The Challenge: Deliver a once in a lifetime experience
for your well-travelled attendees
The Caribbean
Cayman Islands
Some two million tourists visit the Cayman Islands each year. Most of them are cruise-ship passengers, who spend a few hours shopping, sunbathing or swimming with stingrays, before pulling out of port. Others hunker down near Seven Mile Beach, enjoying their all-inclusive resort on one of the Caribbean's most beautiful stretches of sand. And a lucky few venture further.
Cuba
(This destination is back)
Timeworn but magnificent, dilapidated but dignified, fun yet maddeningly frustrating – Cuba is a country of indefinable magic.
Cuba is culture, nature, history, magic and traditions. The Pearl of the Antilles is the result of the blend of multiple cultures, fusion of races and customs that gave birth to one of the most unique and fascinating Caribbean destinations.
Curacao
With its delightful Dutch colonial architecture, bustling commercial capital and excellent history museums, go-go Curaçao feels like a little piece of Europe on the edge of the Caribbean. That is, a little piece of Europe with glorious hidden beaches, amazing onshore snorkeling and diving, and a wild undeveloped windward coast.
The United States
Aurora, CO
The second largest city in Colorado, Colorado Springs offers plenty of hotel rooms, meeting space, attractions and entertainment. Located just Colorado Springs is located just 60 miles south of Denver and about a one mile high in elevation. The rambling city along rout 25 is situated at the base of the Southern Rocky Mountains with views of the famous Pikes Peak located at over 14,000 feet. – Pikes Peak – the city is surrounded by the Rockies.
Our favorite venues would include the Garden of the Gods and iconic Broadmore Hotel. Both are perfect for your next meeting and offer a variety of meeting and indoor and outdoor event space. The “Springs” boasts over 13,000 hotel rooms.
Colorado Springs is home to the Iconic Pikes Peak railway, Olympic City USA, the U.S. Olympic Committee and Colorado Springs Training Center; Other attractions nearby include Colorado Springs the U.S. Air Force Academy, The Broadmoor Seven Falls, historic Manitou Springs, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway, where you can take a trip up the summit of America’s mountain. Hiking, biking and outdoor adventure is easily found throughout the region at breathtaking places like National Natural Landmark Garden of the Gods, North Cheyenne Canon and Mueller State Park.
Casper, WY
On your vacation out West, you expect breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife and outdoor recreation. Find all the Wyoming you’ve ever imagined in Casper–the mountain town for the wild at heart. Experience exceptional hiking, mountain biking, boating and fly fishing, all within a unique Wyoming landscape where nature is as uncrowded as our highways. Whether your adventures take you on a scenic drive up iconic Casper Mountain, wrangling monster brown trout from the North Platte River, or hiking beneath the wide-open skies at Fremont Canyon, in Casper you can easily and affordably realize your dream Western vacation.
San Diego, CA
New York has its cabbie, Chicago its bluesman and Seattle its coffee-drinking boho. San Diego has its surfer dude, with his tousled hair, great tan and gentle enthusiasm; he looks like he’s on a perennial vacation, and when he wishes you welcome, he really means it.
San Diego calls itself ‘America’s Finest City’ and its breezy confidence and sunny countenance filter down to folks you encounter every day on the street. It feels like a collection of villages each with its own personality, but it’s the nation’s eighth-largest city and we’re hard-pressed to think of a more laid-back place.
The Middle East
Abu Dhabi
Proudly modern and cosmopolitan, Abu Dhabi is the UAE's forward-thinking cultural heart where nothing stands still – except perhaps the herons in its mangroves.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi, with its globe-trotting collection covering the breadth of humanity's artistic achievements, finally threw open its doors in 2017. It's the first of the city's planned mega-museum projects to open and a major feather in Abu Dhabi's cap as it pushes to become the region's cultural leader. This world-class museum may get all the buzz but more locally focused sights get a look-in too. Emirati heritage can be difficult to seek out but pearl journey dhow trips and the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital take you behind the curtain to get a glimpse of it.
Dubai
It's hard not to admire Dubai for its indefatigable verve, ambition and ability to dream up and realise projects that elsewhere would never get off the drawing board. This is a superlative-craving society that has birthed audaciously high buildings and palm-shaped islands. Sci-fi concepts such as flying taxis, a lightning-fast hyperloop train and an army of robocops are all reflections of a mindset that fearlessly embraces the future. With many more grand projects in the pipeline for World Expo 2020, it's clear that Dubai is a city firmly in charge of writing its own narrative.
Latin America
Patagonia
Home to sea lions, elephant seals, guanacos, rheas, Magellanic penguins and numerous seabirds, Unesco World Heritage site Península Valdés is one of South America’s finest wildlife reserves. More than 80,000 visitors per year come to this 3600-sq-km sanctuary, which has more than 400km of coastline.
Los Cabos
Los Cabos must have more 5-star resorts than anywhere else in the world. For many years, the accolades went to Auberge’s Esperanza, One & Only Palmilla, Rosewood’s Las Ventanas, and Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal. Recent openings include an Auberge Resort, Montage Los Cabo, The Cape, A Thompson Hotel, Le Blanc Los Cabos, and Viceroy Los Cabos. Plus Grand Velas Los Cabos (pictured) added a 5-star, 5-diamond all-inclusive. In Fall 2019, Zadún, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, opens, and in late 2019, the Four Seasons opens its resort at Costa Palma up the East Cape 45 minutes. With multiple new openings, we foresee competitive, downward pressure on rates ahead.
Machu Picchu
Found at the top of most people’s list of bucket-list destinations, Machu Picchu may have an unfortunate limit on its availability to the public in the near future. This makes it more important to visit Cusco now more than ever. However, don’t think you’re going just for the world wonder; Cusco has its own charms that deserve its fair share of the spotlight. The Plaza de Armas and the Cusco Cathedral, which towers above it, are their own UNESCO Heritage sites. In addition, the lively San Pedro Market allows travelers an opportunity to experience authentic Peruvian cuisine firsthand. The Belmond Hotel Monasterio, Palacio Nazarenas, and JW Marriott’s Palacio del Inka are all excellent hotel accommodations for your Cusco-bound group.
Riviera Maya, Mexico
The Riviera Maya, a tourist corridor of white-sand beaches, scenic ruins and fun-filled cenotes, was made for road-tripping. Yes, it's growing fast, too fast some will say, but despite all the development, you can still find that small fishing town or head inland to catch a glimpse of the Mexico that tourism forgot.
Europe
Ireland
The West of Ireland – home of Galway, Connemara, Mayo, Clonmacnoise, and Clare – is framed with a rugged coastline, peppered with peninsulas, ports, pubs, and people (how about that alliteration?). The countryside is home to some of Ireland’s finest evening entertainment and folk sessions, and it plays a little more authentic than the more tourist-friendly, Dublin and Killarney. Shannon airport offers a convenient way in and you’ll be greeted with the castle hotels, such as Adare Manor (pictured) which won the Virtuoso Hotely of the Year Award in 2018 after its 2-year renovation. Other castle hotels to impress the most well-traveled groups include Ashford Castle and Dromoland Castle.
Portugal
We’ve recently brought an incentive trip to Portugal that focused within Lisbon, Cascais, and Sintra. Attendees considered it one of their all-time favorites. Take your group on a historical tour to Penha Palace in the Sintra Mountains and Quinta de Regaleira or bike the Cascais (pronounced Kash-Ki-sssh) coastline, which offers a string of charming wineries. There are countless ways to “wow” participants with everything in reach. We recommend a minimum of four nights to make the most of your time in this dream destination.
The Greek Islands
The Greek Islands ignite the imagination and satisfy the soul with a history laced in mythical tales and told through ancient, sun-bleached ruins.
Iceland
Iceland has recently been trending on many incentive travel destination lists as an amazing change-of-pace that offers enriching sight-seeing opportunities and experiences. It’s home to some of the world’s most magnificent photo opportunities due to its spectacular scenery and provides the best spot on the planet to see the Northern Lights. Exciting and unique activities include swimming in the famous Blue Lagoon and bathing in a geothermal bath. You could have groups driving monster trucks over glaciers, ice climbing, or eating an Icelandic buffet on ice. You could even take your top performers for a private whale watching session, with the waters off Reykjavik providing a 99% chance of seeing these magnificent creatures, along with puffins!
Slovenia
An earthly paradise of snow-capped peaks, turquoise-green rivers and Venetian-style coastline, Slovenia enriches its natural treasures with harmonious architecture, charming rustic culture and sophisticated cuisine.
Polynesia
Tahiti
Tahiti: just the word conjures up centuries’ worth of images: hibiscus flowers; bronzed dancers in grass skirts; a humid breeze over turquoise sea. The islands of French Polynesia became legends the minute the first European explorers reached their home shores with tales of a heaven on earth where the soil was fertile, life was simple and lust was guilt-free. While the lingering hype is outdated, French Polynesia is still about as dreamy as reality gets. The lagoons are just as blue but there are freeways, more conservative values and nine-to-five jobs. It’s not the untainted paradise of explorer lore, but at least there’s an internet connection.
Bora Bora
French Polynesia may not be the easiest to reach, but those looking for an incentive travel destination completely unburdened by tourist traps and crowds can look to Bora Bora. Surrounded by teal lagoons and coral reefs, Bora Bora’s untouched majesty solidifies its position at the top of almost every bucket-list. From snorkeling with tropical fish to hiking a dormant volcano, to sleeping over the water on a stilted bungalow, there is no shortage of unique experiences awaiting your incentive travel group. The new Conrad Bora Bora Nui is getting rave reviews, while The St. Regis Bora Bora (where Nicole Kidman honeymooned to prove its luxury) and the Four Seasons Bora Bora have been wowing travelers for many years as well.
Big Island of Hawaii
With big updates to some of the finest resorts in Hawaii, the Big Island has two reasons for you to keep coming back. Mauna Lani (pictured) focuses on a luxurious, authentic Hawaiian experience with the spotlight on culture, cuisine, and experiences that are unique to the Big Island. With a $100 million investment by Auberge Resorts, Mauna Lani feels like a grand opening. Featured on our list of Top New Incentive Hotels, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort has a dedication to health and wellness with their recent renovation. Reinvigorate your incentive trip with their golf course set against a dark lava field and enjoy the finest guilt-free dining options on the island. The half-mile of golden crescent sand always lands Hapuna Beach on “best beach” lists. If you are thinking, “Our group already went to Hawaii,” Brightspot recommends visiting a different Hawaiian island every 3 years for varied experiences at top-ranked islands.
New Zealand
Auckland in the north and Queenstown in the south both have large incentive travel appeal with unique, local, and authentic experiences. Boat rides on steamships, sheep herding, world-class dining, top-class rugby matches, and visits to shooting locations from the Lord of the Rings are just the tip of the mountain of one-of-a-kind experiences you can find in New Zealand. Auckland offers stunning harbor views from the Sky Tower, Waiheke Island vineyard tours, and the Hobbiton movie set. Queenstown is smaller, but offers more unique activities, such as Milford Sound scenic cruises, bungy jumping from the birthplace of the sport, and Shotover jet tours. Diverse landscapes, incredible cuisine, and an endless menu of activities make planning an incentive trip to the “land of the long white cloud” a no-brainer.
Maldives
Unrivalled luxury, stunning white-sand beaches and an amazing underwater world make Maldives an obvious choice for a true holiday of a lifetime.
Maldives is home to perhaps the best beaches in the world; they’re on almost every one of the country’s nearly 1200 islands and are so consistently perfect that it’s hard not to become blasé about them. While some beaches may boast softer granules than others, the basic fact remains: you won't find consistently whiter-than-white powder sand and luminous cyan-blue water like this anywhere else on earth. This fact alone is enough to bring well over a million people a year to this tiny, remote and otherwise little-known Indian Ocean paradise.