other areas are not equally spectacular. The east coast, dubbed the Atlantic Side of Barbados, boasts dramatic seascapes, rugged beauty, and stunning cliffs.

As the birthplace of rum, no trip to Barbados is complete without visiting Mount Gay, a distillery dating back over three centuries. Book a distillery tour, where visitors can sample some of the best rum varieties and learn more about the history of the rum industry on the island.

British Columbia, Canada
Canada’s British Columbia is a diverse destination offering numerous things for different tastes and preferences, from scenic hiking excursions to world-class ski resorts. It’s one of Canada’s most beautiful provinces, boasting incredible mountain backdrops and an astonishing array of wildlife. 

When planning the itinerary, include the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. Established in 1886, it showcases natural and human history and offers workshops, lectures, and interactive tours. 

For nature lovers, the Pacific Rim National Park is a must-visit. It’s on the west coast of Vancouver Island, about a 3.5-hour drive from Victoria. The stunning national park features a rugged coastline and temperate rainforests, offering the perfect setting for a relaxing hike. It features the 50-mile-long West Coast trail, considered one of the world’s best walks.

Taking the cable car ride that links Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain is a fun activity. Suspended over 400 metres above the valley floor, they have a glass floor offering an incredible birds-eye view of the lush forest below.