5 THINGS TO PLAN BEFORE GOING ON A BUSINESS TRIP
Going on any business trip typically requires a lot of logistical planning. Traveling long haul can make small details even more important. From hotel accommodations to flights, everything must be properly organized. Here are 5 things to plan and organize when going on a long-haul business trip.
Transportation
When determining how you will get from point A to point B, consider what class of airline ticket you will book. While the economy ticket and the business class ticket will all arrive at the same time, the experience will be quite different. Business-class tickets will provide you with more amenities like lounge access, free meals in-flight, a quiet seating area inflight, and more. If you intend to be productive during your journey, a business-class ticket may provide be a better choice.
Not only to do you need to book flights but you should also consider how you will get to and from the airport. If traveling to the airport by private car, make sure you book well in advance. If taking your car, sort out the necessary airport parking. Make sure you leave ample time to drop your car off and check-in on time.
Research transportation options at your destination. If you are renting a car, check rates online and book in advance. Do not assume a rental will be available if you do not book in advance.
Accommodation
Before you book your hotel, use a Google map to see where your meetings are in relation to the airport and the areas where hotels are located. It is also a good idea to choose a hotel in an area that has restaurants nearby.
Once you have the area figured out, see what the hotels have to offer. Various hotel brands cater to different types of travelers. As an example, some hotels offer a free breakfast, some offer a cafe breakfast, and other hotels have a full-service restaurant available for breakfast. If you are a member of a hotel rewards program, remember to stay with the brand you prefer and book directly with the hotel.
Make sure that your family and direct work colleagues know where you are staying and provide them with the necessary contact details. It is also a good idea to give them your flight details.
Business Meetings
Before you book your hotel, use a Google map to see where your meetings are in relation to the airport and the areas where hotels are located. It is also a good idea to choose a hotel in an area that has restaurants nearby.
Once you have the area figured out, see what the hotels have to offer. Various hotel brands cater to different types of travelers. As an example, some hotels offer a free breakfast, some offer a cafe breakfast, and other hotels have a full-service restaurant available for breakfast. If you are a member of a hotel rewards program, remember to stay with the brand you prefer and book directly with the hotel.
Make sure that your family and direct work colleagues know where you are staying and provide them with the necessary contact details. It is also a good idea to give them your flight details.
Finances
You may be traveling to a country that uses a different currency. While you can use digital payment methods around the globe, it is always handy to carry some cash with you. If you haven’t arranged this in advance, most airports have a travel money booth. Track all of your expenditures while you are away and keep receipts. If your company allows, use an expense tracking app on the go or take photos of your receipts right after you incur the expense. This will make it far easier and quicker to claim back any necessary expenses when you return.
Explore the area
When you are on a business trip, take advantage of the new location and take time to explore. Whether you can spare an hour, a day or a long weekend, incorporate leisure into your business trip.
Before you leave for your long-haul business trip, research the area and different activities you can do. Some tourist excursions require advanced booking. It can be tempting to stay in your room and work or fly home as quickly as possible, but remember that you may never visit again so make the most of it when you can.
Experiencing local cuisine is a great way to learn more about the location you are visiting. Take a look online for recommended restaurants or places of culture to visit during your stay.
How to Choose The Right Accommodation For Medical Tourism
Selecting suitable accommodation is a crucial decision when traveling abroad for medical reasons. A poor choice in lodging can exacerbate a patient’s health condition and pose serious risks. For instance, individuals recovering from cardiac or orthopedic surgery need to ensure their accommodation allows for avoiding stairs.
Therefore, the patient has to be careful while making the decision and must take into account several factors like proximity to the hospital, cost, quality of services rendered, etc.
Distance from hospital
When selecting accommodation, it’s crucial for the patient to choose a facility that is in close proximity to the hospital. This ensures quick access to medical services in case of complications and minimizes physical strain during post-operative check-ups. Doctors advise against travel in the week or month following surgery (depending on the procedure) to prevent stress and support a smooth recovery.
Recognizing this, various health and welfare entities have invested in establishing accommodation and recuperation facilities near hospitals, aiming to minimize the need for extensive patient travel.
Aga Khan University Hospital in Parklands, Nairobi
Distance from recuperation facility
The patient’s journey towards full recovery doesn’t conclude upon leaving the hospital; instead, the subsequent weeks or months are pivotal for complete healing. Hence, it is crucial for the patient to have convenient access to their recuperation facility.
A recuperation facility serves as a space where the patient can undergo both physical and mental recovery post-procedure. The selection of such a facility requires careful consideration, ensuring it can cater to the patient’s specific needs such as dietary preferences and exercise routines.
Importantly, it should be in close proximity to the chosen accommodation, considering the adverse effects of travel discussed earlier. Prolonged travel can be especially challenging for a patient who may still be under the influence of medication, leading to increased exhaustion.
HCG Centre in Parklands, Nairobi
Food
After surgery, the patient’s focus should extend to their diet, making it essential to select accommodation that offers nutritious and healthy meals. Poorly prepared or contaminated food can lead to adverse health effects such as food poisoning, potentially prolonging the recovery period. The ideal post-surgery diet should include a balance of nutrients like fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, playing a crucial role in the healing process.
Additionally, the patient should ensure that the cooking facilities are clean, maintaining a hygienic environment to prevent contamination of the food. For medical tourists, unfamiliarity with foreign cuisines or diets can pose a challenge. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that the offered meals align with their preferences when renting accommodation.
Breakfast served on a wooden tray
Infection control mechanisms
To prevent postoperative infections, it is crucial to implement sufficient measures and precautions to maintain a sterile environment for the patient after the procedure. A well-equipped hotel can play a pivotal role in helping the patient avoid complications such as wound infections, drip site infections, and respiratory issues.
Certain medical procedures require extraordinary postoperative care. For instance, in some cases, it may be necessary to cover the room’s windows with mesh screens to prevent the entry of mosquitoes and other insects. Additionally, the room may need to be regularly sprayed with a disinfectant to eliminate harmful bacteria and other microorganisms. Individuals entering the room might be required to wear masks to cover their mouths and gloves when touching the patient. It is essential for the accommodation to facilitate such setups to ensure the patient’s well-being.
(African person cleaning an apartment)
Distance from grocery store and pharmacy
It proves highly convenient for the patient if there’s a grocery store and pharmacy in close proximity to the chosen accommodation facility. This not only benefits the patient but also assists their caregiver or companion in minimizing travel for essential items. For instance, a patient may need specific toiletries or cleaning materials for wound care, which can easily be obtained from a nearby general store.
Having a pharmacy nearby is equally advantageous, as it ensures easy access to all the required medications. This proximity allows for swift renewal and refill of prescriptions without prolonged waiting times. The economic growth spurred by medical tourism has led to the establishment of grocery stores and pharmacies near hospitals and healthcare centers, facilitating easy access to necessities such as headrests and garbage bags for patients.
Sarit Centre in Westlands, Nairobi
6 Reasons why people choose serviced apartments over hotels.
Business travelers are increasingly looking for alternative accommodation solutions in order to stay more comfortably when away from home. More and more, business travelers are open to staying somewhere other than traditional chain hotels.
Business professionals, who are more than familiar with the drawbacks of continuously living out of suitcases while staying in traditional hotel rooms, appreciate the features of a serviced apartment. Have you ever considered switching hotel rooms for a serviced apartment? Here are six reasons why you should.
1.You’ll feel at home
Staying in a serviced apartment gives you the freedom to do exactly the same things you would do at home: prepare your meals in your kitchen, finish up work in the living room, throw your sports clothes in the washing machine after a run, then kick back and watch Netflix in your bedroom. In other words, serviced apartments offer you a move-in-ready solution, where you can enjoy comfort and convenience so that you’ll feel right at home even when you’re travelling.
2.You’ll save money
Staying in a serviced apartment can save you money in two different ways. First, the longer you stay, the cheaper your nightly rate gets. For long stays, the savings can be significant compared to the fixed nightly prices of hotels. Second, you can save good money by skipping restaurants and instead doing your grocery shopping and cooking your meals in your apartment’s kitchen.
3.You’ll have more space
Where in a hotel one usually stays in a relatively small room, a serviced apartment typically offers more square meters – on average 30 % more than a hotel room. In other words, a serviced apartment offers a more comfortable space for you to relax. Additional space also allows you to bring and store your sports equipment, for example. Apart from the additional square meters, serviced apartments have separate rooms for eating, sleeping, and relaxing. And if needed, there’s enough room for the entire family or a larger group of colleagues.
4.You’ll dodge the “hotel death”
If you have ever been on the road for a longer project, you surely must know how quickly you get hit by the so-called “hotel death”. Let’s face it: in a small room, there’s little you can do but stare at the TV. In a serviced apartment, you can live your normal life. Cook and eat in the kitchen, fill up the washing machine and relax in the living room, and of course get a good night’s sleep in the bedroom. You can also take advantage of the extra space and bring your hobby with you, be it yoga on the floor or long cycling trips to the surroundings on your bike. Storing your gear is not a problem in a spacious apartment.
