Creative Travel takes Mexico to roof of the world

WITH decades of experience in designing complex journeys across the Indian subcontinent and beyond, Creative Travel has become well known in the global incentive travel community for combining deep local knowledge with meticulous operational planning.

For this ambitious programme, Creative Travel was engaged by Omnilife Mexico, a global health and wellness company with a strong culture of recognition and reward, to organise an experience across India and the Maldives for 32 incentive qualifiers.

AND THE AWARD GOES TO…
The Viajes Diamantes 2025: India-Maldives, organised by Creative Travel, received the 2026 Crystal Award for Excellence in Incentive Travel (Asia Pacific) along with the overall Par Excellence Award (best entry of the year) at the SITE Global Conference in Abu Dhabi, in February this year.

The Crystal award is considered the highest recognition by SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence) for keeping employees engaged while helping drive business results for global corporations.

The programme was also listed by Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI) as a 2026 finalist for Best Sustainable Initiatives (and also appeared in other finalist categories such as Best Logistics and Best Overall Program). Creative Travel won ADMEI’s Best Sustainable Program recognition at the association’s Costa Rica annual conference in March.

The challenge for Rajeev Kohli and his team at Creative Travel was to deliver a once‑in‑a‑lifetime journey that would resonate culturally, emotionally and experientially across three highly contrasting destinations.

By combining India’s dramatic landscapes and spiritual heartlands with the barefoot luxury of the Maldives, the resulting incentive trip offered Omnilife’s delegates an impressive arc of discovery, reflection and reward.

THE BRIEF
Omnilife Mexico set out to reward its top achievers with a destination that would feel far removed from familiar incentive hubs and rich in meaning as well as visual spectacle.

India was selected for its diversity, heritage and sense of scale, while the Maldives was added as a contrasting finale focused on relaxation and celebration.

The brief called for a multi‑destination incentive programme that would showcase India beyond the mainstream, allowing delegates to connect with the country’s cultural, spiritual and natural dimensions.

Rather than focusing solely on iconic cities, the itinerary was designed to include remote and emotionally resonant locations, giving participants stories they could not replicate elsewhere.

Equally important was seamless execution. Travelling from Mexico to northern India, onward through the subcontinent and then across to the Indian Ocean required meticulous coordination, consistent service standards and absolute attention to delegate comfort. Creative Travel was tasked with managing every logistical detail while ensuring the programme remained inspirational rather than exhausting.

SOLUTIONS
The itinerary involved significant changes in altitude, climate and infrastructure, particularly in Ladakh, where operations are subject to weather conditions and limited flight connectivity.

Creative Travel addressed this by carefully staging the itinerary, allowing time for acclimatisation and building contingency plans into every movement.

Transportation logistics were another key consideration. Multiple internal flights, road transfers through remote regions and the need to maintain tight timings demanded close coordination between local suppliers, airlines and hotels.

More… Why travel is the best incentive

Creative Travel’s longstanding relationships proved invaluable, enabling quick problem‑solving and flexibility when adjustments were required.

Cultural and language differences were also carefully managed. A largely Spanish‑speaking group travelling through regions where few locals speak foreign languages required thoughtful communication planning. Creative Travel deployed experienced tour managers and multilingual staff along with a Spanish speaker to ensure delegates felt supported at all times, while also facilitating meaningful interactions with local communities rather than insulating the group from the destination.

HIGHLIGHTS

LADAKH: A Landscape Like No Other
For many delegates, Ladakh was the most unexpected highlight of the journey. Set high in the Himalayas, the region offered dramatic scenery, stark beauty and a sense of remoteness that immediately set the tone for a transformational experience.

Visits to monasteries perched on mountain ridges, quiet moments overlooking vast valleys and curated cultural encounters gave delegates an insight into a way of life deeply connected to nature and spirituality.

One of the most memorable moments came when the group walked along a frozen section of the Zanskar River, part of the legendary Chadar trek. Normally attempted only by seasoned adventurers, this experience was adapted safely for the group, offering participants the rare sensation of walking across a frozen Himalayan river

Creative Travel focused on pacing and comfort, ensuring that delegates could enjoy the region without feeling overwhelmed by altitude or travel distances. The result was a powerful introduction to India that felt both humbling and inspiring.

VARANASI: India’s Spiritual Heart
From the silence of the mountains, the programme moved to one of India’s most emotionally charged cities. Varanasi offered a complete contrast –intense, vibrant and deeply symbolic. Experiences along the River Ganges formed the emotional core of the journey, giving delegates a rare opportunity to witness rituals and traditions that have remained unchanged for centuries.

Rather than attempting to soften the city’s sensory impact, Creative Travel embraced its authenticity, while guiding the group with sensitivity and respect. Private boat rides, guided walks through the old city and curated moments of reflection allowed delegates to absorb the destination in a meaningful and personal way.

MALDIVES: Celebration and Reward
The final leg of the journey took the group to the Maldives by seaplace, where the pace shifted dramatically. After the intensity of India, the island setting provided space to unwind, celebrate achievements and strengthen bonds within the group. Luxurious resorts, well‑planned leisure activities and elegant group events reinforced the incentive message of reward and recognition.

Creative Travel ensured the transition felt effortless, handling international connections and resort arrivals with precision so delegates could fully relax from the moment they arrived.

UPSHOT
The response from Omnilife Mexico’s delegates was overwhelmingly positive. Many described the programme as more than a reward, noting the emotional impact of experiencing destinations that challenged perceptions and encouraged reflection as well as celebration.

One participant described the journey as “an experience that touched the soul”, Creative Travel wrote in a submission to the SITE adjudication team.  Another delegate said the experience helped them “dream bigger and raise their standards”,

Creative Travel said that for the Omnilife leadership, the programme created something even more valuable: stronger personal bonds between the company and its top performers

Ever since my first visit to Ladakh a few years ago, I had vowed to bring an incentive here one day. To have operated the first-ever international incentive to this unique, untouched destination required not only confidence and guts but also tremendous trust from our client and partners. This is the ultimate case study of teamwork making magic happen. I cried on the way out, not only because I had achieved my personal dream, but also because I was proud to put this destination on the map for more to come. This is true incentive travel.”
– Rajeev Kohli, joint managing director, Creative Travel