The lure of business travel

Photo: Union Leader

When you are able to travel the globe on business, it can seem pretty glamorous.

At events or gatherings, friends are keen to quiz where you have been recently and on various aspects of the glamorous lifestyle of a busy person. All the continents you step foot on, fancy restaurants, a pile of air mile points, cushy accommodations. 

There is, however, another side to the story. One of having to be as awake as possible in critical business meetings, of not looking as though you have not slept for several days, of waking up in a hotel room in the dark completely confused as to where you are and where the bathroom might be. 

Business travel has its perks, that is for sure, but it is not as glamorous as people might think. It is, however, exciting and, at times, incredibly frustrating.

Last week, I flew to Africa. I love Africa, but I flew on 10 flights, stepped off in four countries, almost visited another after a thrilling experience at an African border crossing and drove an almost 24-hour round trip in Africa.

I did see elephants in the wild though, which is always a treat.

I would love to head home and spend time with my wife, however, the next two weeks include approximately 18 flights and 12 provinces or states for a series of meetings. 

If loyalty points are a meaningful reward, they frankly don’t add up to three weeks away from my wife. However, as I wrote about a few weeks ago, success has its sacrifices and if you are not prepared to pay the price, success will always be elusive.

Today, I flew over Kelowna to get to LAX on the way back from Europe. Now, I fly back to Kelowna to get a few hours sleep and leave Kelowna tomorrow morning.

That perhaps is the unglamorous side of business travel.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.