arinex

Spain has embraced Australia as an incentive travel destination with characteristic passion.

In the space of just four months, three significant incentives programs from Spain has seen almost 2,000 top achievers from the insurance, automotive and fuel distribution sectors discover the excitement and pizzaz Australia offers.

The groups from Nissan Financial Services, Mapfre insurance and CEPSA, a service station organisation, employed the services of the Destination Management division of arinex to create and manage their programs.

"We were aware that for just about every participant this would have been not only their first time to Australia, but the longest journey they will have ever made. So we were determined to give them the adventure of their lives," said Sonja Soderbom who heads the Destination Management division for arinex .

With the groups ranging in size from 60 for Nissan, 120 for CEPSA and 1500 for Mapfre, the programs devised were quite different in their content, but all revealed Australia in a fresh, dynamic light.

The magic of Uluru (Ayers Rock) at Sunset, a Gala Dinner on Fort Denison on Sydney Harbour with the Opera House and Bridge as backdrop, helicopter flights to the Great Barrier Reef and tailor-made menus celebrating the finest Australia fare were just some of the memorable elements.

 

Mapfre gave arinex the task of developing a creative touring itinerary that gave the visitors an essence of Australia in just six days.
It was an extra special event for the company as it was its 75th anniversary year and the decision was taken to celebrate as far from home as possible.

arinex Destination Management Manager, Sonja Soderbom and her team sourced the elite in Spanish speaking providers in tour guiding and interpreting, who could showcase Sydney and its attractions in its best possible light to our Spanish guests.

A convoy of 36 coaches moved the group from the airport to their five central five star hotels, with hotel selection based not only on bed numbers but also transport accessibility.

A four-day touring itinerary designed to showcase Sydney gave all 1,500 guests the opportunity to experience the destination equally - and thoroughly. The visitors were divided into three groups, with each group alternating through a different activity each day.

 

The Nissan group had an action packed eight days to fit in Sydney, Uluru and Port Douglas. A program was devised that delivered the highlights of each destination, while giving the visitors sufficient time to relax and soak up the local atmosphere.

Among the highlights were the "Flames of the Forest", a fantasy dinner in the rainforest of Tropical North Queensland, the iconic Sounds of Silence experience at Uluru and a private discovery of the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef in the company of a marine biologist.

 

The CEPSA group had the luxury of 11 days to enjoy the program developed by arinex.

"The brief was to ensure that every element of the program, from transfers, business sessions, dinners and entertainment had an exclusive and refined touch," said Project Manager Florencia Jacovella. "They enjoyed charter flights, harbour cruises and the chance to experience specially devised menus in some of Australia's top restaurants. We also made time for them to experience a koala hug and feed the kangaroos. Without exception, the dozens of venues and suppliers rose to the challenge and the feedback from our guests was just wonderful."

On CEPSA's part, Marta Marugán, the company's event organiser, said the incentive trip had exceded all expectations.

"We chose Australia because we thought it would meet our objectives we have for our annual trips, which are usually quite demanding. Although it was a destination I was concerned about because of the long distance, it proved to be one of the most enjoyable for our guests."

Ms Marugan said the entire arinex team had shown great professionalism throughout the organisation and delivery of the CEPSA program and that Sydney had rated 10 out of 10 as an incentive destination.

The CEPSA program earned arinex winner of the Incentive of Year at the 2008 Meetings and Industry Awards.

he Spanish are wonderful people with an exciting culture and we've been delighted to put together itineraries that have exceeded their expectations for their Australian experience," says Roslyn McLeod, Managing Director of arinex.

"It was an exhilarating experience - they wanted the best and were very receptive to our ideas. We quickly built a relationship of trust and thoroughly enjoyed the strong team spirit we built between the Spanish travel agent, the Mapfre client and our team. It was a fantastic challenge to manage such a large group from Spain and we can't wait for the next opportunity."

It seems the event was viewed in much the same light by Mapfre.

"I was ecstatic with the team that looked after our group. The Spanish way is very different to the Australian way and I appreciated the huge effort that arinex put in to meet all our needs," said Angel Ramos Frey, who was the main Mapfre point of contact for arinex.

"I can't speak highly enough of the team. Their fluent Spanish was vital to the project and I was delighted that everything went so smoothly. The Spanish are very spontaneous in what we want, but anything that we asked for, arinex just made it happen. I am truly delighted with our Australian experience and our company will benefit from the joy it gave our top award winners."