With the popularity of international travel continuing to rise amongst Australians, perhaps it's worth considering a travel incentive programme.
Not a lot of people would argue with the fact that Australia is a fantastic country in which to live. With endless miles of beautiful beaches, spectacular outback adventure and some of the planet's most unique wildlife, there's no shortage of things to see and do.
That may indeed be the case, but it's not stopping intrepid residents from casting a wider net with their holiday plans. According to TripAdvisor's most recent TripBarometer, the average number of international trips by Australians was set to increase by 36 per cent in 2015, more than double the global pattern.
The popularity of travel amongst Australians could have an impact on your rewards programmes.
Keeping in mind the popularity of travel - both international and domestic - amongst Australians, perhaps it's worth considering how these statistics could have an impact on your rewards programmes. If Aussies dream of experiencing new things in exotic places, doesn't it stand to reason that they will do more to make those dreams a reality?
The allure of experience
Where once upon a time the concept of luxury was reserved for European cars, diamond-encrusted jewellery and dining on champagne and caviar, the term has come to mean something different to 21st-century professionals. The Incentive Research Foundation's (IRF) 2016 Trends in Incentive Travel, Rewards, and Recognition report found that travel and unique experiences were seen as a greater motivator for consumers and employees than cash rewards.
That's not to say cash rewards are obsolete - in many cases a cash bonus for employees or equivalent saving scheme for loyal, high-value customers can bring huge benefits, particularly if it's something relatively easy to achieve and happening regularly. What the IRF study is suggesting, however, is that for truly lasting relationship building, cash may no longer be king.
Tailoring a unique experience
Just as the idea of luxury has changed with the times, what constitutes a truly memorable experience nowadays should be a factor in your travel incentive scheme. While places like New Zealand and Bali are the most common destinations for Australians, their popularity runs counter to the definition of unique.
Finding a less common location doesn't necessarily mean looking further afield, however. Rather than Indonesia or Thailand, consider emerging tourist hotspots like Cambodia or Vietnam for the truly special touch.
For the most effective travel incentive programme, one that will truly reward not just your employees and customers, but help your business towards achieving its goals, make a trip to the experts at Power2Motivate.