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INCENTIVE TRAVEL
An incentive trip that goes beyond rewarding. For employees, teams, and partners, always focused on sparking change in people.
ORGANIZE AN INCENTIVE TRIP THAT DOES MORE THAN JUST REWARD
A bonus says: well done. An experience says: we see who you are.
You organize an incentive trip for employees who deliver top performance, for clients who are always there, and for teams that go the extra mile. They deserve more than a standard reward. They deserve a moment that sticks with them and shows that you understand who they are.
AN INCENTIVE TRIP IS USUALLY NOT WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK
Many organizations view an incentive trip as an expensive outing, making it difficult to justify.
Real change only happens when the intention is right and the program aligns with who your people are. Employees who return and talk differently about the company. Clients who feel they are more than just a contract. Teams that get to know each other in a new way.
Does this sound familiar?
- Top performers are rewarded but don’t feel truly seen
- Teams are functional, but the mutual connection is missing
- Clients are satisfied, but there is no real loyalty yet
- Previous initiatives yielded little lasting effect
Then the question isn't whether an incentive trip is too expensive. The question is what it costs if you don't do it...
WHAT MAKES AN INCENTIVE TRIP AT BARENTSZEN DIFFERENT
The destination follows the goal
We don't start with the question of where you want to go, but with what needs to change in your people. Do you want to make top sellers truly feel they matter? That could be an exclusive trip to Iceland where every day demands something special. Do you want to create more connection within a team? Then a multi-day experience in nature or a unique setting closer to home might be much more effective. Only once your goal is clear do we choose the format, the country, and the program.
For employees and partners
A sales team has different needs than a select group of strategic partners. We think along based on who is going and what they need to be moved. Sometimes that lies in adventure and intensity. Sometimes in peace, attention, and space for good conversations. This can be abroad, but just as easily in the Netherlands.
Moments people remember
It's not the dinner, but the conversation at the table; not the activity, but what someone says afterward. We design the trip so that these moments are not coincidental, but are consciously triggered by the context, the rhythm, and the people around you.
The effect doesn't stop at the return flight
What is created during an incentive trip often resonates long after in how people collaborate, communicate, and view one another. That's why (if desired) we also help you think about how to extend that experience—for example, with a reunion moment two months later where teams share what has changed. Or a personal gift that references a key moment of the trip.
DISCOVER HOW OTHER ORGANIZATIONS MOVED THEIR PARTNERS
types of clients we work for:
WHAT YOU SEE AFTER A REWARD TRIP
An incentive trip with the right setup leaves a mark. Not just in good memories, but in measurable behavior. Space is created for personal contact, allowing relationships to go beyond just business.
Higher employee satisfaction and lower turnover
Stronger customer loyalty and more repeat purchases
Better collaboration and less friction within teams
Employees and clients who actively recommend your organization
A shared story that continues to be told for months
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY
From the very first meeting through to the final wrap-up of the trip, communication with BARENTSZEN was clear and professional. We received not only great tips about the destination (hotel/restaurants/experiences) but also excellent advice on the structure and logic of the program. During the trip, the local guides hired by BARENTSZEN and our tour leader Jiska’s sharp eye for detail made all the difference. She managed to guide our group of 26 people smoothly and graciously, allowing us to focus entirely on the experience. The result: an inspiring, unique, and connecting study trip where everything was safely and superbly organized.
The best moment? When you notice the energy flowing, without having to push.
From the very first introductory meeting, they truly listened to our wishes for the ideal office weekend. Djuna and Frederiek took care of every detail, ensuring the program perfectly aligned with our company and team. Our thanks to Djuna, Frederiek, and the entire team for the fantastic organization and this unforgettable weekend. We hope to work together again in the future!
Our company trip to Berlin was a success, thanks in part to the professional guidance of BARENTSZEN. They have excellent local connections and responsive, friendly, and knowledgeable staff.
For the anniversary trip to Reims, we worked closely with BARENTSZEN to create a memorable journey that would bring all colleagues closer together. Thanks to their creative and seamless organization, it became exactly the kind of trip people will be talking about for years to come.
Such an eye for detail, such a high level of flexibility and customer focus, and such a tight internal organization are things we rarely experience from suppliers. We would therefore like to wholeheartedly recommend Barentszen to any organization that wants to make their group trip a resounding success.
PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT REWARDING WITH IMPACT MEANS
Behind every incentive trip is a team that looks beyond programs and destinations. We understand that you are steering based on how people feel, how they work together, and what they remember when they are back home.
Fee
Emma
Carina
Maxime
Marisa
Nicolien
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT INCENTIVE TRIPS
What is the difference between incentive trips and staff trips?
A staff trip is about being together and relaxing; the goal is to have fun. An incentive trip is given a conscious intention. Think of strengthening loyalty, motivation, or connection. The program makes the impact fundamentally different, even if the destination were the same.
Do incentive trips work for clients and partners, or only for employees?
It can work for various group compositions, but the approach differs. For employees, it’s often about recognition and team dynamics. For clients and partners, it’s about personal depth and loyalty. We always tailor the program to who is going and what you want to achieve.
How do you ensure an incentive trip works for a diverse team?
The secret isn’t in a program that everyone likes, because that doesn’t exist. It’s in shared moments that connect people, regardless of their individual preferences. It is precisely outside the daily context that conversations happen which never take place at the office. It’s not the activity that makes the difference, but what happens between people during that activity.
How do you prevent an incentive from becoming a luxury outing without real impact?
By putting the goal first, not the destination. A unique hotel makes an impression. But what people remember are the conversations, the moments of recognition, and the things they experienced together. We consciously design for that, so the trip does more than just impress.
What about the WKR and tax feasibility for incentive trips?
For reward trips for employees, the work-related costs scheme (WKR) plays a role. We actively think along with you so that you gain internal support and can also justify the trip financially. Read more about the WKR scheme here.
Who do you select for an incentive trip and how do you handle that internally?
Selection always raises questions. Who gets to go and on what basis? And how does that feel for those who aren’t invited? This concern is a realistic factor for management and partly determines whether the trip lands positively within your organization. If desired, we can always advise on this—from criteria to communication.
WANT TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL TO REWARD YOUR PARTNERS?
Special doesn't have to be grand or luxurious. It means people feel that you know who they are. Not with a program or a destination, but with the question: who are your employees, clients, or partners, and what truly moves them?
our customers give us
4.6 / 5 average
OTHER WAYS TO ENGAGE CUSTOMERS
Relationship Events
When you want to activate or deepen business relationships. Not as a reward, but as a strategic moment in your customer relationship.
Corporate events
When you have something to celebrate. An anniversary, a milestone, a new chapter. Not every moment requires a strategic goal. Sometimes coming together and celebrating is enough.
Custom event or custom trip
When you don't yet know which format fits the goal of highlighting your company or giving your people the attention they deserve.