International exposure to the company’s products or services is crucial for expanding your business in the overseas market. Traveling to a foreign destination is vital to represent the organization in international trade expos or attending business meetings. International business travelers must know how to deal with the stress during travel and adjust to the new culture, climate, and customs besides meeting business goals.
Just like domestic travel, international business trip involves several risks. One can effectively manage the risks of international travel with thorough preparations using a proactive approach. Online travel management platforms like Paxes assure effective risk management by enabling an app for real-time updates and emergency help.
What is an international business traveler?
An individual traveling to visit international destinations to achieve business goals is an international business traveler. There has been a remarkable recovery in international business travel after the lull during the pandemic. International travel contributes over 12 percent to the total number of international travelers.
The international business traveler should collect basic information about local business etiquette, culture, language, and current affairs for better in-person interactions.
Airlines are focusing on the segment of international business travel by offering cheap, comfortable, and swift air travel options. A broad spectrum of amenities, including facilities for working and relaxing, enhances the traveling experience on an international business trip and improves productivity.
Expenses covered for an international business traveler
There are two principal types of expenses for the international business traveler, including reimbursable and non-reimbursable travel expenses. Reimbursable expenses include food, local transport, flight expenses, accommodation, and incidental expenses, such as office essentials.
An organization’s travel expense policy provides details of expenses an employee is eligible to claim during a domestic or international business trip. Employees must update themselves about the travel expense policy before proceeding on an international travel business trip.
Knowing the reimbursable expenses is helpful to avoid the rejection of an expense claim and delay in the reimbursement. Several organizations opt for corporate cards to streamline expenditures. Choose a credit card that does not charge hidden fees like international transaction fees.
What are the risks involved in traveling abroad?
International business travel involves several risks that can affect your health or cause loss of valuables and documents. Taking good care of health and valuables is crucial for the international business traveler.
Besides the avoidable risks, one may face issues because of uncontrollable factors like international conflicts, riots, terrorist attacks, and natural calamities.
Organizations have a moral and legal obligation towards employees traveling for business purposes. An app-based travel management solution ensures seamless compliance with travel policies and Duty of Care requirements.
Laws governing international business travel
In corporate travel, international and domestic laws play a vital role as companies must adhere to these regulations to streamline business travel. Duty of Care refers to employee safety during an international business trip. The company’s travel policy must align with the requirements of Duty of Care.
Using an online travel management platform helps organizations integrate Duty of Care into the travel policy for better policy implementation. Keeping employees well-informed about the law of the land, including driving rules and health coverage, is crucial for a smooth travel experience.
Types of international business travelers
- Conference and event travelers
- Travelers to trade fairs
- Internal meetings and visiting offshore offices
- Travelers for Client meetings
- Bleisure and company retreats traveler
International business travel tips
Preparation for a successful international business trip should begin in advance. Knowing about the local culture, cuisine, language, and people is essential, besides booking the accommodation to help you carry out your business and relax after a tiring journey of a business meeting. The following are a few tips on planning before an international travel business trip and after reaching the destination.
1. Get to know the destination
Having a sound knowledge of the destination helps you enjoy the business trip, besides sorting out several issues. Know the place of accommodation, amenities, distance from the city center, and weather forecast. Enrich your knowledge about local etiquette and customs for meaningful interactions with the locals.
2. Note down the things to carry
The packing list may include toiletries, clothing, chargers, medicines, travel documents, driving license, health record, ID proofs, and a money belt to secure your valuables. Prepare the list calmly to avoid missing out on anything. Check your passport validity and travel insurance to avoid any hassles. Upload vital documents and presentation files on cloud storage and store them in USB pen drives.
3. Travel light
Explore the possibility of dispatching heavy luggage or exhibition material in advance to reduce the stress of delays during security checks and customs clearance.
4. A business travel itinerary
Prepare a detailed business travel itinerary mentioning schedules of meetings, contact persons, and venues of meetings, with time and dates to streamline your international business trip. Upload the itinerary on cloud storage. Do not forget to share it with your near ones.
Conclusion
An international business trip is essential for companies to establish their presence in overseas markets. Traveling to an international destination involves in-depth planning. The international business traveler should know the travel destination thoroughly. Know the weather, people, customs, and local regulations to enjoy the business trip. Employers can consider using SaaS-based travel management platforms such as Paxes for itinerary preparation, expense reporting, travel risk management, and travel policy compliance.
International Business Traveler FAQs
Can an employee combine business and vacation during an international business trip?
Several companies allow employees a bleisure trip that blends business and leisure. It may be part of the incentive policy of the company. The bleisure trip may start or end with a mini vacation.
Which employee can opt for an international business trip?
Employees from sales and service departments may be eligible for international business trips.
Who books transportation and accommodation for an international business traveler?
Large and medium organizations assign the responsibility of travel booking to corporate travel managers. Small companies may appoint travel agents to complete travel booking formalities on behalf of the employer.
How to ensure telephonic connectivity during international business trips?
One must go for a local mobile plan for a foreign destination. One may try using a facility of WhatsApp calling as an alternative, which also allows video calling.
How to save on local transportation when in an international destination?
Public transportation like the metro, train, or local bus service helps you save on transportation costs. It is a perfect approach to becoming familiar with the local environment.
