Travel Like an Executive - Preparation is the Key

Posted on April 30th, 2008 in business travel by admin

Have you ever noticed a business traveler in the airport? Business travelers and other executives are truly in a class of their own. They have special luggage, preferred seating, and an elevated knowledge of the industry that simply makes traveling much easier. The following information will provide you with several traveling secrets that previously were only known by today’s business travelers.

Booking your flight - Relationships and loyalty are the key to taking advantage of exclusive travel offers. Most business travelers and executives are loyal to one airline and often use a travel agent to arrange flight itineraries. It is tempting to utilize one of the many discount online travel websites; however, most travel agents can secure similar airline rates and save you time!

Reserving a hotel room - Similar to the airline industry, many hotel chains reward travelers for remaining loyal to their company. Take advantage of the same offers that most business travelers utilize and start saving money! By the way, you would be amazed by the power of a simple question. Ask and you shall receive (or at least have a better chance of receiving). If you are interested in an upgrade, simply ask the hotel employee during your check-inyou might be surprised what you receive!

Know how and what to pack - Packing is a crucial aspect of traveling and therefore, it is critical that travelers are familiar with what and how to pack. For example, many executives that frequently travel often carry all-inclusive toiletry kits. Packing a travel kit filled with essential toiletry and personal items is a great way to ensure you are prepared for the unexpected challenges of traveling.

Protect your valuables - Business travelers realize that safety is always a concern and therefore take the necessary precautions. For example, carry a limited amount of cash while traveling. Instead of carrying cash, use debit and credit cards and take advantage of the extra protection offered to travelers. In addition to the added security, many credit cards offer reward points for purchases!

Like other things in life, learning from the experts will help make your travels more efficient. Frequent travelers, whether for business or pleasure, have provided the rest of us with a road map that will prepare us for easier travels.

Steve Campanella is the founder and President of Executive Travel Kits. Executive Travel Kits offers a full line of all-inclusive kits designed to assist busy professionals alleviate pressures throughout the day. To view the Executive Travel Kits line of products, along with other ways to show appreciation to those that make a difference in your life, please visit http://www.abernook.com

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How to Start Home Based Travel Businesses

Posted on April 29th, 2008 in business travel by admin

Home based travel businesses are no longer the wave of the future. Home travel businesses are the hot trend right now. So if you’re considering becoming a travel agent, this brief guide will provide you with information you need to know.

First, there are generally two types of home travel businesses:

  • Referral agencies

  • Booking and selling agencies

Home based travel businesses that fall into the referral agency category do just that: they refer people to a travel agency. They may have several agencies they refer people to, but most generally have one travel agency that they work with on a regular basis. In return for the referrals from a home based business travel agent, the travel agency pays a referral fee or commission percentage on what the travel agency receives from the supplier. Part-time referral agents can earn up to $500 on each sale, and sometimes even more.

The home based travel businesses that fall into the booking and selling agencies category usually work with one travel agency. These booking and selling travel agencies actually do the booking and planning involved in making all the necessary arrangements for great trips.

These are people who enjoy attending to all the little details. They serve, more or less, as facilitators between their clients and a travel agency. Booking and selling home based travel business agents earn a lot higher percentage of the overall commissionbut they DO do a great deal more work. A full-timer at this, however, can earn $50,000 or more a year.

Some things you want to consider before you decide to open your own home based travel business are:

  • Do I need any special training or education?
  • Should I pursue this part-time or full-time?
  • Is my family supportive of my decision?
  • Do I have a room in my home where I can set up an office?
  • Should I get an extra phone line?
  • What sort of office equipment do I need?
  • What will I do about accounting?
  • How do I manage my tax needs?
  • Is this a job I will love?
  • How much money do I want to make?
  • Should I do any advertising?
  • Do I have the contacts I need to pursue this business opportunity?
  • If I don’t, how do I make the contacts I need?
  • Am I willing to put the necessary effort into this business?
  • Does my state require me to have a business license?

Once you’ve answered all or at least most of these questions, you will need to make a business plan, outlining the steps you’ll have to take to achieve your goal of having your own home based travel business. And a plan just isn’t any good unless you follow it.

You also need to make sure your business plan is realistic. If you have to take a course to run the type of travel agent home business you want to have, deciding to open up shop next week isn’t reasonable. By being realistic in your business plan, you will save yourself an untold amount of frustration as you start and grow your business.

And starting your own business, whether it’s a cruise travel home business or a European vacation home travel business, can be frustrating. Be prepared for obstacles to raise their ugly little heads when you least expect them to, and roll with them as much as you can.

Your goal is to offer superior, professional travel services. Don’t let a cranky client get to you. Always keep a pleasant, cheerful demeanor. You can scream later. Better yet, you have a laugh or two over it with friends, while sipping a glass of fine wine that you bought with the money you’ve earned as a home based business travel agent.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy is owner of Profitable Home Businesses. For more information on Successful Businesses check out Home Based Businesses. Randy owned and operated a very successful storefront/mailorder business from 1988 to 2003. Currently full time owner/operator of several online businesses.

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Business Travel

Posted on April 28th, 2008 in business travel by admin

The globalization of trade and the World Trade Organization taking a leading role is defining new rules and policies in international trade and commerce. As a result, global and local business travel and their frequency acquired greater importance and urgency than ever before. Business travel for individuals and corporate executives is essential to maintain and promote business.

If you intend to travel on a business mission, you should plan the itinerary of your travel carefully. New air travel companies are surfacing to join the race to attract customers. There is a great competition to provide better traveling facilities at competitive rates. Air service companies are coming up with ingenious schemes to lure customers. These schemes usually take the form of special airfare packages for certain destinations within given spaces of time. Since business trips are usually short, you can make use of packages that include return fares, hotel stays, rental cars and cabs for local transport, and other services.

You should be careful to check whether you are being overcharged for your stay in the hotels to outbalance the undercharge on air tickets. You should also make sure the tickets in the flight you intend to board are available. You need to contact your travel agent well in time to avoid any last-minute hassles in obtaining the ticket.

Before leaving for your destination, you should make note of the distance of the venue of your visit from the airport and the means of transport. You may be allergic to certain types of weather, such as the humidity during monsoon in destination cities that are located on seashore, or the dry air of metropolises that may crack your skin. If you are traveling to colder regions, you need to carry woolens and other cold-weather gear.

You may not know the local language of the country or state you are visiting. You need a translator to communicate with your counterpart. Not the least important part of your planning should be getting to know the geographical situation as well as the time zone of the destination city you are going to visit.

All these aspects of your business travel need careful consideration and thorough planning.

Business Travel provides detailed information on Business Travel, Business Class Travel, China Business Travel, Business Travel News and more. Business Travel is affiliated with Corporate Travel Agencies.

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