Incentive travel in Italy can be a powerful motivation for all eligible employees. Who doesn’t want to spend a week indulging in Italian food or visiting iconic destinations? It’s not because large companies take part in incentive travel, however, that this travel style needs to contribute to overtourism or have other negative consequences. In fact, the very opposite is an option, too. There are a number of sustainability best practices to keep in mind when organizing incentive trips in Italy.
Sustainability Best Practices for Incentive Travel in Italy
Rewarding hardworking employees with a trip to Italy lets companies hit two birds with one stone. One, it boosts revenue and results for the company. Two, it’s a unique team building opportunity, which as a result improves the vibe on the work floor and, as such, performances.
Things get even better still when participants are aware that they’re doing everything in a sustainable way. Actually being connected to the destination, fully exploring and experiencing it, greatly enhances everyone’s trip. So, here are four sustainability best practices for organizing incentive travel in Italy trips.
1. Eco-Friendly Accommodation
Sustainable best practices take into account all aspects of the travel industry. It doesn’t just mean that it’s better to bike than take the car but also includes things like accommodation. In fact, the way an accommodation is run can greatly reduce (or increase) your ecological footprint.
It’s best to opt for a place to stay that works with other local travel providers, such as guides and even farmers. Using renewable energy and native materials in its architecture and decor are other things to look for.
2. Slow Food Instead of Fast Food
Having mentioned farmers above, it’s worth zooming in on this particular best sustainable travel practice. An increasingly popular travel trend is the demand for slow food, which is definitely a reaction to the abundance of characterless fast food in the world today. As its name indicates, slow food is prepared after you’ve ordered it, while also implying that you really take the time to enjoy it, tastes all its flavors and nuances.
Slow food is strongly intertwined with local production, too. Known as “farm-to-table food”, these are locally grown produce and products, preferably in an organic way. This both supports the local farming community and decreases pollution because there’s no need to transport food over long distances.
3. Off-the-Beaten-Track Destinations
Although many people want to visit iconic destinations, and there’s of course a good reason for that, it’s well worth considering visiting a less-known place instead. Sustainability is all about trying to make things last. Those major destinations are over-crowded as it is, experiencing all sorts of pressure on the local environment, ecosystem, and even human population.
By choosing an off-the-beaten-track destination instead, it’s possible to boost a local community, take some pressure off of a popular city or region, and have a truly authentic Italy experience. After all, it makes sense that it’s better when lots of destinations are visited by fewer people, than when a few places receive all tourists. The latter is the definition of unsustainability.
4. Human-Powered Activities
A great way to experience a new destination is by doing an outdoor activity. Of course, it’s Italy and there are numerous world-class museums to visit and tons of food to eat, but it’s also simply a gorgeous country that’s best explored on trails and on the water.
Human-powered activities like hiking, cycling, kayaking, and trail running are all part of so-called “slow travel”. It’s important to slow down and really take in the scenery with all sense. Additionally, doing these types of activities is also one of the sustainability best practices for incentive travel because they’re great for building team spirit. It’ll improve the sustainability of the company, too!
Learn More About Incentive Travel in Italy
These sustainability best practices show how you can keep environmental impact low during incentive travel in Italy. FindYourItaly specializes in sustainable and personalized travels. For more information about FindYourItaly’s incentive packages, please visit our tour page.
