Forget long weekends après skiing, visiting Europe's most popular cities or sampling the UAE’s varied nightlife and dining scene. When it comes to trending incentive travel ideas, for the US market there’s a new sheriff in town and one which we think you and your employees will thoroughly enjoy.
Guest ranches, or dude ranches as they are otherwise called, allow you to saddle up and discover what life is like as a real-life cowboy in America’s great outdoors.
Whether you fancy yourself as Billy The Kid, Butch Cassidy or Woody from Andy’s toy box, on this trip you can enjoy horseback riding, fly fishing, rock climbing, paddleboarding, archery, hiking, cattle herding and more.
Rooms are authentic, many converted barns or wooden cabins with comfortable amenities and home-comforts. And the setting, from dusk ‘til dawn, is sure to blow you away. So grab your Levi’s, lace up your boots and don a Stetson as this is one getaway you’re going to want to go full kit for.
What is incentive travel?
A reward under an incentive, recognition or loyalty programme within a corporate setting, travel incentives are a business tool designed to improve employee behaviour and productivity to increase efficiency, profits and engagement.
Why is a ranch a great incentive idea?
We can’t think of a better way to encourage team building than working together to herd bison and cattle from horseback.
Alternatively, tickle your employees competitiveness with a team archery battle or clay pigeon shooting. Working ranches promote family and how teamwork is the only way to get the job done, all core qualities to instil within employees to help create a successful company.
The notion of togetherness is certainly highlighted when it comes to ranch dining. Family-style banquets are the norm here, where everyone sits around a long table, with sharing platters or self-serve buffet-style food and free-flowing drinks.
There’s no singing Kumbuya around a campfire (unless you really want to, of course) but instead it’s open-air dining with nature as your backdrop and great conversation the soundtrack.
Which states have guest ranches?
Guest ranches are located all over the USA however Montana is a popular choice with its river canyons and mountainous landscape.
The Resort at Paws Up Ranch is a good option for incentive travel. Located 35 minutes northeast of Missoula within Montana's wilderness, the 37,000-acre luxury ranch boasts a range of experiences that'll keep your staff entertained. Plus, it's suitable for all genders and ages.
The all-inclusive property even has activities available for children, if you wanted to extend the getaway to include staff’s families too, with pony rides, archery, canoeing, nature walks, fly-fishing and more all appropriate for kids.
As for incentive itineraries, the ranch offers an extensive guest programme around horsemanship, ranching and conservation practices teamed with fine lodging and delicious dining. The most popular experience here is learning to herd cattle while enjoying the stunning scenery.
Other USA incentive travel ideas
Beat the bucket list
Hello Hawaii! Enjoy surfing, island hopping and bonding as a team.
Party in the USA
Las Vegas and Miami blend pool parties with great dining and a thumping nightlife.
Once-in-a-lifetime
Head to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, an experience employees will never forget.
Cinematic wonders
Visit Hollywood or New York City to tick off cinematic history's top filming locations.
How do I book a ranch incentive trip
Our Winged Boots Business team are experienced in organising all types of incentive and corporate travel so you can trust that we have the knowledge and the capability to make all the arrangements you need. We can even hold flights without any financial commitment*, especially handy if you’re waiting for the end of the quarter to see which employees make target.
Interested in booking a trip for you and your team? Discover more about incentive travel, call our team on 0203 816 0972 or visit our business travel page.
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