Not so fast. When it comes to adding adventure travel options to a meeting or incentive, it’s best to look before you leap.
Now, this is what I call a high-end incentive.
Space Perspective, the world’s first and only carbon-neutral spaceflight experience company, is on a mission to make space travel accessible to more people than ever before. Its innovative Spaceship Neptune, which comprises a pressurized capsule propelled by a giant SpaceBalloon™, claims to offer a safe and transformative six-hour journey to the edge of space. With no rockets, weightlessness, heavy g-forces or training required, the experience is designed to be as gentle on passengers as it is on the Earth. Those who will fly with Space Perspective when they begin to offer commercial flights will enjoy unprecedented views of our planet through the largest windows ever flown to the edge of space, a world-class meal and cocktail service, Wi-Fi, and lavatory – all from the comforts of the world’s first Space Lounge.
Out of this world? Maybe, in more ways than one. The atmosphere is generally considered to extend up to 100,000 feet. Above this altitude, the stratosphere is essentially a vacuum until it reaches outer space. At 100,000 feet, you are above 99% of the Earth’s atmosphere and there is almost no air or oxygen. Which definitely puts it in the category of adventure travel.
Adventure travel can be a transformative experience, forcing the traveler to confront their fears, develop new skills, and discover hidden strengths. It can boost confidence and self-reliance, and give those who experience it a newfound appreciation for the world and their place in it. It also takes people to places and allows them to do things that most people can only dream of. All of those things make it a good incentive.
But, it’s also dangerous. There is always a chance of getting injured or even killed. That is definitely true of the Space Perspective experience. Ultimately, the decision of whether offering adventure travel as an incentive is worth the risk should be made only after the host organization has weighed the potential benefits and risks carefully.
Here are some guidelines incentive planners should follow before making such a decision.
Choose the activities carefully. Be honest about the fitness level and experience of your audience and choose activities that are appropriate for them.
Do your research. Read reviews of operators and activities, and make sure that you are choosing a reputable company.
Provide proper training. If some members of your group are trying a new activity, make sure that they get proper training from a qualified instructor.
Be prepared for the unexpected. Pack for all weather conditions, and make sure that the group has an appropriate number of good first-aid kits.
Get insurance for the group. This will help you protect both your attendees, and your organization if something goes wrong.
Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.
