The Rise of the Choose-Your-Own Reward

Why individual travel incentives are earning their place alongside group programs...

Incentive travel is powerful.

There’s something about shared experiences, that creates lasting impact. For years, group trips have set the standard for recognition in the MICE world.

But lately, we’ve been having a different kind of conversation with planners.

It usually starts with:

“We’re looking for something a little more flexible this time.”

Or: “What if we offered a few different ways to celebrate?”

Because while group trips will always be a core part of incentive strategy, sometimes the most meaningful reward, is one that’s tailored.

A quiet beach weekend with a partner.

A family cruise timed around school breaks.

A solo adventure that feels more like restoration than recognition.

And when you make space for those moments in your program, magic still happens.

It just looks a little different.

The Case for Individual Travel Rewards

We’re in an era of personalization. We’ve seen it in gifting, dining, and itinerary design. Incentive programs are no exception.

That doesn’t mean walking away from group travel. It means adding options that reflect the people you’re celebrating. Options that say: we see how you work, and we want your reward to match your life.

For planners, that flexibility used to be tough to manage. But now, it’s easier than ever.

One Simple Way to Offer Choice

Gift-A-Trip has created a streamlined way to offer individual travel rewards—without sacrificing structure, oversight, or brand feel.

Their fully-inclusive travel certificates work directly with major cruise lines, resorts, and hotels. That means:

• You choose the reward tier

• The recipient chooses the destination and dates

• And you both get to feel good about it

It’s an elegant solution for planners who want to extend their incentive reach—without adding complexity.

A Thoughtful Addition to Any Program

At the end of the day, recognition should feel good for everyone involved.

For the company, it’s about motivating teams and reinforcing culture.

For the earner, it’s about feeling seen, appreciated, and celebrated in a way that fits.

Whether you’re designing your next program or just rethinking how you recognize individual wins, don’t underestimate the value of offering choice. Sometimes, that’s the reward in itself.

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Want to explore what individual travel rewards could look like for your team?

Let’s chat. Or start with a look at Gift-A-Trip—a smart, planner-friendly option that makes flexibility easy.

Watch the recording of the Gift-A-Trip presentation on MICE Bites®!