A Guide to Understanding Business Travel

April 15, 2024

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A Guide to Understanding Business Travel

A Guide to Understanding Business Travel

Professionals who work in various fields go on business travel for work-related purposes. Modern business travels have taken various forms compared to the earlier days when merchants and traders had to travel for several days before reaching their clients. 


From the simple goal of traveling to sell items to their customers, executives, and employees go on business travel now for several reasons. This blog will explain business travel, its types and how hotel accommodations can impact your trip. 


Definition of Business Travel

Business travel refers to the act of individuals, typically company employees, traveling to a different location for work-related purposes. This can involve various modes of transportation, including road travel (such as driving or using public transportation) or air travel (via airplanes). 


Business travel is an integral aspect of many organizations, as it allows employees to engage in various activities aimed at advancing the company's goals, expanding its reach, or fulfilling specific work-related responsibilities.


Importance of Business Travel

Business travel is significant for organizations, because it contributes to various aspects of their operations. Here are some specific types of importance associated with business travel.

Market Exploration 

Business travel allows individuals to explore new markets, identify potential customers, and understand the local business landscape. This can contribute to business growth by opening up new opportunities and expanding the customer base. Additionally, having company representatives in conferences, trade shows, and industry can enhance the company’s image within the industry.

Networking
Face-to-face interactions during business travels provide opportunities for networking with industry professionals, potential partners, and clients. Building and maintaining strong professional relationships can lead to business collaborations and partnerships.

Exposure to New Ideas
Traveling to different locations exposes employees to diverse cultures, markets, and perspectives. This exposure can inspire creativity and innovation, leading to fresh ideas and approaches that apply to company projects. Learning about the new best practices, latest industry trends, and innovative solutions will enhance a company's operations.

Different Kinds of Business Travel

A man on business travel


Executive Travel

Senior managers often do business travels to enhance connections with other companies. In executive travel, their activities range from securing suppliers, collaborating with companies in the same industry, or checking on the progress of a joint project.

Meeting room in Holiday Inn Express

If most of your executive travel will involve meetings, Holiday Inn Express has the perfect compact layout that ensures a focused space for discussions and brainstorming. It has rooms that accommodate 8 to 10 persons, including one meeting room of 18 square meters, equipped with essential amenities. This hotel provides a range of equipment, including flip charts, markers, whiteboards, name cards, pens, pencils, pads, 35mm slide projector, cable modem, LCD projector, overhead projector, plasma television, teleconferencing, and video conferencing equipment in all meeting rooms. 


Technical Trip

A work trip for internal purposes can involve an individual, an entire department, or the whole team.


These trips have various goals, such as reviewing office locations and operations, attending the opening of new facilities, studying internal processes at the main headquarters, examining how the organization functions and observing the team in action—looking at work processes, meetings, interpersonal and work relationships, and the boss's management style—can provide valuable insights.


Typically, these business trips are undertaken by executives or senior managers. Participants must focus solely on work-related aspects to ensure the trip achieves its intended objectives.

Trade Fairs or Technological Conferences

As part of the effort to unite like-minded people, trade fairs and conferences have become the gateways to learning from experts and sharing with other professionals. 


The most valuable part of participating in this type of business travel is you can establish a better presence. This will enable you to network with valuable contacts who could play an important role in your company’s innovation and expansion.

COLLAB event space in Sheraton Manila

Sheraton Manila Hotel has COLLAB Loft and Private Labs where guests can combine work with socialization. It is an advanced plug-and-play events space that provides a modern and inspiring setting for social and business gatherings. Designed for teamwork, sharing, and collaboration, it's an ideal venue for networking events, product launches, or team-building activities.


Bleisure Travel

There is a modern trend in business travel that is becoming more popular—bleisure travel. 


Bleisure travel is when people mix business and leisure trips, allowing them to stay longer and discover the destination while enjoying some free time and getting to know the local culture.


To maximize their experience, many bleisure travelers use flights or hotels that their employers cover. This setup lets them relax or explore local attractions before or after their work responsibilities.


A focus on well-being is crucial during bleisure trips. Hotels with fitness centers, spas, or wellness facilities offer a refreshing break, promoting a healthy work-life balance for travelers.


The Quan Spa at Manila Marriott Hotel is the high-end spa you need after a long day of meetings. Let their expert therapists spoil you with soothing massages, body wraps, scrubs, and facials. Marriott also has a health club with cardio, strength and resistance training equipment. You can also access their steam room, sauna and jacuzzi to de-stress and recharge. 


Training Trips

In this situation, employees are the ones who go on trips, and naturally, they receive training.


This happens when the company recognizes the need for its employees to attend training sessions, conferences, or congresses to expand their knowledge and apply it within the company. It can happen through mutual agreement, meaning the employee suggests attending the training, or conversely, the company decides that the employee should gain more knowledge on a specific topic.


For longer trips, where employees need to attend multi-day conferences, it's crucial to pick accommodations that are not only comfortable but also close to the airport to save on travel time.


Hilton Manila is only a four-minute drive from Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It also has a fitness center, outdoor pool, and on-site restaurants that serve delectable food and drinks. 


Conclusion
From executive travel and trade fairs to technical trips and bleisure travel, each uniquely fosters business growth and development. 


The impact of hotels on business travel is profound, and meticulous attention to detail, such as airport accessibility, reliable Wi-Fi, and well-equipped meeting rooms, significantly contributes to the success of these ventures. 


Moreover, the role of hotels extends beyond workspaces to include high-quality dining options and wellness facilities. Hotels like Holiday Inn Express Newport City, Sheraton Hotel Manila, Hilton Manila, and Manila Marriott Hotel exemplify this, offering signature restaurants, rooftop escapes, and spa facilities to cater to the diverse preferences of business travelers.


A well-chosen hotel can transform a business trip into a seamless, productive, and enjoyable journey, setting the stage for success in the dynamic world of business travel.