DRMumbai: Here are some captivating ‘Incentive travel’ friendly destinations, attractions and experiences across the globe that can deliver a memorable event
MUSEUM OF DEATH, LOS ANGELES
Established in 1995, the gory Museum of Death displays an extensive variety of art and artifacts surrounding the subject of death, including letters & artwork from various serial killers, severed head of the French serial killer – Henri Landru, footage of mortuary practices, execution machines, books & movies on cannibalism, baby coffins, autopsy films, body bags, graphic photographs of crime victims and other similar relics, enough to make you cringe. The most terrifying aspect of this place is that unlike a horror movie, the things you witness here are actually real. Those who enjoy the rush of fear definitely cannot miss visiting the Museum of Death.This gruesome place is certainly not for the faint-hearted!
THE LOS ANGELES POLICE MUSEUM, LOS ANGELES
For those who have serious interest in policing or crime, the Los Angeles Police Museum, located in the old Highland Park Police Station, the oldest station building in the city, is a must visit. The site is the country’s most distinguished museum dedicated to sharing the rich history of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) through engaging artifacts and exceptional timeless exhibits. The museum offers a glimpse of original jail cells, vehicles and disguises used by the perpetrators, details of crime incidents, vintage police cars, uniforms and tools, which are both educative as well as informative. The museum grants guests the opportunity to get a first-hand experience of the crime action by hopping on a CHP motorcycle or climbing on a cop helicopter.
ULURU, AUSTRALIA
In Australia’s Red Centre, experience the Uluru and Kata Tjuta rock formations with sunrise tours, star-lit dinners and more. Uluru delivers the quintessential outback adventure. Uluru changes colour throughout the day. Experience its various shades from every angle with a pre-dawn camel tour, afternoon helicopter ride, sunset cocktail party or dinner under the stars. Taste bush tucker, ride a Harley, throw a boomerang, ride a camel and watch the sunrise.
Perfect time: Mild winter from June to September
Stay in one of 15 ‘glamping’ tents at Longitude 131° luxury retreat nested among the ancient dunes at Uluru-Kata Tjuta. Exclusive group buy-outs are available.
Venues: Uluru Meeting Place at Ayers Rock Resort can provide theatre-style seating for up to 420 people. Ayers Rock Resort has 650+ rooms in 5 individual hotels.
Alice Springs Convention Centre can host up to 1,200 delegates across 10 meeting spaces including an outdoor courtyard which can host cocktails for 400 guests.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
Located on the Brisbane River, Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia with a sub-tropical climate, thriving dining scene and a range of outdoor activities that create a winning combination for a rewarding incentive trip. Charter a yatch, visit Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Visit Riverlife at Kangaroo Point for adventurous activities, Cuddle a koala and feed kangaroos at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Host a gala dinner at Brisbane City Hall, catered by Epicure, and curate team-building programs both in the centre of Brisbane and on nearby Moreton Island with help from Banana Life. Or hop onto The Wheel of Brisbane providing 360 degree panoramic views of the city and which can accommodate groups of up to 250 at a time in air-conditioned gondolas.
Perfect time: Mild winter from June to September
The new hotel, W Brisbane offers 312 rooms, all with views of the Brisbane River.
Venues: Eleven Rooftop Bar has a capacity to hold 100 pax and is available for exclusive hire.
Brisbane Powerhouse located on the Brisbane River offers 12 indoor and outdoor spaces including rooftops and lawns. Capacity to accommodate 320 for a sit-down event.
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre has 44 flexible meeting and event spaces, including a Sky Room & Terrace that can host cocktails for 300 pax with city and river views.
MINI-EUROPE, BRUSSELS
Located at the foot of the Atomium, Mini-Europe is the only park where you can have a whistle-stop tour of Europe in a few short hours. A truly unique journey! Enjoy a stroll taking in the typical atmosphere of the most beautiful towns of the old Continent. The incomparable chimes of Big Ben welcome you to the heart of London. The gondolas and mandolins invite you to discover the charms of Venice. Follow the TGV high-speed train from Paris to the other end of France. You can make the models work yourself: the eruption of Vesuvius, the fall of the Berlin Wall, a bull-fight in Seville, the take off of the Ariane spaceship and many others. All in all, 350 models and sites with an unequalled level of craftsmanship.
TUSCANY, ITALY
Central Italy’s Tuscany region with capital Florence can be a perfect setting for an ‘incentive’ group. The wine estates, castles, valleys, farmhouses and the seven UNESCO® World Heritage Sites offer perfect backdrops and unique set of experiences. Engage in a treasure hunt or photo-safari in Florence by foot or bike, or even a Segway; in Chianti, undertake a gastronomic tour or cooking class to dabble with a variety of cheese, pastas, wines, breads and pastries; partake in a wine tour in San Gimignano – visit the cellars and taste the wine, and experience Tuscany Merenda, an Italian food tradition.
BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT, BAHRAIN
One of the most sought-after adventure experiences includes Bahrain International Circuit which has various activities like Karting Circuit and Land Rover Experience. Located in the heart of the Sakhir desert, Bahrain International Circuit is a unique and contemporary facility that is synonymous with the highest levels of global motorsport. An exciting part of the Bahrain International Circuit experience can be found at its world-class, history-making karting facility. Bahrain International Karting Circuit is a premier karting track that became the first in the world to host a world championship-level race at night.
BERLIN, GERMANY
If you are looking for something unique, we suggest The Spandau Citadel. It is a fortress in Berlin, one of the best-preserved Renaissance military structures of Europe. Its atmosphere is unique and your conference members will be inspired all around. There are indoor and outdoor areas available which are suited for the exhibition of products as well as team-building activities. Or check out CityCube Berlin, a multifunctional venue for trade fairs, conferences and events, with two main floors, flexible wall partitioning, numerous conference rooms and the southern section of the exhibition grounds nearby. This venue provides the perfect setting for every imaginable event, being able to host up to 11.000 people. An interesting activity which you should not miss is to drive a tank. Tank Driving is an exceptional out-door team-building activity for all those looking for action and fun. After a security briefing and instructions about how to drive and handle the tank, the participants can prove their driving skills on the terrain.
SEAWINGS, UAE
Seawings is the only luxury seaplane tour operator in the Middle East flying across the UAE and Oman. Equipped with a fleet of Cessna aircraft and 25 landing hubs. A dedicated team to manage corporate and MICE bookings with end-to-end itineraries covering flights, transfers, hotels, sightseeing & experiences, meeting spaces and unique settings.
HONG KONG
Popular venues include Hong Kong Disneyland (with its newest Marvel attraction i.e. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Nano Battle), Ocean Park (a marine-life theme park featuring animals, thrill rides and shows), Ngong Ping 360 (a gondola lift on Lantau Island), amongst others. The Aqua Luna II has been newly launched and can accommodate up to 80 guests on its two decks, making it ideal for corporate events. Other few popular options in Hong Kong are the Victoria Peak (Tram Ride) and the Madame Tussauds.
ABU DHABI, UAE
Abu Dhabi has so many options to delight the incentive traveller. Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Wadi Adventure, Hili Fun City, numerous world-class gold courses, and last but not the least, Yas Marina Circuit offering go-karting and Formula One sports car racing. Additional activities include snorkelling, kayaking in the mangroves, star gazing, sunset cruises, learning to fly a falcon, shopping at date market and souks, and sand dune bashing in 4×4 land cruisers.
SINGAPORE
One of the most sought-after MICE destinations, Singapore has it all to enthral the incentive traveller. From Vespa tours around the city, to an enthralling iFLY (indoor sky diving experience), dolphin encounter tours, night food tours, Jurong’s Bird Park, Night Safari, Singapore Zoo, the most visited Sentosa Island and Universal Studios amusement park (highlight ride being the Transformers). All major cruise liners touch Singapore, allowing incentive groups to add a cruise leg to the trip.
LAS VEGAS, USA
Enjoy the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas courtesy a limo ride with friends to the best stops across the strip and indulging in a pop of champagne. The nightlife and casino experiences are one of best on offer around the world. Enjoy the nightlife of Las Vegas clubs including Tao at The Venetian, Light at Mandalay Bay, Marquee at The Cosmopolitan, Hakkasan at MGM Grand, XS at The Wynn and Omnia at Caesar’s Palace, amongst others. The Grand Canyon offers a spectacular view of what nature has to offer and a helicopter tour is one of the best ways to enjoy.
KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA
Be it business travellers, conference delegates or incentive groups; South Africa has something to offer across its entire geographical spans. Set against some of the most scenic landscapes in the world is a powerful combination of experiences – traditional cultures mixed with modern urban rhythms to ecotourism in harmony and adrenalin-fused adventure. When in the stunning province of KwaZulu-Natal, visitors can partake in unparalleled wildlife experiences in close proximity to Durban or even undertake a sea safari and maybe spot whales or indulge in yacht sundowners. A visit to the Drakensberg mountain range is also a must-do. A sunrise hot air balloon ride over the majestic, natural beauty of the ranges will leave one speechless and in awe. For adventure lovers, the entire stretch from the East Coast all the way through to the Garden Route offers a treasure trove of experiences. Be it bungee jumping, shark cage diving, sky diving, para-gliding , sand-boarding, quad biking, zip lining, river rafting or even golfing, South Africa has it all!
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES
Royal Caribbean offers world-class experience with 26 of the world’s most revolutionary ships sailing and visiting to more than 300 destinations. From quick three to five night events, to adventurous seven nights and longer. These cruises offers world-class cuisine including Indian fare, state-of-the-art venues, team building opportunities and on board thrills from bow to stern — all at an unbeatable value of 30 per cent less compared to a land-based destination.
From the Main Theater to ice skating rinks and beyond, Royal Caribbean ships offer an impressive range of customizable venues to suit any group size and meeting objective, accommodating gatherings as small as 16 and up to 1,400 on larger ships. And every ship is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, plus complimentary A/V services.
COSTA CRUISES
Over the last few years, not only has the cruise product become popular as a travel option, but also sought after by MICE groups. At Costa Cruises, about 50 per cent of travellers from India are corporate groups. The main reason for the growth in MICE numbers on a cruise is the ease of handling groups on-board a cruise vis-a-vis land. Most of the MICE groups combine work and leisure activities on the ship. From meeting venues and award ceremonies in the theatre, to the leisure activities in the various lounges, pool decks and bars, everything is available on the ship. The ease of having everything at one place, enhances not only the attendance in terms of the meetings on-board, but gives travellers the flexibility to do whatever they choose to do in the evening. Costa Cruises offers the Indian market a variety of short cruise itineraries from Mumbai, Singapore, Barcelona, Savona (Milan), Stockholm and Dubai. This is combined with all the customisation of Indian meal availability on all the ships. MICE groups look for short sailings and Costa’s 3N itineraries from Mumbai to Kochi and Kochi to Maldives are very popular with the MICE segment, since they are visa-free. 7N itineraries on the Mediterranean and North Europe routes are also popular.
