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BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON March 6, 2013

Top Stress-Busters for Boomer Women Business Travelers

Business Traveler (299 x 450)

Photo courtesy of flickr – fechi fejardo

You arrive at the airport to catch an early morning flight for an important business meeting in a different city. The flight, however, is delayed, kicking your stress level up a notch. You decide to grab a bite to eat before boarding but your healthy eating options are limited. By the time you arrive at your destination, you’re a little more relaxed until you discover that your luggage didn’t make it.

Sound familiar to any of you boomer women business travelers?

Last Fall Carlson Wagonlit Travel published a report, “Stress Triggers for Business Travelers,” based on the ranking of 33 stress factors by 6,000 business travelers around the world. The results might surprise you.

Among respondents in the CWT survey, women reported on average four points of stress more than men on the top stress factors cited. Whoa!

Let’s take a look at women’s top travel tensions and consider strategies that enhance serenity, health and well-being on the road.

#1 – Lost Luggage

carry-on.bag (450 x 450)

Photo courtesy of flickr – starpause kid

On a scale of 1 – 100, women gave this category a rating of 83 – the highest of all stress categories – a full six points of stress more than men.

Action Step: The easiest option to combat the stress of lost luggage is to travel only with a carry-on bag that stays with you at all times. Travel light. Wear your heaviest shoes (typically running shoes). Pack only one other pair that you can color-coordinate with your professional attire.

#2 – Poor or No Internet Connection

Laptop (438 x 450)

Photo courtesy of flickr – tachyondecay

Women gave this category a rating of 81, seven points of stress higher than their male counterparts.

Action Step: Prepare a back-up plan before your trip. Dropbox, for instance, is a free service that allows you to access your files from any computer. Even if you can’t access the Internet from your hotel room, chances are good that the hotel business center can meet your needs.

#3 – Flying Economy on Medium/Long Haul

Interestingly enough, the business women respondents gave this category a 71, three points less than male business travelers. While the survey includes business women under age 30 to over 60 years of age, the authors came to the conclusion that the stress of traveling medium to long distances increases with age.

Action Step: If you can’t convince your company to book you in business class, ask for seat preference, whether aisle or window, front or back of the airplane, wherever you feel less stressed. Bring your favorite comfort aids like an inflatable travel pillow, travel throw, noise-cancelling headphones, favorite foods, DVDs, music or reading material to help you enjoy the flight as much as possible.

#4 – Delays

In this category, women responded with a rating of 75 compared to their male counterparts’ rating of 71.

Action Step: The same aids that give you comfort when flying economy on medium to long distances can help again when you have time to kill at the airport. But you can also use the unexpected delay to browse through gift stores, get in a little walking exercise, call family or friends, even have a neck and shoulder massage to reduce the tension of waiting for your next flight.

#5 – Inconvenient Departure/Arrival Times

Women respondents gave this category a rating of 71 compared to 68 for men. Whenever travel plans disrupt family time or require adjustments in one’s daily routine, stress typically follows.

Action Step: Sometimes the best strategy for handling stress is simply to accept the things you can’t change. You might not have control over your flight schedule but you can choose how you react to the inconvenience. Planning a fun event with family and friends for your return home gives you something to look forward to while you’re away.

What causes you the most stress when you travel for business, Wanderboomers? How do you cope?

 

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Business Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Entertainment, Food & Dining, Health & Safety, Travel News, Travel Tips Tagged With: boomer women business travelers, business travel, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, carry-on bag, CWT, Dropbox, economy travel, flight delays, health & well-being, Internet, Internet connection, lost luggage, stress busters, Stress Triggers for Business Travelers, women business travelers

BY Nancy Mueller 8 Comments ON February 4, 2013

2013 Boomer Travel Trends

HanumannBackpackerWalkingontheBeach (450 x 366)

Photo courtesy of Hanumann – Flickr

An article in the Sunday New York Times asserts that Boomers have been travel pacesetters since our student years when we hoisted backbacks and headed to Europe. Not surprisingly then, the writer claims that the travel industry has once again set their sights on our generation in 2013. And why not? Collectively, we’re about 26% of the population and control much of the country’s disposable income.

The NYT’s article cites 5 key ways Boomers are impacting current travel trends:

Shorter Itineraries

Since many Boomers plan to postpone retirement due to lost investments and a sputtering economy, the promise of taking a leisurely 3 week or longer trip has faded to the practical “What can I experience in a week to 10 days?” Consequently, tour operators are designing shorter itineraries to meet the needs of working boomers.

FlowerStudyGeorgiaO'keeffe (450 x 300)

Photo courtesy of  jimmiehomeschoolmom – Flickr

But let’s hope that the trend doesn’t regress to “How many countries can I pack into a week?” I’m reminded of a quote by Georgia O’Keeffe: “Nobody sees a flower – really – it is so small it takes time – we haven’t time – and to see takes time,  like to have a friend takes time.” While it’s good to have tour options, discovering the heart of a locale takes time.

Exotic Locations, Modern Amenities

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Photo courtesy of druidabruxux- flickr

We Boomers are adventurers. We want to explore exotic locales, visit places previously off-limits that have opened up again for travelers, like Myanmar and Cuba. We want to hike, bike and climb mountains before our knees and hearts give out.

BUT, and this is a very important BUT, we do like our creature comforts. Our days of staying in youth hostels have fled along with the passing of our years. We wonder what’s wrong with a little indulgence, like luxury tents, gourmet food and a gentle massage after a day of hiking.

BUT, and this is another very important BUT, what about the travel trend of asking for Wi-fi connection wherever we go, even if in remote locations? Do we really need to stay connected to friends and family on Facebook 24/7 when traveling? Consciously taking time off-the-grid allows us to discover deeper connection to ourselves, our planet and each other.

Multigenerational Travel

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Multigenerational travel is not a new trend. Grandparents have been taking their kids and grandkids along on their trips for the last several years. But Boomers have redefined what used to be specialized tours for grandparents and their families. More of us are still parents of children under 18 at what was once considered grandparenting age.

As the WanderBoomer mom of a 14-year-old, I can attest to that, and tour operators are scrambling to meet our changing travel needs.

Emphasis on Local Color

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Another trend cited in the NYT’s piece is that Boomers relish having unique, authentic travel experiences, with the emphasis being on “experiences.” Many of us are widely traveled. Plus, deeply connecting with a culture, the local people and places makes up for having spent too many nights in chain hotels whether traveling for business or pleasure. Experiences allow us to become participants in a culture rather than simply voyeurs.

Customized Travel Options

We Boomers are individualists who balk at being stereotyped, herded into groups or labeled “seniors.” Travel companies have taken notice by acknowledging our youthfulness in their marketing copy. And travel operators catering to Boomers are building in more free time so we have the best of both worlds: community and comraderie, along with plenty of opportunities to take personalized side excursions.

What do you think, Wanderboomers? How do your travel plans in 2013 fit with these travel trends?

 

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Destinations, Travel News Tagged With: Boomer, Boomer travel, business travel, Cuba, culture, customized travel, exotic locations, family travel, friendship, Georgia O'Keeffe, leisure travel, local culture, luxury travel, multigenerational travel, Myanmar, New York Times, travel experiences, travel itineraries, travel trends, travelers, wi-fi

Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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