🏢 10 ideas for corporate holidays abroad

Good wages, high-quality working conditions, career opportunities – all this is, of course, important, but we should not forget about other points. In a team, it is necessary to monitor the atmosphere, mood and communication of all employees. When working on one thing, people should get along as well as possible, know and understand each other. A proven way to achieve this is to organize a corporate vacation. To make the event memorable for a long time, hold it abroad.

What benefits will a corporate holiday abroad bring?

Motivation

Before setting a new goal for the quarter, announce a pleasant incentive – those who show excellent results at the end of their work will go on a trip abroad. Almost anyone will like such an unexpected gift, and you do not require anything outside the scope of your work duties, so you remain within the bounds of business ethics. This is a great way to show you care about your team and highlight that their accomplishments are visible and important to the organization. 

Unity

The main way to unite people is to form common memories among them. Experienced unusual emotions unite better than usual everyday communication. In ordinary circumstances, people are not inclined to show feelings violently, but in new circumstances and places it will be easy to stir them up. Exploring an unknown city and a foreign culture will unite everyone much stronger than going to a restaurant. Business tourism will help employees find support and support in each other.

Getting out of your comfort zone 

Even the best employees need a reset. It is enough to take a break from routine for a few days to look at the team differently. In unusual circumstances, people open up in a new way, showing qualities that are hidden deep inside in a calm environment. Thus, at the slightest difficulty, employees will look for new ways of communication and mutual understanding. Additionally, by exploring a new place and culture, people get to know each other better. 

How to organize a corporate vacation abroad

Such a large-scale event requires careful preparation. Don’t neglect detailed planning—it will help you avoid many problems. There will be difficulties in any case. It is simply impossible to predict everything, but with a flexible approach you can easily cope with them.

Select a location 

It is the choice of the point to which you go that determines how the event will take place. It is best to start from the goal – do you want a crazy party, educational excursions or sports competitions. Knowing exactly what will be of interest to employees, it is easier to decide on a city. If you point your finger at the sky and simply choose a more or less well-known city, you risk depriving the trip of the effect of novelty. It’s better to find out in advance what places the team members have been and what interests them.

Also consider how useful this trip can be for business connections. Yes, the team is going on vacation, but if there is an opportunity to combine business with pleasure and visit, for example, organizations or production facilities related to yours, then do not miss the chance. One short tour of the plant of foreign colleagues will only add pleasant impressions. And don’t forget to study the peculiarities of business etiquette in different countries in advance!

Develop a detailed plan

Corporate vacations usually last 2-3 days. If you subtract the time spent on travel and sleep, there are not many free hours left. To avoid missing a minute, plan your program carefully. Designate common waking and meal times for everyone, and schedule activities for the rest of the time. Even select restaurants in advance so as not to waste minutes of rest. Don't forget to leave room for organizational issues and simple communication. Even in the busiest of schedules, pauses are needed to breathe and share emotions. 

Buy tickets 

To avoid queues during your holiday, book everything possible in advance. Pay for plane tickets and complete online check-in before departure, purchase tickets to museums, arrange hotel rooms, rent conference rooms and transport a. This way you can save not only time, but also money – many places provide a discount for early booking. It will also help you get the best conditions—sharing employees on the same floor, choosing close seats on the plane, and better meeting rooms.

Book escorts

Even if the staff speaks good English, the place is touristy and everyone has internet, don’t think you can cope without an escort. Locals know much better how to achieve the desired result quickly and under excellent conditions. Where to buy what, how to get there and who to contact – you can only get the right answers to these questions from professionals.

If you are traveling to a country whose language no one knows, you cannot do without a translator. His services for a couple of days can be quite expensive, but it will significantly save you both time and nerves. But the purpose of the trip is primarily recreation. 

And don't forget about the tour guides. It is best to explore a new place with an experienced guide. Only he will tell the most interesting stories in a short time and show you unusual places that you would definitely miss without him.

Complete the documents

Corporate holidays abroad must be documented. It's worth starting with visas. If you have chosen a country that requires a separate stamp to visit, make sure that everyone has one. The most convenient option is to contact the visa center with a group order.

In addition to internal documentation and financial reports, it is important to remember the safety of employees abroad. It is better not to travel without medical insurance; it will save time and money in case of unforeseen situations and can literally save the life of an employee. 

Which country to choose

The main criterion is the ability to quickly and easily get to the chosen location. Of course, everyone will enjoy a corporate vacation in an exotic country, but due to the long flight and acclimatization, you will lose half of the time. Make a decision based also on the chosen format of the event – it should be easy to add training, team building and master classes to the recreation program so that the corporate event is fun and useful.

Italy

This country is ideal for the simplest corporate holiday option – walks and excursions to historical places. Choose Rome, Venice or Florence to ensure you see all the major attractions. 2 days, of course, is not enough to explore such iconic places, but the employees will definitely have time to immerse themselves in the incredible atmosphere and feel like a hero of ancient stories. By the way, this country is also great for celebrating March 8th!

Spain

Bright, sultry and cheerful Spain attracts with its unique flavor. Here, of course, there are also amazing sights, such as the Royal Palace in Madrid or the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. But if you want to add an unusual touch to your corporate vacation, go to the Andalusia region. It is famous for… fortified white wines! A tour of the fields, ancient cellars and tasting of different varieties will definitely delight employees and, perhaps, give them some new ideas for work.

France

Fashion or cuisine? Combine these two destinations for an unforgettable corporate holiday in France. Stroll around the shops before embarking on a tour of renowned restaurants and master classes from celebrity chefs. Gastronomic experiences will be especially useful for employees working in the food industry.

Austria

Another cool option for a corporate vacation abroad is a sports weekend. You can choose different formats – a yoga tour, a paintball competition or a regatta along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. In winter, the best option is active recreation at the peaks of the Alps. Any of the ski resorts in Austria will greet you with excellent service, slopes of different levels and plenty of entertainment. Organize a group lesson, and then go conquer heights. Such an adventure will definitely add motivation to employees.

Latvia

You can explore Riga, but another unexpected option is to go camping to the shores of the Baltic Sea. Pines, sand and pleasant water will not leave anyone indifferent. And after testing by nature, you will know exactly which employee will cope with any difficulties. But don't forget to prepare thoroughly: excellent equipment, a supply of food, a proven route and high-quality communications are essential for a safe trip.

Iceland

If the forest is not impressive, welcome to Iceland. In this country you will be offered an unusual leisure option – a jeep tour through the mountains. Experienced local drivers with many years of experience will show you the most interesting places and conduct several extreme driving lessons. You will see volcanoes, glaciers and hot springs that you would not see under other circumstances. And don't forget to try the unique local delicacies!