If you travel abroad for work: why, what, where?

[Twotwinpeaks]

I’m away on holiday at the moment abroad. I’ve never had a job requiring international travel and always find myself people watching at the airport. Lots of people are in work mode - suited, smartly dressed and on laptops. (I presume some of them are travelling to meetings, conferences, head offices, client networking.)

This is nothing but curiosity! It seems quite glam but I’m sure it gets tiresome and hard to be away from family. My questions are:

If you travel abroad for work, what sector or field are you in? What would be a typical ‘workday’ whilst abroad? Where do you tend to travel to generally (short haul/long haul) and finally do you enjoy it?

I hope it’s not too intrusive. I’m kind of in awe tbh 🫢

But seriously, what did you mean to say?

Not as much now as I used to, but when I do it's holiday destinations and I'm having meetings with suppliers or visiting hotels / resorts for familiarisation.

It's considerably harder work than people imagine it to be when I say I'm going to Ibiza on business, but our company are good at letting us factor in a proper day off while we're there if we want one, as there's benefit to being a tourist for the day as much as there is from the actual work.

And to answer 'do I enjoy it' - when I was free and single absolutely, I'd snap their hand off for every trip going.

Now I'm married, older, and have a more responsible / busy role in the company it's more tiresome, and tiring, being away from home. This summer I was away twice (10 days in total) in the space of 3 weeks and was very glad to be home at the end of it.

There are still nice moments having a lovely meal in a nice restaurant or a glass of wine on the balcony at the end of the day; or this year exploring Ibiza Dalt Villa after dinner one night with a colleague that also happens to be a great friend.