2024 Incentive ideas from Motive.
Number 1 - BALI
A Vibrant Blend of Modern and Traditional
As predicted at the start of 2023, the location we recommended is exactly where you want to be in 2024 - Bali is a vibrant blend of modern and traditional that has our team visiting it three times this year to its shores. This island destination has become a hot spot again for NZ travellers and one of our top sellers for event planning in 2023 and 2024.
From glamorous ballrooms to pristine sandy beaches and vibrant night spots, this island location offers endless options that cater to any taste. Whether you want a grand affair in the Nusa Dua Hotel or an intimate gathering in boutique accommodations in Ubud or Uluwatu, we can craft the perfect event based on your age bracket and audience needs.
With so much to choose from at so many price points it’s best to know the different regions and locations in the Indonesian paradise. We understand that no two groups are alike so can create a boutique Bali event designed for you and your people Whether you want to party all night with your team or reward by sprawling on the beach let us take the time to understand your objectives to create a personalized event iteniery that is tailored to your preferences and parameters.
Hotels we love to sell…
Renaissance - Uluwatu
Sofitel - Nusa Dua
The Stones - Legian
Four seasons - Jimbaran (luxury Product)
the above hotels are great for groups ranging from 100 - 150pax events
Combine the perfect night stay with a day at one of these beach clubs: Cafe Del mar, Roosterfish, Savaya and Potato Head
Flights
AKL Non-Stop to Denpasar – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday return (9.2 hours there – 7.30 return) so it’s a great option to arrive Monday and event till Friday (midweek). For those that want to extend, travellers can capture more of the beaches and sun over the weekend and return Sunday or Monday.
Best rates on shoulder seasons:
April and May and September and October
Event Pros
Good range of ground products and interesting day tours for those running Concentive events. For those that are in top-end luxury, there are great boutique hotels that will please the fussiest of travellers.
With lots of restaurants (which deliver delicious cuisine), Beach clubs and shopping to accommodate partner programs during the day, plus swanky in-house hotel venues, this location has all the right event factors to make anything work.
Event Cons
Although ground costs are insanely cheap in comparison to other Asian locations, with interest rates now catching up with Bali it’s a bit more expensive than it was in 2018. We can still find great rates but you’re not saving as much as you used to so be wary the budget will not push as it did before.
Ground logistics providers are very slick but in the peak seasons, you will find roads busy with lots of tourists and buses. Plan for the worst in these times. Always book in those shoulders to get great service and exceptional delivery outside school holidays.
Stay well clear of the rainy season – Beaches become polluted especially in Kuta and Seminyak and you won’t have that picture-perfect incentive you were after.
Number 2 -Cairns/Port Douglas
Mix one part rainforest, one part reef
If you're looking for an oceanfront destination that offers more than just beaches, look no further than Cairns. Located in Queensland, this area is known for its stunning reefs, sugar fields, and tropical landscapes that provide visitors with plenty of sights, activities, and experiences to enjoy.
While Cairns may not have the best beaches in the region, there are still plenty of must-see attractions that make this location a bucket list destination. For example, a private group charter to the Great Barrier Reef is a must-have experience that will take your breath away. But don't limit yourself to just the reefs, Motive Events recommends exploring the rainforest tours as well, which offer a unique perspective on the area's diverse ecosystem.
Why Cairns, you ask? Well in 2023 this destination saw a surge in local market traffic. Next year, national events are planned to take place offshore, which means Cairns is looking to capture business from New Zealand in 2024. This gives you the opportunity to book early and get the best rates and best locations.
So, if you're looking for a destination that offers more than just sun, sand, and sea, Cairns is the perfect choice for events with medium to large size event spaces or go big at the event centre. With its stunning reefs, sugar fields, and tropical rainforests, this area has something for everyone. Book early for this location and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Hotel recommendations for Cairns
Riley CrystalBrooke - Cairns
Sheraton Mirage - Port Douglas
Pullman Cairns International - Cairns
Shangri La Cairns
the above hotels are great for groups ranging from 100 - 150pax events
Great Event Spots
Flames of the forest
Salt Or Nu Nu’s
Sugar Cane Farm
Hemingway’s
For small groups: plan a wild night at Wolf Lane Bar and sample all the Gins!!
Flights
Flights with Air NZ fly from Auckland on Sat and Wednesday and return on the same days. Our suggestion is to fly Wednesday early flight (4-5 hours - dependent on tailwinds) and get conferencing done on Thursday and Friday.
Extension travel can easily be made over the weekend and returning the following weekend if clients are wanting to soak up the sun a bit longer.
Best rates on shoulder seasons:
April and May and September and October
Pros
Quick and easy to get from the airport, this location has plenty of hotels and event spaces within walking distance (if the weather is playing nice). With Port Douglas in the same area, you can easily have a great Incentive destination to add on.
Prices are good for shoulder seasons in April / May and October/November which is outside their dry periods but still, good warm periods, which are great months for kiwis to travel.
Event locations onsite and offsite are great for that med tier 200pax event and caterers are really creating some amazing dishes that use local resources from the rainforest to get your taste buds tingling with excitement.
Cons
NO BEACH- Not a deal breaker but if wanting that picturesque Insta photo of you swimming on a golden sand beach …this isn’t going to be the place for you.
Most hotels have spent a lot on their poolside areas to get you feeling like you are living the beach dream, so don’t feel you can’t make the most of the sun under a fancy beach umbrella by the pool.
Rain Is a factor to be aware of (It’s surrounded by rainforest so it’s a must, to be honest) so if booking outside spaces that are amazing in the summer heat, it’s best to plan for that wet weather backup if off-peak season or shoulder season.
Flights are limited in terms of times, but these still work well if you are planning a Wed – Friday event.
Number 3 - Kuala Lumpur (wildcard option)
WILDCARD - Kuala Lumpur
This Malaysian metropolis is packed to the brim with 1700+ hotels that can cater for any style or budget from high-end to purely stop-over for the night. The main hotel players such as Marriot, and Accor have extremely spacious event areas, that are extremely cost-effective to NZ room rates and are available throughout the year. Alongside great hotel room pricing most have spacious event rooms onsite which paired with direct Auckland flights through Air Malaysia allows a destination that is just outside the usual destinations of choice a city of possibles that attendees might not have been to.
Keep KL on your radar as this is a strong contender on cost, to top Asian locations such as Singapore, and Hong Kong….. BUT here in KL, the budget does go way further!
Motive Hotel choice for event bookings
W Hotel
EQ KL
Pullman
Hyatt
the above hotels are great for groups ranging from 100 - 500 pax events
Top Activities
Petronas Twin Towers
Batu caves
Cuisine tours and market shopping
Flight
Flight time - 11.30 hours - allowing additional time on the ground is a must – Plan an extra night to not feel like you have just arrived, and then turn around in the blink of an eye.
Best rates on shoulder seasons:
July through November
Pros
Easy travel to KL with Malaysian Air, great currency exchange and plenty of hotel choices for overseas conferences this city is a great safe city that is waiting for conferences (HINT – if it’s a Concentive, have your conference elements in the city centre and then take a short trip to Langkawi (1-hour flight) which will have you in paradise for incentive elements of a trip (or create an add on for those that are wanting to extend at the end of the conference)
For those wanting to extend to Europe Asia and India, the Cities airport will easily have flights to get you to any location.
Cons
Grandeur to local delegates at hotels is getting the largest scale ballroom space possible to show your wealth and influence, so smaller more intimate spaces are not widely available for the smaller groups travelling from NZ. This is not to say smaller more intimate spaces are not available, but you will find big is best usually at most well-established hotels.
NOTE - Think about breaking up a gala dinner into surprise and delight spaces, where guests can flow through from one area to the next in a journey of discovery to solve these larger rooms.
Flight time is over that 8 hours (11.30 hours) that Kiwis tend to want so much, so allowing additional time on the ground is a must – Plan an extra night to not feel like you have just arrived and are then turning in a blink of an eye.