Have New Technologies Improved Solo Business
Travels?
by: Stephane Vergnaud
In the last 10 to 20 years, advance in technology has transformed many
aspects of business travel; from the way we book our hotel rooms to
staying in touch with relatives left at home.
However it seems that it has not changed one aspect of it: the feeling
of loneliness faced by a majority of business people while travelling
and in particular, while dining and drinking in the evening at hotels.
The latest Barclaycard Business Travel Survey (www.barclaycard.co.uk)
shows that, whereas 95% of businessmen and women travel solo, 45% of
them have felt lonely during their business trips.
Technology has only help to reduce the time spent travelling. The survey
tells us that nights way from home have decreased to 4.1 nights per
month from 4.4 last year. Technology such as video-conferencing has
reduced the need for face-to-face meetings. It has not made it easier
staying alone in far away cities.
Women seem to be even more affected by the negative aspects of solo
travel. Up to 61% of women have said feeling uncomfortable drinking
at bars on their own and 34% didn’t like dining on their own.
So are business travellers doomed to feel lonely, depressed or uncomfortable
when away from home? Well, there are some tips one can follow to try
improve this situation:
Try to talk to people who are waiting to be seated
at the restaurant. If they are alone, they will probably be very happy
to share their table with you, and enjoy a much more relaxed evening.
Try to arrange to meet with somebody you know in town,
or somebody you have met the same day at work or elsewhere.
Ask for a table near a people-watching window. If
you eat alone, at least you can look at what is going on outside.
Go to the restaurant early. Very often, restaurants
have a more romantic setting at later times, something you want to avoid
if you are alone!
Finally use networking clubs to contact other people
who live locally. You may then meet with them (important: always do
so in a public place)
New technologies have improved the way we can plan and organise business
travels. However, when it comes to it, only old-fashioned tips will
make your solo journeys a better experience.
About The Author - Stephane Vergnaud is the Founder
and MD of Nomad Business Club, the first business club to offer you
the possibility to meet and network with other members, wherever and
whenever you travel at www.nomadbusinessclub.net.
- admin@nomadbusinessclub.net
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