The next time you’re offered (or required) to go on a business trip, jump at the chance! No matter where the destination is, this is your opportunity to get some much-needed downtime and enjoyment—even though it’s supposed to be work-related.
If you do it right, the trip can become a most-expenses-paid mini-vacation. The key is to plan ahead and use these four tips to maximize your time out of the office.
1. Extend Your Stay
Most business trips start or end near the weekend. Maybe yours is scheduled to run Thursday and Friday, and you’re off Saturday and Sunday. It’s the ideal situation for an extended trip.
Talk to the person handling the corporate travel planning at your job, and ask if you can pay the extra cost to switch your transportation. This is usually simple, especially if you’re driving.
They can try to get you the same corporate discount at the current hotel you’re booked in, or you can research other nearby options in your budget.
2. Capitalize on Your Downtime
Find out the itinerary for the work part of your days. Will you be on the clock from 9 to 5 every day, or is there a break in between?
Instead of letting those minutes and hours go to waste, figure out how you can make the most of them. For instance, you’re in a conference in a hotel located in a busy section of town. You have an hour for lunch, and everyone else is milling around the corporate-sponsored lunch buffet.
On the other hand, you planned ahead, and you know there’s a to-die-for restaurant that’s only a five-minute walk from the meeting. You called ahead for reservations, and you’re enjoying a culinary delight in leisure rather than a boring meal with work-related chitchat.
3. Check Out the Hotel and Surrounding Area Ahead
In a similar vein, checking out the hotel and the city it’s in before you get there helps you plan your sightseeing agenda. When you’re off the clock, it’s tempting to hole up in your hotel room and unwind.
But there’s so much to see and do, and what better time to explore a new place than when it’s paid for?
Every area has a special tourist attraction or must-see spot. Check Yelp, TripAdvisor, or your favorite search engine to find out the highlights of where you’re going.
The hotel could have its own waterpark, and you love sitting by the pool sipping on a cocktail or floating down a lazy river. Or, there’s a hiking trail with a scenic view that shouldn’t be missed and a play at the local theater you’ve been interested in checking out.
Since you’ve planned ahead, you knew to bring your bathing suit and sunblock, hiking boots, and an outfit to wear to the theater. You know when you want to do each thing, and you’re not wasting any of your well-deserved downtime.
4. Call the Front Desk for Suggestions
This tip is vital if you want to get a leg up over the other tourists in the area. As soon as you know which hotel you’re staying at and when, call the front desk and ask them:
- Are there any major events going on in the city during that period?
- How much would it cost to extend your stay (if your travel manager didn’t do this for you)?
- Is the hotel hosting any large groups?
- Are there any restaurants or sights that they think you should add to your itinerary?
Occasionally, you’ll get someone who isn’t helpful at all. Call back again and speak with another person. Most of the time, if you’re friendly, you’ll find the staff is happy to give you their personal opinions.
Their insider tips can be valuable, and the majority of guests don’t bother asking for advice.
Knowing about massive concerts, sporting events, and other big draws before you go lets you know to plan for long waits. Consider making reservations well in advance if there’s anything you absolutely want to do.
Conclusion
With these small tweaks in your next work trip, you can turn what would have been an otherwise forgettable time into a memorable mini-vacation. A little extra fun in the schedule lets you get back home refreshed and rejuvenated!