Grupo Mayan Business Travel Tips

The Grupo Mayan travel pros urge business traveler to book their travel online. By booking travel online they will save money, time, and get the flights and hotels they want, when the want.

According to the Grupo Mayan travel and business experts the first step to booking business travel online is to know your destination. If you are responsible for booking your own business travel you should begin the moment you receive information about the trip and your destination.
The best place to start your search for airline reservations, say the Grupo Mayan travel and business pros, is the Internet. Many travel planning sites will allow you to book airline travel directly. These travel planning sites can also find you deep discounts which are important for any business travel.

Type in your destination and dates of travel once you are on the online travel-planning site. The site will respond with a spreadsheet showing information about all flights to the area. You can choose your flight based on departure and arrival times, cost, or number of layovers. All of this information will be listed on the spreadsheet.

If you are also in charge of booking your lodging and rental car the Grupo Mayan experts urge you to book a package deal. These package deals can be found on the same travel planning website and will give you even more of a discount.

Hotel results for your specific dates and destination will be presented in a format similar to the air travel spreadsheet. You can choose a hotel based on amenities offered, price, hotel rating, or location. Many business travelers want to stay at the same location as their business meetings. You can book this hotel along with your flight.

If you will be needing a rental car once you arrive the Grupo Mayan travel and business experts say you can add one to your entire online travel package. Once again, you will be given a number of choices. You can choose from car type, price, or reputation.

If you have membership cards or frequent flyer memberships you can enter this information during the booking process so you will get credit for your flight, hotel, and car. Also, say the Grupo Mayan pros, immediately print 2 copies of your email confirmations. Keep one on file for reimbursements and place one with your travel documents in case you need to show it upon check in.

The Grupo Mayan resorts of Mexico are the country´s number one destination for business travel and meetings. We offer the best in facilities, food, lodging, and other amenities for all business travelers.

Each Grupo Mayan resort will provide you with a business and travel planning expert who will help you plan and execute your business meetings. Working with one of our onsite coordinators will help you ensure that your meetings run smoothly.

All Grupo Mayan meeting rooms can be set up to suit your specific needs. Our staff will help you determine the best table and chair layout for your needs. Our U-shape set up works well if you will be having a central speaker. If you will be breaking up into smaller groups you can have round tables set up in an adjoining meeting room.
You will also work with the Grupo Mayan staff to plan meals for your business guests. Some businesses and corporations plan for all meals during their stay and others serve only breakfast and lunch, leaving attendees free to dine in one the many onsite Grupo Mayan gourmet restaurants in the evening.

Food service will be set up in a room adjoining your main meeting room. This allows our staff to set up food service and clean up after meals without interrupting your meetings. We will also work with you to plan your meals. If you, your entire group, or individuals have certain meal restrictions this is the time to let us know. Our business planning staff will work with the Grupo Mayan chefs to plan all meals for your meetings. With the world class Grupo Mayan chefs preparing your meals you can be assured of their high quality and great taste.

Most business meetings require the use of technology. You can plan ahead with the Grupo Mayan business staff to have the technology you need ready for your meetings. We offer DVD players, screens, white boards, laser pens, computers and attachments for presentations, and other items to meet your technology needs. This is a great service that leaves you free to enjoy more personal time. You will not be required to cart heavy equipment from home and you will not be responsible for set up and take down.

Any other needs and concerns you have can be discussed with your Grupo Mayan business coordinator. You coordinator will be available to you at all times prior to your meetings for planning. You will also have the services of a Grupo Mayan business planner during your meetings to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Grupo Mayan welcome business travels year round to our lovely, tropical Mexican resorts. We are Mexico´s premier destination for business travel and host many business meetings each month.

We offer business travelers many amenities found nowhere else in the country. For business meetings the Grupo Mayan resorts will provide well-appointed meeting rooms with state of the art technology. Our gourmet restaurants will provide food for your meetings and our luxurious lodging will allow you to relax in comfort at the end of the day. All business guests can also enjoy the many Grupo Mayan onsite activities and offsite tours.

While in Mexico you will have the opportunity to experience the native culture of the country. The Mexican culture is thousands of years old;  we invented chocolate- and prior knowledge of the culture and cultural mores will make your trip more enjoyable. It is extremely important for business travels to understand the etiquette rules of the country they are traveling in say the Grupo Mayan travel pros.

In Mexico men and women are addressed formally. Unless you have a close relationship with a male you will call him Senor. The same is true for women who should be addressed as Senora. All married women should be shown this sign of respect.

Learn a bit of the local lingo, por favor. The Grupo Mayan travel pros urge you to pick up a tape on leaning Spanish or a Spanish dictionary in order to learn a little bit of the language before your trip. Carry your dictionary with you while offsite so you will have it available when needed. You can use this dictionary to help you find a taxi, a restaurant, and much more. Don´t worry overly much about pronunciation. The Mexican people will be impressed with your effort.

While in Mexico you will be on Mexican time. Your business meetings will run on schedule at the Grupo Mayan resorts but be prepared for a slower paced life style. Offsite, many Mexicans take a siesta during the hottest hours of the day. This is an age-old tradition that takes place between the hours of 2 and 5 each day.

One last tip from the Grupo Mayan travel pros concerns, of all things, kissing. Like many European countries Mexican kiss each other on the check when greeting one another. Many Americans are surprised by this. Just go with the flow.

All travel requires some sort of paperwork. According the Grupo Mayan travel pros business travel requires specific paperwork. As a business traveler you will need to keep receipts for your expense account and taxes.

Keeping records while on a business trip can be cumbersome and in most cases receipts get lost. You may end up losing money on your business trip if you do not come home with all of your receipts for reimbursement. Even worse, say the Grupo Mayan travel pros, is finding you are missing important receipts when you sit down to do your taxes.

A great way to keep up with business receipts while traveling is to have a designated folder for receipts. Don’t put you souvenir receipts and non- business related receipts in this envelope. It is only for reimbursable receipts and receipts you will later need for tax purposes.

Some business travelers designate 2 folders for business travel. One folder is for meals which are deductible for 50 percent, the other for all other receipts which are 100 percent deductible. Keeping these receipts separated will aid you in organizing for tax season when you return home.

You can file some receipts prior to leaving on your business trip. The Grupo Mayan travel pros urge you to make 2 copies of any email receipts you receive. You will most likely have one for your airline and the Grupo Mayan resorts will send you one if your business meeting is being held at one of our resorts. Most other hotels also send email receipts to customers. File one copy of each receipt in your expense folder and place the other one with your important travel documents. You will need to show a copy upon check-in at many airlines and hotels.

For American business travels the Grupo Mayan travel pros have an extremely important travel expense tip. The Internal Revenue Service in the United States has a set amount that can be allotted for your meals during any business trip. This per diem is available without receipts from your meals.

This does not mean you do not need your meal receipts say the Grupo Mayan travel pros. Keep your meal receipts in your folder. When you get home add them up. If they equal more than the allotted per diem you will want to have the receipts for tax deductions. You will also need the receipts if you want to get reimbursed by your company for your meals.

The Grupo Mayan travel pros report that one of the biggest complaints from business travelers is the long waits and long lines they experience at airports. Newly implemented security measures have increased wait times more than an hour at many airports across the world, especially in the United States and Europe.

There are ways to decrease your wait time. According to the Grupo Mayan travel pros it is not possible to do away with wait time all together but you can significantly decrease it by following a few simple trips.

• Know what you can and cannot take on board say the Grupo Mayan travel pros. It is extremely frustrating to be behind a traveler in the security checkpoint line who has packed everything he should not. When the security officers open his bag he has large bottles of liquids, possibly even nail clippers. For severe infractions the entire security line may be halted while the person is vetted. Knowing what you can and cannot bring will help you avoid being placed in this embarrassing situation.
• You should not only know what you can take on board. According to the Grupo Mayan travel pros it is important to know all of the security procedures that apply to you. Call your airline the day before your flight to determine exactly what type of documentation you will need, how many bags you can carry, and ask for updates on the acceptable sizes of toiletry items.
• When you are in line to go through the x-ray scanner you can begin to get ready before you get to the front of the line. Remove your shoes and open any bags that will have to be searched urge the Grupo Mayan travel pros. Place keys and jewelry in your hand so you can easily pass them to the checker.
• Plan to travel during the week. More families travel on weekends and families with small children can make for longer waits for everything from the security scanner to the bathroom.
• New technology is currently being tested in some airports to help people navigate security checkpoints faster say the Grupo Mayan travel pros. A program is being developed that allows frequent flyers to have an intense background check performed. If the background check comes back clear the individual will be able to join the program. For a yearly fee he will be able to scan a card at security checkpoints and not be forced to stand in long lines and be scanned.

Are you preparing for your first business trip? The Grupo Mayan urge first time business travelers to take time to prepare for their trip. With a little planning and organization you will have a successful trip.

First, say the Grupo Mayan pros, make a packing list. Write down everything you will need and post the list in a prominent place. As you pack items check them off the list. Go over the list one final item before you leave to ensure you have packed everything.

Pack all of your travel documents in their own folder. You will want to include your passport, hotel and air reservation confirmations, and any other identity papers required by the country you are traveling to say the Grupo Mayan travel pros.

Call the airline you are booked on to find out what you allowed to carry on board. You will want to know the sizes of liquids they allow and how many bags you can check. Also ask if any new security measures have been implemented and how early you need to arrive at the airport.

The Grupo Mayan travel pros say there are several things to keep in mind when packing your clothing. You will want to consider the weather at your destination and what you will be doing. Are your meetings casual or business casual? Do you have formal dinners scheduled? What activities are offered at or near your hotel? All of these questions should be taken into consideration, warn the Grupo Mayan travel pros, in order to pack the items you will need.

You can pack efficiently by rolling your clothes before placing them in your bag. This saves space and helps keep your clothes wrinkle free. The Grupo Mayan travel pros suggest Space bags. These bags allow you to pack your clothes inside and suck all of the air out with a vacuum. This makes your clothing very compact and easy to pack.

Also, say the Grupo Mayan travel pros, pack all of your liquid items in Ziploc bags. By placing these items in plastic bags you will protect you clothing in case of a spill or accidental break during transit.

As soon as you arrive at your travel destination you should unpack and hang all of your clothes. This will them time to breathe and many wrinkles will fall out. If your clothes are too wrinkled, say the Grupo Mayan travel pros, you can send them to the hotel’s laundry service.

The worst possible scenario for a busy business travel involves leaving important paperwork at home or in the office when traveling. When traveling overseas this might include forgetting to pack your passport or other important travel documents say the Grupo Mayan travel experts.

The luxurious Grupo Mayan resorts are located on the tropical coasts of Mexico. This means that unless you are traveling from another area of Mexico you will need specific travel documents to enter the country.
The Mexican government requires all foreign travelers to 3 specific documents for travel in the country. Upon landing in Mexico at any airport you will be required to present a valid identification card with a photo, a travel card, and proof of citizenship in your home country. While these documents must be presented on landing, say Grupo Mayan travel experts, some airlines will ask to see your travel documents before takeoff. This is done to ensure you have the correct documentation and are not turned back at Mexican customs. Without the proper documentation you will not be allowed in the country warn the Grupo Mayan experts.

Any person over the age of 18 should have a photo I.D. card issued by his home country or state. This is usually a driver’s license or school I.D. A school I.D. may or may not be accepted, especially as there are now higher security measures, but a valid driver’s license will always be considered an acceptable photo I.D, say the Grupo Mayan travel pros. This is usually not a problem for business travelers who normally have a driver’s license.

There are 2 places to find Mexican tourist cards. They can be picked up at the airport you leave from or upon landing in the country. These cards are issued by the Mexican government for travel in the country. As you enter immigration you will give the upper half of the tourist card to the immigration officer. Make sure you have the filled the card out prior to getting in the immigration line. The lower have of the card is yours to keep. Place it with your other travel documents and keep it with you at all times while on business in Mexico.

The last form of identification needed by the business traveler in Mexico, say the Grupo Mayan travel pros, is proof of citizenship. This is normally a passport or a birth certificate which has the state seal.

As Mexico´s premier business travel destination, the Grupo Mayan resorts have an expert travel and business staff available to meet the needs of our guests. Out travel and business professions can help you schedule all aspects of your Grupo Mayan business meeting or conference. All that will be left to you is the packing.

Unfortunately, say the Grupo Mayan travel and business pros, packing can be more tedious than planning a business meeting. Packing for business travel requires pre-planning and organization.

Here are some great tips on packing for your next business trip from the Grupo Mayan travel and business experts.

• Carry a change of clothes in your carryon bag. Some airlines do misplace luggage say the Grupo Mayan staff. You do not want to show up for the first day of your meeting in rumbled clothes. If you have meetings soon after you arrive pack your business suit in your carryon. Each Grupo Mayan resort has an onsite store where you may purchase items you forget. Our staff will also be glad to help you find any items you might need.
• Don´t over pack warn the Grupo Mayan travel and business pros. You will want to pack 1 or 2 business suits depending on the number of meetings you will be attending. Pack 2 to three casual outfits depending on your length of stay at Grupo Mayan. Also pack a few dressier outfits for evening dining. If you will be participating in any onsite activities you will want to pack the appropriate clothing and shoes. Any of your clothing items can be cleaned by the Grupo Mayan staff. We offer both dry cleaning and laundry services to our guests.
• Pack for the tropical Mexican climate. Summer wool and other natural fibers work best in Mexico. With the humidity at the Grupo Mayan resorts you will want clothes that can breathe and keep sweat at bay.
• When packing, say the Grupo Mayan pros, use Space Bags. This new technology involves placing your clothing in a plastic bag and sucking the air out of the bag with a vacuum. These bags help save tremendous amounts of space in your luggage.
• Unpack as soon as you arrive at your Grupo Mayan resort. You can hang your clothes and place them in the dressers in your room. If you hang natural fiber clothing the wrinkles will fall out.

The Grupo Mayan Mexican resorts are Mexico’s premier destination for business conferences, retreats, and meetings. We offer meeting facilities, onsite activities, gourmet dining, and comfortable and luxurious lodging to you and your guests.

To schedule your upcoming business meeting at a Grupo Mayan resort you will only need to make one phone call. Our expert business staff will help you plan everything for your event. We will work with you to ensure you have the proper meeting rooms, food, staff building activities, and lodging ready at your arrival.

As a businessman it is a true comfort to be able to depend on the Grupo Mayan staff to meet all of your needs. Our meeting rooms are spacious and we can provide technology for presentations and other needs. We will set your meeting rooms up to facilitate a successful meeting; you can choose from small conversational groupings, U-shape tables, or any other room configuration that works for you.

Our onsite restaurants offer gourmet food throughout the day. Our business planning staff will aid you in choosing meals to serve during your Grupo Mayan business meetings. Our staff will set up and serve your meals in a separate room so as not to interrupt your meetings. You can be assured of having the same high quality foods at your meeting that we serve in the world class Grupo Mayan restaurants.

Many businesses and corporations take advantage of the Grupo Mayan activities. They use these activities to build staff relationships. Golf, tennis, hiking, fishing, sailing or other onsite activities will help your staff come together and remember this meeting forever.
Lodging for your business guests will be first class. You and all of your guests can reserve a block of rooms. Our business planner will help each guest make their individual reservations or work with you to make group reservations.

Many business people bring their families along to their Grupo Mayan business meeting. All of the above activities, food, and lodging are also available for families. Your loved ones will have a great time while you are in your meetings and be refreshed when they join you for dinner each night. You can plan on extending your stay for a few days to enjoy our many amenities with your family.

As Mexico’s premier business destination Grupo Mayan looks forward to welcoming you to one of our fabulous tropical resorts.

Many Grupo Mayan business travelers are self-employed or work at home part-time or full-time. For the business travel who works at home, say the Grupo Mayan travel pros, an at-home office is a necessity.

The at-home office for the busy business travel should reflect your style and personality. You will also want this office to be comfortable. Returning home to a comfortable office is a treat. The Grupo Mayan travel pros urge you to consider what the office will be used for in order to choose the best furniture and other items for the dÈcor.

According to the Grupo Mayan travel pros the office space for the business travel must first be measured. You can draw a sketch of the office in order to see where furniture will look best. Online templates can be printed out for designing your home office.

The desk, say the Grupo Mayan travel pros, will be the most prominent piece of furniture in the business travelers at-home office. The desk will be the most used item in the room. Choose wisely, warn the Grupo Mayan travel pros. Make sure your desk has enough space. Choose a comfortable chair to match your desk. For the busy business travel an ergonomic desk chair is the perfect choice.

The Grupo Mayan business travel experts say that the other items included in your at-home office will depend on the space available and what the office is to be used for. If you will be holding business meetings in your office you should plan on having a sofa and 1 or 2 captain chairs. A small table will allow guests to have an area to place their things.

If you will be hosting large rooms, and if you have the space, the Grupo Mayan travel pros say you can use a portable card table for a conference table. This type of table can be easily broken down and stored after use.

Technology also plays a big part in the at-home office. You will need a computer with Internet access, a fax machine, a phone with a dedicated phone line, and a copier. All of these items will allow you to have the same services found in larger offices available at home.

Once you move into your new office you can add other items that you need. The Grupo Mayan pros hope the above information is helpful in helping you create the perfect at-home office space.