How we resolve challenging last-minute changes
After months of preparation, everything was meticulously prepared. We were ready with two groups to have an amazing incentive travel to experience Seville. Seville is a fantastic destination and we have already seen several groups depart for Seville, all of whom returned very enthusiastic!
In May it was the turn of a company that we have been happily working for for over 5 years. I, as the person ultimately responsible, and Nadia as the goMICE Consultant, accompany groups on-site.
Last-minute challenge
A week before the trip, the client called us. Head office had decided, due to certain safety criteria, to put a number of new cities on a ‘blacklist’ as destinations. Unfortunately, Seville had also been added to this! We received this news on the day I was about to go on holiday for a week myself.
Accommodation outside Seville
So the challenge was to relocate two groups of 55 people each to a hotel somewhere around Seville within just over a week.
Nadia and I thought: “This isn't possible” but we soon realised that there was no other option to get started. We knew it was like looking for that single needle in a haystack. While Seville has a great many hotels, the towns surrounding Seville offer few to no possibilities. And the accommodation that is available often has too few rooms. In addition, we always visit accommodation in person first, and that was no longer possible this time either.
Transferring 2 x 55 people
It was quite a challenge to get this sorted. Me behind my laptop at my holiday destination and Nadia from our office in Rotterdam. Special praise goes to Nadia, she didn't give up and came up with many creative solutions.
I’ll spare you the details of our search, but finally on Friday, 4 days before the departure of the first group, we found a suitable alternative. Unbelievable! They were, after all, the only hotels available that could also offer the desired capacity.
A happy client
Our client reacted with delight, because now the trips could go ahead after all. They approved both hotels, including the adjustments we had to make to the itinerary, as previously all restaurants and activities were within walking distance and now we also had to transport ourselves by bus.
Following approval from the client, we got to work with our regular coach company. It would be tight, they indicated, but they too did everything they could to operate all the journeys after all. The blog about this ultimately very successful incentive trip to Seville Coming online soon!