Archive for the ‘Guides’ Category

Grupo Mayan Resort Covers Business Travelers From Head To Toe – Literally!

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Business travelers to Mexico will find a more relaxed and laid back atmosphere in the Grupo Mayan Resort towns. The Grupo Mayan Resorts offer a highly trained and supportive staff that caters to the business traveler. Resort personnel are available and intent on providing the quality service that is conductive to a successful business meeting. From technical expertise to a myriad of catering options, the staff at Grupo Mayan Resorts always ensures that guests are treated both professionally and courteously.

Mexico is famous for its tropical weather and this translates into a more casual dress code. Many of the nicer restaurants may require a coat and tie, which can be a welcome wardrobe addition in the cooler evenings. The Grupo Mayan Resorts offer boutique style shopping to assist one lacking in the proper travel or business attire. Shops in the resort areas are normally open until the evening hours, enabling the business traveler a chance to select a souvenir that will be truly memorable from their visit.

Concierge service at any Grupo Mayan Resort can arrange transportation, book appointments, or schedule travel for their guests. There really is no limit to the service that is provided by the staff at Grupo Mayan Resorts. The Grupo Mayan professionals work together as a family and as such are able to anticipate the needs of every traveler and guest. There is no need to bring along a personal assistant for your business meetings. With the help of the Grupo Mayan Resort team, the business traveler will be well looked after.

A business trip to any Grupo Mayan Resort, in any corner of the country, will be a welcome change from the boardroom. Trade in your starched shirt and tie for a pair of comfy linen pants and a Guayabera shirt. You may be a guest on a business trip, but it sure won’t feel like it at the beautiful Grupo Mayan Resorts.

How to Prevent Business Travel Disasters

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Business travel for professionals is definitely a given at least once or twice throughout the year.  As more businesses send their professionals to meet with clients or customers, say the Grupo Mayan experts, this increases the likelihood of problems existing or the potential for them to happen.  This might include travel delays among other things simply because of the volume of business travellers and it has been many peopleís experience, the more you travel the more likely you are to have problems occur.

However, if you are well prepared for just about anything, not ruling out any possibilities, you will be armed with ways to better deal with situations that are less desirable and you can also have alternate plans for the just in case moments.

The first suggestion is, say the Grupo Mayan experts in business travel, if you are flying make sure that you arrive at the airport at least an hour and a half before your flight.  Also, make sure that you have packed your carry-on luggage appropriately according to the guidelines of the airline or the TSA.  If you happen to get stuck at security because you did not pack appropriately, you might be causing yourself to miss your flight.

Our second suggestion falls under the unexpected category.  You have followed the suggestion above only to find out that your flight has been cancelled.  One of the ways to have a back-up plan for this, say the Grupo Mayan experts, is to make sure your travel agent or office travel consultant is on speed dial on your phone.  The second you find out about the cancellation, you should call them so they can see what the delays are because they are privy to information that you do not have and they can work on finding alternate plans for you.

Always be kind to the staff on your expected flight, say the Grupo Mayan pros, because they do not look kindly at people who think they are self-important.  When dealing with airline personnel, you should maintain your professionalism at all times but also remember that kindness can get you everywhere.  If something should happen with your flight, they are more willing to help those who are polite than those who seem to need an attitude adjustment.

Always keep your identification in a secure place.  If you lose your Driverís License, not only can you not rent a vehicle but all airlines require you to show your I.D. and your flight information.  If you lose either one of those things, say the Grupo Mayan experts, you just might be stuck in the airport for days.  Think about purchasing something that is easily carried on you or your carry-on that stores only this information and you have quick access to, but you are able to put it in a secure place.

On the chance that your flight is being shared with a rival employee of a competitors company, any and all business plans and strategy-type conversations should be kept to a minimum or at the very least, where they cannot be aware of the discussion.  The last thing you want to happen on this trip is to have your plans, your companyís plans or ideas stolen from the competition.  You should always be discrete you never know who might be listening.

Getting the Most out of your Business Trip

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Many professionals can expect for travelling to become an important part of their business.  You might even find yourself getting to the point where you do not remember where home is anymore.

Over time you will be able to find better ways to transition and make the most of each trip.  Grupo Mayan experts in business travel are going to share some of these tips with you in hopes that they might work for you as well.

One of the first things Grupo Mayan experts suggest is to actually un-pack when you get to your room.  Leaving everything in your suitcase seems like no big deal, but psychologically, there is a difference when you un-pack or leave the stuff in your suitcase.  Utilizing the closet will help you feel more at home, as simple and silly as this might sound, it does make a difference.

Another suggestion is to take advantage of the free breakfast that the hotel or most hotels offer.  It might not be exactly what you are looking for but itís free and how can you argue with free.
Additionally, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, say the Grupo Mayan experts, as itís what gets your brain going.

Take advantage of the hotel gym, this is something that most people do not do because they feel they might not have time, or they are too tired there are a million excuses but I can promise if you do, you will feel a little more normal by doing something constructive with your downtime.   It is also a good way to work yourself up and tire yourself out so that sleep is inevitable and you will rest better while you are sleeping, much like you rest well when you are at home in your own bed.

Grupo Mayan pros recommend taking advantage of the sites.  If you have plenty of downtime, go to the cities website and see what local nightlife things they have going on.  If you are going to be in between meetings during the day, that will be 2 to 3 hours apart, check out what the attractions might be so that you can at least get a little bit of enjoyment out of the trip and see things that you might not have otherwise been able to see.

Business trips in general are no fun, say the Grupo Mayan experts, but with some effort you can feel a little more normal and at home if you find ways to occupy yourself when you are not working.

Dealing with Loneliness While on a Business Trip

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Many times people ask how is it possible to be able to keep yourself from getting extremely bored and lonely while away on business and, according to the Grupo Mayan experts, the answer is simple: find things to do to occupy your time while away and also find things to do that stimulate and relax you and your brain so that when you sleep, you rest well.

A business trip can be very boring when you are not dealing with business itself and very lonely at times especially for someone who enjoys being home with their family, say the Grupo Mayan experts.

One way to help combat loneliness is to start networking throughout the business community in other states and get to know people so that when you head to their city or town, you have someone to meet up with and have dinner or lunch with.  This person provided their schedule allows it, can also serve as a guide for you to tell you where the best places to eat are and some of the attractions that you might want to see before you leave.

If that suggestion is something that just does not appeal to you, itís okay.  You can be very self reliant when you need to be and discovering ways to occupy your downtime will come fairly simple to you, say the Grupo Mayan experts, especially if it is a place that you have never visited or had business in before.

You can take advantage of your hotels gym and sauna facilities.  Getting a good workout in while away on business is not only good for your health but it will keep your energy levels up while relaxing you at the same time so that a good workout will help you rest better as you sleep.

If the main problem is missing your family while you are gone, say the Grupo Mayan experts, think about investing in a webcam if your laptop is not already equipped with one.  Getting online and chatting with your family and being able to see one another is a virtual way of not really being gone.  If you have children, this will be especially comforting to them to see that even though you are not right there, you are not that far away in their mind and they can visually see you are okay.

Most places have a very interesting and rich history in some way, so talking to the hotel manager and telling them what your interests are and asking if they can suggest any places that you might want to visit, is a good way to occupy long stretches of time where you are not conducting business.

Being lonely on a business trip is really only a state of mind, say the Grupo Mayan experts in business travel, because quite literally, there is no reason to be.

Advice for Women on What to Pack for a Business Trip

Monday, October 19th, 2009

This rule stands for practically every professional at all times, but looking professional on a business trip is still very important.  Trying to look your best everyday while travelling, say the Grupo Mayan experts, is not always the easiest thing to accomplish especially if you suffer from jet lag or fatigue easily.

First impressions always count and the way you look plays an important part.  You could have the best skills in your field and the best personality, an extrovert with the will to succeed but if you are not presenting yourself as a proud businesswoman, then you might not make that great of a first impression.
This article is designed to give you some tips on what to take with you to wear on your business trip, say the Grupo Mayan experts, and the best way to pack for it to ensure a successful trip.

Obviously, the first subject we are going to cover is your clothing.  Clothes do not make the person but they can break the person.  Staying away from professional outfits that are entirely made of linen or silk is absolutely imperative.  They might look really classy and elegant but they do not travel well.

Grupo Mayan experts tell us that packing a great jacket that goes with anything is very important as well.  A jacket can dress up any look, even if you are only wearing business casual clothes.  You could be wearing a tank top and Capri pants, and look like you are a tourist on vacation but if you add a navy jacket, for example, you look as though you are ready for business.  This jacket should be wool or a wool blend that compliments your figure but is not easily prone to wrinkling.  You should also consider taking 2 jackets of neutral colors so that no matter what you are wearing it will compliment your look.

If you are travelling to a warmer climate, say the Grupo Mayan experts, make sure that you pack tank tops or a camisole or two because the last thing you want is to, at some point during a meeting, remove your jacket and have sweat stains on your undershirt.  Make sure that the tank tops are classy looking and professional.

Obviously you are going to want to pack dress pants, skirts and maybe even a 3-piece business suit that travels well.  A full dress is not a bad idea either, but some women prefer to have pieces.  Even though you are on business, you need to be comfortable with what you are wearing because prospective clients or current clients will know if you are not comfortable in your clothes.

Lastly, say the Grupo Mayan experts, you will want to focus on hair, make-up and your nails.  Even if you do not have fingernails, just make sure you have a manicure before you leave for your trip.  Your make-up should look flawless and polish your face, avoid caking on your make-up and your hair should just be professionally groomed and a style that you feel comfortable with that compliments the shape of your face.

Grupo Mayan Resorts: Keeping Your Cool While Travelling Abroad

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009

Business travel in general is not always a lot of fun, in fact, it can be downright boring or very stressful and sometimes somewhere in between.  International travelling can add to the stress and boredom, say the Grupo Mayan experts, because you are having to travel further than normal and you are not familiar at all with the ways of the people in a foreign country.

There are ways that you can be better prepared for a business trip abroad and this article is going to focus on some of the tips to help get you ready.

According to the Grupo Mayan experts in business travel, international travel is drastically different than domestic travel and there are a lot of things that you have to be prepared for and make sure that you have in place to travel overseas.

Just recently it was announced that in order to travel to Canada or Mexico now, you have to have a passport.  These are the kinds of things that not everyone knows about.  Along with always having a passport for overseas travel, you also have to be completely up-to-date on your immunizations and other countries might require for you to have shots that are not required here.  The best way to prepare for this is a few months in advance and check on the website of the CDC to get an idea of what immunizations are required and where.

If you have any medications that you take on a regular basis, the best advice Grupo Mayan experts can give you here is to make sure you take a copy of every prescription with you so that you will have them in case you run out.

Make sure that you have checked out the climate of the location you are headed to and pack accordingly.  It is not a good idea to pack for every weather condition because this could result in over-packing so do some research on the general climate where you will be flying to.

Remember that in some countries, they have a certain dress code or custom that you might not be familiar with, say the Grupo Mayan experts, and in order to avoid unnecessary challenges, we advise you to also research this.

Learn the airport to which you will be landing in, this will be vital to help avoid unnecessary delays for your departure from the airport and make sure that if you have been granted a visa, you take all of the appropriate letters with you as well as pre-verifying all of the information with your consulate.
Politeness knows no boundaries, say the Grupo Mayan experts, and is not discriminatory so making sure you do your best to be professional and polite at all times is a must.

Hopefully these tips will help make your international travel a bit more stress-free and even relaxing.

Grupo Mayan Resorts: Travel Tips for Overseas Business Travel

Friday, July 24th, 2009

Sometimes when we travel in our familiar environments, we do not really need any tips, however, say the Grupo Mayan experts in the travel industry, when travelling overseas this can be a different experience all together and this article is going to cover some of the more important planning tips you should keep in mind.

One of the first things you are going to want to plan for is purchasing travel insurance.  This type of insurance is especially important for business travellers who travel often and will cover you under any emergency circumstances.
While you are still home, say the Grupo Mayan experts, ask a trusted neighbour to keep a watch over your house and ask them if they are willing to accept any deliveries you might be expecting as well as checking your mail.  If they are willing to do so, also ask them to keep you advised of any suspicious activity around your home.

Review your packing list and also read the guidelines set forth from the TSA to make sure that what you take with you while still in your country, is acceptable and will not cause you delays or problems in another country.

On your last day at work before your trip, make sure that you change your voicemail and email messages to indicate that you will be out of the office and when you will return so that your colleagues or clients know that they can expect to hear from you when you return and no sooner.  This is typical business etiquette, say the Grupo Mayan experts.

Make sure that your refrigerator is mold free and what it means by that is to make sure that you throw out anything that might go bad in your absence as well as make sure that you empty the garbage before you leave, say the Grupo Mayan travel professionals.  It is not pleasant after a long flight to come home to a funk that you cannot figure out and it takes months to get rid of, if at all.

Lastly, make sure that your passport is good to go and make sure that you have allowed yourself ample time for immunizations because some might have an adverse affect on you, getting any immunizations you might need a week before travel is advisable, say the Grupo Mayan experts.  Some countries require certain immunizations to enter that your own country does not require and you can check the immunization requirements on the websites by doing a search for the country you are travelling to and you will be prepared to enter the country with less hassle.

Grupo Mayan Resorts: Preventing Laptop Theft

Monday, July 20th, 2009

It really is a sad day when you cannot go sit at a cafe and enjoy the time you have working on your laptop without the fear of it being stolen, yet more and more the thieves are all too ready and willing to take what is yours.

In San Francisco for example, this has become a huge problem according to local police reports, but other places such as coffee spots or hot spots near major campuses across the nation face this problem as well, say the Grupo Mayan experts in business travel.

The key to preventing laptop theft, bottom line, is prevention, say the Grupo Mayan experts.  Using a laptop leash is a good option however, do not go cheap on this because this is one of the scenarios where you get what you pay for.  Make sure that the leash is made of sturdy metal and it will lock to your laptops security slot and then to a place on the table that is bolted to the floor, advice the Grupo Mayan experts.  The reason you do not want to just attach it to any leg of any table is because the table can be lifted and the lock slipped off of the leg.  Do not leave the laptop, even on a leash for any reason.  You are just inviting that thief.  Yes, the leash works well as a deterrent, but it only takes a pair of wire cutters to get it and take off.

Another strategy is to always have company of friends that you can trust to watch your laptop if you have to run to the bathroom.  There is a higher chance that this is one of the better theft deterrents, say the Grupo Mayan experts.

Be aware of your surroundings at all times.  This is not just for the good and safety of your property but of your person as well.
You could also bring your dog along, most cafes do allow dogs on their outside patio area and your dog is a good theft deterrent to most would be criminals because even if they are friendly, a dog knows what is and is not supposed to happen.

Lastly, say the Grupo Mayan experts, make sure that whatever you carry your laptop in it does not look like a laptop carrier.  Most women have laptop bags that look like purses these days and then the industry has gotten wise about the laptop thieves and started making bags that look more like backpacks.  Who wants to steal a backpack that probably has nothing but useless books and papers inside?   Also, make sure that all of the information you need from your laptop is backed up on another device, say the Grupo Mayan experts, especially if you are a student or use your laptop for business purposes.

Grupo Mayan Resorts: Modern Tools of the Trade

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

As a business traveller and with all of the technology that is available today, there really is no excuse not to be able to keep in touch with what is going on with your business or the business you are working for while travelling, say the Grupo Mayan experts in business travel.

This article is going to cover some of the more technological modern tools of any business and what all business people should invest in and have.

One of the best tools these days is to have Google alerts because this can be more useful to you as a business person than most of the newspapers you will pick up, say the Grupo Mayan experts.  Making sure that you know where all of the hotspots are before you leave on your trip is important as well.

Make sure that you have a laptop with WIFI capabilities and that you have some basic programs installed on your computer such as an email client and chat tools or instant messengers.  Most cities have free hot-spots as well as most airports and hotels offer free WIFI service, some do not so be prepared to pay just a little to get connected, say the Grupo Mayan experts.
A lot of business people are starting to carry a blackberry, which is a cell phone/PDA all-in-one and they eat, sleep and breathe this device.

Another tool that people are turning to is the technology of SKYPE which is basically a phone service that is VOIP and you can use your PDA/Cellphone or Laptop as a phone but you have to have the compatible headset for the services.  There is a monthly fee associated as well, say the Grupo Mayan experts.

Make sure that your banking institute gives you 24 hour access to their site so you can access your bank account at any time in case you need to do financial transfers and for checking balances as well.

You can also use your hotels fax for anything that you need to get off real quick to the office.  Make sure that your laptop is equipped with a fax program before leaving home as well.

Lastly, say the Grupo Mayan experts, to save you some time and work, rely on a travel agent that can provide some of the information you need as far as the hot spots and the best hotels to stay in that have the higher forms of technology that need to be met by your business.  They usually can take some of the burden off of your shoulders of having to do all of this work.

Grupo Mayan Resorts: Business Women; Taking Care of Themselves While Travelling

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

Taking care of your skin while flying is not something most people even give thought to, however, you would be amazed at what flying can do to your skin, say the Grupo Mayan experts.

The reason your skin can get so dry on an airplane, say the Grupo Mayan experts in the travel industry, is because the airlines keep the humidity level down to around 4% and most of the time, our bodies, being comprised of 80% water, we need to have a certain level of humidity to maintain our skin as well as the inside.  The typical humidity level for most places annually ranges from 50% to 80% depending on what state you are in.  So as you can see the comparison will make sense as to why you would need to have skin care products to help keep your skin healthy.

The dryer your skin stays, say the Grupo Mayan experts, the higher the chances are that you will look older than you actually are and this probably will affect more women than it does men only because men do not take care to avoid the aging process as much as women generally do.

What you will want to do is make sure that you are applying your skin care products before you leave the airport.  Most airlines restrict the size and amount of what you can carry on the plane and in order to avoid having to worry about such a thing you should take the skin care precautions before getting on to the plane itself.

It is also advisable, say the Grupo Mayan experts in travel, that if you can afford to do so, keep duplicates in your checked baggage so that you do not have the scramble to find them.  Your other alternative is to make a stop once you get to your destination to get some more skin care products, preferably the anti-aging creams will work best to combat this dry skin because they last longer.

Do not forget about the damage that the sun can do to your skin and also keep in mind that the sun does not have to be out to do damage.  In fact, say the Grupo Mayan experts, more damage is done while it is cloudy so make sure that whatever product you choose it has a certain amount of SPF ingredient in it.  The level of SPF recommended is at least 15.

Just make sure that whatever you choose to use, you have checked with the TSA to be sure of what products are allowed to be carried on the plane as well as in your checked baggage.