Spotlight_Vol 23_Issue_1

HOW TO USE THE INTERNET FOR TRAVEL PLANNING TRAVEL TIME T he internet has been playing an increasing- by Teresa Siqueira

allows customers all over the world to pay for tickets in instalments on over 600 airlines. This allows the customers to easily budget their travel costs by placing their flight tickets on layaway. See it first with AR and VR Augmented reality and virtual reality can be great tools for travel planning. You can transport yourself anywhere in the world without leaving your home. Even apps on your phone can handle this. Google Street views and 360 YouTube videos can show you any corner of the world. With a VR system, you can explore these places virtually and discover places you need to see in person. Making Reservations Online 101 It’s essential to do a security check-up before booking online reservations. There are scams and dodgy sites throughout the Internet. Protect yourself from these by using a VPN when you search. A VPN, or virtual private network, hides your IP address and location from potential hackers. A VPN is also a must when using public WiFi as you travel.

Budgeting A budget is the best way to keep your spending in check while traveling. The best budgets account for all aspects of travel — including souvenirs, meals, snacks, entertainment, transport, and a contingency fund for the unexpected. Depend- ing on the type of trip, you might be able to find a specialty budgeting tool (such as this Disney World Cost Calculator) to ensure you’ve account- ed for everything. Mint is an excellent free app that will help you manage your cash while out adventuring. When building a budget, remember that each vacation is different, and no budget fits every - one’s needs. You’ll want to adjust your budget template to suit your needs. For example, you might spend more on fine exotic dining, save on food costs, and use your money for thrilling experiences instead. We acknowledge that purchasing a plane ticket can be expensive and can sometimes be finan - cially burdensome. Alternative Airlines has a great solution for this, the travel booking website

ly prominent role in planning vacations as the travel industry grows. From the initial research to booking each aspect of the trip, the internet is making national and international travel easier than ever before. According to STRATOS, 82% of all travel bookings were completed without human inter- action. And many websites — such as Google, Expedia, and AirBNB — are making strides in the online travel industry. That’s why there’s never been a better time to plan your next vacation from the comfort of your home. Kicking off the Planning The first step of vacation planning is deciding what trip you want. The many types of vacations – solo trips, family vacations, adventurous expe- riences, and cultural excursions – are all very different ways to experience the world. From pet-friendly travel to business ventures, your plans will form based on your chosen vacation type.

If you’re unsure where to go, try searching for some specifics. For example, if you know when you want to travel, what destinations are best during that time of year? Try the same method if you want to experience specific events and amazing weather or if you want to stay within a specific budget. Maybe you just want to sit on a beach somewhere affordable, and you can find where that is with some quick research. If you’re traveling to a location where people don’t speak English, try learning some of their language. Numerous apps will help you as you dive into a new language. You can also read articles, use translation services, and even find others online who speak the language and would love to help out.

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VOL 23 ISSUE 1 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE

SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • VOL 23 ISSUE 1

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