Individual Incentive Travel: Making the Case

January 15, 2025

A new e-book from SITE on the benefits of individual travel rewards.

We know that non-cash rewards are on the rise for 2025 and beyond, as forecasted by the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) in its 2025 White Paper Industry Outlook. And the most recent Incentive Travel Index, a joint initiative of IRF and Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) in partnership with Oxford Economics, predicts incentive travel industry growth through 2026. Now, SITE’s newest e-book, published in partnership with Pulse Experiential Travel, says that individual incentive travel is also gaining traction. Transformative Journeys: The Unmatched Benefits of Individual Incentive Travel, cites the following six benefits of individual programs:

Customization. Individual incentive travel allows employees to choose their own travel dates, destinations and itineraries. This flexibility means that travel itineraries can be personalized for the most meaningful experiences and tailored to individual preferences—be it adventure, relaxation or cultural enrichment.

Sustainability. Planners can easily incorporate sustainable travel practices into trips, aligning with CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiatives and environmental sustainability goals. This includes choosing eco-friendly accommodations and activities, offering qualifiers opportunities to engage in socially responsible activities, etc.

Motivation. Personal travel experiences and customized trips are powerful motivators, driving employees to achieve higher performance levels.

Exclusive Recognition. Personalized travel rewards are particularly effective for recognizing and rewarding top performers. The exclusivity of a customized trip fosters loyalty by showing high achievers that their contributions are valued on a personal level by the company.

Inclusivity. Because they are tailored to personal preferences, individual travel incentives cater to a diverse workforce of qualifiers with different interests and lifestyles.

Unique Experiences. Personalized travel rewards can offer singular, bucket-list experiences that foster deep connections with the company.