Leading the life of a business traveller can be a bit of a whirlwind adventure. If you are a frequent flyer, country hopping and living out of a suitcase can often make you feel like you are burning the candle at both ends. While there are undeniable perks associate with travelling on company paid time, the stress of it can leave you disorientated. It’s not like taking a regular holiday where you can move around as you please at your own pace.

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You’re likely to have your calendar attached to your hand, figuring out where the next meeting takes place before navigating your way to a networking dinner. Before you know it, you’re on the other side of town in an area where no tourists venture. Zooming around from place to place without the proper preparation can leave you vulnerable to all kinds of nasties. So how do you stay safe? It’s easier than you think! With a little mindfulness and these handy tips, it will be smooth sailing on your next business trip.

Copy, Scan and Email Everything

Ever hear the horror stories about those people who put down their bags for a split second, then bam it’s gone? You might think never in a million years but this kind of theft is common in foreign countries. To no one’s surprise, your legal documents are set to fetch a few pennies on the black market; anyone who picks them up will be basking in your missing document misery for the next couple of months. Naturally, if any of your documents do get stolen, the first thing you should do is contact your consular. Alternatively, prepare ahead and scan, copy, and email all of your travel documents including your I.D’s, passport, itinerary, birth certificate, visa and emergency numbers.

Follow a Schedule

The day-to-day life of a Corporate Traveller can be chaotic to say the least. One minute you’re engaging in an early morning business call, the next you’re hopping into a cab to your first meeting of the day followed by a networking event, finished off late night antics with your new clients. It’s not easy trying to remember who you need to meet on which specific day; that’s why an itinerary is your best friend. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to stick to that schedule and follow it religiously so you don’t run into any mishaps or miss any important appointments. If you’re ever unsure of where to do, you can show the address on your itinerary to your cab driver to ensure you never end up in the seedy part of town.

Rely on Good Old Fashioned Common Sense

There’s nothing worse than getting lost in a foreign country. Not only are you easy prey, your lost, confused and disorientated looks are a dead giveaway for predators on the hunt. While it’s only natural to freak out when you’re unsure of where you are, maintaining a sense of confidence is the key to surviving. Once again, this comes down to preparation and making sure you are wary of criminal hotspots and popular transportation areas around your area. Remember, your instincts have never led you astray, so don’t ignore them while you’re gallivanting around the city.

The most important thing to remember when travelling overseas is to have fun! Being cautious is natural, but don’t let the fear of losing luggage or getting lost override your desire to explore.

Written by Keryn Thomson