Incentive trips are resuming their momentum, with both, companies and employees, preferring incentive trips versus vouchers or cash-in-kind, says Australian-born travel firm Flight Centre Travel Group.

In a press statement, it says that its subsidiary FCM Meetings and Events India has seen more than a 30 pc increase in requests for incentive trips.

Incentive trips, or employee reward programmes, are used to boost employee engagement and productivity. It works by encouraging employees to improve their performance and reach goals and it is especially motivating for younger and mid-career employees.

Manpreet Bindra

“Incentive trips are a popular way to reward employees and now that travel is back in full swing, both companies and employees prefer incentive trips versus vouchers or cash-in-kind,” says Manpreet Bindra, FCM Meetings and Events Leader, Asia.

The statement adds that incentive trips for both startups to large-scale enterprises are getting popular with pre-booking costs at discounted prices. Bangkok, Pattaya, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, Kuala Lumpur, and Colombo are some of the most coveted destinations in Asia.

“We have managed incentive trips for startups to large-scale enterprises including upcoming destinations like Vietnam, apart from the popular Thailand and Indonesia. If companies can confirm their group movements 6 months prior, they can stand to save more than 20 pc in airfares with FCM. Our advice is always to book group movement 9 months in advance as fares for full-cost carriers are comparable to low-cost carriers,” he adds.

“The most popular destinations in Asia are Bangkok and Pattaya in tandem, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, Kuala Lumpur, and Colombo although Hong Kong and Macau are starting to gain traction again due to the increased air seat capacity as well as tourism marketing initiatives. Companies are looking at destinations with both hotel and air seat capacity as well as the ease of visa procedures,” adds Bindra.