News and Trends 2025
As highlighted in the Incentive Travel Index 2024, the primary motivations for incentive travel include employee retention (81%), attracting and retaining the next generation of qualified leaders (70%), and the growing perception that travel is a highly valued reward (68%).
Furthermore, the Incentive Research Foundation has published its IRF 2025 Trends Report, offering an updated overview of the most significant developments in the corporate incentive industry for the year.
According to the IRF’s findings, in 2025, incentive programs and rewards are set to experience substantial evolution. This transformation is driven by shifting business priorities, changing employee expectations, and a rising demand for innovation—all while maintaining their status as a powerful tool for gaining a competitive advantage in the market.
Moreover, non-monetary rewards and recognition continue to play a pivotal role in boosting employee performance and supporting key business outcomes. As a result, HR departments are increasingly broadening the scope of incentive programs, making them more inclusive and extending rewards beyond just the sales teams. This strategic expansion ensures that employees who indirectly contribute to revenue goals are also acknowledged and motivated.
The Whole Is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts
Building upon this philosophy, maintaining a diversified portfolio of incentive, reward, and recognition programs serves as a powerful strategy to boost Company Culture and foster long-term employee loyalty.
So, how can companies take effective action?
To begin with, in order to impress leadership, leave a lasting impact on participants, and continually elevate expectations, incentive travel organizers are expected to seek out new and exciting destinations throughout 2025.
According to the latest data from the Incentive Travel Index 2024, 70% of buyers are actively searching for fresh alternatives destinations they have never used before. They are prioritizing locations that offer more space, cleaner air, and fewer crowds.
In fact, there is a growing desire to access to unique travel experiences and unexplored destinations that participants would likely not pursue on their own.
Ultimately, designing unforgettable travel experiences that strengthen employee engagement and loyalty remains a core element in the strategic value of incentive travel.
