Sustainability, responsibility, wellness and destination

All-inclusive resorts for corporate executive and incentive trips were once a repetitive algorithm of beautiful rooms, luxurious amenities and overindulgence of food and beverages. Yet the trends have been changing. As younger professionals are becoming more prevalent in the corporate world and earning their place in corporate executive meetings and incentive trips, meeting professionals are adjusting the previously standardized modus operandi to create modern, responsible and memorable experiences for attendees of all ages.

With sustainability at the forefront of the events industry discussion, attendees and meeting profs alike are factoring eco-friendly destinations and business practices into planning more than ever before. Even all-inclusive luxury resorts have implemented programs and strategies to cater to the green trend. In another arena of responsibility, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is now a demand for travelers visiting luxury all-inclusive resorts. Visitors want to be assured that their 5-star experience is contributing to giving back in some way.

Off-site experiences are on the rise as well. While the cozy resorts are sublime, experiencing the authenticity of the resort’s destination by venturing outside the proverbial palace has become important to attendees. They want to say they have actually been to a destination–eaten the food, shopped in the market, learned about its history and met the people.

Then they can return to the all-inclusive resort for relaxing and much-needed wellness treatments. Taking care of one’s mind, body and spirit has never gotten more attention than it is now, and self-care is an aspect of an incentive almost everybody can agree is needed.

Following are some of the trends sweeping the incentive world.

Environmental and Social Responsibility

Read More: Sustainable Meetings Through Renewable Concepts

Sustainability and CSR have been hot topics in the meetings industry and the discussions continue to grow. Traveling responsibly, protecting the environment and giving back to the communities surrounding all-inclusive resorts aligns companies with these values. Travelers want to know their stay at an all-inclusive is not harming the environment or the local community and that luxurious resorts are implementing strategies striving towards sustainability and social consciousness.  

Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort, Egypt

Have you ever come close to a guitar shark or the endangered dugong? Have you ever even heard of them before? At the all-inclusive Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort in Egypt on the shores of the Red Sea, you have direct access to Abu Dabbab Beach, one of the most sought-after snorkeling and diving destinations in the world. Swim with the friendly animals in snorkeling adventures or literally dive in deeper to go through an underwater canyon and visit a shipwreck.

Read More: All-inclusives: A Sense of Place

To ensure a once in a lifetime experience in the Red Sea and its reefs will stay beautiful and protected, Hilton has an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy program with the Hilton Global Foundation that has a mission statement of Travel With Purpose to ensure their all-inclusive resorts are handling tourism responsibly.

The Travel With Purpose initiative also creates training and education programs on a global scale in the destinations they are established in. The Hilton Global Foundation 2022 Reports shows 112,420 learning and career growth opportunities were created; 18,087,484 pounds of food donated to communities in need; and 87,526 opportunities opened for youth. Demonstrating environmental and corporate social responsibility, Hilton all-inclusive destinations such as Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort can assure traveler’s sense of concern for responsible tourism.

Experiences

While all-inclusive resorts have everything a traveler needs for activities, food and relaxation, off-site experiences with the local culture are trending. Resorts are providing more guided activities to educate and inspire guests with the music, art, cuisine and history of the resort’s surrounding community. Incentive Research Foundation (IRF)’s 2023 report found: “Experience is considered ‘the new luxury’ and is a top driver of destination choice among buyers today. There is a renewed emphasis on creating unique experiences that are memorable for all participants.”

The Westin Porto de Galinhas, Brazil

On the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in tropical Brazil, The Westin Porto de Galinhas offers guests the best of both worlds–ultimate luxury and experiential activities to learn about the history, culture and people of Brazil’s North Coast.

“Experience is considered ‘the new luxury’ and is a top driver of destination choice among buyers today.”

–  IRF

Take a curated tour of neighboring cities Recife and Olinda. Recife is the largest city in the state of Pernambuco and one of the most historic. Visitors can venture out on catamaran tours and realize why Recife’s Capibaribe River earned the city’s nickname of “Brazilian Venice.” Absorb the history of the city, as the influences of both the Dutch and Portuguese colonization are shown in the architecture, the music and cuisine. Walk Rua de Bom Jesus, known to be one of the most beautiful streets in the world. Visit Pernambuco House of Culture—previously a detention center, it is now a center for local crafts and a performance space for traditional music and dance shows.

Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai

A literal oasis in the palm groves of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Maha is a 5-star luxury hotel with experience packages designed to offer experiences honoring the Bedouin history of the desert. From the design of the resort to the cuisine and the activity packages, Al Maha is dedicated to “conserving Arabian way of life.” In contrast to the rapidly expanding metropolis of Dubai, guests can experience the splendor and authenticity of the Arabian desert.

Accompanied by experienced field guides at all times, guests can take a wildlife drive to witness the indigenous flora and fauna of the desert. Most notably, adventurers can see the majestic Arabian Oryx in their natural habitat. These white antelopes with long, straight vertical horns are a rare sighting. Even more fitting for an off-site activity from the resort? The Arabian Oryx is Al Maha in Arabic.

Wellness

Mental and spiritual wellness has become an increasingly glaring problem in the workplace and is too often overlooked or ignored. For far too long, people have overworked themselves and suffered silently which leads to burnout or worse. Finally, the industry has taken a stance in support of self-care and mental health. These all-inclusive resorts work with visitors to align their body, soul and spirit to come back to the world physically and mentally healthy and prepared for what’s next.

BodyHoliday Saint Lucia

Enjoy the gardens, ocean views, ocean front villas and the extensive wellness amenities on the Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia at this tropical all-inclusive resort. The perfect incentive option for professionals who need to reset their mind, body and spirit, the focus on wellness is the focus of this resort. Guests can learn about nutrition (with indulgence moderation) and the culinary team is trained in handling custom dietary requests. Indoor and outdoor exercise options provide every guest an option for body wellness, from the daring adventure program to the fast-paced cardio-vascular classes to peaceful body yoga. But to experience an entire wellness treatment thousands of years old, visit the resort’s ayurvedic temple.

The resort is home to Pavitra and offers all Ayurveda treatments. Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old Indian philosophy applying all practices of wellness. Guests can learn about ayurveda and its treatments, cuisine and meditation. Herbal oils are used during massages to alleviate pain and restore mental and physical health. Steam inhalation breaks up unwanted materials in your body. Nabhi Abhyanga refers to a detox treatment which increases your regularity and reduces stomach fat. These treatments are only a few of the ayurveda treatments included at Pavitra temple when staying at BodyHoliday Saint Lucia.

Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia

The private villas almost float on top of the water for a serene retreat from the world to reset your mind, body and spirit. The archipelago is flush with greenery and the villas extend out into the sapphire blue ocean. At  Song Saa, you can turn off the world for a moment and get back in tune with your wellness.

The island has three spa “sanctuaries” practicing the Buddhist tradition of metta bhavana. Treatments are built around the three themes of metta bhavana–stillness, healing and blessings. Guests can plan their own rejuvenation experience with a custom itinerary of treatments and activities. Getting back to yourself and finding inner peace is crucial to handling the stressors of the next day.

This article appears in the July 2023 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.