Sustainable incentive travel: a guide to responsible performance rewards

Employees are increasingly loyal to purpose-led employers. That’s a fact.

Purpose-driven in this context means designing incentive travel that rewards performance while creating positive environmental, social, and community outcomes that are aligned with company values. Studies by Pew and Deloitte show that 70% of younger employees (77% in the case of Gen Z) prefer to work for companies that reflect their values. This shift in mindset is reshaping corporate reward programs, and sustainable incentive travel is at the forefront of this evolution.

To quote the philosopher, Monty Python, “What’s the point of travelling abroad when you’re just another tourist, carted around in busses …?”.

Moving away from traditional package tours, modern incentive trips are now curated experiences that balance performance rewards with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations, along with meaningful community engagement.

Why ESG is reshaping incentive strategy

ESG considerations are no longer optional for forward-thinking companies. From HR leaders to C-suite executives, organisations face growing pressure from employees, consumers, and boards to demonstrate responsible practices across every aspect of their operations. In South Africa, ESG reporting is becoming increasingly central to corporate governance, and incentive travel offers a unique opportunity to align employee reward programs with these values.

What does sustainable incentive travel look like?

Sustainable incentive travel goes beyond ‘green-minded’ gestures. It is about thoughtfully designed experiences that inter alia benefit the environment, preserve cultural heritage, and empower local communities.

Key features include:

• Small group sizes and slow travel to reduce carbon footprints and increase quality engagement.
• Local destinations that reduce the need for long-haul flights and lower emissions.
• Properties committed to conservation and community upliftment.
• Eco-conscious practices: carbon offsetting, digital itineraries, reusable gifts like bamboo bags and bottles, hotel greywater systems for sustainable water use, and the like.
• Community involvement: volunteer workshops, tree planting, or support for local infrastructure projects like schools and clinics.

By choosing sustainable travel experiences, companies provide their employees with more than a trip, they create memorable moments that contribute to a better future for all concerned.

Business benefits of sustainable incentive travel

Beyond “doing the right thing”, sustainable incentive travel (deliberately not reduced to the antithetical acronym ‘SIT’) has tangible business benefits:

• Purpose alignment boosts brand perception, making your company more attractive to employees, clients, and investors.
• Deeper employee engagement and retention, as participants feel connected to both the company and the result of their travel choices.
• Reduced reputational risk flows from travel programs that adhere to ESG principles.
• Support for ESG reporting and compliance allows measurement and evaluation to be included in corporate sustainability reports.

By integrating sustainability into incentive programs, companies achieve a win-win: meaningful experiences for employees and measurable ESG impact for the business.

How AAGroup delivers sustainable travel solutions

At Achievement Awards Group, we design incentive travel programs that are hassle-free and sustainable from start to finish. Our approach includes:

• Network of sustainable partners: We carefully vet destination management companies, hotels, and service providers for eco-conscious practices, social responsibility, and ethical standards.
• Custom itinerary planning: Every journey is designed with ESG considerations in mind, ensuring experiences are immersive, locally authentic, and supportive of community development.
• Measurement and reporting: From ROI tracking to sustainability’s impact, we provide transparent insights into every aspect of the program.
• Full-service execution: With experienced tour leaders, end-to-end logistics, and robust risk management, we provide complete peace of mind for our clients.

For example, our long-standing partnership with Heineken Beverages demonstrates our capability to blend corporate reward with purpose. Over the years, we have delighted thousands of participants across multiple initiatives, integrating sustainable elements wherever possible. Each itinerary is designed to have a lasting effect on guests, communities, and the planet.

We’re now expanding our focus to include even more socially responsible activities in our itineraries, from community engagement workshops to conservation experiences, ensuring that sustainable incentive travel isn’t just a concept but a lived experience.

Designing a green incentive program

Creating a sustainable incentive program requires more than picking trite ‘eco-friendly’ destinations. Key considerations include:

• Supplier vetting: Ensure every partner aligns with sustainability and ethical standards.
• Flexible design: Scale experiences to suit group sizes, budgets, and business objectives.
• Purposeful storytelling: Integrate the company’s brand and ESG values at every touchpoint.

This reinforces brand identity and helps employees connect the travel experience to the company’s broader ESG commitments.

Leading the way in rewarding success – sustainably

At Achievement Awards Group, we provide the expertise, network, and end-to-end service to make it happen. By choosing sustainable incentive travel, your business can reward success without compromising on environmental responsibility or ethical values.

Be the company that leads the way. Reward achievement with purpose and make every trip count for both your people – and the planet.