Working Abroad - Business Travel 2012?

American Express' annual Global Business Travel Global Forecast says airfares and hotel costs will rise, as will doing business in Asia and Latin America as opposed to North America and Europe.

Despite a series of fragile economies, costs are expected to rise mostly as a result of classic supply and demand: More businesses are likely to send employees on the road while air carriers, in particular, keep availability restricted.
Report highlights:

Europe, Middle East and Africa airfare and hotels
Increases are expected to be modest on airfares, but long-haul business will see the biggest leap as "European business people go abroad to Asia and Latin America to capitalize on growth opportunities in emerging markets." Hotel rates are likely to see moderate increases also, but countries in economic turmoil, such as Spain and Greece, could be better values.

Latin American airfare and hotels
Strong Latin American economies and increasing consolidation among airlines likely will boost costs — between 3 and 6 percent for economy seats and 5 to 9 percent in business class.
Hotels will be impacted similarly, with "moderate" increases among mid- and upper-tier locations. Business hubs will be particularly affected.


Asia-Pacific
This region is the jewel of business travel at the moment and a "relative bright spot in an otherwise uncertain economic picture." Asia is "expected to lead in business travel demand." Airfare is expected to increase significantly, with leaps as high as 10 percent on long-haul business routes.
More travelers also will mean higher hotel rates. But some cities, such as Shanghai, have enough capacity to offer cheaper rates than elsewhere in the region.

November 01, 2011 - Tribune Newspapers excerpt

Looking to avoid these increased costs?
Planning to do more work virtually?
Then contact us at expatknowhow to learn more about virtual team training:

http://www.expatknowhow.com/menus/main.asp?PN=Contact
http://www.expatknowhow.com/
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or sign up to our Blog http://www.expatknowhow.blogspot.com/  for more know-how

Working Abroad - Packing Tips and Know-how

Great article on ' packing tips from travel pros' click here
 www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/business/06PACK.html

At expatknowhow we advise the following:

• Be clear on the type of trip you are taking and therefore what may be needed – location/weather type/air-conditioning/walking/entertaining/health needs etc….. 
• Plan the best type of luggage to use case/backpack and properly label and ensure the case is easily distinguished with a strap, ribbon or colourful tape. Many cases look the same when waiting at a conveyor belt. 
• Be clear on what items you may be able to buy that are cost effective when you get to your destination. 
• Plan your wardrobe; try to create a capsule set of items that can be mixed and matched and easily interchangeable and also try to choose items that do not easily crease or are easy to wash. Try to minimise footwear/bags by choosing a neutral colour that will go with everything.
• Plan your items and find a dedicated space to lay them out in advance of the trip. Or if space is an issue put the items in the case/backpack loosely as you think of them so they are all in one place when the time comes to pack. 
• Be clear on airline weight restrictions and carry on rules. Check the airline website. 
• When packing; place the heavy items at the bottom of the case (shoes/wash bag etc.) so that light items are on top and don’t get crushed.
•  Decant or buy small items of toiletries, many makes today have travel size options. 
• Make use of shoes and heavy items at the bottom of the case by filling with socks/underwear/swimming costume etc… 
• Wherever possible pack clothes in a tight roll and pack into a space tightly, this will minimise creases and crush marks. 
• If space is a serious issue then it may be worthwhile to vacuum pack some items. 
• When going to a cold country wear any heavy items boots/coat onto the plane to save the space and weight in the case. 
• Be prepared and always have a spare change of clothes and any spare glasses, medicines or contact lens solutions (be clear on the airline liquid restrictions) etc.. in your carry on luggage, as these may be needed in case the flight is delayed or you miss a connection or if the cases don’t arrive at the final destination.

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Are you thinking of living or working abroad?
Need help or support?
Then contact us at now at expatknowhow:
http://www.expatknowhow.com/menus/main.asp?PN=Contact
http://www.expatknowhow.com/
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Working Across Cultures - Milton Park Event

Do you work at Milton Park or nearby in Oxfordshire?
Do you travel and work abroad for Business?
Do you work with people from different Cultures?
If so we would like to invite you to a free lunchtime event that will be taking place at:


The Advanced Business Solutions Campus - Abingdon and Witney College - 5G Milton Park

Wednesday 16 February from 12.15-13.15:

Title: Working across Cultures - How to Maximise Performance


The international nature and global reach of many businesses requires most of us to interact with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds as part of our jobs.

This informative seminar will address how to;

• Communicate effectively with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds

• Develop effective cross-cultural business relationships

• Successfully manage a multi-cultural team and get the best results from them

• Prepare staff for long-term overseas assignments

• Organise a successful overseas business trip



To find out more about this event and to sign up to attend please go to the following link:

www.expatknowhow.com/talk

We hope to see you there.

 

Advice Abroad, From Home?

When you are travelling to live and work abroad for business, where can you get the best advice from to make your trip successful?

Here are some comments from expats and business people who have experience of this:

"Most travel Web sites offer enough information to leisure travelers to make their trip a good one. But business travelers often have different needs."

“Hotel reviews in TripAdvisor and similar tourism sites are only slightly helpful, because most reviewers don’t have the obsession with connectivity that I do. Expat sites tell me more.”

” The hotel recommendations from someone who had past expereince, led not only to something more affordable and gave me all the amenities I needed, but put me in the center of things.”

“It’s helpful to speak with people who are from where you are from, and learn from their mistakes.”

Need help to make your trip successful?
Not sure where to start when moving to live and work abroad?
Call us at expatknowhow for help.
http://www.expatknowhow.com/menus/main.asp?PN=Contact
http://www.expatknowhow.com/
Follow us on twitter @expatknowhow
or sign up to our Blog http://www.expatknowhow.blogspot.com/