After several years of forgoing exotic destinations, international locales in general and even, in some cases, any type of group travel, corporations once again are looking to motivate their top performers by offering the tantalizing allure of travel.
Following are M&C's picks for four unique, intriguing incentive destinations: Bulgaria, the former Soviet Bloc nation now transformed into a vibrant and dollar-friendly destination; Mexico's Riviera Maya, a burgeoning, gorgeous getaway; Tahiti, a tropical idyll that blends the best of French and Polynesian culture; and, closer to home, Whistler, British Columbia, a Canadian resort town with lots to offer adrenaline junkies and nature lovers.
RIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO> Why now? Just south of Cancún on the eastern shore of the Yucatán Peninsula, this 81-mile stretch of coastline was branded the Riviera Maya 17 years ago and now is enjoying a well-earned reputation as a unique and incredibly varied playground. With the Caribbean Sea on one side and protected jungles on the other, groups can explore a host of natural wonders, including gorgeous beaches, underground rivers and fascinating Mayan ruins rising from the brush. Man-made attractions include expansive theme parks, spectacular new hotels and a bevy of restaurants offering some of the best fish found on earth.
> Accommodations. Mayakoba is a luxury oceanfront development comprising three distinct properties, all interconnected via a string of lagoons. The two-year-old Banyan Tree Mayakoba presents a serene blend of Asian and Mexican architectural influences in its 107 villas (all with private pools) and 6,000 square feet of function space. Understated luxury permeates the Rosewood Mayakoba, with 128 spacious suites (also with plunge pools) and three dedicated meeting rooms, as well as a private dining room, Avicena, designed to resemble an ancient Mayan temple. The Fairmont Mayakoba offers 401 rooms and villas.
Among the area's all-inclusive options is the new Grand Velas Riviera Maya, a deluxe property with 491 suites in three distinct sections, called "ambiances," one of which is connected to the resort's dedicated 47,000-square-foot conference center.
Small groups might feel more at home at The Tides, a luxurious yet rustic retreat with 30 palapa-style villas and its own resident shaman.
> Activities. Nature has created a vast network of underground rivers and more than 100 cenotes (natural pools). Among the newest for visitors and most breathtaking is Rio Secreto. Small groups don wet suits, life vests and helmets for an educational and spiritual journey under a canopy of stalactites and stalagmites.
> Group venues. Attendees will enjoy exploring and shopping in Playa del Carmen, then meeting up at one of the many wonderful restaurants along 5th Avenue for dinner. La Casa del Agua offers fine international cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood and house-made breads and desserts.
For artistic Mayan fare in a sophisticated setting, Yaxche is a delicious choice.
> Day trips/extensions. A popular day trip includes an excursion to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum, then a visit to the nearby Xel-Ha eco-park and open-sea aquarium.
Groups can easily extend their stay in Cancún or journey to Chichen Itza, three hours south of Playa del Carmen.
> Contact: Riviera Maya Destination Marketing Office, (011) 52-984-206-3150 -- Loren G. Edelstein
BULGARIA> Why now?
A jewel nestled in the middle of Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and
Turkey, Bulgaria is one of Europe's hottest new incentive destinations.
This Balkan nation has something for everyone: a cosmopolitan capital,
Sofia, rated the 2011 top European bargain city for U.S. travelers by
TripAdvisor; historic
Plovdiv, the country's second-largest city,
rich in Roman ruins and early European architecture; charming villages
that keep with centuries-old traditions; ski resorts; Black Sea beaches;
spas that tap into local resources such as mineral-rich thermal waters,
mud and clay; and a surprising number of verdant vineyards and
visitor-friendly wineries.
> Accommodations. Among Sofia's incentive-level properties are the 421-room
Kempinski Hotel Zografski, with 10 meeting room; 250-room
Hilton Sofia, with seven meeting rooms; 188-room
Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan, with four meeting rooms; and the 136-room
Radisson Blu Grand Hotel, with six meeting rooms.
In Plovdiv, the 158-room
Dedeman Trimontium Princess, with three meeting rooms, offers incentive-caliber service and accommodations.
> Activities. Let participants tour the glorious historic sites and landmarks of Sofia --
Rila Monastery, Boyana Church, the National Palace of Culture -- on their own or, better yet, via a scavenger hunt. For a unique activity, have teams create
banitsa, traditional Bulgarian pastry of cheese and filo.
Arrange
a wine tasting, hosted by a sommelier, to introduce top performers to
the country's homegrown varietals from wine-producing regions in Mavrud,
Melnik and Kadarka.
AIM Group International can make the arrangements.
> Group venues.
Bulgarians are legendary for their hospitality, along with their
penchant for deliciously fresh (and mainly organic) fare. Host a
traditional folk evening at
Sofia's Pri Yafata, a restaurant that serves traditional dishes such as
kebapche, a meatball made of minced meat and spices and shaped like a sausage. Or organize a glittering gala evening in the city's
National Palace of Culture,where visiting heads of state are feted by the country's president.
> Day trips/extensions. Plovdiv, a 90-minute drive from Sofia, has a spectacular
Old City, with not-to-be missed sites such as the
Bachkovo Monastery.The
Rhodopi Mountains,
in the south of the country, are home to modern ski resorts as well as
ancient villages where locals adhere to old customs such as playing the
haunting bagpipe music unique to the region.
The Company for International Meetings can arrange tours.
> Contact: Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Bulgaria, (011) 359-2-940-78-06 -- Lisa A. Grimaldi
WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA> Why now?
This Canadian resort town was polished to perfection for its stint
hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It's a mecca for
sports enthusiasts, nature lovers and those who enjoy the apres-ski
nightlife.
> Accommodations. Among larger incentive-level lodgings are the 509-room Fairmont Chateau Whistler, which hosted the 2011 Trailblazers meeting and incentive event in July (the hotel has 18 meeting rooms); the 419-room Westin Resort & Spa, with 15 meeting rooms; the 268-room Hilton, with nine meeting rooms; the 240-room Four Seasons Resort Whistler, with seven meeting rooms; and the 121-room Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, with one meeting room.
> Activities.
Naturally, snow-based activities are king at Whistler from late autumn
through spring, but the resort town has plenty of year-round activities,
including zip-lining, rafting, fishing and ATV (all-terrain vehicle)
adventures. Destination management firm Pacific Destination Services can make the arrangements.
> Group venues. The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Center
showcases the joint history of the local Squamish and Lil'wat First
Nations (the Canadian term for Native Americans tribes). The facility is
perfect for a gala evening or elegant cocktail reception.
Take top performers more than 6,000 feet above sea level at The Roundhouse Lodge
at the top of Whistler Mountain. Just getting to this casual spot packs
a delicious thrill -- participants arrive via a 25-minute ride aboard
the Whistler Village ski-gondola.
> Day trips/extensions.Vancouver
is the gateway to the mainland of British Columbia and a two-hour ride
from Whistler. This colorful city has a hip, youthful vibe, fabulous
restaurants (check out Yaletown for the trendiest bars and
eateries), great shopping, green parks and a beautiful waterfront.
Groups can savor the city's highlights via a harbor cruise or, for the
intrepid, a kayak tour. Charming Granville Island, home to Vancouver's fish and produce markets, can be explored with the expert guidance of a chef from the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts.
> Contact: Tourism Whistler, (888) 869-2777 -- Lisa A. Grimaldi
TAHITI > Why now? French Polynesia, which comprises, among others, the islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora,
has sometimes been viewed by planners as a far-away idyll. In
actuality, with daily nonstop service on Air Tahiti Nui from Los
Angeles, the islands are comfortably within reach, just a three-hour
flight beyond Honolulu and in Hawaii's time zone. And once you get
there, you understand why luminaries such as Marlon Brando, Paul Gauguin
and others decided to linger. In more modern terms, the scenery here
renders Photoshop obsolete.
> Accommodations.
Tahiti is the gateway to the other islands of French Polynesia. While
some incentive groups catch flights directly from the capital city of
Papeete to Moorea or Bora Bora, many more spend at least a day exploring
Tahiti. The eco-friendly 265-room InterContinental Tahiti Resort, near the airport, is a perfect base.
On
Moorea, a gorgeous jumble of rugged peaks ringed by wildly blue waters,
there are several hotel options for incentive groups: the 114-bungalow Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort; the InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa with 143 rooms and bungalows; and the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, with 54 over-the-water bungalows and 50 garden pool bungalows.
On Bora Bora, incentive-caliber hotels include the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort with 100 over-the-water and beach villas and a Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant. Other properties include the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa (122 suites and villas); the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora (100 over-the-water bungalows and seven villas), and the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa (80 over-the-water villas and three Motu Family Suites).
> Activities. Part of the lagoon at the InterContinental Moorea is home to the Moorea Dolphin Center.
The dolphins that live here -- exiles from other homes -- are lovingly
cared for by a team of scientists and veterinarians. On Bora Bora,
incentive winners can take a ray- and shark-feeding excursion departing
from the St. Regis Bora Bora.
> Group venues.
Take attendees on a visit to the local market. Coconut oil, Tahitian
vanilla beans, handcrafted shell jewelry and pareos (sarongs) all vie
for the buyer's attention at downtown Papeete's Municipal Market, frequented by locals and visitors alike.
> Day trips/extensions.
Participants looking to stay on should consider seeing an island not
featured in their incentive itinerary. In addition to Tahiti, Moorea and
Bora Bora are the islands of Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a, the Tuamotu atolls and the Marquesas islands. These islands offer an authentic Polynesian experience and serene beaches.
> Contact: Tahiti Tourisme North America, (310) 414-8484 -- Lori Cioffi