Enjoy some downtime in Sydney on your next work trip. Photo / Supplied
Enjoy some downtime in Sydney on your next work trip. Photo / Supplied
Business travel today is about more than the inside of an office or meeting room, thankfully.
Sixty-six per cent of Kiwi professionals ensure to make time for leisure activities on a business trip, and over half (57%) extend a trip by hours or days to enjoy their location, according to new research by Booking.com.
We've put together a list of the five most exciting locations for a business trip, as voted by Booking.com business travellers, as well as tips to make the most of your trip. Whether you've got a couple of free hours in between meetings or a few days to really explore, these activities will turn your business trip into a holiday to remember.
Sydney, Australia
With near perfect weather, a stunning coastline and a bursting contemporary art scene, Sydney is ideal to take advantage of a short trip. And just a quick three-hour flight from Auckland, you'll avoid wasting precious leisure time in stuffy airports.
Head to The Art Gallery of New South Wales to soak up some culture between meetings, followed by a trip to Sydney's thriving Darling Harbour or Surry Hills to experience the city's famous foodie scene. If you've got more time on your hands, enjoy a post-work drink in The Rocks. With open-air markets, street-food stalls and Australia's oldest pub, this funky little neighbourhood is sure to offer a night to remember.
is nestled in the historic Rocks district. Offering easy access to the airport and city centre, as well as dining and nightlife, you'll be strategically positioned to take advantage of all Sydney has to offer.
Paris, France
Paris, France. Photo / Supplied
Chic, sophisticated and artsy, business travellers passionate about culture and gastronomy will adore the city of love.
Learn about the famous French art scene at the Louvre or Centre Pompidou's Musée National d'Art Moderne. Admire the elegant Parisian fashionistas as you stroll the Champs-Elysees. Bond with your colleagues over exquisite wine and French cuisine at the Le Jules Verne Restaurant, with panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower. Whether you have hours or days of leisure time, you're bound to find lots to do in this iconic city.
are perfect for business travellers looking for a home-away-from-home setting with local attractions at their doorstep.
New York, USA
Brooklyn bridge and Manhattan at dusk. Photo / Supplied
The city that never sleeps is the ultimate destination for those who work hard and play hard. As America's business hub, as well as the centre of fashion, nightlife, theatre and food, there's something for everyone in New York — and at every hour.
Take your lunch break in the famous Central Park, where you can ice skate, sail and even explore a castle. In the evening, make like a local and enjoy a tipple at one of the many Manhattan rooftop bars. We recommend the tropical garden paradise bar, Delancey Lounge. And if you want to revel in New York's diverse multi-culturalism, spend the day at ocean-side Brighton Beach taking in authentic Russian food and culture.
New York EDITION. Photo / Supplied
Where to stay:
With a lobby bar serving bespoke cocktails and located steps from Madison Square Park and the famous Italian food marketplace, Eataly, the
Known as much for its neon, futuristic skyline as it is for spiritual temples, Tokyo embraces its history while pushing the envelope of innovation.
Unwind from work with a trip to Tokyo's oldest temple, Senso-ji. Spend your evening gazing over the city's beautiful sky-line late into the evening at one of the many observation decks. Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and Tokyo Skytree all provide stunning views across the city. To eat like a local, visit '"Yakitori Street" under Yurakucho station, lined with yakitori restaurants, as well as popular Japanese 'tapas' style bars.
Granbell Hotel Tokyo. Photo / Supplied
Where to stay:
Situated in the lively Kabukicho area in Shinjuku,
offers modern and stylish rooms with unique design concepts. Within walking distance of the train stations, shopping and local food, the rooftop bar is also a great place to survey the scene before hitting Shinjuku nightlife.
View of Rome from Castel Sant'Angelo, Italy. Photo / Supplied
A historic epicentre with ancient architecture dating back 3000 years, Rome is a draw for those wishing to get lost in the passage of time.
The Colosseum and Roman Palatine are 'must-see' sites. Another essential trip in between appointments is the climb up Michelangelo's Cordonata to view Ancient Rome from the most important of its seven hills. A stone's throw from Piazza Venezia, ancient and modern worlds collide at Palazzo Valentini, where archaeological remains of Roman houses are transformed into a multi-media experience with a virtual tour, sound effects and lasers. End your history-filled day with dinner on the world's smallest inhabited island, the Isola Tiberina, in the middle of the River Tiber.
boasts an incredible location in Rome's cultural heart — perfect for business travellers wishing to stay near famous attractions, as well as great food.
*Booking.com for Business, the global leader in connecting business travellers with the widest choice of places to stay, surveyed 17,000 working professionals from 24 countries — across a breadth of professions — to reveal the top business travel destinations, as well as business and leisure travel preferences by profession. The cities included here were identified by respondents as representing "the most exciting business travel opportunity." **These findings reflect working professionals' survey responses to the question "How do you spend or plan to spend your leisure time during business trips?"
