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Corporate travel was slow to pick up after the Covid-19 pandemic, some even questioned if business trips were at the end of an era. Software such as Zoom and remote work resulted in teams no longer needing to leave the house, never mind the country, to connect with others.
Business travel, and especially group travel is coming back after a period of isolation with individuals and businesses seeking to rebuild teams and collaboration. Business travel spending in Europe will reach just shy of $415 billion in 2025, higher than pre-pandemic spending of $392 billion in 2019. With hybrid and flexible working being prominent for many in business, professionals are getting back on the road to meet in real life, and bringing a group of people together is just the way to achieve this.
But, where are they travelling to? We have accumulated the top five international locations by city for corporate group travel.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal is a top destination for business events, offering a range of venues, from trendy rooftop bars to historic buildings. Lisbon has a vibrant culture, giving business professionals the ability to indulge in traditional Portuguese cuisine and the warm weather, which doesn’t disappoint. It’s a relatively inexpensive destination so you will find good value for your corporate group travel.
Location Benefits
The United Kingdom offers accessible and easy transport links to Lisbon. There are various transportation options available for travelling to Lisbon, including car, plane, and ferry. The fastest and cheapest way to travel to Lisbon is by flight, which will take approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes, however if you’re looking for another transport option, there are transfer services available from London by coach.
Corporate Event Spaces
SUD Lisboa
SUD Lisboa is one of the most unique event spaces in Portugal, being a perfect location for business and leisure. With its stunning waterfront views of the Tejo River, it is a luxurious atmosphere for corporate meetings and events. The venue features spacious rooms, exquisite catering options and beautiful facilities, such as the infinity pool and bars, to keep business travellers happy alongside their business aims of the trip. Hosting an event at the SUD Lisboa would ensure a memorable experience for your business group travel.
Estufa Fria Municipal Green Houses
One of the most interesting locations for corporate events in both summer and winter is the Estufa Fria greenhouses that function as space for plants and gardens but also events of all types. It is located in the centre of Lisbon, making it perfect for all types of events. Have a corporate event meeting and enjoy moments amongst the pools, waterfalls, statues and hundreds of species from all over the world. The Estufa Fria is a very popular venue for luxury events in the centre of Lisbon and will impress all that attend.
Team Building Activities
Lisbon is a welcoming city, with an atmosphere perfect for those looking for exploration and adventures for your team. There are a lot of activities that can be incorporated into your corporate getaway.
Take a trip to the historical town of Sintra
Sintra is a town based between the mountains and the ocean, bringing with it breath-taking landscape views. Much of its charm comes from its heritage as a town, with palaces and historical sites going back to the 1800s. If you are planning to visit a few of the buildings, it’s worth making a group day trip of it.
Surfing in the Costa de Caparica
Based on the south of Lisbon is the Costa de Caparica, known as the best place to surf in Europe. 14 miles of sand curving around Lisbon, there’s certainly enough space to surf. Also, there are a variety of instructors and teams around the Costa de Caparica to help with groups and teams going on down to learn to surf.
Lisbon street art tours
The Lisbon street art tours are an incredible activity to feel a part of the culture. You will experience a 3 hour walk through Lisbon’s urban art scenery and you can even book private tours for your corporate team.
Malaga, Spain
Malaga, situated in Costa del Sol, is an incredible location for group travel events. For a Spanish destination, Malaga is relatively budget-friendly compared to cities like Barcelona or Madrid. It’s a hidden gem for group travel as it offers captivating settings for conferences and incentive trips but, it also averages 320 days of sun and blue skies in a year, so you and your business don’t need to go during peak holiday time.
Location Benefits
Malaga has an international airport with direct flights to 142 destinations in 31 different countries, making it accessible for many around the globe looking to come together for a business trip. As one of Europe’s safest cities, it’s very easy to move around due to the main attractions being very close to one another and public transport being accessible easily around the city.
When travelling from the United Kingdom, many will either take the Eurostar or plane. Business travellers will take the Eurostar as it can be cheaper than flying, especially if you book in advance and avoid peak times.
Corporate Event Spaces
Malaga has a mix of venues, from beachfront resorts to historic buildings, all of which ensure your corporate team enjoy the warm hospitality and incredible atmosphere of the people around.
Hotel Barcelo Malaga
Hotel Barcelo Malaga is considered one of the best hotels for business in the Costa del Sol. It has a total of 1,500 m2 of convention rooms, distributed in 16 comfortable spaces, fitting up to 1,200 guests making it a corporate event space that’s exclusive and comfortable. It is ideally located near the train station, local centre of the city and airport making it one of the best connected hotels in Malaga.
Gran Hotel Miramar
Gran Hotel Miramar Resort & Spa is situated in La Caleta district and offers beautiful outlooks over the Mediterranean sea and Malaga bay. With convention halls that hold a capacity of up to 500 people and 10 independent halls for you to confidently host your corporate event, the Gran Hotel Miramar is the perfect location for your event.
Team Building Activities
Explore the mountains with a unique canyoning experience
Explore the beautiful canyon in Sierra de las Nieves, less than an hour away from Malaga. The Zarzalones canyon is filled with jumps, abseiling drops and natural slides that the water has carved out over the years. If your team are thrill seekers, this could be a great corporate team event.
Outdoor Adventure Park
Aventura Amazonia is one of the leading theme parks on the Costa del Sol. Located in Elvira, and just 500m from the beach, the park has 6 adventure circuits and includes a treetop zipline, with a length of 240m. An entrance ticket gives you 3 hours of excitement and adrenaline to enjoy the multi-adventure circuits, meaning you can make the treetop circuits as many times as you like.
Big Sup
Test your team’s coordination, balance and communication skills on a big stand-up paddleboard (Big Sup). Up to 8 people can board the Sup at one time and with several available, your team can engage in several games, races and competitions. A watersport professional accompanies your corporate group and provides instructions so you won’t feel completely lost. This activity will definitely guarantee some laughter within the group.
Caminito Del Rey Tour
Discover the 7.7 kilometre Caminito del Rey trail at your own pace, following the routes that you desire. This trial runs along the steep walls of the Gaitanes Gorge and it’s a thrilling adventure as you travel across the 30-meter-long Bridge of the Sighs. Caminito Del Rey Tour is not for the faint hearted.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai is a global business hub, becoming a prime destination for corporate group travel. With its word-class shopping malls and iconic landmarks, Dubai offers a one-of-a-kind backdrop for corporate events and incentive travel.
Location Benefits
Dubai is an efficient and well-connected city with the Dubai metro being a convenient mode of transport for many due to the coverage of the city. Additionally, a benefit is females travelling who may feel uncomfortable with a male taxi driver have the option of a Ladies’ Taxi, driven by a female and identifiable by a pink-painted roof on the vehicle.
Corporate Event Spaces
With a super cool combination of ambitious architecture and stunning landscapes, Dubai’s venues are known as some of the world’s most attractive ones.
The Atlantis
You’ll be surprised to know that Atlantis is one of the top conference venues in Dubai. The main reason is, it’s a kind of one-stop-facility for both event planners as well as conferences. From small and informal to bold events, The Atlantis venues will amend to any. From hosting a reception in front of a 65,000 marine animal aquarium or a conference meeting in one of Dubai’s most exclusive hotel suite. All the function spaces available deliver world-class service for your corporate event.
The Ritz Carlton
The Ritz Carlton has distinctive corporate event spaces to choose from, whether you need a breakout room or the spectacular ballroom they offer. It has 350,000 meters of private gardens for private functions and breakouts. Plus if you want to enjoy some team activites around your corporate event, The Ritz Carlton offer groups activites from beach volleyball, camel riding, and more.
Team Building Activities
Aventura Parks
Aventura Parks offers some of the most unique and fun corporate team building activities in Dubai. They have set team building development programmes for corporate teams based on experiential learning and time-tested tools and can both be customised to meet your organisation’s objectives and learning outcomes. It’s designed to boost physical strength, mental health, creativity, and harmony.
Desert Team Building
There are a complete range of activities for you and your corporate team to enjoy in the desert from camel riding, quad biking to sandboarding, and even team relays. These activities provide a unique and exhilarating experience that will create lasting memories for your team.
Dragon boat racing
Dragon Boat Racing is a unique and exciting watersport that will get all members of your team working together towards a common goal. Based on an ancient tradition from 2,000 years ago, dragon boat racing has become one of the fastest-growing corporate sports worldwide. It is the perfect team building event that is unique and gives an incredible experience.
New York, United States of America
New York has the perfect mix of business and leisure experiences for your corporate event, with a mix of great culture, cuisine, art, and history, it is an ideal destination to seek a memorable experience.
Location Benefits
Navigating the city can indeed be daunting, especially for groups. New York is known for its fast-paced environment, and getting around can be a challenge with the city’s heavy traffic and complex subway system. That’s where the importance of choosing the right transportation comes in, ensuring your experience is comfortable and hassle-free. From spacious buses and taxis to the efficient subway system, there are numerous options to suit different group sizes and preferences.
Corporate Event Spaces
The Glasshouses
The Glasshouses tops the list of corporate event venues in New York City for companies with a small or large number of attendees. It is perfect for those looking to have luxury, convenience, and unparalleled views of the city. The Glasshouse sets itself apart with state of the art lighting and audio accommodations, making it a venue equipped to elevate your corporate event.
Pier Sixty
Set up within Chelsea Piers, Pier Sixty is an iconic corporate event venue. Depending on your event’s theme and budget, you have three venue options within Pier Sixty. You can choose Pier Sixty, a 20,000-square-foot venue that can accommodate up to 2,000 attendees. You can also opt for The Lighthouse, a 10,000-square-foot space that can host up to 800 guests. The Lighthouse overlooks the Hudson River and is the perfect space for companies that want guests to experience a picturesque venue. The Current is another modern and innovative event venue within Pier Sixty that can accommodate up to 360 attendees.
Team Building Activities
Broadway shows
New York City’s Broadway shows are a perfect way to entertain and impress your corporate events team, especially if you’ve had a busy day and want to unwind on the evening. With a wide range of options, from classic musicals to cutting-edge plays, there is something for everyone, leaving your guests in awe. If you do prefer something less mainstream, New York City also offers great Off Broadway, magic and stand up comedy shows.
Central Park tours
Have a walking tour of Central Park and learn about the history and beauty of the grounds of New York City. This is a relaxed activity for a corporate team event but will attract many due to the sanctuary of the park.
Explore NYC’s finest museums
There are a variety of incredible museums in New York City to explore that will have you and your team in awe. From the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art to the thought-provoking Museum of Modern Art, there is no shortage of artistic and cultural experiences to boost your team’s creativity and inspiration.
Nice, France
Nice is a city just upon the coastline of the Mediterranean and has the perfect balance of work and leisure for those corporate events.
Location Benefits
Nice has many low-cost airline flights from London, Paris, and other peak locations making it accessible for many. If city’s public transportation is a tram system or ferry service making it easy to transfer from A to B around the city.
Corporate Event Spaces
Hyatt Regency Palais de la Mediterranean
Located on the famous Promenade des Anglais, this hotel offers a remarkable view of the sea, with seven fully equipped meeting rooms that offer an array of sizes, arrangements and functionality. It is the ideal location for all types of private or business events.
AC Hotel Nice
Again, the AC Hotel Nice is ideally situated on the Promenade des Anglais, offering views of the incredible city and sea. It’s prime location and venue options will upscale your corporate event and when you want your team to relax, the hotel is just steps from the beach.
Team Building Activities
Explore the coastline on a glamorous yacht
The French Riviera is a world-renowned sailing destination that will promise your corporate team an unforgettable experience. You can explore Monaco, uncover the hidden gems of the Esterel Massif, or even soak up the sun on the pristine beaches you pass. It’s an activity that will leave your team with breath-taking scenery and a memorable experience.
Go whitewater rafting in the Gorges du Verdon
Whitewater rafting in the Gorges du Verdon will take you down the most beautiful rivers of the South of France. The rafts can be occupied by groups from 4 to 8 people and you will be the engine of the raft whilst the professional steers. This is a great activity for team building and communication as you explore the incredible views of the South of France.
Vineyard experience
For those wanting to have a more relaxed team activity and enjoy a glass of wine or two, a vineyard tour experience is perfect. Some of these wine tours focus exclusively on wine tastings, and some include visits to the idyllic vineyards just outside the city. This team activity is a quintessential French thing to do.
The Role of a Corporate Travel Management Company
Businesses achieve their best results when they work as a collaborative group, so we’re here at Good Travel Management to provide optimised group corporate travel for as many of your colleagues as required.
Say thank you to your teams with an incredible incentive trip with team building activities to give them a memorable travel experience. If you’re unsure on where to go, what to do or where to start, we are experts in implementing all steps of your group travel journey.
Travel Managers, are you ready to book? Let’s Talk.