Clockwise from let: Paris is a favourite for combining business and a family holiday. There’s
often no cost for your plus-one when it comes to accommodation. Disney World delights.
“The savings continue with visas. For
South African passport holders the cost
of visas is usually very high. To have the
company pay for one family member’s visa
saves at least R1 000 for a Schengen visa
and R2 400 for an American visa.”
The same goes for travel insurance: Travel
Insurance Consultants (TIC), for instance,
offers “double policies”, which allow
travel companions to be added to travel
insurance plans at a discounted rate when
travelling together.
So, the next time you have a business trip,
think smart and bring the family along.
BE SURE TO...
1.Book a hotel with childcare or kids’
programmes: It’ll be easier to prep for
tomorrow’s big meeting without the
distraction of little ones competing
for your attention. If you’re a single
parent, make sure the hotel has
child-minding services.
2. Be realistic: First and foremost,
you’re travelling for work. Be clear
with your family about how much time
you’ll be able to spend with them –
they might need to take their own
adventures if you’re swamped.
before going ahead with a mixed family
and business trip.
While it’s incredibly simple for a travel
consultant to include your family in your
booking, Melissa Phillips of Sure Map Travel
in Umgeni Park, Durban, points out that
there may be some financial grey areas
you’ll need to hammer out, such as what
must be paid for privately and which meals
or extras can be expensed to the company.
“When a traveller wants to return from
another location, for instance, they’ll
typically need to pay the difference in flight
prices from their own pocket,” Phillips says.
Nevertheless, the potential financial
savings can be considerable, as well as all the
extra days of holiday leave you’ll be able to
take later in the year, since you’re not using
Adding a second person and
maybe a child or two to a
hotel room often doesn’t
add much to the cost
of accommodation
as many – or any – on a business trip.
“The main benefit is definitely the cost
savings, especially on an air ticket. To
already have one air ticket paid for is a
huge discount; adding a second person
and maybe a child or two to a hotel room
often doesn’t add much to the cost of
accommodation,” explains Bennie.
3. Add a few days at your own
expense: Spending dedicated family
time before or after your business
obligations is priceless.
4. Don’t force it: Not all business
trips are created equal. Some are
predictable and relaxed, while others
are stressful and high stakes. If you’re
heading to a destination that might
not be child-friendly, or your timeline
is too tight to allow for distractions,
skip taking the family along.
CONTACT A SURE TRAVEL AGENCY
Our expert travel consultants
specialise in corporate and
leisure travel, and have access to
special pricing and additional family
offers. Contact your nearest Sure
Travel agency, or call 0861 47 48 49
/ visit www.suretravel.co.za.
Q
MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE // 19