5 Useful Tips For The Frequent Business Traveller

Ever since I can remember, my dad has been a frequent business traveller. His business trips last from one to 15 days at a stretch. As a kid, I used to find it so exciting to hear of his travels to the far corners of the world - one week in Singapore, the next in South Africa. It has been years, and he never fails to send the “Boarded” and “Landed” messages to us. It is still fascinating to hear stories about different places and to get some useful travel tips from a seasoned traveller like him.

Here are 5 useful tips from a frequent business traveller that can help you make your business trip a bleasure vacation:

1. Pack Light 

 

I have never seen my father travel on business with a bulky suitcase. He says it is easier to utilise the laundry at the hotel, than carry around a heavy suitcase. He always carries basic clothing, medication, toiletries and important documents in little pouches to keep them organized. One thing he never forgets is to check the weather to wherever he’s travelling to, so he’s not stuck without a jacket when it’s snowing outside!

 Travel Pointers:

• Make a travel check-list on Excel spreadsheet, which helps you organize and include the most important items and rule out the extras.
• Check the weather at your destination, and pack accordingly.
• Neatly fold all clothing, to keep it from getting wrinkled so that you are ready for next morning’s meeting.
• Carry disposable items, like slippers, socks, toiletries, etc. to save on space. For instance, one time wear slippers, socks, toiletries, etc.

 

2. Scheduling Your Business Trip

 

My dad once told me that he had been on three time zones in a week. Business trips are all about back-to-back meetings, work and a hectic schedule. To ensure that by the third day of the trip, you are not exhausted, sleep-deprived and entirely unproductive, he recommends planning your trip smartly.

 Travel Pointers: 

• Arrive a day or an evening prior to your meetings so that you get a good night of rest and are oriented with the surroundings.
• Join loyalty and frequent flier programs with airlines. This gives you access to airport lounges where you can rest and the points give you lots of other benefits as well. Talk to locals or read up travel guides about the place you’re traveling to. 

 

3. Planning The Meetings

 

Frequent business travellers often experience many new and unknown situations, in a short span of time. While it would take only half an hour or so to travel 25 kilometres in Dubai, just try to do that in Mumbai, and you’d be pulling your hair out in frustration! So, the time between two meetings should be enough to take you from one place to another.

Travel Pointers:

• Ask the people at the local company about the time it takes from one location to the other, so you can plan accordingly.
• Chart out routes using tools like Google Maps.
• Charge all your electronics the night before.

 

 4. Pick The Right Hotel

 

My dad says that all hotel rooms, beyond a point, look the same. So he pays a lot of attention to where the hotel is located and what facilities they offer. Stay is extremely important for a bleasure getaway. 

 Travel Pointers:

• It is best not to stay too close to the airport, unless you only have one meeting in the city.
• Sign up for MyTripRewards, an exlcusive MakeMyTrip loyalty program that offers discounts on hotel and other bookings. You have more chances of getting better rooms and service!
• Choose a hotel equipped with a good business centre, with basic facilities where you can access mails, print presentations, boarding passes, etc. Avoid the embarrassment of looking for a printer before your big presentation!
• Hotels without free Wi-Fi – strict no no!

 

5. Don’t Just Travel The World – See It!

 

While you sometimes have to attend those business dinners and lunches, keep at least some time for yourself, to see the place you’re visiting. After all, what is the point of travelling the world, and not seeing it?

 Travel Pointers:

• Do try the local cuisine of the place you’re visiting, as there is no better food than local food.
• If you don’t have time to just wander, ask the hotel for the best places to see, and take your pick!
• Learning about the place, people and culture will help you immensely while you conduct business there.

My dad continues to travel smart, and is meticulous in planning his business trips and places he chooses to stay at. He still manages to come back with some exciting stories and some local goodies for me.

Liked some of the tips? Use them and book your next business trip now!