[10 Things I Love About]... Incentive travel

Trading since May 2006, Giltedge Incentives is a privately held company. Directors are Sean Kritzinger, Murray Gardiner, Adrian Gardiner and Hector van der Walt, the MD of Giltedge Incentives. Contributing Editor Brian Berkman asked for his list of...

10 Things I Love About Incentive Travel

By Hector van der Walt, MD, Giltedge Incentives

1. Vietnamese dining: Hosting a gala dinner, complete with a band, lights and a DJ, in one of the most amazing locations imaginable - Hang Trong cave situated in Halong Bay, Vietnam - www.halongbay-vietnam.com.
2. Spa chic: Experiencing the most incredible spa at the Four Seasons Resort at Anahita in Mauritius - www.fourseasons.com/mauritius.
3. Bubbling under: A guided underground champagne cellar tour at Moet & Chandon with their champagne vintner - www.moet.com.
4. Roads less travelled: Proposing to clients new and interesting destinations and experiences that are 'off the beaten track' - researching and investigating 'places to visit and things to do' is a never-ending journey of discovery!
a. Near Dubai but in the Wilderness: Amongst our favourites are Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, which is located in the heart of the desert, adjacent to Dubai International Endurance City, yet is just a 40-minute drive from the city of Dubai and only 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport - www.meydanhotels.com/babalshams/index.htm.
b. World Heritage: And Amanfayun - In the spirit of a traditional Chinese village, Amanfayun is a place to explore - a place of stone pathways leading to shaded courtyards, quaint restaurants and peaceful abodes. Situated on 14 hectares to the west of West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the outskirts of Hangzhou, the resort is comprised of 47 dwellings surrounded by tea fields, natural forests and lush groves of bamboo - www.amanresorts.com/amanfayun/home.aspx.
5. Getting it right: The satisfaction of knowing that you have assisted a company achieve its goals, improved staff performance and increased profits due to the exceptional tailor-made programmes and teaser campaigns created - theirf.org/direct/user/file/pdf/Anatomy-of-a-Successful-Incentive-Travel-Program-whitepaper.pdf.
6. Soaring heights: Extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as flying by helicopter around Kilimanjaro, Africa's greatest mountain - www.tanzaniaparks.com/kili.html.
7. Homecoming with You, too: Sharing in the client's excitement at the U2 home coming concert in Dublin - www.visitdublin.com.
8. Whiskey while you work: A private charter abroad the exclusive Rovos Rail from Victoria Falls to Pretoria, accompanied by a charismatic whiskey master - www.rovos.com.
9. Click Click Flash Flash: The glam and energy at New York Fashion week and making the experience accessible to South Africa's top fashion editors, TV presenters and socialites - newyorkfashionweek.com/player.shtml or www.mbfashionweek.com/home.
10. Drive and Dive: An exhilarating snorkel and cycle safari, rounded off with a gourmet picnic on the exclusive Desroches Island Resort - www.desroches-island.com.