Transform Your Business with Leadership and Corporate Retreats
At Retreat Yourself, we know that the best breakthroughs happen when you step away from the daily grind and focus on what truly matters - your people.
If you’re tired of the usual team-building games and conference rooms that don’t deliver lasting results, it’s time to consider something different. Our corporate and leadership retreats offer a powerful way to invest in your team, with real returns in productivity, engagement, and performance.
What actually is a leadership retreat?
Well let's start with what it isn't... it's not a jolly!
It's not a work 'knees up' for the team to let their hair down.
The primary aim of a 'standard' (non business retreat is to create a space for individuals to disconnect from the stresses of everyday life, reconnect with themselves, and gain clarity, insight, and renewal – most people we know could most certainly do with a dose of that on prescription!
A retreat is a purposeful withdrawal or departure from our usual environment, routine, or activities for a period of time - often for rest, relaxation, reflection, personal growth, or spiritual development. They’re different to a standard holiday which is quite simply time off from everyday routine. Retreats are purposeful removal from your hectic environment to heal, rest, rejuvenate, recharge and take a step back to make some positive changes or modifications to the way you live so you don’t just return and jump straight back on the hamster wheel of life!
So when you translate that into the context of business and leadership then our definition of a leadership retreat would be...
"A space for a team to disconnect from the stresses and pressures of the business. To reconnect with themselves as a leader and with their peers in the team and gain clarity, insight and renewal towards strategic goals leading to positive change & action to accelerate execution & quality."
Why Choose a Corporate or Leadership Retreat?
Let’s face it - team-building activities that feel forced rarely lead to real change. They might be fun for a day, but they don’t address the core needs of your team or provide lasting value. Our retreats go deeper. We create experiences that not only strengthen bonds but also drive meaningful, long-term improvements in how your team works together.
Here’s the bottom line: companies that invest in effective team development see up to a 25% increase in productivity and a 21% boost in profitability. A well-executed retreat isn’t just a break from the office - it’s a smart investment in your organisation’s future.
So what?
The Impact of a Corporate or Leadership Retreat
If you want to get an idea of the vast ROI you can gain from a leadership retreat, check out one recent blog
HERE.
Investing in a leadership or corporate retreat isn’t just about having a good time - it’s about getting real returns. Here’s what you can expect:
Stronger Team Relationships
Teams that trust each other are more effective. A retreat can
increase trust by up to 45%, leading to better collaboration and innovation.
Clearer Alignment on Goals
Teams that are aligned with their organization’s mission and goals are 50% more likely to exceed their targets.
Improved Communication
Open and honest communication reduces conflicts and improves teamwork. Teams that communicate well are
20% more productive.
.
Leadership Development
Empowered leaders are more effective and inspire their teams to achieve more. Leadership development on a retreat can improve leadership effectiveness by 30%
A Recharged Team
Retreats aren’t just a break; they’re a way to prevent burnout and improve overall wellbeing, leading to 32% fewer sick days
and higher employee retention
.
What we offer
Customised Retreats for Real Results
No cookie-cutter programmes here. We take the time to understand your team’s specific challenges and goals, then design a retreat that delivers. Whether you’re looking to build trust, improve communication, or align on strategy, we tailor every aspect of the retreat to meet your needs.
Inspiring Locations
Getting away from the usual work environment is crucial for fresh thinking. Our retreats are held in locations that inspire creativity and relaxation—whether that’s a peaceful countryside setting or a coastal retreat, in the UK or overseas. This change of scenery helps your team recharge and return with new energy.
Guided by Experts
Our experienced facilitators know how to get the best out of your team. Through workshops, activities, and reflective sessions, we help your team uncover insights, build stronger relationships, and develop practical skills they can bring back to the workplace.
Wellbeing as a Priority
We believe that a healthy team is a high-performing team. That’s why our retreats include wellness activities like yoga, meditation, time in nature as well as adventure activities and cultural immersions. These aren’t just nice extras - they’re integral to helping your team recharge and perform at their best.
Make the Smart Investment
Ready to see real results? A leadership retreat with Retreat Yourself is more than just a getaway—it’s a strategic investment in your team’s success and your organization’s future. The benefits are clear: a stronger, more aligned, and more productive team that’s ready to take on any challenge.
Get in touch today to find out how we can create a retreat that delivers real value for your team and a significant return on your investment.
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Blog
The Big Retreat Compliance Myth
Thinking of running a retreat? You’ve secured a dreamy location, booked a hotel through a bonded travel agent, and are all set to go. You even add an ABTA or ATOL logo to your website because, hey, your travel agent is covered, so you must be too… right?
Wrong.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions in the retreat world, and unfortunately, it could land you in serious legal trouble. Just because a travel agent handled your hotel or flights does not mean your retreat is legally compliant under Package Travel Regulations.
The key point? Unless your travel agent is coordinating every single element of your retreat—including workshops, activities, meals, and transport—and is taking direct payments from your customers, you cannot use their ABTA or ATOL protection.
And let’s be clear—it’s not just about what happens if things go wrong.
Selling a non-compliant travel eg a retreat is a criminal offence.
Failing to comply with Package Travel Regulations is not just risky—it’s illegal. You could be:
- Heavily fined
- Prosecuted in court
- Banned from selling travel services altogether
This is not a grey area, a loophole, or something you can brush off as “no one will notice.” The law exists to protect consumers, and authorities take non-compliance very seriously.
So, if your business is built on ethics, integrity, and putting customers first, it’s not just a legal issue—it’s a moral one too. Selling a retreat you know isn’t compliant is misleading at best and fraudulent at worst.
Let’s break it down.
Who’s Really the Travel Organiser Here?
Under UK Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, the key factor is who is receiving the payment from the customer. And here’s the important bit:
- If you are collecting money from customers and then paying the travel agent, you are legally the travel organiser.
- If your travel agent is handling everything—including taking direct payments from your guests—they are the organiser, and you’re off the hook.
Since most retreat leaders take payments directly, this means you are liable for all compliance and legal protection—not the travel agent.
And liability means more than just refunding customers if something goes wrong—it means you could be taken to court if you fail to comply.
ABTA & ATOL Protection: Not as Simple as It Seems
Many retreat organisers assume that because they booked a retreat’s accommodation or flights through an ATOL-protected or ABTA-bonded travel agent, their entire retreat is covered.
Not true.
- ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) only protects flight-based packages.
- ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) protects non-flight packages.
But here’s where the issue arises: if you are adding activities, workshops, transport, meals, or excursions to the package, you are creating a new travel package. This means your travel agent’s ABTA/ATOL protection no longer applies, and you cannot legally use their logo.
And if you think getting your own protection is an easy fix, think again. The cost of obtaining your own protection is a major barrier. Becoming an ABTA or ATOL-bonded operator requires:
- Tens of thousands in financial bonding
- Expensive tour operator insurance
- Financial failure protection policies
For most retreat organisers, this simply isn’t cost-effective, especially if you’re only running one or two retreats per year.
If something goes wrong—flights are cancelled, the hotel closes, or a global pandemic strikes—you could be personally liable for refunds and legal claims.
And even if nothing goes wrong, selling a non-compliant retreat is still illegal.
How to Stay Compliant (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Savings)
Instead of navigating complex legal compliance yourself, work with a specialist retreat agent like Retreat Yourself.
We handle:
- All customer payments—so you’re not classed as the travel organiser.
- Complete travel compliance—so you don’t have to worry about package travel laws.
- ATOL & ABTA-protected packages—ensuring your guests are legally covered.
Rather than taking on huge financial risks, work with a company that ensures your retreat is fully compliant, while letting you focus on what you do best—delivering an amazing experience.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Be That Person
Retreat planning is stressful enough without the legal complexities of Package Travel Regulations. But ignoring them won’t make them go away—and it could financially and legally ruin your business.
The moment you take direct payments from guests, you become a travel organiser—with all the legal responsibilities that come with it. And it’s not just about avoiding problems if something goes wrong.
Selling a non-compliant retreat is a criminal offence.
You wouldn’t run a retreat without insurance, a safety plan, or clear policies in place. Why take the risk of breaking the law?
If your brand is all about trust, integrity, and doing things the right way, then compliance isn’t optional—it’s essential.
So, before you stick an ABTA/ATOL logo on your website and assume you’re covered, take a step back. Make sure you’re actually legally compliant—or better yet, work with Retreat Yourself and let us handle it for you.
Want to run a retreat without the legal stress? Get in touch—we’ll make sure your dream retreat doesn’t turn into a compliance nightmare.
FAQ's
Where do you go on a corporate retreat?
Clue: It's not the Holiday Inn Slough!
Now you're talking, right? Corporate retreats can happen in many places depending on your budget, how many people are going to be on it, what your company culture is like and what your purpose & goals are. This means it could be anything from an outdoor activity centre on Dartmouth UK or a swanky resort in Zanzibar (and anything in between). We will work with you to decide on the best location and venue and we can make plenty of suggestions based on our years of experience and our huge database of preferred suppliers (who we also happen to get great rates and deals off)
Who are these retreats for?
Gnerally speaking they are for senior leadership and executive teams operating at a strategic level. We do get asked to support some retreats for bigger groups at middle management level and can tailor them accordingly but we'd probably suggest breaking them into suitably sized cohorts if there's a big group of people.
How many people can go on a retreat?
It varies according to your objectives, goals and audience. As a general rule, the more senior the group, the smaller the cohort. A group of 4-6 is not unusual at this level and very effective. Equally an SLT of 12-15 works brilliantly and we can run single retreats for 30-50 (particularly in the UK).
What are the typical costs?
This is a tricky question and it's so varied but it can be way less than you'd imagine!
If you think about sending a member of your team on a 2 day course that's likely to cost somewhere in the region of £1-2k (we've known organisations spend more than this on pizza for their teams!!)... you can get some much more for your investment with a retreat! £1-2k per person would allow you to take the team to a luxury venue overseas for a 3/4 day retreat with all food, accommodation and activities/development sessions included. Equally, we've run 2 day retreats that are more basic and 'outdoorsy' for around £350 per person.
What subject/topic would you have a retreat for?
Strategy Development
Leadership Development
Executive Coaching
Culture Transformation
Women in Leadership Retreats
Project Kick Off
Product Launches
Employee Wellbeing
Reward & Recognition
Team Building/Team Dynamics
Start Up Retreat
Entrpreneur Retreats
Netowrking Retreats
"Workation
Company Celebrations
What expertise do you have to deliver a corporate retreat?
Retreat Yourself is Co-Founded and run by Jodie Salt & Claire Gregory who have fused their expertise & experience to position themselves perfectly to deliver Corporate & Leadership Retreats.
Jodie has been a qualified Executive Coach for 15 years working with C-suite execs and SLT members specifically supporting them with their leadership development. She has experience across many industries from military/MOD & public sector to large blue chip private organisations in financial services, utilities, telecomms, tech, retail etc. She is able to deliver a wide ranging suite of workshops and coaching interventions to support individual & team development needs.
Claire has a Masters in Muscular Skeltal Rehabilition, is a health & wellness coach specialising in pre & post natal support, a Personal Trainer, qualified in Accupuncture and and expert in many other wellbeing interventions including nutrition, sleep & hormonal health.
Together we have been running retreats for over 5 years all over the world and so the blend of the 3 elements provide us with the basis to curate an exceptional retreat for you and your team.
We also have an amazing network of associate facilitators in many other subject matter areas (financial/wealth advisors, personal style consultants, spirtual healers, meditation & mindulness facilitators etc) who support us on our own retreats and that we can call upon for our corporate retreats too.
Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme but ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website/brochure. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it., those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information about financial protection.