TechNova Solutions, a 30-person AI startup in Bangalore, wanted a team retreat that combined relaxation, team-building, and celebration after closing a Series B funding round. CEO Vikram Reddy turned to ZFORB.
The Brief
"We wanted something special — not a conference room with a beach view, but a genuine experience that would bond the team and reward them for 18 months of intense work," says Vikram. "Our budget was ₹15 lakh for 30 people, 4 nights."
The ZFORB Approach
ZFORB's corporate travel team proposed Koh Samui, Thailand — direct flights from Bangalore, high-quality resorts at reasonable prices, and a range of activities from relaxation to adventure. They negotiated a group rate at a beachfront resort: ₹6,500 per person per night (all-inclusive), compared to the published rate of ₹11,000.
The programme included:
- Day 1: Arrival, welcome dinner on the beach with fire dancers, team cocktail-making competition
- Day 2: Morning Thai cooking class (team activity), afternoon free (pool, spa, beach), evening BBQ with awards ceremony
- Day 3: Full-day island-hopping by speedboat — Ang Thong Marine Park with kayaking, snorkelling, and a hilltop viewpoint lunch
- Day 4: Morning yoga and meditation session, afternoon zip-lining through jungle canopy, farewell dinner at a Fisherman's Village restaurant
The Results
"The ZFORB team handled everything — visa letters for the team, group flight bookings, airport transfers, dietary requirements, even a surprise birthday cake for one team member whose birthday fell during the trip," says Vikram.
"Total cost came to ₹13.8 lakh for 30 people, 4 nights — flights, accommodation, all meals, activities, and transfers. That is ₹46,000 per person for a premium international retreat. Our HR team said the same programme through a corporate travel agency would have cost ₹22-25 lakh."
The retreat's impact on team morale was significant: "Our employee engagement survey scores jumped 22% in the quarter following the retreat. Three team members who were considering leaving decided to stay. The ROI goes far beyond the travel savings."
Planning a corporate retreat? ZFORB corporate packages handle groups from 10 to 100+ with dedicated event planners, negotiated group rates, and customised programmes. Explore corporate membership.
