23/08/10
ABN: 41 128 294 299 - Tel: + 61 2 9029 0429 - email AIM Overseas
The Sydney Morning Herald
May 20, 2009
Business Travel, special report, p.3
Interview by Melinda Ham
Photo: Angela Brkic
Marine Hautemont
Hautemont is the director of the Australian Institute for Mobility Overseas, which organises international exchanges for Australian university students.
She takes at least six international and 20 domestic business trips a year.
Club Class
In For the Long Haul
What are your favourite business travel destinations and why?
Everywhere has its ups and downs, but Europe is always hard to beat - especially over their summer when it’s daylight until 10 or 11pm. Great food, coffee, culture and cities make that downtime more enjoyable.
Which is your favourite Airport in the world and why?
Singapore Changi airport is by far my favourite. It's clean, easy to get around and the facilities are great: hotels, cinema, restaurants, you name it. The free wireless internet is very handy. The place has been totally conceived with the bleary-eyed long-haul passenger in mind.
Adelaide is the best airport in Australia for its ease of use (free wifi, easy access to the city, lack of confined spaces)…and, critically, the best chocolate shop.
What are airport "must-haves"?
Good transportation between terminals and to and from the city. Free wireless internet, a good airport lounge and different eateries.
Which is your favourite Hotel in the world and why?
The Camino Real in Mexico City has everything, the rooms are luxurious but not pretentious and it’s in a great location. It’s one of those places designed so you don’t have to go anywhere – 6 restaurants, 5 bars and great bathrooms.
What are "must-haves" for hotels?
The best hotels are all about good location and great staff. Everything else follows. For frequent travellers: access to a real room-service meal after midnight.
What are the occupational hazards for a business traveller?
Burnout. Going to meetings all day, catching up on emails and the day’s work late into the evening, and getting up at 6am the next day to catch the next flight. People who don’t travel for work just see the glamour of it. Travelling is enjoyable, but in a work context it can be quite stressful.
What are your secrets for beating them?
Pamper yourself from time to time. Take a hot bath, go for a nice dinner or get room service, and read a book. Staying sane is definitely part of the work-travel game.
What is your worst travel experience and how did you make it through?
Losing my passport in Korea 3 days before Easter. Between meetings I had to race to the French and Australian embassies to sort out the paperwork; email, fax and call Australia; and then hope I wouldn’t be stuck alone in Seoul for four days until the embassies reopened.
What was the funniest experience you've had as a business traveller?
Not speaking the language of a country can lead to funny experiences. In Japan, the toilets are equipped with lots of buttons to heat the seat etc… One time at a convention I hit the wrong button and instead of the flush set off an alarm that brought a flood of people racing into the bathroom.