Business Or Pleasure? Why Not Make It Both? How to make business travel fun and fulfilling?
Introduction
With the number of business trips growing rapidly after a couple of years of restrictions, some of us find it difficult to readjust to travel behaviors we found normal before the pandemic. It’s even harder for those that had a career change recently and work now requires them to be on the road quite often.
If any of that sounds familiar don’t worry. It’s pretty common for business travelers to feel a bit out of their game after being grounded for two years. I can relate with that as travel becomes part of my life once again.
This year I’ve been away from home every month. Back on planes, trains and in hotel beds after working from home for two whole years. The first couple of trips have been very exciting but also slightly anxiety-inducing.
The best part of this year’s experiences has been rediscovering why I love to travel so much. Regardless of the reason, travel can be transformational and there are steps we can take to make it so. While waiting for my plane to arrive and take me back to London, I’ve compiled a list of things I keep in mind when I get ready to hit the road.
The first thing you should keep in mind is that a trip doesn’t necessarily have to be strictly business or pleasure. Why not make it both?
Traveling for work can be daunting and oftentimes uncomfortable and exhausting. For those of us with kids and spouses left back home it’s even more difficult.
The key to enjoying business travel is understanding that every time you leave your home and comfort zone is an opportunity to grow and discover something new about the World.
Make Business Travel Fun and Fulfilling
- Plan in advance
Sometimes it’s fun to just wing it when you visit a new place, especially if you get some unexpected time such as a meeting being canceled. However, in my travel experiences I’ve found that the best way to enjoy short trips with a packed agenda is to plan well in advance.
Planning not only reduces stress and helps you arrive at your destination with some great icebreakers, it also helps you find interesting things to do and can be an experience all by itself.
Search on local events websites, check out a few YouTube videos or even events on facebook. Bookmark a few places on Google Maps and start your morning in a local cafe where you can ask your barista for some recommendations.
One important aspect I like to cover when I plan a business trip is booking transfers with reputable companies. The last thing you should worry about when you travel for work is getting to your hotel from your arrival point. Airports, train and bus stations can be stressful places so having someone wait there for you makes a big difference.
- Optimize points/miles collection
Business trips are a great chance to improve your status with your preferred airline and to gather those important points that you can then use for personal vacations.
I wrote before about choosing a frequent flyer program and how important it is that you plan your flights carefully to maximize benefits.
If your company books the flights for you, make sure to hand over your frequent flyer number or login to your account on the airline’s website, find your booking and add it there.
Use an advantageous credit card everywhere to get even more rewards. If you rent a car you might also get air miles. Leave no stone unturned.
Learn more by reading my post on how to collect miles/points even without flying. Remember to pay your credit card bills straight away.
- Choose a different way to travel
Whenever possible try to mix things up by using a different means of transportation. I am a huge railway fan so if I have the opportunity, I always try a train. Perhaps you could use a boat service. In London, one of the coolest ways of getting across the city is on the Thames.
In many places rail stations are absolute gems of architecture and design. Not to mention the convenience of not having to go through airport security and waiting around for hours.
Think of the Eurostar in Europe, Brightline in Florida, AVE trains in Spain and many others. You could make an entire holiday on the railway, have you heard of the Empire Builder train? No better way to see the American West.
Train travel is definitely one of my favorite ways to get around. It’s fun, comfortable and friendly with the environment. During your trip and between transfers, maximize working tasks – so that you get more relaxing time at the destinations.
Even within cities getting around doesn’t always have to be in a cab. Have you ever tried the ones in Lisbon or Hong Kong?
- Learn a few common words and expressions in the local language
Nelson Mandela once said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart”.
Trust me this is valid wherever you go. Be it with colleagues, customers or the barista that prepares your coffee in the morning. Do the effort of speaking to people in their language, even if it’s just a few expressions. Your interactions will be forever changed.
Languages and dialects are also a fascinating introduction into the culture of a country.
I use a couple of simple apps that I keep in my travel folder on my phone, Duolingo and Google translate. They help me learn the basics quite quickly. In an emergency I can use Google’s app to speak in my language and have it translated in real time for a taxi driver for instance.
- Schedule time for yourself.
I know business trips are all about efficiency and getting the job done. But why not use the opportunity of being on the road to learn something new about yourself or the World?
Start with small experiences like taking an evening off and exploring the place a bit. Then feel free to get more adventurous.
In one of my previous jobs I used to travel often to the South of France so I got to explore it quite a bit. Once, I booked my return flight on Saturday night and during the day I rented a car then visited San Remo in Italy. It’s a short and beautiful drive from Nice airport on the French Riviera.
Also, don’t be afraid to decline out of work meetings. If it’s not a business dinner or special work event then just feel free to say no. Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you don’t have personal time.
- Extend your visit every time you can, even if it’s only one day.
I’ve learned from a colleague a long time ago that a life well lived is a life where you are not afraid to smile and say hello to strangers in new places.
When I met him he was approaching the end of an amazing 35 years career in sales, that took him all over the World. His genuine interest in people and a job that very often placed him beyond his comfort zone, blessed him with the most amazing memories. And an ability to always make new ones.
I strive for that in every journey.
Next time you book a business trip, speak to your manager and book your return flight over the weekend even if you have to pay for the hotel yourself.
I’ve never had a reasonable request declined. Most of the time staying a night over the weekend ends up cheaper for the company in terms of flights.
Take someone with you and explore together when the work assignments are done. Of course you’ll have to pay for their flights and cover all other expenses. You’ll still save plenty, especially if the trip is a long haul.
If you can’t extend your trip, book the latest flight out and use the time to explore. Travel is a privilege so appreciate the places you visit and the people you meet. Going to the same place often? Very well, dive deeper into the experience every chance you get.
- Connect with people you might know in the area
One thing I like to do when I’m in a new destination is to check if there’s anyone in the area I could catch up with.
I search through Linkedin based on location to see who’s near me. You never know, maybe one of your best mates from school lives there and could show you around.
Send a note to your friends and followers on social media. This is something I haven’t tested yet myself but I’ve seen others do.
- Check out local restaurants and artisan shops
One of my favorite things to do wherever I am is to find local eateries and artisans. I love starting my mornings in a coffee shop and watching the locals get their drinks, some stopping for a chat.
I choose my hotels as close to these areas as possible. This way I start and end my days in close contact with the local culture.
When it comes to eating out, I make an extra effort to stay away from tourist traps. In places that I’ve had the pleasure to visit more than once I’ve looked for places to eat in different neighborhoods.
Food and music tend to be a very good introduction into a foreing culture. And people love to talk about their favorite food and traditions so here’s your chance to build a connection.
This gives me the chance to learn about the history of the place from locals and help out spending my money with them and not big chains.
Don’t be afraid to ask people for recommendations. Which museums and sights to visit, where to eat and what are the best neighborhoods for walking.
- Give to a local charity or help a local project
If you want your trip to be even more fulfilling, then a great way is to support a local charity that speaks to your values.
Business travel can have a significant environmental impact as we’ve discussed on this blog before. However we’ve also seen how it can bring enormous benefits for communities and even entire countries.
One of the best ways we can leave a positive mark to the places we visit is by giving. Granted, we don’t have to be on a business trip for this but it’s an effective way of building a connection with the place.
If you’re not sure where to start or where to find trusted organizations, simply google a major running event or fundraising in the country. This should return a few results that will give you a good idea.
If in doubt or if you don’t have time, you can always check with Unicef and the World Wide Fund for Nature and their local organizations.
You can take this idea to the next level by participating in a local event. If you like running, why not register for a local run or a marathon? The second one takes more planning but it can be done.
- Mind your health – mental and physical
A business trip can be an exciting change of pace or a daunting event. It’s definitely something your body will feel and the more time zones you cross, the more intense it can be.
Reduce the amount of caffeine and sleep based on the local patterns. Eat well and try to exercise every morning. If you follow a plan when you’re home, don’t stop it. A really cool thing you can do is pack your running gear and go for a nice exploring run.
If you plan your travels carefully you minimize the risk for stress but with every journey you must leave room for the unknown. And the best way to do that is to embrace acceptance.
Sometimes things will go wrong. A flight will get delayed or a bag lost. Someone will be rude to you or a taxi driver will try to overcharge you. I’ve been through all of the above and felt everything from anger to anxiety.
Eventually you need to realize that it’s all good. You’ll be fine. Accept that it’s just a tiny fraction of your journey, take a breath and move on.
I also have another tool in my travel kit. A quick relaxation technique, a short meditation and a mantra that I practiced several times so it’s easier to rely on if needed.
It’s pretty simple. I take five deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth trying to acknowledge any discomfort in my body. Not fighting the discomfort but accepting that it’s there and understanding if it’s a feeling or a thought. And then I repeat the mantra “I am here” as many times as it takes to remember how blessed I am to even breathe let alone travel the World.
Conclusion
With a little bit of planning and a slight shift in mindset, business trips really can be fun and something to look forward to.
On my journeys over the last ten years I’ve been in all sorts of situations myself and sometimes it was tough. Once I started to focus on the good things that any trip can bring, I felt much more relaxed. And then I learned to find enjoyment all around me.
The most frustrating and at the same time liberating aspect of all is understanding that we cannot control every aspect of our travels. And that’s ok, it’s the same with life. Traveling teaches that very well.
What to read next:
- How to collect miles without flying
- 10 Amazing Ways Ethical Travel Can Save the World
- How to Choose a Frequent Flyer Program
Do you enjoy business trips? What do you do for enjoyment when you travel for work?
Do please share this post if you found it useful and remember to always seek personal growth by exploring the World responsibly.
