In the last 10 to 20 years, advance in technology
has transformed many aspects of business travel; from the way
we book our hotel rooms to staying in touch with relatives left
at home.
However it seems that it has not changed one aspect of it: the
feeling of loneliness faced by a majority of business people while
travelling and in particular, while dining and drinking in the
evening at hotels.
The latest Barclaycard Business Travel Survey (www.barclaycard.co.uk)
shows that, whereas 95% of businessmen and women travel solo,
45% of them have felt lonely during their business trips.
Technology has only help to reduce the time spent travelling.
The survey tells us that nights way from home have decreased to
4.1 nights per month from 4.4 last year. Technology such as video-conferencing
has reduced the need for face-to-face meetings. It has not made
it easier staying alone in far away cities.
Women seem to be even more affected by the negative aspects of
solo travel. Up to 61% of women have said feeling uncomfortable
drinking at bars on their own and 34% didn’t like dining on their
own.
So are business travellers doomed to feel lonely, depressed or
uncomfortable when away from home? Well, there are some tips one
can follow to try improve this situation:
Try to talk to people who are waiting to be seated at the restaurant.
If they are alone, they will probably be very happy to share their
table with you, and enjoy a much more relaxed evening.
Try to arrange to meet with somebody you know in town, or somebody
you have met the same day at work or elsewhere.
Ask for a table near a people-watching window.
If you eat alone, at least you can look at what is going on outside.
Go to the restaurant early. Very often, restaurants have a more
romantic setting at later times, something you want to avoid if
you are alone!
Finally use networking clubs to contact other people who live
locally. You may then meet with them (important: always do so
in a public place)
New technologies have improved the way we can plan and organise
business travels. However, when it comes to it, only old-fashioned
tips will make your solo journeys a better experience.
About the Author
Stephane Vergnaud is the Founder and MD of Nomad Business Club,
the first business club to offer you the possibility to meet
and network with other members, wherever and whenever you travel
at www.nomadbusinessclub.net.
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Health, Wealth, Travel and Technology Magazine