Travel Planning for the Business Traveller: How a Virtual Assistant Can Be Valuable

Another business trip to organise and you don't have the time or resources to start searching? You are a small business owner or entrepreneur who has just got off the phone to a potential client and now have to organise travel at short notice, but do not have the time or assistance to plan your travel and need a solution?

A Virtual Assistant can offer this service to people who travel extensively for business as it can be time consuming, especially when your mind will be focused on the business aspect of the trip.  

A Virtual Assistant can search and book the best flight and accommodation deals for your trip, and also assist with booking any car rental, visas, currency, arrange and schedule appointments in your calendar and compile a travel itinerary. They can also keep an eye on the flight's travel status and any cancellations to ensure that you arrive at your destination in good time, as all of these things can be stressful enough as well as running your own business.  

They can also keep on top of everything throughout the trip, and if necessary you will be able to contact them if there is a crisis, as we know travel plans and flights can change which are sometimes out of our control.

There are lots of aspects of business travel that you need to take into consideration before planning.  Know the correct dates and times, taking any business material and booking meetings in different time zones. Is my passport up to date? Do I need a visa to travel to that particular country? A Virtual Assistant who can specialise in travel planning will know how to organise all of this, without you having to worry.

Travel tips:
​

1. Ensure you have correct dates, times and locations, and other details that will influence your travel plans.
2. Try to arrange travel plans as early as you can to avoid unforseen last minute issues.
3. Check all your necessary travel documents are valid, i.e. passport, visas and if hiring a car your driving license.
4. Upload any documents onto a USB or Cloud storage host such as OneDrive, and print any information you may need, or consider shipping any large materials.
5. Prepare an itinerary with all aspects of your trip and any important contact information.
6. Has travel insurance been organised?
7. Make sure you have any adaptors and travel plugs to stay connected while you travel.  Of course other options for business calls are Skype.
8. Confirm all travel before you depart.

Lastly, all you need to do is pack your suitcase!