you are here: home page > travelhealth advice > business travel

Preparing for a Business Trip Overseas

Good preparation for a business trip leads to less stress, is better for your health, and it is also a sign of an organised and alert mind. The business person who is able to think ahead and prepare well for a trip not only benefits themself, but also brings positive benefits to the company they represent.

Allow a time of Preparation

Good pre-travel planning can mentally and psychologically prepare you to deal with the stresses of frequent travel. As soon as possible put together a schedule of the intended trip. Plan the flight times with your travel agent, and have all of your details in writing. Check on the area you will be visiting and start to collect information about the trip and your destination. If visas are required, get working on sorting them out as soon as you can.

Clear Objectives - Deal with Fears

Dealing with any fears you might have with regard to travel should ideally be sorted out while you are at home in a calm and relaxed manner.

Checklist

For those who travel frequently, it is a good idea to keep a checklist in your scheduler or on the computer, listing the items that need to be packed for a trip. This will save much time searching for items, or turning up half way across the world without your toothbrush. It will also allow you to plan for a trip in a calm and relaxed manner.

Family Concerns

If you are planning to combine the business trip with a family holiday, plan your schedule well before leaving, thinking ahead about the needs of any children travelling with you.

Visit Your Doctor or Travel Clinic

As soon as possible plan to visit your GP, Practice Nurse or local Travel Clinic to discuss any vaccination needs for your trip. If you are a frequent traveller, often leaving for remote corners of the world at a moment's notice, discuss the possibility of keeping vaccinations up to date and attending regularly for boosters. Ask for a vaccination card and keep a copy of it at home when you travel. A good idea is to put a rubber band around the spine of your passport and keep the card attached to the passport - everyone loses their vaccination cards, but who loses their passport?

Insurance Needs

Sort out your insurance needs, making sure you have good cover for the trip and any other activities you hope to take part in.

If you are disabled and will need any special assistance at the airport or at your destination, plan this in advance with the airline or through your travel agent.

Preventing Malaria

If you require Malaria tablets, allow time to start the medication. Time schedules vary with different types of medication, so it is important to see your Travel Health Advisor as soon as possible.

Keep a supply of mosquito repellent at home for use on trips where mosquitoes are a problem. Preventing insect bites should always be remembered as the first line of defence in preventing insect borne diseases.

Travel with Existing Conditions

If you are travelling and have a chronic condition, find out if there are English speaking doctors in the area you will be visiting. Don't forget to get repeat prescriptions of medication to carry in your hand luggage, and a letter from your GP if you need to carry needles or suspicious drugs. Always take a bit more medication than you think you will need. If you suffer from asthma or diabetes, make an appointment to see your Specialist Nurse or Doctor before you leave.

It would be good to also have a note with you outlining your medical condition and medication needs. Some countries such as Japan, have legalities regarding bringing medication into the country - check with the relevant embassy about taking medication into the country.

First Aid Kit

Put together a personal first aid kit to take with you for those small personal emergencies. A few Paracetamol in your bag might "save your life" if you need to rush to a meeting as soon as the plane lands.

If you travel frequently it is wise to arrange to have a regular medical check up. Checking your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels regularly is always good practice. If you are planning to catch a few days scuba diving, you will need to make sure that you have an up to date medical certificate.

Sun Cream

If you are travelling to a hot climate, make sure you take sun cream with you and are aware of the risks of sun damage.

Time to Adjust

When planning your schedule, allow yourself time to adjust on reaching your destination, especially if you are flying across time zones.