Tourism Khabar टुरिजम खबर

Travel is a part of many jobs, and while doing it on occasion isn't so bad, frequent travel can really take a toll. Not only can too much travel Opens a New Window.  be a strain on your sleep schedule and personal relationships, but it can cause you to fall behind productivity-wise. If you've been logging an excessive number of air miles lately, or can't remember the last time you didn't spend part of your month sleeping in a hotel room, then it's crucial that you take steps to avoid feeling the impacts of a heavy work travel schedule. Here's how to start.


1. Bring a few personal touches for your hotel rooms
Homesickness can strike at any time -- even when you're a full-fledged adult who's used to traveling for work. If it's been getting you down, start bringing some small personal items on your travel that make you feel more at home, like a family photo or a favorite memento that normally lives in your bedroom. Granted, you shouldn't pack items that are too clunky or expensive for fear that they might get damaged or stolen; but a friendly reminder of home on your hotel room nightstand might go a long way.

2. Time your flights carefully
If you tend to travel a lot between time zones, you'll need to schedule your flights strategically to avoid a sleep deprivation Opens a New Window.  scenario. To that end, aim to fly during overnight hours, when you're more likely to manage to fall asleep in the air. You might also consider bundling trips to nearby cities so that you're not traveling between time zones as frequently. For example, if you're based in New York City but often need to travel to San Francisco and Seattle for work, you're better off visiting both cities back to back and staying away a bit longer than scheduling two separate trips to that part of the country in the same month.


3. Find company for meals
Dining alone in restaurants (or in your hotel room) isn't always ideal, and can make an otherwise trying situation even more depressing. If you're traveling a lot for work, aim to find yourself some company so you don't feel quite so alone while you're away from home. If you're meeting with colleagues at a different company office, ask one or two out to dinner, even if you don't know them all that well. You can also aim to meet up with people in your professional network Opens a New Window.  who live in different parts of the country or world, even if your relationship has mostly been limited to email thus far.

4. Ask your colleagues back home for support
Being away from the office can put you at risk of falling behind on different tasks that need to get done regularly. If you're worried about traveling a ton and coming home each time to a stack of paperwork, ask your coworkers for a little support. They might be more than willing to pitch in and help out in your absence -- especially if your frequent travel prevents them from having to do the same.

The occasional business trip can actually serve as a nice break from your regular schedule. But if you're traveling for work constantly, it can quickly become unbearable. Follow these tips, and with any luck, you'll have an easier time staying sane as you're rushing from airport to airport.

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Even in the best cases, traveling alone can get lonely. Here’s how to connect safely with the people you meet along the way.

Experiencing another culture on your own terms, at your own pace, with a budget of your own choosing can be an incredibly rewarding and insightful adventure. But while some may find such a journey liberating, others might worry about safety or a period of solitude in a strange, unfamiliar place. Humans, after all, are social animals.

Prospective solo travelers should know that, despite its label, solo travel does not have to mean you’re alone all the time. There are local communities to safely interact with as well as fellow globe-trotters in a similar position.

A 2016 report from travel research company Phocuswright found that a whopping 72 percent of hostel guests in the United States were traveling alone. Airbnb saw similar a trend in its data, with cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Cologne, and Johannesburg experiencing more than a 130 percent increase in individual bookings in 2016.

With solo traveling growing in popularity, it’s clear there are options to socialize with other travelers — it’s just a matter of putting yourself in the right position to do so. Here are some tactics you can use to meet and befriend people abroad, from tried-and-true methods to innovative new apps and technology.

Go on ‘free’ walking tours

The word free is in quotations because, assuming your tour guide is at least half-decent, you should tip them at the end (many earn the majority of their income on commission). But these walking tours can be worth every penny. Not only will the guide give you an informed and hopefully entertaining view of the locale, but you’ll have a chance to interact with other tourists and possibly come away with a new friend.

The leisurely pace in between stops gives you the opportunity to chat with fellow tour-goers, who you may discover are also traveling alone or as part of a small group they’re willing to let you join. Prominent cities often have multiple specialized tours — street art or local cuisine, for example — which provide additional chances to meet people and further learn about the place hosting you.
Several tour companies, like Sandeman’s New Europe or Free Tours by Foot, have outposts in popular cities and are generally safe options for the solo traveler. But don’t count out smaller or independent tour companies that may be better tailored to specific destinations. Visit the company website and read reviews left by travelers to make sure everything checks out. You can also look at ratings on separate websites like TripAdvisor for a more comprehensive view.

If you’re staying in a hostel, the staff often has relationships with tour companies in the city. A hotel receptionist or concierge would also have recommendations.

Use Airbnb to go on unique experiences hosted by locals

Airbnb may be known more for its lodging arrangements, but it also wants to give you something to do at your destination. Airbnb Experiences connects travelers with local guides who lead guests on paid activities ranging from city tours to bar crawls and hobby and skill classes. Launched in late 2016, Experiences quickly became a popular feature.
So what’s the appeal? Similar to walking tours, Airbnb Experiences can be a fun way to mingle with fellow sightseers while gaining firsthand knowledge from experienced locals. And while you do have to pay upfront, costs usually cover expenses like transportation, food, drinks or equipment. Each booking page includes information from the host on what items they’ll provide, as well as what items you should bring, like activity-specific clothing or extra cash (for souvenirs, for example).

Since Experiences is embedded on the standard Airbnb platform, you’ll want to show the same caution when booking activities as you would with booking housing. Make sure to read through the description and photos carefully and pay attention to the Experience’s rating and reviews (Airbnb has neat little trophies visible on the page if the Experience has been rated five stars by a certain number of people.) If you have any questions or concerns, Airbnb will put you in touch with the host through its messaging system even if you haven’t booked the activity yet.
Connect with like-minded explorers on social travel apps
Prefer to cut out the middleman and connect directly with other travelers? Try your hand at the crop of social networking apps specifically designed for travel. Travello, free on iOS and Android, allows you to discover other travelers nearby, match itineraries for planned trips and join groups based on similar interests. You can also create a feed by posting photos and updates.

Tourlina, also free on iOS and Android, is exclusively for women and operates a lot like a dating app by swiping on potential travel companions with similar itineraries and timing. Women can also use the dating app Bumble’s BFF feature to meet platonic companions in the area. Other social media apps are 0ol options, with region-specific Facebook groups and subreddits to engage with travelers, expats, and locals in your destination of choice.
As with any first encounter brokered through social media, use caution when meeting people in real life. Meet in public spaces and consider video chatting beforehand. Travello also has a block/report feature if anyone conducts themselves inappropriately, resulting in an immediate ban from the app.

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Stay in hostels

In a world of hospitable hotels and authentic Airbnbs, why do travelers elect to stay in hostels? Two reasons, really: Hostels are cheap and sociable. You’ll find college-esque dormitories with common lounge rooms and kitchens, and sometimes a bar or cafe.

It’s an ideal environment to meet other travelers, and hostel staffs are well aware of this — some will lead city tours or pub crawls designed to foster interaction between hostel mates. Others might host game nights in the common room or arrange family dinners.

Popular booking sites include Hostelworld, Hostelz, Hostels.com, and Hostelbookers, and all feature reviews and detailed information about available amenities and each hostel’s location. Novice solo travelers may want to consider staying near the city center for a convenient and safe option. During your research, pay attention to which hostels struck a chord with solo travelers in particular — those likely facilitate group activities and also provide good security for individuals. Female solo travelers can also often stay in female-only dorms.


Hostels are perhaps the quintessential way for young people to travel, but you’ll find all types of ages and backgrounds in one. And though the image of the lone backpacker bouncing from hostel to hostel has endured for decades, the data suggests the trend is more popular than ever.

source:  New York Times