Traveling for business is hard on the body and the soul. Sleeping in uncomfortable seats, awful food on the plane, dealing with luggage and using your mobile device in a foreign land can really put you in the worst moods. It’s critical to keep a positive attitude when dealing with travel. Make it a stress-free environment for yourself and others. Things can happen and sometimes you have to roll with it, in fact, it can be more rewarding if you keep your cool and smile. You never know who is watching you or paying attention. Travelers have a better chance at getting upgrades, itinerary changes and extraordinary service when they ask politely and maintain happy demeanors.
Whatever you do, don’t bring everything in your dresser, pack as light as possible and save yourself the fees and the headache. Take advantage of technology to plan all of your trips and needs for dining, hotel, car service and more. In addition, you should always have a bag packed with work clothes and the amenities you would need in case you have a last minute itinerary changed. You just never know what is coming around the corner the next day. Another helpful tip is to keep all of your customer service numbers and important contacts handy so you’re not rifling through you bags to find it when something does go wrong. Preparation can go a long way in international travel.
Thomas Huling has been a leader in international investment and finance industries for over 27 years. His work has taken him across the globe, and while he enjoys all of his travels, he does have a few favorites.