Page 32 - Meetings Botswana 2020

CASE STUDY
Exceeding Expectations
For 160 participants from the United States on an incentive to Chobe, the trip was an outstanding success, delivering an experience to remember according to the organiser Landmark Incentives
32 MEETINGS BOTSWANA 2020
It was not the first time that Chicago-based Landmark Incentives had put Botswana in the frame for an incentive trip, according to account executive Jason Altman.
But, after debuting with the Chobe Game Lodge, there was a question of where to take a bigger group
numbering 80 couples.
“The Chobe Game Lodge is a premium property but was
too small on this occasion and exceeded our price point – so finding a second tier option with sufficient capacity was a
struggle,” he said, suggesting there was limited inventory in the range usually offering by a Sheraton or Westin, for example.
Having established a working relationship with Bushtracks Africa, it was their team’s suggestion to look at the Cresta Mowana following a site inspection to Victoria Falls, where Landmark Incentives bought in to the idea of a two-centre itinerary combining the latter with a safari experience.
“Victoria Falls is a lovely destination but there is not enough to sustain a US incentive,” explained Altman. “There was great appeal in featuring two countries, and Botswana became an intriguingly unique opportunity.”
With the expertise of Bushtracks, the company began to look at options for the programme – and it was only the promise of a renovation upgrade at the Cresta Mowana that ensured the hotel won the business.
“This three-star product was undergoing work, and it was that a credit to them that they ensured we understood the level of this renovation – but we had to stay in touch on a weekly basis to ensure the hotel was ready to welcome our guests,” added Altman.
The group hailed from Piggly Wiggly, a supermarket chain in the United States that numbers 600-plus independent stores and is notable for launching the first self-service grocery unit in that country more than 100 years ago.
The company has worked with Landmark Incentives for 30 years, with trips to China, Australia, Croatia and Israel in recent years – but the appeal of Africa and a safari option was a good sell, said Altman.
“Botswana was new for all of them and to a great extent they did not know what to expect – for Americans, Africa