How do you amaze 50 experienced travellers during an incentive trip in Thailand?

The client for whom we planned this trip has been with us for a long time. Every two years, they organise a competition among their distributors. The one with the largest turnover wins a unique trip. We have already arranged incentive trips for them to Cuba, China and Sri Lanka. In cooperation with a local agent, we once again got down to work to organise a wonderful incentive trip for them. This time, we took 50 people to Thailand.

The challenges

As we have been working with this client for years, we first asked for feedback about the previous trips. What did they really like? What would they like to be different? For this trip, they wanted a few extra days to relax on the beach. And the programme was to include meetings with the local people. Finally, they wanted to be surprised. We rolled up our sleeves and enthusiastically started planning this unique trip!

A list of the challenges:

• Good balance between activities and relaxation
• Meetings with the local people
• Surprising details

To work!

With the help of our permanent partner in Thailand, we got down to work to prepare a programme with a good balance between activities and relaxation. The first stop was the capital city, Bangkok, for culture, including free time. Then we explored the interior of the country, where tourism has not yet taken over. Finally, we enjoyed a few days on the beach, with the focus on relaxation.

To be sure that the programme would be a success, we took our client on a scouting trip and went through the entire journey. We slept in all the planned hotels, ate in all the reserved restaurants and did all the activities. At the time, the exchange rate was unfavourable. Consequently, some of the hotels and activities were more expensive than expected. That is where the scouting trip offers us the opportunity to look for an alternative. And if the food in a certain restaurant doesn’t quite live up to expectations, this is the time to find something else.

Good balance between activities and relaxation

We wanted to combine the meeting with local people with a local lunch. With a group of 50 people, it is not easy to go to street food stalls. We resolved this by simply hiring three food stalls! That way, we had local food lovingly prepared exclusively for us. You get to meet the local people and enjoy their traditional dishes at the same time.

Meetings with the local people

We are known for adding surprising details to our trips. Leaving people in awe is our goal. ‘Transfer to the restaurant’ was what the guests read in the programme booklet. What actually awaited them was a transfer in an authentic tuk-tuk, accompanied by a police escort – a real VIP feeling! The dinner in an exclusive rooftop bar with a panoramic view only added to the experience. It’s details like these that create a feeling of exclusiveness.

During the scouting trip, we had also taken a company banner with us to the hotel where we were to stay upon arrival in Bangkok. On the incentive trip itself, two Thai ladies in traditional dress holding the company banner welcomed the guests to the hotel.

Surprising details

And what did the client think?

“We have been travelling with De Buck for five years now. Why would you choose another agency if they get it right every time? Their incentive trips are brimming with unique details and they provide a great deal of diversity. De Buck listens to what we want and finds the perfect balance between sightseeing, activities and relaxation.”