Tom Walley, Global MD at Corporate Traveller shares some travelling tips: Business travel offers an exciting escape – getting away from your desk for a few days, travelling to a new place and soaking in a different culture. Yet for many, it poses a new challenge not faced in the office.
Loneliness can take its toll on the solitary traveller, especially on extended trips. According to data from Corporate Traveller, specialist SME division of Australia-based Flight Centre Travel Group, Australian professionals spend almost double the length of stay compared to the global average work trip, clocking up an average of six nights away per trip.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare one in four Australians feel lonely, which has an impact on a person’s mental health, and their ability to perform tasks and be productive. The rate of loneliness ranks even higher for those undertaking corporate travel, with a recent study by insurance company World Travel Protection finding feelings of anxiety, stress, exhaustion and homesickness were reported by one third of survey responses. It was especially prevalent among male business travellers.
Corporate Traveller’s Australia-based global managing director Tom Walley is offering five ways to beat loneliness and improve the quality of business trips.
Embrace bleisure travel
Australian business travellers are increasingly blending work with leisure, a growing trend dubbed ‘bleisure’. Walley believes this is a valuable approach: “By extending trips to explore destinations beyond your work commitments, professionals can recharge and combat loneliness.
Extending trips for themselves or having family join them after work-related travel is a great way to build upon health and wellness in the workplace. In the World Travel Protection Survey, nearly 28% of frequent travellers said having the flexibility to add personal time to explore a destination or connect with friends nearby significantly reduced burnout and stress.”
The buddy system
Walley said many companies were pairing up solo travellers headed to the same destination, giving each a familiar face to accompany them on the trip. “Having a travelling colleague to debrief the day’s events over a drink or meal can be huge.
We’ve seen instances of companies mandating that managers or travel teams regularly check in, whether by email, text or call, to ask how the traveller is feeling and if they need any support. It’s a low-effort gesture that signals you’re seen and valued.”
Walley suggested that even staying at the same accommodation for both work and leisure can foster connections. “Whether it’s networking with colleagues, or exploring local culture, seek opportunities to connect with others during your trip,” he said.
Leverage technology
Walley also noted the ability to video call spouses and children helps stave off business trip blues. As such, ensuring travellers have access to data is essential.
“Remote working capabilities play a significant role in business travel, so use those functionalities to maintain relationships virtually with loved ones back home. Additionally, explore local social media groups or networking events to meet like-minded professionals.”
Explore the local scene
Break free from the hotel room. Discover local attractions, restaurants, and cultural experiences.
Walley said: “Taking the opportunity to combine business with pleasure allows travellers to enjoy a destination while saving on expenses. Travel management platforms can even build this breathing room right into the itinerary.”
Prioritise wellbeing
Loneliness affects mental health. Prioritise self-care by getting enough rest, staying active, and maintaining a healthy routine.
“The emotional toll of business travel is real and a good way to counter loneliness is to be ready for it from the beginning. Having a plan makes loneliness much easier to deal with when it comes knocking. Be proactive about maintaining your normal routines as much as possible. Even squeezing in your usual workout can give you a glimpse of your home life, which can be very grounding,” Walley said.
Risk management strategies can also relieve stress, with 24/7 medical guidance, security intelligence, emergency resources and even mental health support tailored to the singular stresses of road life.
“When you’re travelling frequently, you can tend to revert to locking yourself in your hotel room at the end of an exhausting day, or some might feel it’s not appropriate to mingle outside of ranks or business hours,” he said. “In Australia, we face the added challenge of being so spread out, and with the work travel space so heavily dominated by fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers in often remote destinations.”
