International business travel isn’t as simple as your run-of-the-mill vacation. There are many more factors that you have to plan out before you disembark, and more items to keep in mind even once you’ve actually arrived.
Here are the do’s and don’ts to help ensure smooth international business travel.
DO:
Triple Check Your Passport
Everything starts with the passport. If you don’t have it, you’re not going to get very far without it. When you’re planning your trip, make sure that you still have about 6 months before your passport expires and that you have a few empty pages. If you don’t pass both of these requirements, some countries won’t let you in.
Share Your Plans
Share a copy of your plans with friends or family at home so that they can check up on you if anything goes wrong. It’s better for someone to know where you are, and is another form of insurance while you’re away.
Get Your Visas Early
Some countries have visas-on-arrival, but not all of them do. That’s why it’s important that you acquire your visas early so that you’ll have a smooth entry into your destination.
Learn the Local Culture
Brush up on the culture of where you’re visiting so you know what to expect. If it’s a foreign country you know nothing about, it’s best to at least have an idea of some relevant current events. You don’t need to be an expert on local customs, but you should at least have a vague idea of what the place is like before arriving.
Figure Out Which Electrical Adapters You’ll Need
You don’t want to get stuck in a foreign country without a way to charge your devices. Make sure you have the proper electrical adapter so that you can fill up your devices with enough juice to last.
Get Some Cash
Some countries don’t use credit cards as much as the United States, so make sure you have some cash on hand or change some over upon your arrival. Your company will probably have a policy on cash advances up to a certain point so do some research or ask around.
Learn About The Area
Figure out where you’re staying and look up some restaurants or stores around your hotel area so that you can figure out where to go. Always bring a business card from your hotel so that you have an easy way to communicate to others of where you need to go if you get lost.
Have a Plan B
Make sure you know what your emergency plans are if something goes awry. Whether it’s an international evacuation plan or medical assistance in extreme situations, make sure you know what you have in case these circumstances arise.
Be Healthy
Watch what you eat and drink in certain countries. You might not be used to the different mineral content in the tap water or the type of food they cook. Try to avoid raw or uncooked things, buy bottled water or boil your own, and make sure you wash your hands often.
Stay In Touch
Get your international voice and data plan set up through your company so that you have a way to communicate with others during your trip. Alternatively, you could get a WiFi hotspot for the duration of your trip.
DON’T:
Become an Expert in the Local Language
It’s unnecessary to learn the local language before you go on a business trip. Pick up a handful of useful phrases and you should be comfortable enough to get around.
Sleep Adjustments and Lag
Don’t follow impractical advice on how to adjust your sleep schedule when you get to a new country or when you return home. The best thing to do is to get a great night’s sleep for the two nights before you leave. Then, try to sleep on your overnight flight to flip that cycle.
Follow these tips and your international business travel will be fun and rewarding.
About the Author: Oasis is a premiere hospitality agency dedicated to changing the way people travel. Their passions for service, design, and adventure drive their mission of giving travelers an authentic experience with a city or culture, while never giving up comfort or convenience.
