Travel
More business travel is secret to professional success
Business travel is valuable, if not essential, to achieving professional success today, not only because of its positive impact on businesses but also for the opportunities it offers employees to expand their horizons and reach their fullest potential.
Business travel is valuable, if not essential, to achieving professional success today, not only because of its positive impact on businesses but also for the opportunities it offers employees to expand their horizons and reach their fullest potential.
More than half (58%) of working professionals in the US say experiencing new cultures and destinations adds value to their job, a sentiment echoed most by professionals in Arts/Culture/Sport/Music (65%), Travel & Hospitality (71%) and Construction & Engineering (81%).
These are among the top findings of new research from Booking.com for Business, the global leader in connecting business travelers with the widest choice of places to stay. Conducted with more than 17,000 working professionals from 24 countries, the research reveals the extent to which they view business travel as essential to professional growth and business success, including key differences across professions.
Employees use business travel as opportunities for professional growth
When asked what they most hope to achieve when travelling for business, more than half (56%) of working professionals cite growing their company’s business. But delving further into individual professions reveals a series of personal and professional growth ambitions:
- Charity & Social Services personnel (48%) wish to gain inspiration to apply to their work
- Accelerating their career path is particularly important to Medical & Health (45%) and Travel & Hospitality (41% vs. 29% avg.) professionals.
- Understanding a new culture and its business impact is most important to Travel & Hospitality (43% vs. 25% avg.) and Technology pros (36%)
Across professions, travel also has a broader impact on business success
Half of working professionals (51%) say that being able to take a few off-the-clock hours, or “Bleisure Time,” during a business trip to enjoy the destination is a definite work perk. Nearly half (49%) prefer to spend that time sightseeing, or trying local cuisines (40%). More than half (60%) are influenced to take ‘Bleisure time’ as an opportunity to explore a previously un-visited destination.
Despite the benefits of modern technology and real-time communications, a real business case for in-person meetings still exists. More than seven in ten (71%) of working professionals agree that travelling to meet clients or colleagues face-to-face is essential to business success, rising in importance for those in Retail & Sales (79%) and Construction & Engineering (89%).
Business-ready accommodation is key to boosting business trip potential
Choosing the right accommodation plays a critical role in maximizing the potential of a business trip. More than six in ten professionals (63%) agree that travel and accommodation options that cater specifically to the business traveler are no longer optional, but essential.
A strong Wi-Fi signal tops the list of business accommodation must-haves (53%), followed by a comfortable bed (51%) and a hearty breakfast (38%). The choice of accommodation is also strongly driven by location, with convenient access to meetings (44%) identified as the top priority for overnight stays. With Booking.com for Business, properties that have been favorably reviewed by prior business travelers and tick the boxes for these important business travel essentials are surfaced with priority in the search results.
When it comes to the most-booked business stay types across professions:
- Professionals in Banking & Professional Services are more likely to book a ‘home away from home’ (23% vs. 18% avg.), and prioritize being able to earn points or rewards (43% vs. 30% avg.)
- Technology & Computing professionals mostly prefer a ‘mid-market’ option (47% vs. 34% avg.), but also tend to book a ‘hi-tech’ option with the latest electronics (36% vs. 22% avg.)
- Those in Travel & Hospitality are also more likely to opt for accommodations with a host/guide (27% vs. 14% avg.)
By making it easy to search, find and select accommodation from the wide variety of business-ready stays available today, Booking.com for Business helps connect business travelers with their ideal place to stay – whether that reflects their professional preferences, business trip objectives or overall lifestyle.
“Experiencing different cultures and destinations and gaining new perspectives through travel is becoming increasingly important to professional success, particularly in today’s hyper-connected and globalized business world. Regardless of profession, today’s business travelers are savvier about the value up for grabs, both for their companies and for themselves. Where they choose to stay is crucial in realizing that value, with today’s business travelers seeking places that align with their specific, priority needs when it comes to location, flexibility and certain amenities,” says Ripsy Bandourian, senior director of product development at Booking.com for Business. “Looking at our data and millions of business traveler reviews, we make it easier to find those stays recommended by other business travelers, without compromising on choice. Corporate travelers can enjoy flexibility and freedom to personalize and maximize a business stay experience, all while still working within a company’s policy.”
Destinations
Going Chinese in Pulilan, Bulacan
Craving for #chinesefood in #Bulacan? We tried the offerings of Lee Foo Panciteria #Pulilan, and we’re on the fence here (yes if no choice, no if you can go elsewhere).
We happened to be in Pulilan in Bulacan, and I had pancit craving. As if on cue, we passed by Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan, which – after we Google-checked – is supposedly one of the more frequently-visited Chinese restos in these parts of the province, so… of course we checked.
@outragemag Craving for #chinesefood in #Bulacan? We tried the offerings of Lee Foo Panciteria #Pulilan ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Una, this place is really, REALLY easy to find. Located along the Pulilan Regional Road in Barangay Cut-cot in Pulilan, this is right in the middle of the municipality.
Ikalawa, the resto is actually divided into three parts: one side is for those with reservations, another part is for walk-in diners, and another part is for events. If/when the resto isn’t full, only the main part (middle one) is kept open.
No, this isn’t some fancy resto. More like an airconditioned karinderya, complete with wooden tables and plastic chairs. Look-wise, it wasn’t dirty naman when we were there, so that’s a plus.
Ikatlo, the workers were friendly naman… and they moved fast – e.g. while waiting for our orders, we were given must-check peanuts, and since we finished what we got fast, our waitress was more than happy to accommodate us.
Ika-apat, now… how was the food?
The house specialty, the Lee Foo Chicken (₱265 for half, ₱495 for whole), looked like fried chicken with ketchup. Okay… the breading was okay since it didn’t overpower the meat. The chicken, too, was properly cooked, and it wasn’t dry. But it was tasteless overall; so the ketchup taste is what stays with you.
The Pancit Canton Bihon (₱255) had thin pancit noodles, almost as thin as the bihon. It didn’t have lots of sahog; instead, you’d notice the extenders (like kikiam, and so on). I like good pancit, I swear… but this isn’t one of them, sorry.
The weirdly-wrapped Hakaw (₱155) was small, so it was bitin.
And then there’s the Siomai Steam (₱155), which was, in a word, weird. The size was good, similar to those ₱10 siomais. But the way this was prepared was weird for us – e.g. like the meat was overwatered, and having a hard time staying solid, so that it was smudgy, and disintegrated in the mouth even without chewing. I suppose that, at least, it wasn’t disgusting taste-wise.
Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan is, we believe, popular. Like President in Chinatown, or a branch of David’s in some mall. To each his or her own nga naman. But for us, we’re off to look for other Chinese restos na muna as we head out in search of more lafangan venues.
Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan is located at 159 Barangay Cut-cot, Pulilan, 3005 Bulacan Province. For more information, contact 0925 800 0168, or email leefoopanciteria@yahoo.com.
Travel
Treacherous beauty: Hiking at South Stack Lighthouse in Wales
#Lighthouse fever in #Holyhead, #anglesey via the #SouthStackLighthouse, as checked during this #LGBT trip to #Wales.
Yes, tech has made many lighthouses redundant. Not that they’re no longer relevant. But navigation-wise, we know we have more advanced solutions. Which, perhaps not surprisingly, led to the reconfiguration of many of them.
In Holyhead, Anglesey in Wales, introducing the South Stack Lighthouse.
@outragemag #Lighthouse fever in #Holyhead, #anglesey via the #SouthStackLighthouse, as checked during this #LGBT trip to #Wales ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Una, you’d need a ride to be there. Some use private cars, as we did; others join tours; and others cycle to the place.
Ikalawa, what’s there?
The lighthouse itself is located on a small, rocky island off Holyhead. From afar, it looks like someone’s grand home; mansion-like. Accessible siya after you descend down 400 steep steps.
What will you see while there?
- the former lighthouse engine room
- the top of the lighthouse
- South Stack is also home to breeding seabirds including guillemots, razorbills and puffins
Here’s an FYI: seasonal lang siya bukas.
This is a must-check for lighthouse lovers, of course. Historic, it was built in 1809 by Trinity House from the design of Daniel Alexander. 91-foot tall, it used to allow safe passage for ships on the Dublin–Holyhead–Liverpool sea route.
Another FYI: It is allegedly haunted, and has been visited by a team from “Most Haunted”.
The area housing the lighthouse is, itself, worth checking. There are trails for hikers or joggers or cyclists; though the same could be enjoyed by those who are there only to look for good shots.
Check when you’re in the area… even if you just pass by. Nice siya, promise.
But off we go for more LGBTQIA+ rampa…
Travel
Enjoying nature via trail hiking in Wales
Enjoying nature via #trail #hiking at #Snowdonia #SnowdoniaSlateTrail during one #LGBT visit in #Gwynedd, #Wales.
When in Bangor, you’d be told often that among the best things to do is to hike. And among the must-check is the Snowdonia Slate Trail, which links the old slate-quarrying communities of Eryri/Snowdonia.
So… ayan na nga, even without the right outfit for hiking, but ayaw ma-miss ang chance to check the area, off we went.
@outragemag Enjoying nature via #trail #hiking at #Snowdonia #SnowdoniaSlateTrail during one #LGBT visit in #Gwynedd, #Wales ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Una, the circular route starts near Bangor/Porth Penrhyn. And you need a car or whatever to get to the starting point.
Ikalawa, the trail isn’t just for hiking. It’s also for biking or walking dogs. So you’d be sharing the 133-kilometer long trail with others.
Ikatlo, what’s there?
Mountains built by remnants from quarry sites, to start.
So… Gwynedd used to be known for slate quarrying, and among the biggest players is Penrhyn Quarry which is near Gwynedd, part of The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Now… with slate quarrying, around 75% of extracted material are inferior in quality, called overburden, and so becoming mineral waste. Here, they’re now mountains.
But the trail also shows views typically associated with Wales – e.g. rolling hills that go on forever, rock fences, sheep farms, canals with flowing water… and more.
Usually, sa matatag, people hike the Snowdonia Slate Trail for up to seven days, passing through Bethesda, Llanberis, and so on. But for others… it’s but an opportunity to commune with nature, in a way, while taking those must-have shots.
But we’re off for more LGBTQIA+ discoveries…
-
Product Showcase3 weeks agoSuperbod Movement goes beyond the stage
-
NewsMakers3 weeks agoLoneliness strongly linked to poorer mental health and wellbeing, study finds
-
NewsMakers3 weeks agoPoor-quality sleep involves different parts of the brain, depending on age
-
NewsMakers3 weeks agoWeight loss drugs could help with binge eating disorder
-
Product Showcase3 weeks agoNew IKEA PS Collection brings playful functionality into your home
-
Product Showcase3 weeks agoFullerton Health celebrates two years of advancing preventive healthcare in PH
-
Product Showcase3 weeks agoCentury Tuna Superbods 2026 announces ‘Superbod Era’ finalists
-
NewsMakers5 days agoFilipinos prioritize independence as legacy for longer lives
