Think Differently with Red Blaze: Australia as your Incentive Travel destination!
by Cat Preston
Business travel rewards are an increasingly popular way of encouraging behaviour that benefits your company. The Incentive Foundation indicates that of companies using travel incentive programmes, 53 per cent recognised high performance from their sales force, 43 per cent used rewards to appreciate employees, and 33 per cent celebrated channel partners’ achievements. However, deciding where to host this can be trickier…
Long-haul travel is officially back at the forefront, but one place is usually overlooked. Affectionately known as “the land down under”, you wouldn’t be remiss for thinking Australia is too far for an incentive travel destination for a UK-based business. But, let us explore the case for why this may not be true!
A country larger than Europe and full of diversity, it would be easy to be overwhelmed with choice. So, we believe the best place to start a plan is by deciding which of the many locations ticks the boxes for your team…
Melbourne
- ARTS
- HIPSTER VIBES
- QUIRKY CAFES
Known as the cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne is filled with quirky cafes, unique shops, graffiti art and alternative people. The city is always bustling with events and exhibitions, vibrant laneways, trendy neighbourhoods and an excellent foodie scene. It bears similarities to San Francisco in the USA, or, to bring it to a smaller scale, the Camden area of London.
Think Differently: Take time and lose yourself in the graffitied laneways with colourful street art, quirky cafes and intimate bars. There’s a surprise around every turn.
Sydney
- ICONIC LANDMARKS
- FINE DINING
- MODERN & CONTEMPORARY
Similar to New York, Sydney boasts famous landmarks close to the water and an iconic bridge. It’s a truly modern and contemporary city. The activities for incentives in Sydney are boundless: climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, visiting the Opera House, touring the harbour, exploring the Blue Mountains, and visiting the plethora of beautiful beaches!
Think Differently: Dinner at the Sydney institution, Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, which overlooks the iconic Bondi Beach, is something not to be missed.
Perth
- THRIVING DINING SCENE
- VIBRANT CULTURAL SCENE
- BREATHTAKING NATURAL BEAUTY
You can now fly directly from London to Perth in 17 hours, putting this venture on a par with the ever-popular Hawaii and not much further than the west coast destinations of the USA. Take a trip to Rottnest Island to get a selfie with a photogenic quokka, enjoy a helicopter ride to drinks and dinner on Cottesloe Beach, or spend some time whiling away the hours in the vineyards of the iconic Margaret River region, just outside of Perth itself.
Think Differently: Take an incentive group to Optus Stadium in Perth, named the world’s most beautiful in 2019, which can host dinners on the pitch itself.
Brisbane
- MIX OF MODERN & HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
- NATIONAL PARKS
- BRISBANE RIVER SCENE
Australia’s third-largest city, known as Australia’s “River City” and affectionately dubbed as Australia’s nature capital, Brisbane is a modern, open-air-focused city. It is home to some of the world’s largest sand islands, stunning mountains and heritage rainforests. It’s also worth noting that, as part of Queensland and home to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, you can hold and feed koalas here, which you are unable to do in other areas!
Think Differently: Enjoy a night out on the town at Howard Smith Wharves, where you’ll find bars, live music, cafes and restaurants. Whilst there, try local delicacies like Lamington cakes or flathead lobsters freshly caught from Moreton Bay.
North Queensland & The Whitsunday Islands
- SNORKELLING CORAL REEF
- WHITE SANDY BEACHES
- PARADISE SIMILAR TO HAWAII / THE MALDIVES
Far North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef offer a breathtaking adventure, welcoming nature enthusiasts to explore their unparalleled beauty. Dive into the world’s largest coral reef system and witness a vibrant underwater paradise teeming with marine life. Above the water, pristine beaches, ancient rainforests and Aboriginal heritage await, providing a diverse and enriching experience for every visitor.
Think Differently: Bike part of the Great Tropical Drive through palm-fringed beaches, rainforests and Tropical North Queensland’s golden outback. Alternatively, ride horses along white sandy beaches or tackle bushwalking trails through lush rainforest at Cape Tribulation, the only place in the world where two World Heritage areas meet!
As we conclude on the multitude of reasons why Australia stands out as the ideal choice for such an adventure, it’s important to acknowledge the unique blend of experiences that this extraordinary country offers. Choosing Australia for an incentive trip not only promises an unforgettable adventure but this country’s unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and innovative spirit provides an ideal environment for rewarding and inspiring teams. Australia, with its endless opportunities for adventure, learning, and relaxation, is truly a premier destination that promises to exceed expectations… and truly is worth the journey.