By Liz Fleming
Experts in the travel industry identify it as the 'blender
trend' - business travelers who are increasingly blending other
elements into their work-related trips.
According to a 2004 survey conducted by the National Business
Travel Association, 62 percent of U.S. business travelers said
they added a leisure component to at least one business trip
per year, and two-thirds of them brought family members or
friends along for the ride. Things are no different in Canada,
says Omar Ahmad, Managing Director for Expedia Corporate
Travel, who notes the continuing importance of travelling to do
business.
"The predictions of a few years ago that online communication
would put a stop to business travel simply haven't come true.
There's still nothing that can replace the face-to-face
meeting, so executives are traveling as much as ever."
What is changing is how those executives are using their travel
time to pay bills on-line from the lounge before boarding the
plane and to take pictures of sights along the way with cell
phones to send real-time travelogues to the family. They're
selecting hotels on the basis of available work-out facilities
to stay in shape on the road and researching online to pinpoint
sight-seeing, theatre, sporting and musical attractions they
can take advantage of in their off-hours.
Says Ahmad, "People don't just plug into their computers and
work for endless hours on the plane anymore. I always suggest
that, after a bit of catch-up, you relax, kick back and watch
the inflight movie, read a chapter of two of a book or have a
nap."
Fast disappearing are the days of 24/7 work commitments. With
so many business people spending so much time on the road, it's
important to use leisure time wisely and manage stress well.
Ahmad suggests building more time into your airport arrival
schedule. Adding even another half-hour will reduce your
worries about missed flights if you run into delays parking
your car or getting through security.
"Plan for a problem and be happy if nothing actually occurs,"
he advises.
Also plan for hunger attacks, advises Ahmad, and buy a bottle
of water and snack once you're through security. If you're not
traveling in business or first class, you don't want to be a
victim of the slow snack-cart.
If time allows, you may want to give yourself opportunities to
both relax and work-out by taking advantage of the many airport
facilities offering everything from massage therapists to small
gyms. By looking after your physical needs, you'll be better
able to be productive when you engage with your business
colleagues at your next meeting.
If you're considering blending your family into your business
trip, be sure to check your hotel possibilities to see if any
offer children's programming or babysitting services. Some
hotels - most notably the Loew's chain - even allow you to
bring along the family pet, and provide special beds and meals
to keep Fido happy. If circumstances won't allow you to bring
your family along, tape-record yourself reading a bedtime story
to leave behind and encourage your children to keep a journal
of what they do while you're away, complete with some digital
photos taken with the family camera, so you can ensure that you
don't miss out on any excitement.
