4 Ways Your EA Can Get You Travel-Ready and off on Vacation for the Summer Months
With the summer season warming up and COVID restrictions lifting, travel is once again on the books for people everywhere. Whether it's a weekend in a different city or a two-week trip to the beach, family vacations are one of the many things CEOs can hand off to their executive assistants to make the process seamless.
Traveling, while exciting, is a details-dense activity that requires planning and organization (and did we mention planning?). Having an executive assistant iron out the details and put together your itinerary can ensure you have a fun, personalized, and stress-free trip. Here are some ways your executive assistant can make your upcoming travel a breeze.
Create a full itinerary (that suits everyone)
Planning a family vacation means considering what's fun for everyone – from the teenager glued to their phone to the parents who need a break to the little ones who want to go to the pool (for the 30th time today).
Giving your EA information about everyone going on your trip will help them plan out and coordinate activities that suit everyone. Having a high-level look at your trip means your EA can figure out when and where everyone needs to be, and they can even arrange for childcare so parents can have a kid-free afternoon or evening.
You can ask your EA to book excursions and research local attractions to have tailored and authentic experiences. And, if you have family members with special needs, allergies, or other considerations, your EA can make sure everything is handled, so you don't have to worry about those small (but important!) details.
Bonus Tip: Ask your EA if they're available at certain times (right before or after flights) to act as your point person if trip details change at the 11th hour.
Schedule time off (without the last-minute scramble)
As a busy executive, planning out time for your next family vacation isn't always a top-of-mind priority. But even just letting your executive assistant know when you would like to take a trip means they will block off your calendar and adjust all the projects and deadlines to work around your time off. If your spouse is a busy professional too, your EA can work with their calendar or assistant to make sure everyone gets the same vacation week in July.
Carving out time in your calendar can also extend to packing. If you need an afternoon or even a couple of evenings to pack, your EA can make sure your clothes are back from the cleaners, and you have time blocked into your calendar to pack your bags.
Perhaps the cherry on top is that your EA can provide a packing list, too. No more stranded toothbrushes or forgotten deodorant sticks. They can even create a grocery list so you don’t forget the s’mores.
Get where you need to be (even if there's a rental car shortage)
Getting on and off flights is usually the big transportation obstacle we think about when planning a trip. But how to get around after you exit the plane is another hoop. And, given the current rental car shortage in many cities, having a reservation doesn't necessarily mean you'll get your car anyway.
Luckily, asking your EA to have a couple of backup options will ensure you don't become stranded at the airport or your hotel for the whole trip. Your EA can have ridesharing, private car services, and alternative transportation options ready and available if you need them.
Have your COVID testing handled (without the hassle)
While travel guidelines and restrictions are easing up most places, your EA can make sure you don't run into any issues while traveling.
Your EA can set up rapid pre and post-trip COVID testing, schedule a vaccination and double (and triple) check the travel guidelines for your destination.
BONUS!
+11 more ways your EA can get you travel-ready:
Ensure you have all necessary travel apps on your phone
Keep up to date on the frequent traveler programs you use
Have meal/snack, seating, and transportation preferences included in your travel itinerary
Gather restaurant recommendations
Create a list of additional activities in the area so you always have something fun to do during your downtime
Serve as the go-between with your travel agency (if using one)
Make arrangements for currency exchange
Create a list of overseas necessities – power adaptors, electrical cords, etc.
Compile a list of needed vaccines for overseas travel
Ensure traveler's insurance and phone plan covers the destinations
Build a master traveling file – copies of everyone's passports and driver's licenses, noteworthy information for emergency services and hospitals in the area, and prescriptions for any essential medications
