At Brightspot Incentives & Events, we know that incentive trips in 2025 are about more than just flights, hotels, and dinners — they’re about crafting once-in-a-lifetime moments that leave guests saying, “I’ve never experienced anything like that!”
So, how do you take your next incentive trip from predictable to unforgettable? Two of the top to-dos for 2025 are simple in theory but game-changers in practice:
- Challenge your incentive travel agencies and travel partners to find local, unique activities.
- Swap out standard swag for personalized trip gifts that reflect the destination.
Let’s dive into how you can turn these ideas into action, using the destination itself as your greatest source of inspiration.
Step 1: Let the Destination Guide the Way
Too often, corporate trips rely on the same cookie-cutter agenda: beach day, group dinners, maybe a catamaran cruise. And sure, those things are fun. But in 2025, travelers crave more. They want immersive, goosebump-worthy experiences that connect them to the culture, flavors, and traditions of the place they’re visiting.
Here’s your challenge:
Before you finalize your itinerary, take a deep dive into what makes your destination unique. Ask questions like:
- What’s the history of this region?
- What traditions are locals proud of?
- What dishes do you only find here?
- What outdoor adventures are exclusive to this location?
And here’s where your travel partners come in — challenge them to think beyond the typical. Rather than the same city tour, what about a hands-on cooking class in a chef’s home? Instead of a generic welcome reception, why not a guided street art crawl led by the local artists themselves?
When you push your destination partners to uncover those hidden gems, you start creating a trip that’s not just another getaway — it’s a curated, culturally rich experience. Research shows that culture is memorable, so attendees’ experiences are remembered longer, creating better buzz and motivating performance across the company for incentive trips.
Step 2: Curate Local, Unique Experiences
Once you’ve identified what makes the destination special, it’s time to turn those elements into experiences. Here’s how:
Think Small (and Local).
Big attractions draw big crowds. But smaller, local experiences offer intimate connections. Ask your DMC or travel partners to recommend:
- Family-owned restaurants with recipes passed down through generations.
- Artisans who can host private workshops (think pottery, jewelry making, or tequila blending).
- Create “VIP experiences”, which allows you to create a space for those intimate connections. For example, in Zermatt, Switzerland, you can visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise through a VIP gondola ride. Your attendees can go into a glacier, seeing ice sculptures and natural crystals as they make their way to a private cocktail reception!
- Have a larger group? Don’t let that deter you from creating smaller group activities! Depending on the size of the group, rotate guests through 2-3 activities over the course of a couple of days – allowing your winners to experience each activity through an exclusive lens.
Create Unreasonable Moments.
Sometimes the best experiences are the ones no one sees coming. What’s something your guests wouldn’t expect from this destination? The power of surprise and delight is the ultimate gift in the incentive industry. Maybe it’s a sunrise hike to ancient ruins with a historian guide. Or a off-roading tour of the forests and seaside cliffs of Sintra, Portugal in a legendary Portuguese convertible jeep. These are the moments that create lasting memories.
Prioritize Storytelling.
People connect to stories. Whenever possible, choose experiences led by locals who can share personal anecdotes — the fisherman who teaches you how to cast a net, the fifth-generation winemaker explaining their family’s secret blend. When guests hear the “why” behind what they’re doing, the experience becomes deeper and more meaningful.
Step 3: Personalize Instead of Corporatize Trip Gifts
Now, let’s talk gifting. Gone are the days of branded polos and coffee mugs. (Seriously, no one needs another company logo beach towel.) In 2025, guests want thoughtful, destination-inspired gifts that feel personal and purposeful.
Here’s how to rethink your approach:
Take Inspiration from the Destination.
Use the locale as your muse. A few examples:
- Visiting Ireland? Gift an Irish Coffee kit for your guests to drink on the trip, or back home!
- Headed to Morocco? Arrange personalized leather journals embossed on-site by an artisan.
- Planning a trip to Nashville? Set up a custom hat bar for your attendees to design their very own Cowboy hat!
The key is to tie the gift directly to the place and its people. That way, every time your guest uses the item, they’re reminded of that trip.
Focus on Usefulness.
Nobody wants to lug home a suitcase full of trinkets. Choose items that are high-quality and practical, preferably things guests can use during the trip itself. Think:
- Locally sourced sun hats for a beach destination.
- Handwoven scarves for chilly evening events.
- Artisan snacks packaged in travel-friendly containers, like these Cayman Cookies for a trip to the Cayman Islands!
Add a Layer of Personalization.
Go beyond just slapping a name on something. Consider:
- Gifts aligned with dietary preferences (gluten-free, vegan, etc.).
- Color palettes or designs that match individual styles and preferences.
- Collect information during registration that lends itself towards customized gifting. Ask guests what the color palette of their home is, for example, and use their response to hand pick a blanket, art print, or accessory that you know end up on display, rather than in the trash.
You might not know every guest’s favorite color, but small touches — like including a handwritten note explaining the backstory of the gift — make the entire experience feel elevated.
Step 4: Build It into the Entire Journey
The real magic happens when you weave these concepts throughout the whole trip, from the moment guests arrive to the time they head home. The focus should be on creating moments and experiences that matter.
Arrival: Skip the standard airport transfer snacks and greet guests with a locally made treat and a “Choose Your Adventure” menu of optional experiences.
During the Trip: Replace traditional team-building exercises with hands-on local workshops. Think paella cooking in Barcelona or Irish Olympics at The Orchard Center in Wicklow.
Farewell Gift: Send guests home with a piece of the destination — maybe a framed group photo from an iconic spot, wrapped in locally sourced packaging.
When you intentionally design the trip to reflect its surroundings, every moment feels cohesive, thoughtful, and authentic.
Why Does This Matter?
At Brightspot, we believe the best incentive trips reward people with more than just relaxation — they provide connection. Connection to place, to culture, to each other.
In 2025 and beyond, that’s what guests are after. They want:
- Experiences that surprise and delight.
- Gifts that feel special, not standard.
- Stories they can tell long after they return home.
And when your trip delivers on those fronts? That’s when you transform a “nice vacation” into an unforgettable incentive.
Ready to Rethink Your Next Incentive Trip?
At Brightspot, we know that creating priceless experiences is the ultimate incentive, and our team thrives on designing memorable trips that break the mold. As your incentive travel consultants, we love partnering with companies to find those under-the-radar local activities and source gifts that wow.
Whether you’re dreaming up a tropical retreat, a European city escape, or a cozy mountain getaway, let’s work together to create a trip that truly reflects the heart of your destination — and leaves your guests counting down the days until the next one.
Contact us today to start planning your next standout incentive experience.
P.S. Want to save these steps to share with your team?
Download our Four Steps to Elevating Your Attendee Experience guide here!
