BEAM invited six esteemed buyers from Asia to experience inVOYAGE Oman, a captivating 4-day luxury incentive travel networking event.
In the wake of the post-COVID world, the landscape of incentive travel has evolved significantly. The conventional approaches to incentive trips no longer suffice. Buyers are now casting their nets wider, sending Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to luxury hotels and exhibiting a greater willingness to explore uncharted destinations.
Even when returning to familiar locales, participants demand heightened authenticity and quality. For instance, there is a growing preference for Michelin-starred restaurant experiences over traditional cooking classes.
Recently, BEAM invited six esteemed buyers from Asia to experience inVOYAGE Oman, a captivating 4-day luxury incentive travel and networking event. While Oman had piqued the interest of our buyers as an unexplored incentive travel destination, questions lingered about its readiness to cater to well-travelled Asian incentive groups.
The inVOYAGE team sought to allay those concerns by presenting a panel of influential Omani women at the welcome reception. These women, both policymakers and social entrepreneurs, shared insights into why Oman excels in delivering authentic experiences that leave a profound social impact with its rich cultural diversity.
Oman is a place where tradition and modernity coexist harmoniously. Witnessing the younger generation’s affinity for wearable technology, yet their deep-rooted desire to uphold age-old traditions, was a revelation. As Wisal Al Rashdi, a Professional Tour Guide and co-founder of Ghudu, pointed out, “We have a new generation of Omanis who embrace modern technology, but their aspirations are still tied to traditions like caring for camels and their lands, just as their forefathers did. To them, life is about simplicity with profound meaning.”
One of the hosted buyers at inVOYAGE enthused, “The panel of Omani women was a strategic masterstroke. It reshaped my perception of Oman as an ideal incentive destination. I now have a clearer vision of what to seek in the upcoming appointments.”
Whether it was the thrill of swimming in the Gulf of Oman, embarking on a trek in the renowned Wadi al Arbiyeen, or actively supporting a social enterprise, the immersive nature and culture tours orchestrated by DMC Pure Arabia left the buyers brimming with inspiration to design more engaging programmes for future participants.
Balancing the immersive tours were the highly sociable evening events held at prestigious venues such as the Kempinski Hotel Muscat, W Muscat, and the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah. These gatherings provided opportunities for further conversations amongst 200 carefully selected buyers and sellers beyond the professionally structured business meetings.
The BEAM hosted buyers appreciated the event’s intimate size and format. It offered a sense of belonging to a close-knit community while simultaneously connecting them with sellers from diverse corners of the globe. While new products and offerings garnered attention, it was the second-generation DMC operators who truly won hearts. Their innovative, next-generation approach breathed fresh life into their family legacies.
In today’s landscape, authenticity has become the ultimate luxury. Gathering in a new destination with industry peers not only sparks inspiration but also contributes to a balanced approach to mental wellness.
By infusing authenticity into incentive travel and embracing emerging destinations, the industry is poised to embark on a new era of meaningful experiences and lasting impact.
”"The panel of Omani women was a strategic masterstroke. It reshaped my perception of Oman as an ideal incentive destination,”
an inVOYAGE hosted buyer