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Hotel Briefing
> Hotels Briefing Ron Santiago 101206.
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The likelihood that your plane will land on time remains a flight of fantasy, according to the Civil Aviation Authority. Statistics for the first three months of this year show one in four scheduled flights was late by more than 15 minutes, while almost one-third of charter flights touched down behind time. There are, of course, many external factors causing this, but business travellers can't be blamed for wanting more certainty in their arrangements, particularly as new technologies are taking care of other aspects of the trip. Taking the strain
Business travellers take, on average, five or six trips a year, and although family and colleagues may see it as a jolly, the reality can be quite different. Often, the schedule is so tight you find yourself hotfooting it from airport to board room, and the only scenery you see is the inside of a taxi. But maybe the corporate lot need not be such a strain.
The 10th Barclaycard Business Travel Survey released earlier this year reveals a work-life balance can be achieved. Over three-quarters of executives claim to enjoy travelling, 66% liking the variety, 62% appreciating new horizons, and 50% keen to explore fresh cultures. So it’s not all bad. Take control Predictions that videoconferencing would negate the need for travel have proved unfounded, and business trips are expected to become more prevalent in the next decade as the value of face-to-face meetings is recognised. The average executive could be clocking up around 712 miles a week by 2015. What will be different in the future is how we arrange such trips. In the past few years, there has been a massive increase in internet booking. Over one-third of business travellers already self-book and it is predicted that the number of those doing so online will continue to increase, reaching approximately 70% of the total within a decade. Planning ahead
Stumbling off a flight and going direct to meetings is a recipe for disaster. It’s important to build in plenty of time b between appointments, know what you want to achieve, and if you are travelling to a different continent, make sure you have a tri-band or quad-band mobile phone. And if you are using car rental at the destination, choose a company that is flexible about pick up times.
Check in at home
Traditional check-in remains the most widely used method, but newer technology-based solutions, such as kiosks at the airport and mobile or online check-in, mean the old-fashioned wait in line may soon be a thing of the past.
Rent a car
Similarly, if you are hiring a car, companies such as National (www.nationalcar.com) offer a tailored online reservation system. This bespoke service is designed to meet the needs of business travellers, from creating a profile of your needs to evaluating where cost-savings can be made.
Get upgraded
There are ways to ensure you get more than you have paid for. Most airlines have frequent flyer schemes and reward those who remain loyal, and hotels offer the same policy with their frequent stay programmes. However, there are always people who are upgraded for no apparent reason. To stand a chance, you need to be presentable. Approach the person behind the reception desk and ask with a smile whether there is any chance of an upgrade. You might just be lucky.
Take it easy
Trips abroad can be an endless round of meetings, hotel food and disturbed sleep. So take advantage of the hotel’s gym or pool; even gentle exercise will make you feel much better. If you have an evening on your own, explore the area or order room service and relax with a good movie.
Stay safe
Safety is paramount. Most businesses have comprehensive travel policies that consider employee well-being and security. In addition, it’s worth undertaking online research in advance to familiarise yourself with the destination. And if you intend driving, make sure you know the regulations and rules and check your rental provider offers roadside assistance 24/7 should you need it. www.nationaldrivesafe.co.uk, for example, has information on the rules of the road in over 40 countries.
What for the future?
Business travel looks set to stay, and by exploiting the latest technology, it needn’t be debilitating. Innovations such as e-booking have gone a long way to easing the load and there is a lot more to come.
As the use of mobile technologies and ‘blue-tooth’ increases, airlines are already working on providing a conducive environment for working on the move, including power points and internet access. Satellite services enabling you to go online are being used on major carriers like Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa, while direct-to-ground broadband access is being adopted by Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific and Northwest Airlines. All of which is making travel more convenient. Convenience remains the driving factor behind how business travel is judged: almost two-thirds of business travellers cite this as the main reason for using their chosen method. Conversely, the desire for convenience could be a lever for change. Certain websites allow people to deal-seek and perhaps become more fickle as a result. A survey conducted in 2005 for the Future Foundation among 2,000 consumers who shop both on and off line, showed 75% are more likely to browse to find the best deal when they are buying online, rather than on the high street.
Assuming this trend can be applied to business travel, life can only get simpler.
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