Business travel can be difficult for many travelers, and not everyone takes it lightly. Homesickness, stale croissants, and jetlag have the most seasoned business travelers powering down on their laptops and tablets in the airport lounge. But the new generations of business travelers have been evolving and bringing a new concept of business travel. As a traveler, I frequently have to fly to the UAE for my business meetings, but I don’t just spend my time in the hotel looking at PowerPoint slides. I try to brainstorm when I’m walking on the beach or having a coffee in some comfortable cafe. Here are my five tips on how to make your business trip more interesting than boring.
Don’t sleep as soon as you land
When you land at your destination, don’t just go to the hotel and sleep. Yes, I know you must be experiencing jetlag, but there are other better ways to deal with it. I prefer to go out to eat well and then take a walk in the park near my place of lodging. Also, try not to stay in a hotel, I recommend that you book a comfortable house in a friendly neighborhood, this way you will stay in a lively atmosphere instead of the high-rise hotel areas that are usually deserted at night.
make it fun for you
Being a frequent traveler for business trips, I have discovered that there are many people who travel for work but are not restricted to work alone. Since I always explore the city or local neighborhoods at the end of the day or once my business meetings are over, I spend two extra days just for leisure.
Go for good local food
When you go on a business trip, the good thing is that all your expenses are covered, so why not eat in a good restaurant? My first official business trip to Asia was generally good, except for the part where I tried the strategy of booking my hotel near the airport. So I had to eat at the restaurants located near my hotel but that was my worst mistake as there is no food culture there if you want to eat well then you should try the restaurants near the local neighborhoods and eat what the locals eat .
Get a new perspective
When you arrive at a new destination, you need to get some fresh air and a new perspective. Sitting in your hotel room will not give you a new perspective. I try to approach new people in coffee shops, mostly; I am the type of person who would rather sit in a cafe than in a club. So when you spend time outdoors, you meet new people and get their opinions, which helps you gain a new perspective.
Surround yourself with creativity
Creativity brings inspiration, my business travel checklist doesn’t just include things to do, it also includes beaches, parks and art galleries. I like to go to places where I can be inspired. For me, visiting an art gallery or museum is good because it refreshes my mind and I can think better about work and other things.