There is an increasing sentiment that Americans will be perceived negatively, especially as Canada and several European countries (Denmark, Finland, France, Germany and the United Kingdom) announced advisory services to the United States: “Travelers expect changes in their ways abroad,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Committee on our Travel Agency Advisory Committee.
How to convert it into an incentive limiter? Planners for a U.S.-based building materials company said it depends on the group. “Reward winners from certain industries are used to traveling long distances to destinations with fewer travel, while rewarders from others may not travel frequently in Mexico and the Caribbean. When the purpose of travel should be motivated.”
Also worried about the process of participants returning to the United States, a viral Tiktok video shows that legitimate permanent residents are questioned at U.S. airport checkpoints and pressured to sign a form of waived identity. However, according to a report by the Washington Post, the confirmed detention appears to be limited to a few highly publicized incidents.
But one planner is advising naturalized citizens and “anyone with a green card” to not attend her event in Canada this summer. “I can’t believe it’s reality,” she said in a Facebook group chat.
Planner’s Report Mixed Report
“Our Canadian program is still moving forward without hesitation,” said Rhonda Brewer, vice president sales, excellence motivation. Planners say that in some way, the decision to continue traveling to Canada is based on a combination of increasingly favorable exchange rates and companies that want to support their neighbors.
Jenn Glynn, managing partner at the conference Encore, said some of her clients “feel like they are paralyzed” and were trying to decide what to do. “A financial services company is taking part in the global incentive trip in 2026 and splitting it into three trips, with Americans staying in the U.S., Canadians and Europeans meetings in Canada and Asians. So one plan becomes three plans, which is three times the staff.”
Leisure group travel may indicate that the next step for motivational groups is some travel agencies reporting cancellations. Jack Ezon, founder of luxury travel, made his debut on The New York Times, where one client canceled his birthday party trip to Mexico, where they bought out the entire hotel. “Their security team said, ‘Don’t go, there is anti-American sentiment. It will be dangerous.'”
For companies that are advancing international incentives, it is important for planners to explain to attendees how to act in this new landscape. Harding Bush, former Navy SEAL and deputy director of Global Rescue Security Operations, suggested that participants should be made aware that political demonstrations may increase and locals may have strong opinions on international policy.
“They know that you are not making decisions and policies. To be a kind guest, don’t discuss politics,” he said.
