With 2024 rushing to a close and many new developments on the horizon for 2025 — including offerings from emerging incentive destinations like Oman — here’s what SITE International Board of Directors (IBOD) members are excited about right now in the dynamic world of incentive travel.
Simplified experiences unlock powerful memories
Meenaz Diamond drew on a recent experience at an Auberge Resorts property, where guests were invited to collect eggs from chickens that live steps from where they were staying. They then delivered them straight to the head chef for a tasty breakfast: bringing farm-to-table dining straight to attendees’ hotel suites.
“it’s worth asking, ‘what’s right at your doorstep?’ for easy-yet-memorable experiences,” said Meenaz.
Rethink your gifting footprint
Colleen Brzozowski gave a shout-out to some of our favorite global gifting partners while also focusing on how big-name brands can be complemented by local options during programs too.
Sustainable gifting is something well-worth exploring, Colleen said, as a trend she sees getting more praise and attention at events and activations this year. These local touches can be much more sustainable (with less distance required to source and ship, for instance) and hit the right notes with qualifiers especially if they’re personalized and localized experience.
AI offers productivity gains
Incoming 2025 SITE President ️Nitin Sachdeva showcased compelling AI tools designed to cut the amount of time spent on more mundane tasks incentive professionals wrestle with as part of their daily to-dos.
These tools can help with a range of activities, Nitin explained, showing how to put together a first pass at an RFP response, full program itinerary, new business pitch deck, presentation graphics, and more.
Be sure to connect with Nitin at future SITE and industry events in 2025 to witness his AI toolbox demonstration firsthand!
Sustainability needs to stay
President-Elect Hasan Dinc bucked the trends discussion a bit during the Executive Summit Industry Education Day, arguing that that sustainability is not in fact an incentive travel trend (e.g., a behavior that will eventually fall out of fashion in favor of something else), but a new reality for all professionals to embrace.
Board member Benoit Sauvage heartily agreed, adding that sustainability is not a policy or mere dream, but a mindset that stresses taking action to meet present needs without compromising the needs of future generations.
