DALLAS, Feb. 21, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- As small business travelers increasingly journey outside the United States, it's important that they adopt a new set of planning techniques to make their foreign trips successful, reported the American Small Business Travelers Alliance (ASBTA). ASBTA is a national, non-profit alliance that provides valuable services and functions focused specifically on the travel needs and interests of small business owners.
"Our research has determined that nearly 50 percent of small business travelers are taking regular international business trips," said Chet Gray, ASBTA vice president of Sales and Marketing. "As these professionals know, international business travel requires different planning and thinking than when simply traveling across the U.S., so we've decided to share some of their 'best practices' in an effort to inform all small business travelers about the nuances of traveling overseas."
Documentation: Passports and Beyond
In terms of travel identification, although a passport is usually all an American traveler needs in Europe; many other countries also require a visa. Since obtaining a visa can take as long as 14 to 21 days, it's critical to plan well in advance. To learn about each country's requirements, visit the U.S. State Department's travel site, www.travel.state.gov. Airline web sites can also be a good resource for this type of documentation planning. American Airlines and Continental Airlines, for instance, have both dedicated portions of their web sites to international travel tips and resources, including information on passports, visas and immunizations.
The second most important documentation needed for an international business trip is the itinerary. Having clearly mapped out travel plans is vital when it comes to global business travel since there are often fewer windows of opportunity. In many cases, for instance, there may be only one international flight to a destination. Miss it, and it could mean waiting a day or more for the next flight.
"Never forget that this rule applies as much or more to other types of transportation -- such as trains, ships and cars -- as it does to flying," Gray added. "In other words, don't expect to get off the plane and just rent a car or hop on the next available train. Plan in advance."
Utilizing Technology Overseas
Small business travelers with wireless-enabled laptops can find Internet coverage almost anywhere in the world, including airports and hotels. In addition, many stores, Internet cafes and other areas also offer wireless Internet access, as well as landline Internet access for those without wireless capability.
To ensure Internet connectivity when overseas, do the research before traveling by checking with the hotel about connectivity options and prices. A number of resources are also available, such as Wi-Fi Free Spot (www.wififreespot.com), a directory of Wi-Fi-enabled locations throughout the U.S., Europe and a range of other countries. Many international flights now have Wi-Fi capabilities. A complete list of flights can be found on the Connexion by Boeing website (www.connexionbyboeing.com), as well as information and FAQs on maximizing your Wi-Fi connection on the plane.
Although not all cellular phones work in every country, it's possible to rent a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) phone fairly inexpensively in most European countries. CellularAbroad (www.cellularabroad.com) is just one such company that offers rentals for a wide range of countries. The phones generally come loaded with about 30 minutes worth of calling time and can be easily re-loaded at specially-designed kiosks.
Finally, for maximum productivity on those long overseas flights, take advantage of the latest mobile technology, such as the Intel(r) Core(tm) Duo processor. These new processors manage laptop power much more effectively, greatly increasing battery life, which is an important feature on long international flights.
Top International Travel Tips
-- Before leaving the United States, make three copies of all your
documentation -- including your passport, any visas, and your
itinerary -- just in case the originals are lost or stolen
while you're traveling. The first copy should be left with
family or a business associate back home; the second should be
carried in a briefcase or laptop case; and the third should be
kept on your person.
-- Always utilize frequent flier and other loyalty programs when
traveling internationally, whether earning points and miles or
redeeming them. In many cases, one flight to and from Europe
earns half the miles needed for a free domestic ticket, so the
programs are more than worth it. And for small businesses
sending employees on the road, enhanced loyalty programs like
American Airlines Business ExtrAA (www.businessextraa.com)
enable both business owners and their employees to
simultaneously earn rewards on employee travel.
-- Be certain you have the appropriate converters for electronic
and mobile devices for the country or countries where you will
be visiting. Forget them and you could find yourself unable to
use or charge any of your equipment.
About ASBTA:
ASBTA is dedicated to educating the small business traveler and promoting the travel industry at large. The American Small Business Travelers Alliance (ASBTA) is a national organization serving small business travelers by providing information regarding resources and services, savings on air fares, car rentals, and accommodations, as well as technology (www.businesstraveltechnology.com) designed to improve and enhance your travel experience. ASBTA surveys are sponsored by Airline Weekly (www.airlineweekly.com). If you're a small business owner and want to learn more, visit our site and register free at www.asbta.com. You can contact ASBTA by phone at 469-648-0190 or email us at info@asbta.com.
The ASBTA logo is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1907