If you’ve returned to the office after your Christmas break and you’re already thinking about your next chance to get away in 2025, you’re not alone. Realistically, plenty of your customer base is feeling the same. Incentive travel programs are a perfect excuse to get away while providing value and an emotional connection to your customers for continuing to do business with your brand.
There are a few important things to consider when planning your 2025 incentive travel experience. We’ve pulled together some vital statistics that we expect will influence evolving trends within Australian and New Zealand B2B incentive travel programs in 2025.
Organisations are recognising the value of incentive travel in driving performance and engagement. The Incentive Travel Index indicates that spending on incentive travel is expected to rise by 54% in 2025, showing that many B2B brands recognise the impact that rewarding high-performing customers with a valuable getaway can have on customer retention and engagement.
Notably, 77% of Asia-Pacific buyers anticipate an uptick in incentive travel activity by 2025, a higher percentage than other regions. This shows that if you’re not interested in an incentive travel experience with your customers, your competitors might be.
There’s a growing interest in exploring lesser-known destinations to provide unique experiences and avoid overcrowded tourist spots. This makes sense for many reasons—getting away from groups, enjoying peace and solitude, and younger generations rising through the ranks to become decision-makers who aren’t as interested in generic locations and experiences.
Your incentive travel experience should be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for your guests. By creating a memory that lasts long after they arrive home, you can be sure that the impact of what they received for doing business with your brand shines bright, meaning the emotional connection they have with you will continue.
The blending of business and leisure travel, known as ‘bleisure’ travel, continues to gain traction. Approximately 20% of corporate travellers incorporate leisure elements into their business trips. This approach enhances work-life balance and provides additional value to employees.
Working out a way to combine a conference or study tour experience with incredible locales and memorable experiences is how we treat all our travel experiences. Your incentive experience mustn’t be all work and no play – your guests have worked hard to earn their space on the trip, making it worthwhile!
Companies are increasingly prioritising sustainable practices and the well-being of their employees in incentive travel programs. This includes selecting eco-friendly destinations, implementing green initiatives, and ensuring that travel experiences contribute positively to participants’ well-being.
Sustainability is a rising priority; we’re all too familiar with it at 212F. Our KoruGreen commitment to providing luxury experiences with a net-zero carbon footprint is globally recognised and award-winning, so when it comes to giving a green trip, trust us—you can have it all without damaging the planet.
There’s a notable rise in solo travel, with many travellers seeking personalised experiences that cater to individual preferences. This trend allows participants to engage in activities that align closely with their interests, enhancing the overall value of the incentive.
We’ve recognised this over the past few years, which is why our concierge service has received so much attention. Whether your guests want to arrive early, leave late, or stop by another destination on their way to or from the location, our experienced travel team can ensure that their dream trip is provided—and connected—with your brand.
Given our geographical location, it’s essential to consider travel distances and associated costs. Focusing on destinations within the Asia-Pacific region can offer cost-effective and shorter travel times, making them attractive options for incentive programs.
We expect the travel landscape in 2025 to be characterised by increased investment, a focus on unique destinations, integrating leisure with business to give the experience a lasting memory, a continued focus on sustainability, and finding more ways to personalise your customer’s travel experiences.
If you want to discover what an exclusive incentive travel experience can accomplish for your brand, reach out today. We’ll give your customers an experience they won’t forget – and even better, they’ll think of your brand whenever they think of it!
