The return of groups and incentives post-COVID

FOLLOWING the end of the COVID pandemic, group and incentive travel is making a swift comeback, says MD of Incentives at Sea and Beyond, Stefano Oroni. “Honestly, taking nothing away from all who suffered under the pressures of COVID, ourselves included, it was literally as if someone had turned the switch back on for the industry, especially when it came to incentives at sea.” Although much has remained the same in terms of the hardware (cruise lines) offered by Incentives at Sea and Beyond, Oroni says there have been one or two newcomers entering the market as well as the rebirth of others.

Among these are Crystal, under a completely new owner, the A&K Travel Group, which owns luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent. The A&K Travel Group acquired the Crystal Cruises brand last year along with its Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity ships, which have been totally refurbished to sport larger suites and revamped amenities, appealing to the over-40, experienced traveler. According to Oroni, Incentives at Sea and Beyond is now a preferred supplier of this brand, which exudes luxury six-star travel.

Why choose us?

Incentives at Sea and Beyond bridges the gap between the passenger and the ship. With more than 30 years of experience, it has knowledge of the different players and has sampled the different products, says Oroni. This is what allows it to meet administrative, financial, and personal needs when it comes to incentives groups at sea. He points out that there are a plethora of reasons and statistics he can offer in terms of the benefits for corporates opting for incentives at sea. One of these is the opportunity to visit multiple destinations without the hassle of packing and unpacking during the group’s travels.

Most cruise lines offer some amenities for incentive groups, while some offer shore excursions benefits and others will be all inclusive, says Oroni. Cruises do make perfect sense as incentives, as so many of the complex parts of the travel experience are well-controlled by the cruise personnel. The food is consistently good, the service standards are usually very high, and the accommodation is comfortable. There are many onboard activities and plenty of nightly entertainment – including special restaurants, on-stage shows and live music in the bars – and shore excursions are enriched by talks by experts.