Corporate retreat in luxury hotel?

So how does the mice sector deal with the term luxury - which after all turns everyone's head, "kidnaps" women to Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse and makes men dream through car magazines and watch ads? One thing is already clear: The term luxury has to go. It has lost its place in the corporate world, except for those who sell luxury per se, such as the car industry.But HR managers and team leaders must formulate differently and, in general, become even more aware of why what kind of trips, or company outings, or events, fit when and to what target audience. After all, doing good for the best employees will continue to be a need in the future. Above all, the incentive segment, which has often but mistakenly been confused with luxury, is still alive, but very selectively and no longer in large mass outputs as in the 1990s.

Conscious thanksgiving

Whereas in the past people "only wanted the best" - and a luxury hotel symbolized that most easily - today it is no longer about superlatives or services that cannot be financed by individuals (helicopter flights, hotel suites and so on). Conscious thanksgiving, very personal, has replaced the big award ceremonies.meaning and sustainability are built into the programs and the group mindset is respected. This means, above all, that teams and departments are honored rather than individuals who, out of some constellation, have become the best of the year. Experience is the new default; with content and appreciation. And then there's health and nature. And these are now the new luxury terms.

Meaningful events

Director Heinz Brassel has been working at Seedamm Plaza on Lake Zurich's upper shore for a long time. He still remembers the earlier incentive weekends, but that's long since history: "Companies hardly ever come to the weekend anymore. And employees are no longer willing to give up their private time to a weekend event. Today, companies come with their employees during the week and are eager to hold meaningful events. This means that the content dominates and the employees should learn something, take something with them, and possibly also make new contacts. Seminars and supporting programs are no longer luxurious, but of high quality. This can be achieved by means of culinary delights. The catering should be healthy and varied, and this is appreciated by the participants. And the technical infrastructure is not just about better usability, but helps all participants to perceive the event as being of high quality."

Quality must be right

Sebastian Klink is host of the Hotel Villa Honegg on Lake Lucerne. His magnificent villa has a luxurious ambience, and yet Klink continues to see good demand from companies. Only, here too: The quality simply has to be right. "For conferences or strategy meetings, the Hotel Villa Honegg is ideally suited.

Time is the key word

The problem that everyone has is time, or less time. What used to be experienced together from Thursday to Sunday now fits into a two-day program with an overnight stay. But the ingredients are well known: Professionalism in all areas, reasonable value for money, meaningful content, interactive discussions, flexibility and variety. Then also fresh air, a few elements of health and fun, and finally a pinch of unexcitement. The true luxury values of today. www.seedamm-plaza.chwww.villa-honegg.chwww.panoramaresort.ch