(English) Seven Useful Tips for Travelling on Business

The globalised world we all live in, dominated by new technologies and connectivity, has been slow to relegate the importance of a face-to-face presence when doing business. Social networks, video conferencing and emails are certainly very useful tools, but companies still want certain types of business to be carried out the old-fashioned way – in person. For that very reason, a huge amount of business trips are still carried out each and every year, as workers circumnavigate the globe to attend meetings, conferences and training courses, especially in our biggest cities.

This type of travel has nothing to do with rest and relaxation, which means they often require a lot more planning. It’s therefore very important to do things properly, so follow our series of tips below to help make sure your next business trip runs as smoothly as possible.

Packing

For a typical business trip, you won’t need to take everything but the kitchen sink with you. As they usually only last a couple of days, the ideal plan is to take a small suitcase that can be carried as hand luggage on the plane (if you’re flying) without needing to pay for any checked bags. This will help you both save time at the airport and when you’re packing and unpacking your things. If you’re taking any delicate clothes you don’t want to crease, try to place them above your toiletries, underwear, shoes, etc., and put a towel between them for protection.

Planning

The success of any business trip lies in the planning. You need to be very clear on meeting times, calculating travel time well in advance and accurately between the airport and your hotel, as well as from your hotel to where you need to be for work. Punctuality is key and you need to consider any potential delays, such as traffic jams, lost luggage, etc.

Hotels

If planning is key to a successful business trip, your choice of hotel might just be even more important. The close proximity of your accommodation to where you need to be for meetings and conferences will help you save a great deal of time and avoid any travel-related headaches. It would be ideal if you could walk, but if that’s not possible, you’ll need to make sure there are good public transport connections to and from your hotel.

In the same way, any savvy business traveller will tell you to make sure your hotel has all the services and amenities needed to do your work properly whilst travelling away from home, including good Wi-Fi networks and perhaps some practical meeting rooms.

Free time

Any good business trip itinerary will include at least a little down time so you can rest and see a bit of what the city has to offer. But you also have to keep in mind that you may need to add some extra meetings, find somewhere nice for a business lunch, as well as a range of other circumstances that mean you have to stay in the city a little while longer.

Receipts

Don’t forget to ask for receipts everywhere you go whenever you’re buying anything business related. This could include your hotel, on public transport, etc. It’s vital you consider the budget that your company has allocated to your trip, so make sure to keep an eye on all the spending during your time away.

Destination information

Business travellers should always do a little research on their travel destination before flying out, such as any local customs, routines and general safety to be aware of. In the same way, you should also make sure you’re well informed about any local festivals or national holidays that might cause disruption to your plans. You can also use this information to explore some of the local tourist attractions during any free time.

Transport

Last but not least, transport should be a very important factor in your plans. If you’re travelling by plane, you’ll need to check the transfer options between the airport and your hotel. In addition, if you can’t walk between your hotel and your meetings or conferences, you’ll need to think about public transport options and find the shortest travel time between the two.

At the HCC Hotel chain , we can offer meeting rooms and all the other important facilities needed for a successful business trip. Furthermore, our six centrally-located hotels in the heart of Barcelona are perfect if you’re visiting the Fira de Barcelona exhibition centre, just a few minutes away, and are all found in fantastic locations so you can discover all the tourist charms of the city in your free time.

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