Have you ever been to some place new and just felt totally out of place? When you’re going abroad for an incentive travel trip, you probably feel this way starting in the airport. Don’t be that guy that gets lost in the airport.

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Flying into foreign airports can be a scary thing, especially when you have corporate events to look forward to and want to stay on-schedule. For starters, chances are you probably are not fluent in the language that is spoken in that country. If you are, you should have nothing to worry about—just follow the signs! If you are like most Americans, English is all you have.

You know that panic-stricken feeling you get when you are standing at carousel number seven where they swore your luggage would be in less than 20 minutes, and you don’t see it? Yup, it’s 10 times worse when you are in China and only know how to say “Hello.” If you’ve made it this far in the airport without ending up in a coat closet, then you are doing pretty good. The best thing to do is follow the pictures! English is widely spoken across the globe, but there are high chances that not everything will be posted in English. If not, just look for the pictures. You can also probably follow the crowd. I am willing to bet that most of the passengers on the flight are going to have to go through immigration, just like you.

If you are the lucky one whose luggage mysteriously didn’t make it onto the plane, your next stop is luggage claims. Be sure to know exactly what your luggage looks like and able to describe it without guessing. It may be a good idea to take a picture once you are all packed, that way you can show the agent, especially if there is a language barrier. Have the address of your lodgings handy. They will need this information to get you your things when they arrive. If you didn’t set up a global plan on your cell phone, give them the telephone number of where you are staying, as well, just in case any unexpected questions arise.

When all of that is said and done, just have fun on your incentive trip! You can’t pull out your magic wand and make your luggage appear, so there isn’t a reason to stress too much. You are too busy traveling the globe! Plus, you should ALWAYS have a change of clothes and toothbrush in your carry on…just in case.

Rieling – OUT!

Justin Rieling
Associate Account Manager for The ISI Group of companies, consisting of:
Incentive Solutions, Inc.
Loyaltyworks
Travel Solutions
jrieling@isicorporate.com
Direct Contact: 678-514-0213
Sales Hotline: (800)-844-5000