Heading into the New Year, Galactic is highlighting some of our top picks for 2019 incentive program destinations! Over the course of December, every Monday we are highlighting a new and unique journey. Be sure to check back right here every Monday this month!

Unique Incentive Destinations: Africa

Overview

If you're looking for your next incentive program destination but aren't quite sure where to go yet, consider a trip to Africa. A vast and highly diverse continent full of fascinating cultures, dramatic scenery and extraordinary animals, Africa offers some of the most amazing travel experiences in the world. Once you take a closer look you’ll begin to realize why we have it on our top incentive destinations of 2019.

While an African Safari is one of the most iconic and first things you’ll think about when considering a trip to the second largest continent on Earth, Africa boasts some of the most breathtaking beach paradises you’ll ever find.

Accessibility

Traveling to Africa is scarce, but can be efficient with proper planning (call us!) According to Nomadic Matt, there are numerous transportation companies dedicated to helping tourist see as much of Africa as possible. Whether you want to travel by bus for general travel or experience a slower-paced journey by safari, there is a way to get around.

Why Choose Africa as an Incentive Program Destination?

There are few places on Earth that carry the motivational power to reward people better than Africa. Being transported to a place unlike anywhere else can instill a sense of escape and relaxation for those who seek it. Taking in the wild can boost morale for all in and out of the office. A trip to Africa will not only be fun, but it’ll be one of the best trips in a person’s lifetime instilling happiness for years and years.

5 Fun Facts about Africa

• The oldest human remains ever discovered were found in Ethiopia, which is approximately 200,000-year-old
• Africa has the world’s longest river, the Nile (4,132 miles). The Nile runs through 11 countries in Africa
• While people keep expecting to see tigers in Africa, there aren’t any! Wild tigers are found in Asia, and not in Africa
• There are more people speaking French in Africa than in France
• South Africa is home to the highest commercial bungee jump in the world, called Bloukrans Bridge Bungee (216 meters)

We hope you are able to explore this amazing island with us and have it play a vital part in your business’ performance solutions!

Heading into the New Year, Galactic is highlighting some of our top picks for 2019 incentive program destinations! Over the course of December, every Monday we are highlighting a new and unique journey. Be sure to check back right here every Monday this month!

Unique Incentive Destinations: Tenerife

Overview

If you have never been to the Canary Islands, particularly Tenerife, we truly recommend it as a top-tier incentive program destination for 2019!

Standing atop Mt. Teide at 12,000 feet and watching the sun set is one of the most amazing views one can ever witness. The way the sun reflects off the water made the ocean look like clouds in the sky, not knowing where the water ends and the sky begins. The views are majestic and will leave guests speechless and surrounded by oceans and clouds. To experience the raw beauty of Tenerife is to view it from as many different places as possible. Encountering the sheer allure of the island from the top of the mountain then descending to the ocean below, the change in perspectives is quite the experience. From the island, there is a tan haze right about the ocean line; a sandstorm from the Sahara Desert. The storm won’t reach land, but it does show how close Tenerife is to the Sahara Desert, and the power of the storm’s gusts.

Accessibility

The island has superb connections, with two modern international airports (Tenerife South and North). These serve a variety of different airlines with direct flights to most major airports across Europe at very affordable prices (especially out of peak holiday travel periods).

There is also a well-maintained, modern road system including a highway between the North and South, making travel within the island fast, safe and convenient.

Why Choose Tenerife for an Incentive Program Destination?

According to TenerifeMagazine.com, Tenerife boasts a huge range of top-class accommodation across the island, with excellent facilities. There’s no shortage of superb venues to reward your top performers. The island’s activities go beyond just a week on the beach; exploring all that Tenerife has to offer would take months! There is a huge number of brilliant activities and excursions to be tried out such as sea-kayaking, whale and dolphin watching, paragliding, tree top walks and zip-lining, water parks, helicopter flights and much more!

5 Fun Facts about Tenerife 

• Tenerife’s flag is the same as Scotland’s because both share the same Patron Saint: St Andrew
• Those good-looking golden beaches are all man-made; it’s the ones with black sand that are natural
• Tenerife has one of the longest lava tubes in the world named ‘The Wind Cave’. It’s an incredible 18km in length with a maze of underground passages
• Friday 13th isn’t a worry on this island, it’s Tuesday the 13th that’s considered unlucky
• The National Anthem of Tenerife is the only one in the world to have no words

We hope you are able to explore this amazing island with us and have it play a vital part in your business’ performance solutions.

Heading into the New Year, Galactic is highlighting some of our top picks for 2019 incentive program destinations! Over the course of December, every Monday we are highlighting a new and unique journey. Be sure to check back right here every Monday this month!

Unique Incentive Destinations: Bangkok

Overview

In Bangkok, Thailand, a city of more than 6 million people, it is surprisingly calm and peaceful. The majority of citizens in Thailand are Buddhist, and have a morning ritual that promotes giving and peace, and it’s one of the most enlightening experiences to witness. There is a neighborhood where the monks walk around barefoot while the local people make merit by offering them food. Around 8am the Monks return to the temple to make a blessing for world peace. The act of giving first thing in the morning is truly something to admire. Once you take a closer look you’ll begin to realize why we think Bangkok is a top incentive destinations of 2019.

This kindness isn’t just something you see from an average citizen, it is the way that His Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej lived and encouraged.  He created what’s known as The Royal Project, a non-profit organization meant to solve deforestation, poverty and opium production. He found ways to make his land better, and instead of profiting off of it, he shared that knowledge to the people of Thailand. 

Aside from the graciousness of the people, the beauty and ambience of Thailand is an experience all on its own. From the architecture of the buildings and temples to the beautiful beaches, it’s something to be in awe over. If you have ever wanted to explore an Asian country, this is the one to visit, as it is truly the destination that has something for everyone.

Accessibility

Bangkok offers transportation methods unique and necessary for the environment such as a Tuk Tuk, which is a motorized three wheeled taxi service that Trip Advisor says your trip to Bangkok would be incomplete if you didn’t ride, just once. The Sky Train is also a relaxing way to navigate the dense inner-city. While there are no direct flights to Bangkok from the US since it is quite a distance from America, flights go to and come from Bangkok out of DFW, Los Angeles, JFK, Seattle and many more.

Why Choose Bangkok as an Incentive Program Destination?

Experiencing a new culture can expand creativity and increase globalization allowing for a new perspective on the world we live on. Broadening world knowledge in a place like Bangkok can motivate individuals upon return from halfway across the globe. Rewarding someone with a trip to Bangkok will be leaps and bounds more effective on increasing productivity and boosting moral than monetary compensation ever could. The memories and impression Bangkok makes on your traveler will be with them for a lifetime.

5 Fun Facts about Bangkok

• “Bangkok” is just short name version of city’s ceremonial name “Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit” which hold the Guinness World record for the longest name of a place

• The King’s Anthem is Played before movies and cultural performances

• Bangkok, Thailand hosts the world’s biggest Chinatown (with the world’s largest gold Buddha)

• Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been colonized by a European Power

• Every year during Thai New Year holiday, Bangkok hosts the world’s largest street water fight known as Songkran festival

We hope you are able to explore this amazing island with us and have it play a vital part in your business’ performance solutions!

Heading into the New Year, Galactic is highlighting some of our top picks for 2019 incentive program destinations! Over the course of December, every Monday we are highlighting a new and unique journey. Be sure to check back right here every Monday this month!

Overview

Much closer and warmer than the name suggests, Iceland resides midway between the United States and Europe. As the Fourth-Happiest Country in the World and the Most Peaceful Country in the World, Iceland is full of unique experiences; from viewing the beautiful aurora borealis (commonly known as the Northern Lights) to walking inside a volcano, this destination is bound to offer something new for everyone (unless you’ve already been here, of course!). The capital city of Reykjavik has won our hearts by transforming from a community with roots in agriculture and fishery to a modern, high-tech society and we are happy to announce it as one of our top incentive destinations of 2019.

Accessibility

In recent years, Iceland has become more accessible thanks to a greater number of carriers offering new, non-stop flights to Reykjavik due to its relatively close location in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean; just 5 hours from the US east coast and 3 hours from Europe. The new routes also open opportunities for split programs to Iceland and Europe. Ultimately, this means that a visit to the Land of Fire and Ice is now easier and quicker than ever.

Why Iceland for an Incentive Program Destination?

Iceland is emerging as a very popular destination that allows travelers to see unique sites that include geysers, waterfalls and geothermal features during an easy day trip from Reykjavik. Groups can hike on glaciers, explore ice caves and volcanoes, whale watch and of course soak in one of the country’s many hot springs, both natural and man-made. There are enough activities to keep attendees engaged for the better part of the week and of course the shopping, restaurants and museums found in the city that focus on the Viking history and Northern Lights offer even more options.

5 Fun Facts about Iceland

- Most every native speaks English because they are taught it in school

- The entire country is about 40,000 sq. miles, or similar in size to Kentucky, Tennessee or Indiana

- The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic Krona

- Almost 99% of the country’s energy supply is made from renewable resources, primarily being geothermal renewable energy

- The Arctic Fox is the only species of mammal native to Iceland. Polar bears occasionally visit by traveling on icebergs from Greenland, but the majority of wildlife on the island consists of birds.

We hope you are able to explore this amazing island soon and have it play a vital part in your business’ performance solutions!

Each year MasterCard’s Global Destination Cities Index takes an in-depth look into visitor volume during the previous year, provides a growth forecast analysis for the current year as well as reviews the average length of stay and dollar amount spent to rank their Global Destination Cities List. Here are the Top 10 Cities for 2018.

10 Seoul, South Korea

9.54 Million International Overnight Visitors

As the business and cultural hub of South Korea, Seoul combines an innovative city feel with authentic Buddhist history. While you’re there, visit the Myeong-dong shopping district or Gyeongbokgung Palace.

9. Istanbul, Turkey

10.70 Million International Overnight Visitors

Built on two continents and divided by the Bosphorus Straight, Instanbul is considered the European Capital of Culture. Be sure to check out the incredible Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum or one of the other historic monuments.

8. Tokyo Japan

11.93 Million International Overnight Visitors

Next up to host the 2020 Olympics, Tokyo continues to grow and attract visitors. A couple must do items for your list include visiting the towering observation deck, Tokyo Skytree, or the fun for all ages, Tokyo Disneyland.

7. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

12.58 Million International Overnight Visitors

As the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur has several districts, but its main hub, the Golden Triangle, is recognized for several must see attractions: the world’s tallest twin skyscrapers, Petalin Street Flea Market, and the 400 million year old Batu Caves.

6. New York City, USA

13.13 Million International Overnight Visitors

Comprised of five boroughs each boasting their own expansive arts and culture scenes, history, and mystique, while you’re visiting The Big Apple, be sure to check out Times Square and the Empire State Building.

5. Singapore, Malaysia

13.91 Million International Overnight Visitors

Touted as Southeast Asia’s most modern city, Singapore, while small in size, effortlessly blends a unique ethnic dynamic. During your stay, climb the Tiger Sky Tower for panoramic views that can stretch as far as Indonesia.

4. Dubai, U.A.E.

15.79 Million International Overnight Visitors

Known for its warm hospitality and opulent lifestyle, Dubai features year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, and fascinating attractions including the iconic 160-story skyscraper and observation deck, Burj Khalifa and the palm shaped island of Palm Jumeirah.

3. Paris, France

17.44 Million International Overnight Visitors

Known as the City of Lights, the capital of France is a global hotspot for art, gastronomy, fashion, architecture and culture. Of course, while you’re there you must see the infamous Eiffel Tower, but also make some time for the lesser known gems of the city like the panoramic terrace at the top of the Printemps department store.

2. London, UK

19.83 Million International Overnight Visitors

Situated on the River Thames with one of the largest metropolitan area GDPs in the world, sits London, the capital and most populous city of England and the United Kingdom. Big Ben, the London Eye and Tower Bridge are sure to be landmarks worth exploring.

1. Bangkok, Thailand

20.05 Million International Overnight Visitors

A true tourist paradise, Bangkok is a jumble of exotic, fun, and majesty that you won’t find anywhere else. Be sure to explore the city’s hot spots and historical sites, such as the Grand Palace and Chatuchak Market.