Taking off Travel blog

Traveling for business doesn’t have to be all work and no play. With a country as large and as diverse as the United States, there are plenty of must-see sights in almost every major business destination. Six of those destinations stand above the rest as those which simply cannot be missed.

1. The Statue of Liberty – New York, NY

It might be the most cliché landmark in the country, or at least the most cliché landmark in New York City, but the Statue of Liberty is truly a sight worth seeing. The Staten Island Ferry provides direct access to the statue and visitors are allowed to enter the structure and climb its many steps. Along the way, business travelers might want to check out Ellis Island, which is a short ferry ride away from the statue.

It’s important to note that waiting times can top 90 minutes for a ferry ride and guided tour of the Statue of Liberty, and tickets are required for interior access to the landmark. Additionally, visitors are required to go through a security screening put in place after September 11, 2001.

Plan a little extra time, and see America’s most iconic landmark. It’s worth it.

2. Independence National Historical Park – Philadelphia, PA

While on the subject of America’s liberty-theme landmarks, business travelers to Philadelphia will want to check out the Independence National Historical Park, sometimes called “America’s most historic square mile.” The site features Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Constitution Center, and numerous 18th-century architectural highlights.

The best part about this square mile of pure freedom? Every attraction except the Constitution Center is absolutely free and the lines are notoriously fast-moving. Visitors to these sites might even have a few extra minutes for a historic carriage ride around the city’s nearly 400-year-old neighborhood which housed Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and many others.

3. The Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco, CA

The techie business traveler who finds himself or herself in the San Francisco or Silicon Valley area will want to make the trek to the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the defining landmarks of the west coast, and of American ingenuity. It speaks to a time when the great technological marvels were steel and concrete, no silicon and copper.

There is no specific tour of the landmark, although it is included in many wider-ranging tours of the city itself. However, the South Vista Point offers a picturesque view of the bridge, the bay, and the hills that surround it.

4. Apollo Mission Control Center – Houston, TX

Houston, we have a landmark. The Apollo Mission Control Center is exactly what it sounds like: the sight of America’s greatest space exploration accomplishments and the launching pad for Apollo missions galore. Tours are provided daily for a small admission fee, and the building is generally open from 10am to 7pm on weekdays and weekends.

Houston business travelers absolutely must see this building and get the guided tour if they’re at all interested in aviation, the history of the space race, or the early days of Houston as a major American city.

5. Ferdinand Magellan Railcar – Miami, FL

History buffs who love the old-fashioned feel of early 20th century politics will love the Ferdinand Magellan Railcar exhibit in Miami, Florida. The railcar was known as U.S. Presidential Railcar No. 1 and was in service from 1943 to 1958.

Built with an armored architecture designed to keep presidents safe from harm at the height of World War II, it was the first railcar built exclusively for a president since a special model designed for Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War era. To date, it is the only railcar in the United States that has been declared a national landmark.

6. The World of Coca-Cola – Atlanta, GA

It might just be America’s oldest and most successful global brand, and its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, offers an educational presentation and tour that will explain just how it became so world-renowned. The company offers affordable $10 parking, and tickets can be purchased in advance either online or via phone.

The price of admission is low, and this must-see attraction will wow visitors with historical facts, vintage Coca-Cola merchandise and advertising, and a unique view on where the company sees its product going in the future.

This guest article was contributed by Jennifer Bell from Health Training Guide. Check out her site to learn more about gerontology training and other exciting health careers.

Image: Bill Longshaw / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It’s relatively easy to look good in a temperate climate. However, if you’re used to moderate or chilly temperatures and travel to a hot, humid city, the heat can really pack a punch. A woollen suit that looks sharp at home will just make you sweat uncontrollably and sag in the heat. White shirts can go transparent when they get wet, which is embarrassing for anyone. Here are a few tips to help make sure tropical weather doesn’t tarnish your ability to impress:

-Choose loose, light clothing. Avoid synthetic fabrics (they are often less breathable) and choose cotton or linen. If that means dressing a little less formally than you otherwise might, so be it. Better to be cool, calm, and comfortable in casual dress than hot, sweaty, and dishevelled in conservative business attire. You may find that business wear is less formal than you would expect at home anyway.

-Plan for the rain. Most tropical countries divide their year into just two seasons- the wet and the dry. If you’re arriving in the wet season, be prepared for rain and lots of it. In warm conditions a normal waterproof jacket will feel hot and make you sweat inside. They aren’t a big help. Cheap plastic ponchos do a better job. They allow plenty of airflow and they’re long enough to keep you dry to the knees even in a downpour. Of course, they’re not terribly stylish, but they only cost a few dollars and can easily be cast aside at your destination. You’ll arrive dry and as cool as possible, ready for action. Read more »

Business Travel Market, a London-based event for corporate travel buyers, has just ended. Held from 22-23 June at ExCel London, the conference and exhibition enjoyed the presence of major international brands, perhaps drawn by the 25% increase in the hosted buyer program. More than 500 European travel buyers were among the more than 4,000 conference participants.

Paul Deighton, Chief Executive Officer of The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), was a major keynote speaker, covering the impact of the Olympics on business travel and the business community.

As well as looking at industry trends and indicators, presenters also covered areas such as using social media to improve traveler communications, getting to grips with mobile technology and the use of self-booking tools. More details of the programme are in this Business Travel Market newsletter (PDF).

And if you missed it, don’t worry. You can plan for next year, when Business Travel Market will take place on 13 and 14 June.

Well, it had to end sometime. The drop in the cost of business air travel during the tough economic times of the past couple of years is now behind us. The latest figures from the American Express Business Travel Monitor show that business travel airfares for the first quarter of 2011 are now above those recorded in the first quarter of 2008.  Here are some of the key figures from the report:

• Average domestic airfares increased ten percent (10%) in Q1 2011 vs. Q1 2010 to $247, surpassing the pre-recession average in Q1 2008 which was $233
• Average international airfares increased eight percent (8%) in Q1 2011 vs. Q1 2010 to $1866

“Airfare increases have been expected given the rise in the cost of oil and the return in demand in business travel,” said Christa Degnan Manning, director, eXpert insights research, American Express Global Business Travel. “On top of this, airlines are continuing to form alliances and joint ventures. As prices continue to increase and capacity levels remain tight, companies need to ensure they are following the market, reviewing travel spend and ensuring they are using suppliers and implementing policies that facilitate optimal cost savings opportunities.”

Hotel prices are going up too, due to increased demand as companies continue to emphasize the value of face to face meetings for doing business.

• Average domestic hotel rates increased three percent (3%) in Q1 2011 vs. Q1 2010 to $150
• Average international hotel rates increased four percent (4%) in Q1 2011 vs. Q1 2010 to $238

“With the moderate rate increases we’re seeing this year that are due to increase in demand, companies need to be vigilant in ensuring travelers receive their corporate negotiated rate. Hoteliers are likely to try to continue increasing rates particularly, as we head into the negotiating season. However, companies that keep a close eye on market conditions and benchmarking actual rates paid in key travel destinations will be better positioned to maintain their discounts,” said Manning.

More info on MarketWatch.

Hypersonic travel could be on the horizon if Airbus SAS owner EADS (European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Co has its way. At the Paris Air Show the company revealed plans for a hypersonic jet that could take travelers from Paris to Tokyo in two and a half hours. While strangely reminiscent of the much-lamented Concorde in shape and style, the company hopes the jet will avoid some of the fuel costs that would make the Concorde uneconomical.

It will have  turbojet, ramjet and cryogenic rocket engines and will fly in the stratosphere (105,000 feet) at speeds of Mach 4 plus. Travel will produce zero emissions by using hydrogen and oxygen as fuel.  Biofuel will lift the plane off the ground, getting it to 100,000 feet in only a few minutes.

The plane will carry 50-100 passengers and is expected to be aimed at the business class market – with a price tag to match. A prototype is envisaged for 2020, with commercial planes ready in 2050. Check out the video for more:

More info: Wall Street Journal and Reuters.