Incentive - October 2008 - (Page 81)

TRAVEL A Caribbean Escape Take your pick—all of these islands offer their own unique experiences By Harriet Edleson CARIBBEAN I f azure or turquoise waters, balmy breezes, and island paradises sound appealing, choose the Caribbean for your next incentive trip. Even if your client has traveled there before, flying south again can be a very different experience, depending as it does on the island and property. And, all Caribbean islands are not the same. Each is a unique culture with its own ambience, accommodations and sights. “There’s diversity in the Caribbean,” says Simone Champagnie of the SNC Group of Sunrise, Fla., a DMC serving Antigua and Barbuda, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. “One country isn’t the same as another,” she says. Some island incen- tives are “rest and relaxation, removed from the real world.” Others are activityfilled, with “no sleep for the weary.” In selecting a destination, first and foremost, consider the needs of the group— particularly its size—and the access to a particular island. With airlines cutting flights to certain destinations, choice will depend more than ever on availability of flights. Some islands, especially smaller ones, require multiple flights for access. “The first way [to decide on an incentive destination] is to look at the logistics—the number of people you’re trying to move and the number of airline seats and hotel rooms avail- able,” says Sandy Kitrell, senior buyer for Carlson Marketing in Minneapolis. “If you have a small, upscale group, you can venture into some of the smaller islands. Try to get the right fit for the right group.” In addition to ease of access, passport requirements play a role. When U.S. citizens travel by air to and from Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix), they have not left U.S. territory and do not need to present a passport. Most other Caribbean destinations require one. Puerto Rico means beaches, a tropical environment and easy access. “It’s the hub of the Caribbean,” says The El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa in Puerto Rico has family activities like the water park and adult fun in the casino. Inset: Westin Aruba incentivemag.com | October 2008 | Incentive | 81 http://www.incentivemag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Incentive - October 2008

Incentive - October 2008 Contents Editor's Note Headlines Cover Story: Face Time with Senior Executives is the Top Motivator of Cisco Systems' Chairman's Club Winners Incentive Interview Safety Incentives: Safety Drives a Limousine Service's Motivational Efforts Case Study Primer Learning: Diving into Incentives for the Mind Enhances Both Loyalty and the Bottom Line Research: Travel IQ Travel News Florida Coast to Cost Caribbean Escape Potentials Here and Now Gadgets & Power Tools: High-End Roars Seen at the Motivation Show Advertisers Index Off the Cuff

Incentive - October 2008

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