Three Tips for Handling Holiday Season Business Trips
Travelling for business during the peak holiday seasons can be both challenging and rewarding. It can ensure that professionals are ahead of others. Professionals can do so by learning about the latest trends and challenges. It applies particularly to specific industries such as tourism, home décor and beauty. Yet, travelling during the peak holiday can be challenging for diverse reasons. However, various steps can help alleviate these challenges. Listed below are three tips for handling holiday season business trips:
Be an early bird
One of the three tips for handling holiday season business trips is to be an early bird. For the task, begin by booking your trip as early as possible. The advisable time to book transport and accommodations is six to eight weeks in advance. Be particular in selecting flexible accommodations, tickets and services. It will ensure that you will have backup should unexpected schedule changes occur. Additionally, ensure you arrive at least three hours earlier than the appointed departure time for all transport hubs. It will enable you to avoid congestion and delays due to passport and luggage challenges.
When scheduling tickets and accommodations, opt for arriving before the peak travel days. These include the two to three days before and after significant holidays. For the task, note when the reason for your business travel is to take place and which holidays are close to it. For example, if you are travelling to attend a trade fair such as Creativeworld, note the event dates. Then, consider arriving at least two days in advance.
Be prepared
Among the three tips for handling holiday season business trips is to prepare. It ensures that you will adapt to unexpected changes as swiftly as possible. It also aids in overcoming challenges. Among the preparation steps to take is to travel lightly. These include packing lightly. For the task, use a carry-on bag that contains all your essentials and necessary clothes for meetings and presentations. Also, ensure that all essential electronics, such as charging cables, are packed as well. Furthermore, opt for incorporating a first aid kit. It should contain vitals such as bandages and medications. Thus, you will avoid unwelcome challenges related to overpacking and baggage issues. To prevent wrinkling your clothes, consider placing them in garment bags.
Another vital preparatory step is to begin adjusting yourself to the time zones you will travel to. Jet lag can be highly disruptive. To prevent/reduce the effect as much as possible, begin preparing your mind and body in advance. For the task, adjust your schedule in the days before the business travel. Similarly, avoid activities that can disrupt sleep, such as caffeine before bedtime. Similarly, prepare for changes in weather such as snowstorms and icy roads. To prepare, opt for additional clothes in case of challenges and study the forecasts using diverse apps for each day. When possible, adjust your schedules to possible weather changes. These include seeing alternative routes in case of airport delays. In that regard, also prepare for the holiday and post-holiday rush by noting commuting times for the areas you will be travelling to. Opt for the times before and after the rush hours. Also, opt for your travel time for returning after the business trip so that it does not coincide with the first three days after the holidays. To determine what holidays will occur in the country you will be travelling to, consider studying diverse sources.
Additionally, be prepared for unexpected challenges such as closed shops. Generally, most countries feature diverse traditions and policies related to holidays. For example, some countries might feature their shops closing during the holiday season. To avoid such challenges, opt for packing light snacks for your arrival day. Similarly, check which restaurants, shops, supermarkets and bars remain open during the holidays. Likewise, note what their operating hours are. Alternatively, examine if the accommodations feature an on-site restaurant or food options. These include all-inclusive, bed-and-breakfast, and such.
Leverage technologies and perks to your advantage
A vital step among the three tips for handling holiday season business trips is to leverage technologies and perks. It ensures that you will avoid as many challenges as possible. Among the technologies to consider apart from the mentioned, opt for business travel apps that enable tracking flight status, accommodations, and meeting schedules. Further, consider a local app that features real-time traffic, including alternative routes. Similarly, opt for using expense management tools. Particular ones synced to your corporate travel cards.
Additionally, opt for leveraging business travel perks such as priority boarding and other benefits. For the task, study your company’s business travel programs, including its insurance policies. In addition, if you have enrolled on any loyalty program, such as the ones provided by airlines and hotel chains.
Holiday season business trips can be rewarding yet challenging. Yet, various steps can help with the task. If you would like to learn more steps besides the three mentioned above as well as other advice, consider contacting Travel 2 Fairs Ltd.
