Paula Williams asked:


Although some business travelers are taking some precautions such as staying in lower-profile hotels and avoiding large gatherings, most have not missed a beat in the wake of recent terrorist scares.  

Most business travelers cite statistics that indicate that in spite of heavily-publicized terror events, the risk of coming to physical harm because of terrorist activity in most cities is very low.  Also, since terror attacks or threats have occurred in many large cities around the world, there is no concentrated area to avoid.

Paula Williams, the host of Ravenwerks, asked the question of her blog subscribers and received very upbeat but practical answers from veteran business travelers.

Subhas Biswas, a trainer, consultant and auditor, indicates that he is planning extra time for security; and keeping entry and exit points in perspective.  

Some travelers expressed that the color-based security alert system is not specific enough to be helpful.  Edward Branley points out that an “high alert” status has been in effect for seven years now and has become the status quo.

Finally, Adrienne Sasson, a travel expert, says “If people begin to run scared of a perceived attack, then they win! My ego will not permit it.”

“Which city will you give up?”  She adds:  “New York, Paris, LA, Madrid, London, Dublin, Jerusalem, Cairo, Mumbai, Amman, Buenos Aires, what have I forgotten?”

Williams asked the question after being frightened for the safety of a friend in Mumbai.

“In fact, she persuaded me to drink coconut water (an excellent cure for “traveler’s tummy”) in the Sea Lounge in the Taj Mahal hotel, across from the Gateway to India monument on the Mumbai waterfront last March.

Our friend works at the Times of India and was in the neighborhood of the recent attacks in Mumbai. In fact, the Times of India building was fired upon. We had not heard from her for several days and did not know what to think, but I’m relieved to report she’s unhurt. She just didn’t have access to email for a few days. She watched the Taj and the Oberoi go up in flames.

My husband and I were discussing the events in Mumbai over the weekend, while sitting in a restaurant in Salt Lake City. Ironically, while we were sitting there, we saw lights through the window and heard sirens outside. There had been a very bad car crash outside the restaurant.

This put these events in perspective for us. We are concerned for the safety and happiness of our friends and family, wherever they are, and we take what precautions we think are prudent when we travel, but the fact remains that the statistical likelihood of being harmed in a terrorist attack is so low it is almost negligible compared to everyday risks like driving a car or crossing the street in our own neighborhood.

Would I return to Mumbai tomorrow? Absolutely. Would I stay in the Taj or the Oberoi? Absolutely, if they’re open. They are beautiful, historic, wonderful hotels and will be so again.”  said Williams.



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Jay Ellenby asked:


Philadelphia, de stad van ' Broederlijke Love' is een populaire bestemming voor handelsreiziger. Met een overvloed te doen en te zien dingen, heeft deze stad iets om op enkel over om het even welke zaken traveler.TransportationFrom een beroep te doen het ogenblik u van het vliegtuig stapt en in de negende bezigste luchthaven in de het land, Philadelphia Internationale Luchthaven (PHL) loopt, zal u bij de hoeveelheid voedsel, winkels en diensten worden verbaasd de luchthaven moet aanbieden. De luchthaven heeft dertig dragers met de aanhoudende dienst to/from meer dan 130 steden van de V.S. en internationaal. De luchthaven neigt zeer bezig te zijn en beweegt altijd zich in een vlug tempo. Laat niet hussle en bussle van handelsreiziger u van aan het rondwandelen van en het genieten van de van aangeboden diensten ontmoedigen. Aangezien de luchthaven zo groot is zorg ervoor om spoor van uw vertrekpoort te houden en genoeg tijd te geven om het door de menigten te maken zodat mist u geen vlucht. Krijgend rond PhiladelphiaBeing het vijfde – de grootste stad in de V.S., Philadelphia biedt handelsreiziger ruime kansen om gemakkelijk rond de stad te navigeren. De internationale Luchthaven van Philadelphia wordt gevestigd enkel ongeveer twintig minuten door auto of trein van Philadelphia van de binnenstad (de Stad van het Centrum). Het openbaar vervoer is een geschikte manier om rond de stad te reizen. Er zijn een groot metrosysteem, de busdiensten, karretjes en forenzentreinen dat handelsreiziger aan de gewenste bestemming met weinig of geen inspanning kunnen krijgen. De luchthaven maakt het zeer voor reizigers duidelijk om wordt verbonden te worden die aan de diverse vormen van vervoer. Wat aan kwestie SeeNo uw van wat houdt en de afkeer is, Philadelphia van de binnenstad zal zeker iets gelieve te hebben zelfs het meest pickiest van handelsreiziger. Zijnd de eerste hoofdstad van de V.S., is de geschiedenis een belangrijk aspect Philadelphia zelf waarop prides. Huis van de de beruchte Klok van de Vrijheid, Zaal van de Onafhankelijkheid, het Nationale Centrum van de Grondwet, en de het huisnaam van Betsy Ross enkel enkelen van de vele historische oriëntatiepunten die in de stad worden gevestigd. De stad wordt ook gevuld met plaatsen om om het even welke bedrijfs travelersâ culturele kant € ™ eveneens te verrijken. Met een aantal wereldberoemde musea, met inbegrip van het Museum van de Wetenschap van het Instituut Franklin, zijn het Museum van Philadelphia van Kunst en de Academie van Pennsylvania van de Beeldende kunsten enkel enkelen van de vele plaatsen om een smaak van cultuur te krijgen. Ben zeker om kaartjes vooruit te plannen en te boeken alvorens aan de stad te komen verzekeren u krijgen de beste prijzen en een gewaarborgde zetel. Na een lange dag van commerciële vergaderingen is het tijd om het nachtleven van de stad te ontspannen en te onderzoeken. Philadelphia, dat ook als stad wordt geweten ⠀ œ dat sleeps⠀  nooit enkele hoogste restaurants in de V.S. heeft. Met Chinatown en Weinig Italië allebei gevestigd in het hart van de stad, handelsreiziger kunnen ⠀ œ rond world⠀  in enkel een paar uren gaan. Als u met een grote commerciële groep reist zorg ervoor om reserves aan de restaurants te boeken alvorens aan de stad te komen. Een reis aan Philadelphia zou niet zonder een echt de kaaslapje vlees van Philadelphia te ervaren volledig zijn. Best twee est – bekende hotspots om een kaaslapje vlees te krijgen zijn de Koning van Pat⠀ ™ s van Lapjes vlees, of Genos, wordt beide plaatsen gevestigd op E. Passyunk Avenue, enkel een korte cabinerit vanaf de Stad van het Centrum.

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Business travel has become so common that a considerable proportion of the corporate world of America is spending more time in airplanes and hotels than on their couches or in their automobiles.

According to a recent estimate, about 40 million adults in the US travel on business at least once a year to a location about 50 miles from home. More than 20 percent of the trips made by African Americans, for instance, are related to their work.

Those who do not need to travel frequently on business consider business travel glamorous and exciting. However, in reality, business travel is often arduous.

It is tough physically, tough on the family, and especially tough on the pockets of businesspersons who do not have the luxury of generous expense accounts to take care of their travel expenses.

In addition, those who travel on business regularly, quickly wise up to the fact that a stress-free and safe journey requires the smooth functioning of a number of interconnected factors, which includes the vagaries of the weather.

According to a study conducted recently, monitoring business travel trends:

> 58 percent of business travel is undertaken for association meetings and conferences,

> 43 percent comprising of business travel made by individuals,

> and 29 percent for corporate meetings.

The study also identified some of the most popular destinations within the US for business travel. They are:

> Washington, D.C.,

> New York,

> Los Angeles/Long Beach,

> Chicago,

> Atlanta,

> Boston,

> Houston,

> Minneapolis-St. Paul,

> Detroit,

> and Dallas.

Irrespective of what the destination is, business travel is seldom an enjoyable experience. Some companies will allow their business travelers the opportunity to enjoy their travel surroundings but this is usually short lived depending on the demands of the trip.

Business travelers, who have to make frequent trips, need special facilities to ease the hassles of traveling. Airlines and hotels are increasing the levels of services they provide in order to meet the growing demands of business travelers:

Usually, business travelers research fares on their own and make their reservations online. According to a survey, it was found that only 32 percent of corporate travelers used the services of travel agents for their reservation needs, while the rest, 68 percent, preferred using the internet or online services to plan at least some part of their business traveling arrangements.

Business travelers are usually technologically conversant; hence, choose to handle all their traveling arrangements through the Internet, limiting the necessity of having to interact with travel agents and professionals dealing with customer service.

Most tourism related sites offer one-stop travel facilities for reservations of flights, booking rooms in hotels, and providing transportation on the ground.

Major airlines like Delta and American have included travel-friendly features like locating cheap fares, finding economical hotel accommodation, and hiring cars on a rental basis inexpensively on their websites.

Travelers, thus, can make arrangements for an entire business trip, which includes seating preferences, confirming special food requests, and a text message or e-mail verifying their flight status and information about the departure timings with a few clicks of the mouse button.

Most of these sites provide boarding passes that can be printed out and online check-ins within 24 hours of the departure of the flight.

At the airport, those travelers in a hurry can take advantage of check-in kiosks in order not to have to wait in long lines, and get their boarding passes and their seating information.

Frequent Flyer Miles, Automatic Upgrades, and Comfortable Seating:

One of the biggest perks of traveling frequently on business is the facility of accumulating points, which can be exchanged for vacations. Travelers, therefore, are always on the look out for hotels offering generous points facilities.

Frequent air travelers also favor automatic upgrades and comfort inside the airplane, such as generous legroom and additional storage facilities overhead. Business traveler programs like EliteAccess provided by Continental Airlines offer comforts like guarantees of no-middle-seat and upgrades to the first class if possible.

Getting Value for Money:

Companies are constantly curtailing overhead expenses by cutting down on the travel allowances they give their executives, while business travelers look for ways in which they can maximize their allowances to the fullest.

For example, several hotels offer free breakfasts, while others provide complimentary facilities such as a welcoming snack or allowing their guests to make free long distance and local calls. Many hotels also offer free newspapers, tea and coffee.

Feeling at Home Far Away from Home:

Business travelers are so frequently away from home that they look for services that replicate their home comforts.

Although hotels are selected primarily for value and location, but business travelers expect home-like comforts like high quality toiletries, comfortable bedding, choices in beverages, cable TV and films, broadband internet access, exercise and convenient check-in/out facilities, and so on.



By: Will

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