According to a recent study, 88% of business travelers find it easier to navigate their way around new areas thanks to the latest technology.
On average, a business traveler is armed with four types of technology, including a laptop, tablet, and cell phone. And when asked to describe which piece of technology they couldn’t travel without, 80% chose their smartphone.
Across the globe, over 80% of travelers conduct business on their smartphones, which is perhaps why 54% of the respondents said they take too many devices with them when they’re on their travels.
However, technology isn’t always 100% reliable. What if you run out of battery while you’re in a meeting? What if your phone is stolen or breaks while you’re out and about?
Because we’re so heavily reliant on technology, some of those age-old navigation skills can be lost (rather like their owner). So, to make sure you’re able to navigate yourself around any new city without GPS, here are our top tips:
Look Out for LandmarksÂ
As soon as you arrive in a new city, start taking note of the various landmarks you pass because they might come in handy if you do get lost later on. Equally, if you do get lost, don’t start to move until you’ve established where you are.
It’s easy to start wandering aimlessly when you find yourself in unfamiliar territory, but this could end up with you being even further away from where you need to be. Start to look for those notable landmarks you’ve seen on your trip so far, remaining calm as you do so. Within a few seconds, you may find that you’re not lost at all but have just lost your bearings.
Note Religious BuildingsÂ
Even though this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule (especially if the area only has a smaller congregation), most churches will face east in their structure. Therefore, they can be used to give you a rough idea what direction you’re heading in. Additionally, mosques tend to point toward Mecca.
Carry a Paper Map
Even though this may be cheating slightly if you’re trying to be a traditional traveler, having a paper map on standby (or downloading an offline version to your phone) may help when you are bewildered with your sense of direction. Paper maps are ideal for placing in your travel bag, while downloaded maps are perfect if you’re just worried about losing your Internet connection.
Follow the CrowdsÂ
Finally, if you still aren’t sure where you are, follow the crowds of people in rush hour. As the majority of these people will be heading toward public transport links, this is a great way to find yourself in the heart of the city again. A lot of business-friendly hotels, e.g. Protea Hotel Fire & Ice by Marriott are located in the hustle and bustle of a city center, so you should be able to navigate yourself back to your accommodation with ease when following the crowds.
However, if you’re still not sure where you’re supposed to be going, don’t panic. Stop a passerby to ask them for directions, or head into a local store, hotel, or business premises to see if they can point you in the right direction. The good thing about business travel is you’ll often be located in a city, so it’s easy to find your bearings after you’ve lost them for a short while.
In conclusion, meeting in person is the best way to make industry connections and connect with clients, and traveling is a must if you have employees or offices in another city. With these emerging trends, business people can easily find corporate apartments in San Francisco, corporate housing, and other types of accommodations in different corners of the world.
