In 2009, Canadian musician Dave Carroll posted an online video about his experience of trying to get United Airlines to repair or replace a guitar he says baggage handlers working for the company had broken at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. The video caught the attention of the Chicago Sun Times and 170,000 YouTube viewers in its first three days online. Hearing stories like this can make flying more stressful when taking a guitar along on a trip; but by taking just a few extra precautions, you can ensure your guitar arrives at your destination in one piece.
Be a Travel Consultant
According to PayScale.com, almost 57 percent of travel consultants say they are content with their jobs. A travel consultant is another name for a travel agent. A consultant works one on one with customers to plan their ideal trip--for business or pleasure. Travel consultants may work for a large agency or have an office of their own. It is not uncommon for businesses to hire a travel consultant to work as a contracted employee to plan all their business travel needs as well. To become a travel consultant, a four-year degree in tourism and hospitality management is an option, but is not mandatory.
Estimate Business Travel Expenses
Estimating business travel expenses requires an idea of the type of trip you will be taking. For example, the length of the trip will impact the cost significantly. Traveling internationally will also have its special circumstances to consider (e.g., health vaccinations). Make sure to confirm every detail of the trip with your manager and research the travel destination in advance. Contact a local travel agent or the visitor's bureau to get started with basic information.
Plan a Travel Wardrobe
There's nothing like packing for a trip that can crank up the stress levels. When it comes to packing a travel wardrobe, most people either err in bringing too little or in trying to take their entire closet with them. Imagine the looks you'll get when you try to put that in the overhead rack! Strike a happy medium with a bit of thinking ahead.
Build a Travel Web Site
If you love to travel or love the idea of traveling, you can expound on your passion by building a travel website in which you share your knowledge about travel destinations with visitors from all over the world.