Wyndham Wisdom

Another Work-Life Dilemma

So often, friends and family outside of the hospitality industry think that we are so lucky to travel and visit beautiful destinations that we may otherwise not get to see. Yes, it's true -- we are very fortunate. However, I always remind my friends that a ballroom is a ballroom whether it's in Taiwan or San Francisco! No matter what spectacular location I'm in, I'm still working, attending meetings and reading over BEOs.

If I'm lucky, I can build in a personal day either before or after the event so that I can at least see the beach, mountains or town that I'm in. Or maybe the event includes some downtime so that I can enjoy the resort where I happen to be. However, that is not always, or even frequently, the case. More often than not, business travel is just as it sounds -- business out of town.

The question is -- when you are staying in a special place ,do you bring someone with you knowing that you're working and they're not?

There are certainly benefits -- your traveling partner gets to stay in your room for free, experience a destination that they may otherwise not get to visit, you have some company during those rare downtimes and you have a traveling companion. Plus, they have the ultimate guide -- You! Most likely, you know the resort in and out. You are knowledgeable about the property, the amenities and the facilities, and you know people on the staff if your traveling companion should need anything. You can help your friend to truly get the most out of that destination or resort or both.

However, it can also be very difficult to travel with a friend or family member while you are working and focused on your event or meeting. Your schedule is packed, your focus is completely on your task at hand and your first priority is work.

So let's talk about it. First, what is the criteria by which you decide? How many people are you willing to take? Is it easier to bring your spouse? Your girlfriend? Your kids?

It's a tough decision and one that many working women grapple with all the time. My advice is to establish clear expectations in advance. The good news is -- your guest is going to get to go somewhere cool, they don't have to pay for lodging and they can take advantage of a good thing. However, they need to understand that the host is there for work. Period.

While we may find time late at night or first thing in the morning to catch up, anyone traveling with me must be independent. I have priority in access to the bathroom for showers and make up, set the time for the wake up calls and lights out and even meals (if they want to join me, that is), and they'll have to excuse me for being a bit stressed and completely focused on something other than them. I know I sound uncharacteristically selfish and self-centered, but these are my "rules of the road" for a leisure traveler joining me on a business trip.

What are your ground rules for traveling with others? Do you simply keep business travel separate from your personal life or have you successfully married the two? I'd like to know how you make it work. Email me at WOTW@WyndhamWorldwide.com and share your tips and stories with other women dealing with the same issues.

Published: Endless Vacation May/June 2008 Issue