Grupo Mayan Business Travel Tips

These tips provided by the Grupo Mayan experts will help you to save money on your business travel:

1.-  Avoid luggage fees

To avoid luggage fees on airlines, which are unfortunately becoming more and more common, carry only one bag that you can carry on board, recommend the Grupo Mayan experts in travel.

2.-  Book ahead

If you plan and book ahead (at least two months), you’ll normally be able to grab the best, cheapest deals on travel. This one is a no-brainer, say the Grupo Mayan travel professionals.

3.-  Use the kitchen

Pick a hotel that has rooms with kitchens, or if you can’t find one, opt for a serviced apartment instead. According to the Grupo Mayan experts, this way you can shop at the local supermarket and cook your own meals. Even just making breakfast for yourself every day will save you a lot of money over the course of your stay.

4.-  Use P.T.

Wherever you can, use public transportation. In the vast majority of places, public transport such as trains and buses are safe, reliable, and best of all, cheap, say the Grupo Mayan experts. In particular, take the public transport option from the airport into town, as airport taxis are often very expensive.

5.- Don’t pay for the Internet

Often airports don’t have free Wi-Fi, just paid-for services, so if you are going to need internet access, it may be worth joining one of these services before you go, as the monthly rates are always much cheaper compared to the daily rate. Also select a hotel that has free or cheap Wi-Fi if you can find one.

6.- Don’t get valet parking

Valet parking is such a silly, unnecessary expense. Park around the corner and walk.

7.- Use long-term parking

According to Grupo Mayan experts, it is more convenient to park right near where you will board your flight, but you’ll always pay more for it. Go a little earlier and give yourself time to find an off-site competitor as the rates will always be cheaper.

8.-  Eat the free breakfast

Hotels very often offer a free breakfast. Haute cuisine it usually isn’t, but a free cup of coffee and some toast will go a long way to saving you having to buy expensive snacks later in the morning, say the Grupo Mayan experts. Best of all is if they have some fruit or a muffin that you can take with you to eat later.

9.- Get the compact

Lock in your car hire rate for the smallest car available, then ask for a free upgrade if you want to. They’ll almost always give you one, as car hire companies don’t in fact often have more than one or two of the smallest cars in their garages.

10.- Forget the add-ons

Do you really need GPS? If you’re finding that you often need it, it might be cheaper to get your own and take it with you when you travel, recommend the Grupo Mayan experts. Also, don’t pay rental company fuel prices ñ fill up the car yourself before you return it.

Here are some quick-fire suggestions, provided by the Grupo Mayan travel experts, to make your next business travel trip more comfortable:

1. Book your tickets on-line, but print the confirmation email and take it with you. That way if the airline’s system fails, you can prove that you are booked.
2. Work out what is the best row to sit on on the flight you will be taking and ask for it when checking in. All planes have rows with a little more leg room, and this information can be easily found online, say the Grupo Mayan experts.
3. Never, ever, put valuable electronic equipment in hold luggage. Luggage handlers are often less than gentle, and if you need your laptop for work, having it damaged on the journey can really ruin the trip.
4. Invest in a travel wallet that allows you to store tickets, printed emails, boarding passes and local currency all in one place, recommend the Grupo Mayan professionals of the travel industry.
5. If you are checking luggage, also take a shoulder bag on board that contains a change of clothes and your business essentials.
6. BYO Ethernet cable ñ though most hotels now have ports in their rooms for getting online, they don’t always have enough cables for everyone, say the Grupo Mayan experts.
7. As a backup, carry a USB memory stick with important documents such as presentations copied onto it. That way you are safe if there’s a problem with your laptop or other equipment.
8. Grupo Mayan experts recommend to carry a pen and a notebook. Always useful, especially when technology fails you.
9. Don’t carry more stuff than you need. There will be shops wherever you go!
10. Stay healthy by watching what you eat and drink, advice Grupo Mayan professionals. Stick to fruit and water and avoid coffee and alcohol on flights for maximum safety.
11. Take your own water onto your flight. Having to continually ask for a tiny cup of water gets old fast.
12. If you get bored of airline food, try saying that you are vegetarian. This will give you a different meal option, and often the vegetarian options are better though-out and actually tastier than those containing meat.
13. Grupo Mayan experts remind you that as soon as you arrive, switch to local time. It’s important that you reset your body clock by getting plenty of sun during the days and going to bed at a normal time for wherever you are.
14. If you can, avoid working while in transit. Travelling is unpleasant enough without making it worse. Finish everything before you go so that you can catch a movie or catch up on some reading while you are in the air and in airports.

News of a foiled terrorist plot to target planes flying between the UK and the USA caused inevitable delays and cancellations in airline travel around the globe, say the Grupo Mayan experts in business travel. Security was stepped up and passengers were left with long waits as airports grappled with new screening procedures issued by the Transportation Security Agency (TSA).

The new changes prohibit the carrying of any liquids or gels in hand luggage, and are available on the TSA’s website. The TSA is telling passengers to pack light, and to leave allow an extra two hours for additional security screenings.

With the new screening rules, say the professionals in the travel industry within the Grupo Mayan Resorts, there is little doubt that the future will bring further delays and inconveniences for business travellers. For those of means, one option to get around this is to fly instead by private jet.

Following the September 11 attacks, many security firms were already recommending that top executives fly by private jet rather than their normal carrier, and unsurprisingly, the executives were pretty fast to agree. In 2006 sales of private jets rose massively: by 35% (to $8.8 billion) in the first half of the year alone.

Then again, it’s possible that the increased sales are really about increased corporate profits than about the threat of terrorism, as it’s doubtful that many firms could afford private air travel for their executives in leaner times, say the Grupo Mayan business travel experts.

The threat of losing high-end business clients to private jets has caused some airlines to restructure their check-in procedures to make life easier for first class passengers. And at Orlando Airport, a company known as Verified Identity Pass has set up a ‘fast lane’ through check-in called Clear Registered Traveler. The system allows registered travellers to swipe their card and then an express lane to check in in just 2-3 minutes. Registering involves paying a yearly fee and undergoing a rigorous security check.

One winner from the increased security concerns is travel insurance, say the Grupo Mayan experts. The travel insurance business has seen big increases in policies sold every year since 2001, and this is in a period where the number of people flying fell greatly.

Of course, one option is to simply not fly, and instead rely on technology to get the job done. ‘Webinars’ are becoming more popular, and as the technology gets even better, there may be little reason to travel for business at all. However, Tom Otley, editor of the magazine ‘Business Traveller’, thinks there is no substitute for meeting face to face, and for this reason he believes that business travelers will keep flying.

Life on the road getting you down? The novelty of business travel wears off pretty quickly, leaving you with the tedium of endless airport queues and identical hotels. Read on for some tips provided by the Grupo Mayan experts on how to beat business boredom on the road.

Imagine this, say the Grupo Mayan experts in business travel:  You’re in a plane high in the air, but the door is open and wind is rushing in. You launch yourself out the door and you’re falling, flying with only your parachute to save you from a very nasty landing. The parachute opens and you drop in, land, and immediately whip out your laptop and get to work. After a few deals made using the local Wi-Fi, it’s time to be off, on your way to doing it all over again in a new country…

For businessman Peter Shankman, parachuting into a new location is all part of the fun when he travels for work. He never leaves home without his parachute, which he packs himself.

If you play your cards right, business trips no longer have to be just about long queues and boring hotels, say the Grupo Mayan experts. If you’re going to be somewhere new, why not use it as an opportunity to enjoy a new location in between the meetings and power lunches? After all, statistics from a National Household Travel Survey show that Americans make in excess of 405 million long-distance trips for business purposes every year, and this accounts for around 16 percent of all long-distance trips made.

Read on for 3 fun ideas about things you can try to spice up your next business trip:

1.-  Go out on the town

After getting through airport security, baggage claim, the trip to your hotel, and a meeting or two, you deserve a treat, say the Grupo Mayan experts. Why not check out the nightlife? There are plenty of websites that can help you find a bar, club, or restaurant no matter where you are in the world. If you’re seeking some company, do your homework and find somewhere with a great atmosphere, to improve your chances of meeting some locals.

2.-  See a play or a musical

If you’re travelling to a big city during the holiday season there are bound to be Christmas musicals on for your enjoyment. Or take in a smaller production at a neighbourhood theatre, recommend the Grupo Mayan experts.

3.-  Attend a local spa

If you’re tired and sore from your trip, a visit to a spa for a massage can be a great way to ease your pains, and you might learn something about the local culture as well – many countries practice a kind of massage that is specific to them.

According to the Grupo Mayan experts in the travel industry, for the average business traveller, a trip will cost about $1,045, once all expenses such as transport and accommodation are factored in. Not exactly cheap, but a globalized world means that travelling a long way to see far-flung clients is just par for the course. Unfortunately however, statistics show that the cost of business travel is set to increase, and with the economy as weak as it is, there are few companies who can afford to spend money on travel unnecessarily.

Here’s the good news though: there is often a lot of ‘fat’ on business travel tips, and so by observing a few simple rules and strategies, it’s entirely possible to save considerable cash on every trip, say the Grupo Mayan experts. However, companies and employees alike need to collaborate to realize these savings.

The first thing to do is to look for savings on fixed-cost items such as flights, hotel room, and car hire. One good strategy here is to have a ‘travel manager’ (this probably won’t be their only job), who is responsible for booking everything. Allowing individual employees to book their own travel will almost always cost more, as a travel manager is much better placed to negotiate discounted rates with hotels, airlines and car hire companies for all the employees. Being able to negotiate on behalf of the entire company will put the travel manager in a strong position, say the Grupo Mayan experts. A good travel manager will probably be able to get as much as a 20% discount on hotel room rates compared with the general public.

Another option is simply to look for mid-range hotels that include amenities at no extra cost. Because this sector of the hotel industry is so competitive, it shouldn’t be hard to find a hotel that offers things such as Wi-Fi and fax services for free. Ironically, it is the more upscale hotels that tend to charge extra for these things, comment the Grupo Mayan experts in the travel industry.

Of course, while saving money in these tough times is vitally important, it’s important not to go too far. Sometimes saving money on business travel is actually bad in the long run, say the Grupo Mayan experts, as journeys take longer or involve more transfers, hotels are less comfortable or less centrally located, or important facilities for productivity are unavailable. This might mean that in the long term, business is lost, so satisfy yourself that the money you save isn’t having these types of effects. Losing a client because the employees you sent to talk to them were too tired to be effective is obviously not a good outcome.

When you’re travelling for business, packing the right technology is crucial to ensure that you don’t waste a minute, say the Grupo Mayan experts in business travel. With today’s communication methods, you’ll be able to work from anywhere and stay productive. Read on for some tips about the best technology for life on the road.

1.- Get a cell phone with internet capabilities

A great way to improve your productivity on the road is to get a cell phone with email and internet capabilities, say the Grupo Mayan experts. This will mean that you’re able to communicate easily no matter where you are, including in the back of a taxi stuck in traffic. For added functionality, consider a PDA phone;  these really pack in a lot of work-friendly tools in a small package. At the time of writing, PDA phones include the Apple ‘iPhone’, the ‘Moto Q’ by Motorola, and the different flavors of BlackBerry, which is of course one of the oldest brand names in PDA phones.

2.- Take a laptop

This one is sure to divide opinions: with the PDA phones of today being so full-featured, some business travellers argue that a full laptop is not necessary, especially on short trips. On the other hand, say the Grupo Mayan experts, typing lengthy emails on a PDA phone is pretty annoying, and of course a laptop allows you to store, retrieve, and work on documents with ease as well. Now that some airlines are offering internet access on flights, a laptop begins to look even more essential for maintaining your productivity at all times.

Maybe the answer is to take a laptop, but make it a smaller one. Frequent business travellers will prefer a smaller laptop, as you don’t lose much in comfort or performance and they’re much easier on your back. Grupo Mayan experts in business travel say you should consider something under six pounds and with a 10 or 11-inch screen size.

3.- Consider Wi-Fi vs. mobile broadband

A lot of us have been there: you have a laptop with Wi-Fi, but you can’t seem to find a ‘hotspot’ anywhere. While Wi-Fi connectivity is becoming more common, you’ll still find places where it isn’t at all common. For this reason, you could consider mobile broadband  instead. Though expensive, a wireless broadband device like a USB, PCMICA or Bluetooth modem that allows you to connect through your cell phone provider is the ultimate in modern business convenience, say the Grupo Mayan experts. Just watch the costs!

4.- Don’t Forget the Your Chargers

Before you go, check your chargers! The last thing you want to do is to forget your cell phone charger, or to find that the one you have won’t work locally, say the Grupo Mayan experts. Finding a replacement could be difficult or impossible and could seriously challenge your productivity. Consider leaving duplicates in your travel suitcase so that you don’t forget them when you go, and don’t forget that you may need an adaptor to use local power outlets, and in some places, a voltage transformer as well.

Grupo Mayan experts in travel say that overpacking is by far the most heinous (and most common) of all business travel sins. If you learn to pack light, you’ll greatly increase your chances of a pleasant, stress-free, comfortable journey. These are the reasons:

1.- Security

When you don’t have to check baggage, your belongings are always within your sight and your  control, say the Grupo Mayan experts. It doesn’t mean there’s no chance of things getting lost or stolen, but it certainly improves your odds!

2.-  Economy

According to the Grupo Mayan experts, when your luggage is light, you’ll be able to: avoid having to pay a porter to carry your bags; avoid having to pay airlines fees for checked baggage; catch more public transport, and even walk where you need to go. All of this will mean saving money and connecting more with the place you find yourself in.

3.- Flexibility

Travelling with a light bag gives you all kinds of options you didn’t have before, say the Grupo Mayan experts. You can arrive at the airport later because you don’t need to check bags. You can board trains, buses and automobiles easily and quickly. You can agree to being bumped from your flight without worrying about what will happen to your bags. You can travel as an air courier, effectively selling your hold space for a free fight. And you can pick and choose what hotel to stay at because you’re happy to walk to the next one.

4.- Serenity

If there’s a bottom line to all this, it’s that travelling light is just a hassle-free way to go, say the professionals at the Grupo Mayan Resorts. You’ll have less to organise, less to plan, and more energy than if you had a heavy suitcase. Travelling with just one small bad means that you always know where everything is, and you can carry and move it easily. This means peace of mind, and therefor more ability to enjoy the moment and immerse yourself in the place you find yourself. Travel will always come with stresses and worries, say the Grupo Mayan experts. Don’t add to them!

5.- Ecology

The benefits listed so far are all personal and short-term. But what about long-term benefits to the planet and the people around us? Packing light ultimately means less stuff being bought and sold, less energy being used, less carbon emissions, and consequently a better fate for our dear old planet. According to the Grupo Mayan experts, when you pack light, you’re not just doing it for yourself, you’re doing it for the planet, and you’re making it more likely that future generations will have places to travel to as well.

Business travel can be a horrible experience if you don’t do it right, say the Grupo Mayan experts in the business travel industry. Read on for eight travel tips aimed specifically at women.

1.-  Sleep!

Dark circles under your eyes is never a good look, say the Grupo Mayan experts. To ensure that you get the best night’s sleep possible, get an eye mask and ear plugs before you go, to shut out noise and light that might disturb you in an unfamiliar place. Neck pillows are also great for allowing you to grab some sleep on a plane or train, and best of us, using them won’t crush your hair.

2.- Carry food

You can never rely on airlines today to feed you properly, particularly if there is a delay while you are on the tarmac at either end of your trip. So always carry a few healthy snacks ñ an apple and a power bar is a good start, advice the Grupo Mayan experts in travel.

3.- Wake up at the right time

Don’t rely on a hotel wake up call, recommend the Grupo Mayan experts. Take a travel alarm clock that you’ve used before and are familiar with, to ensure that you don’t set it wrong. Then you can request a wake up call as well and be secure in the knowledge that you have a reliable backup.

4.- Pack right and light!

Don’t overpack: if you mix and match your wardrobe components, you can get many days wear out of just a few outfits. This will allow you to take just carry-on luggage, which makes the possibility of lost baggage just a distant memory.

5.-  Take dark clothes

Dark clothes are more versatile that lighter-colored ones, say the Grupo Mayan experts, as they don’t show dirt or wrinkles. They’re also suitable for day and night-time.

6.-  Seriously, how many pairs of shoes do you need?

Shoes are bulky, heavy, and hard to pack. Make life easier by taking just one pair that match all your business outfits, and another pair for after work and weekends, recommend the Grupo Mayan experts. If you must take a third pair, make them light and versatile, like ballet flats.

7.-  Shop if you need to

When you’re away from home, a little retail therapy never hurt, say the Grupo Mayan experts. Buying gifts for friends and family back home will make you feel more connected with home and less lonely.

8.-  Communications with home

Grupo Mayan experts say that long-distance calls home can be a less-good option when you are on a business trip: there may be a time difference; you might call when the person is out, or you might just call at a bad time. Why not try a fax? Sending a fax is easy, cheap, and you can hand-write a nice message.