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Skift
22-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Group vs. Individual Incentive Trips: Companies Weigh the Pros and Cons
Though many attendees prefer individual incentives, some companies don't want to let go of the level of control they have with group trips. The vast majority of employees like the idea of an individual Incentive trip they can take on their own time to wherever they choose. Their companies often don't feel the same. Companies may be reluctant to switch from group travel experiences to individual incentives, said Tracy Norum, senior director of incentives & engagement at Meetings & Incentives Worldwide (M&IW). 'Some companies don't want to let go of the level of control they have with group incentives.' In the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF)'s Attendee Preferences for Incentive Travel report, 94% of respondents described individual travel as 'very' or extremely' motivating. The report found that the appeal of these trips was consistent across generations. Individual trips have many positives: Winners can decide when they want to travel. The experience feels more like a vacation because they're not networking with colleagues and talking shop. While group incentives usually allow winners to bring just one guest, individual incentives allow them to travel with their families. Norum has found that this type of travel appeals to a certain age group. 'Our experience shows that Gen X is the top demographic. They've spent most of their careers with group incentive trips as the only option, so it makes sense that a highly personalized, exclusive reward would also be motivating. 'Individual incentives can be more inclusive with the possibility of family trips,' she said. 'Many of our customers who offer pre-planned packages include a Disney experience or an adventure trip for a family of four.' Companies can include special touches — 'fun in the sun' gifts for Caribbean trips, warm outerwear for colder destinations, or wildlife photography gear and safari essentials for trips to Africa. The organizer books all travel and experiences, and serves as the main contact throughout the trip. At the highest level, individual incentives can come with their own concierge and include luxury experiences based on attendees' preferences. For example, M&IW curated packages for a client in the food service industry that included experiences like a one-on-one wine tasting with a master sommelier, cooking a meal with a chef in his restaurant, and meeting the chef and receiving a signed cookbook after dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Not for Everyone Despite the appeal for individuals, companies prefer group travel, according to Andy Schwarz, vice president, content and communications, at the IRF. 'Individual travel was very popular and received a lot of attention coming out of the pandemic,' he said. 'There's more of a focus on group travel now.' Min Choi, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Germain Insurance, said his company's organized trip has proven to be more effective than individual trips. Approximately 50% of the attendees are repeat winners, and the trips also allow them to create new relationships, and even friendships. 'These group excursions offer a higher return on investment, enable us to acknowledge our top performers more effectively, and foster shared experiences that strengthen bonds,' he said. Group trips also allow companies to create experiences that would be challenging for attendees to replicate on their own. 'While one can golf at most courses, an individual traveler would not typically have the opportunity to enjoy dinner on the 16th hole overlooking the ocean,' he said. Attendees do not have to pay for anything, even gratuities, so they can just enjoy the experience. There's no need to worry about safety concerns or fear of becoming lost in an unknown destination. 'These trips provide attendees with an excellent opportunity to explore new locations. They can feel assured knowing that they are part of a group and that our travel staff has arranged everything.'
The Guardian
13-05-2025
- The Guardian
Nine ways to cut the cost of hen or stag dos and still have a ball
Costs can spiral quickly when you're planning for a big group and there are lots of ideas flying around. Agree on a realistic budget from the start that works for everyone, and stay within it. Bridesmaids or the best man often lead, but if you are not organising the event, do not be afraid to speak up if something feels too expensive – others may well be thinking the same. 'Unfortunately, you're going to need to make the dreaded WhatsApp group,' says Georgie Mitchell, a wedding planner. 'Open communication from the start with upfront and real-time prices can help people to understand what they can afford.' If not all the group use WhatsApp find a way to make sure they are included. For your group, for example, email or an iMessage chat may be better. Loop in the bride or groom early too, as they will often be chipping in and will want to know that costs are not putting people off coming. Long weekends and trips abroad have become the norm but they usually come with a hefty price tag. Accommodation, transport, meals and drinks can add up to hundreds of pounds – and that is even before the novelty T-shirts come out. According to the insurer Aviva, the average hen or stag weekend now costs £779 a person in the UK, rising to £1,208 if it takes place abroad. Sticking to one night (or a single day) keeps things simpler, cheaper, and easier for people with children or limited time off work. You can also plan it for 'off-peak' times of the year to save money, Mitchell says. 'Does it need to be a weekend in summer? Can you avoid the school holidays? The event doesn't need to be within the few months before the wedding – find the most cost-effective dates for everyone,' she adds. Pints in Prague may be relatively cheap, but getting there – and staying there – may not be. A night out in Brighton, a hike in the Peaks or a well-planned day locally can be just as memorable. You'll skip the airport slog and still get a change of scene if you are trying something new. Hosting at home is another option if someone in the group has enough space. You'll save on venue costs, which means you can put more into decorations, games or food and still have a great night without the big spend. 'What you save on accommodation can be reallocated to beautiful florals or delicious catering,' says Matilda Bea, a dinner-party planner. If you are staying overnight, renting a large house or flat geared towards hen and stag groups can be far cheaper than hotel rooms, especially once the cost is split between everyone. It also gives you more space to hang out without having to fork out for endless rounds at bars. When booking for a big group, check the listing for restrictions on stag or hen dos – some hosts will not allow them. Always message ahead to confirm, or use filters to avoid disappointment. For guaranteed party-friendly options in the UK, take a look at listing sites such as Group Stays, Flock or Party Houses. You will save more by cooking a few meals and bringing your own drinks. Think brunch ingredients, big pasta dishes or even just breakfast basics – it doesn't have to be fancy to make a dent in costs. Agree upfront whether you will split food and drink or ask people to bring their own so no one ends up paying for something they didn't want. Keep in mind that you can often save by buying in bulk. For instance, Sainsbury's Nectar holders can get up to 25% off six or more bottles of selected wines. If anyone in your party has a Costco membership, it is worth checking out what deals they have on alcohol and food. Pick somewhere easy to reach by public transport and consider how people will get home safely – especially for a one-day event. Booking taxis in advance or carpooling can help keep costs down and avoid chaos after a few drinks. It is worth thinking about for outings to the pub or dinner, too. If the bride or groom is set on going overseas, try to book flights or trains as early as possible to get the cheaper tickets. But make sure to factor in the cost of getting to the airport or station, especially if it's at an odd time or far from home. Being flexible helps – Skyscanner's 'Everywhere' search or savings generator lets you compare the cheapest places to fly on your dates. For UK stays, booking train tickets far in advance does not always guarantee savings. The cheapest advance fares typically appear on Trainline about 12 weeks before travel. They sell out quickly so set a reminder or sign up for an alert. Rather than booking train tickets separately, one person could sort them all out so you can benefit from special offers. GroupSave fares are for three to nine people travelling together on off-peak or super off-peak journeys and can cut travel costs by a third. For example, a trip to Brighton from London for a weekend in mid-June costs £130.50 for three adults – or £96.54 with GroupSave. You do not need spa days or axe throwing to have a good time. Plenty of free or cheap options – such as park picnics, karaoke, home spa nights or pub quizzes – can be just as fun. The website Hitched has a section on ideas for stag and hen dos you can use for inspiration. Many classic hen or stag games are easy to make yourself – the toilet paper wedding dress game needs nothing more than a few loo rolls, and DIY beer pong just takes some plastic cups, a table and a couple of ping pong balls. While it is tempting to pack every hour with plans: brunch, games, a scavenger hunt, dinner, drinks, dancing, more does not always mean better. Giving the group some breathing room lets people have some downtime without feeling as if they're wasting money. If you are staying overnight, plan one or two core activities and leave the rest flexible. A bit of relaxation time often makes the main event more enjoyable. If you have picked a theme, make decorations that stick to it, but remember they can be simple: old CDs make great disco props, cardboard cacti work for a cowboy night, and colourful card can be used to make a personalised banner. Bea says personalised touches can help a night feel special, while being easy on the wallet. 'Make your space feel special with hand-painted stationery, like 'Take a shot, take a seat' signs or personalised place names. It's budget-friendly, thoughtful, and instantly sets the tone'. For her own birthday dinner, Bea put the idea into action with personalised gift bags for guests and handmade menus. Not everyone wants the matching T-shirt, the massage, or the cocktail-making session. Mitchell recommends building flexibility into your plans so people can join for part of the day or skip bits without feeling awkward. She says: 'Can some guests join for one day? Can they opt out of the expensive activity? Giving options helps match everyone's budget.' You can make this clear early on with a rough breakdown of what's essential and what's optional. That way, people on tighter budgets can still join in without being hit by a £200 all-in-one invoice. A quick poll in the group chat helps work out who is in for which parts – and keeps things fair from the start. Streamline the planning – and cut the cost – by hosting a joint stag and hen do (yes, a 'sten do'). It is a break from tradition, but if the couple are keen, a 'sten' makes financial sense: accommodation, food and drink can all be shared, and bigger groups often unlock better discounts, says Bea. 'You don't have to spend the entire time together, but combining forces for one big night – especially if you're heading abroad or booking a special experience – can cut costs while doubling the fun.' If, for example, you and your partner would otherwise be going to separate events, you might cut costs by sharing a room. It also gives the wedding party a chance to meet before the big day. You do not have to do everything together. Separate nights out or activities work fine, but sharing a base could keep things simple and cheaper.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
No slowdown for group, business travel in Q1 2025: report
This story was originally published on Hotel Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Hotel Dive newsletter. Group and business travel continued to grow at a healthy pace across the U.S. in the first quarter of 2025, according to Cendyn and Amadeus' Hospitality Group and Business Performance Index, released Thursday. For Q1, the overall health index, which assesses the strength of the meetings and events industry, achieved 109.1% growth compared to the prior-year quarter, reaching its highest level in four quarters, per the report. The group index, specifically, achieved 107.4% growth for the same period. St. Louis led other U.S. markets in Q1's overall health index, reaching 121% performance growth year over year, per the report. Events drove group and business travel in the quarter, with events volume higher than in previous years, the companies detailed. Philadelphia and New Orleans followed St. Louis as leaders of the overall health index. The two cities also led other U.S. markets in the group index. Other top markets for group growth were Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Chicago. Q1 marked the group index's 10th consecutive quarter of growth, driven by a 2.6% increase in room nights and a 4.7% increase in ADR, the report detailed. Events volume in Q1 was 114.6% higher than in the same period in 2024, per the report. Education, national association and technology events led other industries by event volume. By market, St. Louis' meetings volume was the highest, followed by Austin, Texas, and Philadelphia, the report detailed. Across markets, the average meeting attendee size was 146 guests, while the average space used was up quarter over quarter to 4,186 square feet. Hotels across the board benefited from the meetings and events industries in Q1, according to Cendyn and Amadeus. Choice Hotels International, Hyatt Hotels and Hilton reported in Q1 earnings that group and business travel contributed to their RevPAR results during the quarter. Hilton specifically reported 6% year-over-year growth in group travel, supported by events in urban markets and company meetings. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
