03/ 28/ 2002
If you are tempted to take the little ones along on your next business trip, you are not losing your grip on reality. The presence of children on business trips is increasing -- a whopping 200 percent last year according to a recent survey conducted by the Travel Industry of America. With a reasonable amount of advance planning, a shared business trip can provide both parents and children with quality experiences. Almost any destination provides a unique opportunity for a variety of activities. In today's Workshop, Edith Helmich gives some ways to make your next business trip enjoyable for the family.
With so many parents in a dual-career or single parent situation (plus a national epidemic of over-scheduled children), finding time to spend as a family is often a challenge. Combining business travel and family vacation time is easier and cheaper than scheduling time for both. Many hotels offer lower rates for weekends and/or for children's adjoining rooms. Of course, the travel and room expenses that are required for the business presence are tax deductible.
Scheduling the arrival of the children the week (or weekend) before or after the business obligations may work better for very young children. Teenagers enjoy watching television movies, playing video games, and using the hotel facilities (swimming pool, exercise room, library, etc.) while parents are in meetings. Conference schedules often allow free time for lunch and during the evening so that there is an opportunity to eat meals together and attend performances after the day's activities. In addition, many conferences offer planned children's activities (field trips, etc.) during the day. Some hotels have baby-sitting services available.
If these comments tempt you into thinking that a business-family vacation combination might work for your family, here are some useful tips:
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