Another area which has changed significantly in recent years is communications, and more specifically, communicating home or to the office when you are on vacation. I use a number of tools when travelling, each for a different purpose based on cost, reliability, etc. For the more mundane domestic US travel a cell phone is hardly a revelation. I could not recount the last time I used a hotel room phone or pay phone. My phone/PDA also delivers my voice mails as email attachments so I can easily listen to without calling my voicemail at the office (to discover I have no messages).
When travelling overseas I will buy a local SIM card for my cell phone so that I have a local number if I will be in that country for several days or expect to be making a number of local calls. It is now substantially easier to have US Carriers unlock cell phones than in the past. I called AT&T prior to a trip to Asia and they provided an unlock code within 5 days, it was very easy. Finally, for overseas travel I use Skype. Virtually all hotels have broadband internet access and I use Skype to stay in touch via video with home. It works extremely well and is no charge…the price is right. I also use Skype (their SkypeOut service) for calling back to the USA from overseas (2.5 cents/min). All in all, with the correct planning you should be able to remain in as much contact as you wish when travelling…all for a reasonable cost.
Keep an eye on Google Voice which is currently by invitation only following their acquisition of Gizmo5. I think this will be a great tool for inexpensive communications, particularly for international travelers.
The high cost of international roaming with a cell phone has recently caught people’s attention. This CNN story on the topic brings it all into perspective. You may get around these charges if you enroll in a roaming program with your cellular provider…in advance of travel!
A recent article in USA Today on Best Business Hotels also reminded me of the importance of knowing what services your hotel will reasonably provide. Our clients will mostly remain in contact with their offices while on an overseas golf vacation. A basic hotel may lower the cost of the trip but provides no support for their work requirements, such as a Business Center with internet accessed PC or printing capabilities.
About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+
