With companies reducing or completely slashing travel budgets, businesses that rely on in-person networking events and conferences for revenue or brand exposure will have to adopt different ways to reach customers. One obvious solution is to go online. But how does one replicate offline event experiences virtually? What will the costs and revenue be?
Event organisers and suppliers share their tips to successfully run virtual events — and the pitfalls to avoid. Virtual events need not just be a replacement for cancelled events; they can become a part of a company’s long-term strategy.
1. Allocate enough time and resources
For events to deliver return on investment (ROI), companies need to commit enough budget and resources, said Ben Chodor, president of Intrado Digital Media.
“Although virtual events can be turned over fairly quickly if necessary, we often find that there’s a misconception around time to market for large-scale events,” he said. “A strong virtual event can require the same level of planning as a physical one.”
2. Choose an event format that’s tailored to your goals
There are numerous virtual event formats, from webinars, webcasts, and videoconferences to formats that mimic physical spaces such as 3D conferences or virtual trade shows. Companies should assess the different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to cost and effectiveness.
“Always keep attendees top of mind. Tailor technology to their ability to consume it. If this is their first virtual event, start with a simple, clean format and focus on engaging your audience,” said Brad Langley, vice-president of channel and partner management at cloud-based event management software company Aventri.
3. Plan your content
With online, content takes centre stage. Although virtual events are easy to access, they are competing with a growing number of other online events.
If the event is a replacement for an in-person event, a key consideration will also be how to transition your content to online.
Richard Roocroft, director of global sales for remote simultaneous translation service Interprefy, said that removing language barriers should be an ongoing goal for event organisers and managers across the globe. “Not only does doing so bolster the quality of content and engagement received, it also helps set events apart,” he said.
4. Don’t underestimate technical barriers
With virtual events, companies need to reduce potential technical obstacles as much as possible.
“The most challenging part of conducting an event online is how to engage the audience, especially a large audience. No doubt there are limitations. The audience may jump in and out frequently due to technical reasons and easily lose track of the conversations,” said Jasper Chung, ACMA, CGMA, head of corporate development, Asia Pacific, at The New York Times, who plans live events for the news company.
To prevent the audience quitting an event over blurry images or broken audio, he recommends companies invest in tried-and-tested technology.
Speakers also shouldn’t be overlooked, suggested Sarah Tan, one of the market development managers for Canadian e-commerce company Shopify. The company hosts regular online meetups to spark customer engagement, and Tan always does a one-on-one dry run with each speaker, to demonstrate how to use the platform.
“In virtual events the content is front and centre, so it’s critical that what is said flows coherently for the listener to take away the most value,” she said.
5. Have a strong marketing plan
“Virtual events need a strong marketing and promotional plan. This includes ensuring that there’s enough runway for promotion to create buzz and engagement to generate word-of-mouth and drive sign-ups,” Chodor said.
Costs saved from venues and logistics can be invested in online marketing instead. Chodor suggests marketing messaging should focus on the value of the event for attendees — the quality of content, calibre of speakers, and key learnings that the event will provide.
6. Create a strategy to monetise the event that leverages online strengths
Experts mentioned that monetisation for virtual events works similarly to in-person events and that there are more opportunities for enhanced visibility throughout every stage of an online event.
“There are virtual exhibit halls, sponsor spaces, premium directories, rotating ad banners, sponsored networking lounges, and more. Live chat lobbies, product demos, and one-on-one video conversations with suppliers create immersive showroom experiences, while helping organisations achieve their financial goals,” Langley said.
When it comes to crafting sponsorship packages, online event organisers should think in terms of value the event can generate for sponsors and advertisers, said Djoann Fal, CEO and founder of GetLinks, a tech talent platform.
“I don’t think price really depends on whether it is online or offline; price depends on the valuable interaction the audience will have with the brand,” Fal said. “If a beer company is sponsoring an offline event, they would get their brand out there, but they wouldn’t get the data of the attendees and demographics and be able to remarket them later.”
7. Tool up and connect with suppliers and virtual providers
Many companies specialise in online events, such as all-in-one live events platform Hopin. Cloud-based software company Aventri has event management technology for both offline and online events. Intrado provides its clients with an end-to-end software for hosting events and managing virtual event data. Interprefy offers simultaneous interpretations in multiple languages, allowing attendees to listen to events in the language of their choice through a mobile app or through integration with virtual conference platforms.
Software products can help planners and CFOs gain visibility into spend, savings, and overall ROI for virtual and face-to-face events.
According to Fal, companies that cannot find a suitable platform should consider creating their own and implement features to help them track the data most essential to their organisation.
8. Leverage the increased access to online data
For virtual events, the work afterwards is a key part of monetising the event. Companies can and should make use of data analytics and business intelligence.
“Not leveraging event data is a major missed opportunity. Events today capture a goldmine of attendee engagement data and store it all in one place,” Chodor said.
This means that companies considering virtual events shouldn’t think of them as a one-and-done deal, but factor in the entire flow of the data performance afterwards and consider ways to engage the audience after the event.
“Having run a few virtual events, I think we’ll increasingly measure the effectiveness of such initiatives through engagement and audience participation rather than registrations and participants,” Tan said.
Managing cost and revenue for online events
Cost and revenue for virtual events may look different for online events. The content can even be made available to paying customers and continue to pay back over a longer time period. But online content is not necessarily cheaper to produce.
“Virtual events definitely save on travel, meeting space, onsite staff, badging, printers, and onsite audiovisual rentals. They also mitigate risks associated with travel,” Langley said. “That being said, buyers today are grossly overestimating savings on moving face-to-face events to virtual formats.”
He encourages organisations to set proper expectations in terms of spend and to track where the expenses are going.
“Whether an event is virtual or face-to-face, many C-suite executives and meeting professionals lack visibility into the spend. They miss opportunities to optimise buying power and reduce costs,” Langley said.
Chung at The New York Times thinks that moving events online is a smart way to balance risks and minimise loss.
“Instead of assessing the one-off event as a stand-alone profit and loss, event organisers should take a holistic view by weighing [the event] together with other benefits and nonfinancial indicators,” he said.
These include the number of quality clients and guests in the line-up, incremental profits that could be driven by the same group of clients in the long term, and publicity, such as media coverage. “The traffic numbers such as number of views and users are essentially the branding exposure,” he said.
The case for hybrid events
Given the potential benefits of online events, there is a strong case for giving them a permanent place in your company’s strategy. “In the short term, hosting virtual equivalents will provide business continuity during these disruptive times,” Roocroft said.
“I do believe that when things settle event organisers should take a blended approach and keep the virtual audience in mind for greater reach. Virtual events could well be a powerful marketing extension to attract delegates to join in person,” he said.
Chung compares online and offline event presence and experiences to omnichannel strategy in the retail industry — both are essential to consumers.
“Online events will not fade out but will be complementary to on-site, face-to-face events in the long run. And it has become more important than ever,” he said.
— Anne Somanas is a freelance journalist based in Thailand. To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Alexis See Tho, an FM magazine associate editor, at Alexis.SeeTho@aicpa-cima.com.
Steaming geysers, endless deserts and intriguing ghost towns: a road trip through northern Chile guarantees surprising discoveries.
From Santiago to Iquique
Stretching more than 4200 km from north to south, Chile is in some places only 180 km wide, making it the narrowest country in the world. Because of Chile’s stretched out geography, a circular tour is not an option. Travellers must choose to either go north or south. We bring you some of the highlights of northern Chile; from the dynamic capital Santiago to the laidback beach resort of Iquique.
Santiago de Chile
A metropolis with character
Begin your trip with a visit to Santiago de Chili, the vibrant capital of Chile, nestled at the foot of the majestic Andes mountains. You can easily spend a few days exploring this metropolis that is as diverse as the country itself. The Plaza de Armas, the largest square, is the heart of the city. Here you will find the impressive Cathedral Metropolitana.
For trendy restaurants, hip coffee bars and street art, head to Bellavista, the city’s most fun neighbourhood. From here you can take the cable-car to the top of the Cerro San Cristobal. The 300-metre-high viewpoint offers incredible views of the city.
Valparaíso
Chile’s most colourful city
Valparaíso is on everyone’s must-see list! Perched on a bay on the Pacific Ocean, this colourful port city is spread across 42 hills. The houses are painted every colour of the rainbow, creating a lively and vibrant explosion of colour. The many hills are interconnected by winding alleyways, impressive stairs and lifts that whisk you to the top of the hills.
The Atacama desert
The driest desert in the world
Dry, drier, driest: the Atacama is the driest desert on earth and in many places resembles a Martian landscape. One of the best spots to get the full experience is at Valle de La Luna, or Lunar Valley. The many bizarre rock and sand formations have been sculpted over time by wind erosion. The enormous salt flat in Los Flamencos reserve also evokes a surreal atmosphere. But the Atacama is not dry everywhere: on the Altiplano (the highland), you will find the magical blue lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques.
El Tatio Geysers
Head in the clouds
Watching eighty geysers at the El Tatio geyser field blow their steam high into the air is an incredible experience. Located above 4000 metres, these geysers in the Atacama desert are also the highest in the world. It’s worth getting up at the crack of dawn because at sunrise the geysers’ steamy misty clouds create a magical and picture-perfect sight.
Oficina Humberstone
A deserted mining town
Are you a fan of ghost towns? Then make sure to add Oficina Humberstone to your itinerary. At the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, this mining town was one of the largest nitrate mines in Chile. In its heyday, this town was home to 3500 people.
In the 1930s the mining industry collapsed and Humberstone gradually emptied out, becoming a ghost town. The homes of the former miners are still well preserved. In addition to an empty swimming pool, there are an old hotel and a local school, complete with desks. Today, Humberstone is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Iquique
Laidback surfers’ paradise
Only an hour further up, you come to Iquique, a city surrounded by vast deserts, sand dunes and endless white beaches. Known for its casual laidback vibe, Iquique is a surfers’ paradise.
The towering sand dunes that frame the city are perfect for sandboarding and dune buggy safaris. Iquique is also a great spot to unwind before travelling on to Peru or Bolivia. Or you can hop on a plane back to Santiago.
Travel incentive programs have been used as a tool to motivate and engage employees since the 1970s. In recent years, experiential rewards such as travel have been growing in popularity.
Managers and human resources executives in both the private and public sectors are waking up to the fact that, in terms of motivators, modern employees are much more incentivized by meaningful, personalized perks. Money, bonuses, and raises simply don’t offer the same value or long-term benefits. In fact, according to one report, when rewarded with travel incentives, employees generally feel much more appreciated and trusted, resulting in greater loyalty towards their organizations. Furthermore, it’s been shown that younger generations, and Millennials, in particular, value experiences over material possessions.
Below, we will explore in detail the advantages and benefits of corporate incentive travel to employees and organizations.
1. Travel Incentives Motivate Employees to Constantly Deliver and Improve
Every organization in the world wants to fill its ranks with engaged, motivated employees who are constantly striving to improve and deliver beyond expectations. But finding methods and means of inspiring employees to perform is an ongoing struggle. As each year passes, new information comes to light and trends emerge that shed light on innovative ways to motivate staff. Increasingly, it’s becoming clear that experiential rewards are hugely effective as a motivational tool — much more so than cash.
It’s been shown that travel incentive programs can increase productivity by an incredible 18%. Travel can create a sense of anticipation; a great reward in trying times. It can be, in many ways, the focus or “light at the end of the tunnel”, inspiring discretionary effort and motivation during late nights or tough times. Furthermore, employees who have already benefited from travel incentives will remember their experiences — the exotic locations, the delicious food, the exciting activities — and they will work hard to benefit once more. This is great news for the company and for productivity levels in general.
If your employees are content, fulfilled, and engaged at the office, they will want to stick around for years to come. – EPPIE SHEPHERD
2. Experiential Rewards Can be Customised and Tailored
We know that reward and recognition are important in terms of motivation, performance, and engagement. Equally, we know that employees are individuals and there is no “one size fits all” solution to employee incentives. What inspires one person might bore another. An exciting safari destination might be ideal for one adventurer, while a luxurious beach holiday might be what another employee is looking for. Incentive travel programs allow companies an important degree of customization, which demonstrates to your workforce that you have taken the time to get to know them. It also shows them that your company genuinely cares about them as people — they are not simply another cog in the machine.
Similarly, incentive travel can be customized depending on the size and financial resources of an organization. They can be tailored from budget to luxury — remember that being careful with money doesn’t mean that perks are any less meaningful.
3. Travel Incentives Allow Employees to Tick Items off Their Bucket List — Guilt-Free
Incentive travel is successful, in large part, because it taps into our innate human instinct for exploration. Most people love to go on an adventure, but so few manage to take the time to get away and explore. This is often the case even if we have enough money to indulge — this is because almost every single employee has life commitments that demand money and investment.
Travel incentive programs allow employees to tick items off their bucket list without the associated guilt.
4. The Gift of Travel Is More Memorable Than Money
According to the Journal of Economic Psychology, when given the choice in the abstract, employees generally choose cash rewards over non-cash rewards. However, when presented with a specific non-cash reward, employees quickly change their minds.
When employees are given cash rewards, more often than not, this cash goes towards mundane payments. It goes towards paying off a loan or towards the electricity bill. A year on, it’s unlikely that the average employee will remember what they spent their cash bonuses on. Experiential rewards are different. Pictures are taken, mementos are bought and memories are made. You can guarantee that a trip to a never-before-visited location will remain with an employee for much longer than its equivalent in pounds.
5. Travel Incentive Programmes Can Enhance Company Culture and Reputation…
If your company gains a reputation for looking after its employees, it can seriously improve and enhance your company culture. Not only is your company offering employees great perks through incentive travel, but they are also acknowledging the importance of healthy breaks away from the office.
Employees need to take regular breaks in order to perform at their best. In fact, we tend to be at our most productive after a holiday. Providing great opportunities for long-deserved breaks away from work will help your company develop a reputation for promoting and supporting mental wellness and health.
6. …Thereby Facilitating Recruitment Efforts
Of course, companies with excellent company cultures and glowing reputations generally do better in terms of recruitment. Given that the war on talent is ongoing and unemployment is at a record low, recruitment and retention is something that is a priority for all modern businesses.
When employees feel valued, appreciated and accepted, they are likely to share their employee experiences online through sites such as Glassdoor. Over time, your company will begin to attract the best and brightest. Incentive travel can be a great weapon in your arsenal.
7. Travel Incentive Programmes Improve Company Loyalty and Morale
As we mentioned, retention is an ongoing concern for all businesses. Travel can work wonders, leaving employees feeling more rested, less anxious and more included. Studies have shown that when employees return from holidays, they are happier for weeks afterward. Morale is key in terms of retention. If your employees are content, fulfilled and engaged at the office, they will want to stick around for years to come.
Upgrade your virtual view with our pick of some of the best hotels to dream about now, and book for later. Soak up the serenity of the Indian Ocean, the skyline of Barcelona, and the tranquility of Lake Lucerne…and more.
The fashion forward, sleek and chic, adults only Amàre Hotel Ibiza epitomises distinctive design, stylish sophistication and fun. Located on the beach front of the beautiful Bou Cove, the hotel’s rooftop has incredible views across the ocean; by day, soak up the sunshine with a drink in hand and as night falls, the rooftop becomes one of the best spots on the island to catch the famous Ibizan sunset.
For more information: https://www.amarehotels.com/amare-ibiza/
Take a moment to pause at Rebar, The Slate Phuket’s authentic Japanese restaurant Rivet’s sister lounge bar. After indulging in fresh Sashimi and sizzling Wagyu at Rivet, Rebar offers signature cocktails overlooking the tropical Thailand sky. A design-led hotel set nearby the pure shores of Nai Yang Beach, The Slate designed by Bill Bensley is a sublime sanctuary of art and illusion as industrial elements and whimsical design combine for a highly unique guest experience.
To book or for more information, please visit www.theslatephuket.com
Perched above a picturesque cove offering breath-taking views of the Datça Peninsula, where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean, D-Maris Bay offers the best sunset views in Southwest Turkey from their infinity pool overlooking Green Hill panoramic point. Home to a variety of both indoor and outdoor pools surrounded by lush forests, towering mountain ranges and turquoise waters, D-Maris Bay also offers the secluded luxury of five private white-sand beaches. Enjoy windsurfing, kayaking or catamaran sailing, before returning to refuel at one of the five scenic restaurants back at the resort, including the contemporary Japanese restaurant, Zuma.
To book and for further information, please visit www.dmarisbay.com
As the sole resort on the Shaviyani Atoll, guests of Fairmont Maldives can enjoy uninterrupted views over the Indian Ocean with a stay in one of the Grand Water Sunset Villas. Experience a true sense of tranquillity with the sound of lapping waves on loop and a private terrace complete with plunge pool and direct access to the deep blue. Set within the largest resort lagoon in the Maldives, guests can rub shoulders with the 250 species of tropical fish, manta rays and turtles that patrol the coral house reef.
To book and for further information visit: https://www.fairmont.com/maldives/
Soak up panoramic views of the quaint town of Rovinj from Grand Park Hotel’s Grand Sea View Room. With a glass of Istria’s finest red in hand, lounge on the wraparound deck and watch as the sun sets behind the spiral steeple of Rovinj’s hilltop church. Famed for its truffles, wine and olive oil, Istria makes for the perfect weekend getaway for travellers seeking delicious cuisine with a side of culture.
To book and for further information visit: https://www.maistra.com/grand-park-hotel-rovinj
Sit back and relax with a glass of bubbly in hand as you soak in the views from one of the Junior Penthouse Suites at Zafiro Palace Alcúdia. The hotel’s most exclusive rooms are set across two floors and come with a rooftop panoramic terrace, a private Jacuzzi, Bali bed and breathtaking views across the island of Mallorca. Beautifully positioned in the traditional village of Alcúdia, the hotel is an all-suite resort where adults can enjoy moments of well-deserved bliss; whether from the swim up Wet bar for a cocktail post swim, on a bali bed at the adults-only Oasis Pool or with a massage in the Zen, Spa and Wellness Centre.
For more information: https://www.zafirohotels.com/en/hotels/zafiro-palace-alcudia/
A beautiful rural restaurant and beach club perched on a cliff edge overlooking the Sol den Serra bay, Amante Ibiza boasts an idyllic backdrop surrounded by lush greenery, with panoramic views of Ibiza’s untouched North Eastern coast. Guests can enjoy meditation and yoga classes by day as well as fine dining with fresh, plant-based ingredients sourced from Amante’s very own vegetable garden, and outdoor cinema nights overlooking the moonlit Mediterranean Sea by night. A beautiful and atmospheric open-air film screening, Amante Ibiza’s floodlit rocks, fine wine and fresh popcorn provide the perfect spot for a laid-back luxury moment.
To book and for further information, please visit https://www.amanteibiza.com
Famed for its picturesque sunrise hot air balloon journeys, an alternative way to experience panoramic views of Turkey’s magical Cappadocia is at heritage hotel argos in Cappadocia’s SEKI Restaurant. Offering undistributed views of the honeycombed hills and magical fairy chimneys on the hilltop village of Uçhisar, SEKI Restaurant is dressed in rustic chic style décor, furnished with age-old artefacts. Enjoy Traditional Turkish cuisine made from seasonal produce sourced from the hotel garden, before retreating to a cosy cave room, emerging from a 2000-year-old network of ancient ruins, caves and underground tunnels.
To book and for further information, please visit www.argosincappadocia.com
Bask in the tranquil views of Lake Lucerne, Switzerland from the comfort of your super king size bed in Chenot Palace Weggis’ Deluxe Suite. Located at the foot of the Swiss Alps, the renowned Chenot brands new flagship property is set to open in June 2020 and will comprise a 5,000 sq. metre state-of-the-art medical, diagnostics, spa and fitness centre along with 97 luxury lakeview rooms and bespoke programmes for each guest. The palace will also be home to a series of sleep rooms with special acoustics and lighting to optimise sleeping hours, as well as ceramic fibre bed linen which converts body heat into energy, making this heavenly setting the perfect place to rest and rejuvenate.
To book or for further information, please visit www.chenotpalaceweggis.com
Home to some of the most spacious rooms and suites in the city, Nobu Hotel Barcelona offers jaw-dropping views across the vibrant city and blue Mediterranean below. The hotel’s Sake Suites ooze space, style and sophistication, located between the 15th and 22nd floor guests can opt from gazing out the window from the bedroom, the bathtub, or expansive living room.
For more information: https://barcelona.nobuhotels.com
A home away from home, the villas at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain are set on the seafront of this exotic island paradise, each come with their own private pool, direct villa to beach access, three lush bedrooms and a 24 hour butler on hand at the push of a button – should you need. Set a stone’s throw from the historic heart of Manama, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain is a luxurious base from which to explore this vibrant corner of the world.
For more information: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/middle-east/bahrain
The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is Southwest Florida’s only beachfront resort with an on-site championship golf course, world-class spa and award-winning tennis center. Offering an incredible setting, the 319-room resort features 34,000 square feet of meeting space, many picturesque outdoor event venues, a Jack Nicklaus-designed championship golf course, world-class spa, tennis center with 6 Har-Tru courts, a beachfront pool complex, multiple restaurants and bars, a complimentary Beach Kids Club child activity program, and retail shops. Guests also benefit from no resort fees, complimentary self-parking and valet parking, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
For more information: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/middle-east/bahrain
Acqualina Resort & Residences presents its “Bringing Acqualina To You” virtual series sharing ideas and making its unique amenities available for you and your family members to enjoy in the comforts and safety of home. In the first series, Acqualina camp counselor Regis creates a cool shark craft inspired by their Feisty Fish marine theme, one of 7 unique ocean themes as part of Acqualina’s camp curriculum. You can download a printable version of the template for the kids and watch the step-by-step video on Acqualina’s Lifestyle Blog by visiting www.acqualinaresort.com. Check back on their website for more episodes and share your creative projects so we can all be together at this time through #AcqualinaLearning #Acqualina.
For more information: https://www.acqualinaresort.com
Sail the Norwegian Coast Virtually: Every day Hurtigruten is releasing one episode from the NRK broadcast “Hurtigruten Minute by Minute”—Taking you all the way from Bergen to Kirkenes. Anyone is welcome to join via this link
Hurtigruten Insiders Virtual Voyage: Guests’ ability to turn something negative into positive is truly inspirational. Head over to Hurtigruten Insiders group, there is a virtual cruise organized by guests.
Las Vegas is full of bright lights and in January full of bright sparks too. We visited the CES technology show this year and bring you this round-up of smart bags. Prepare to raise an eyebrow at the sheer level of technology packed into a piece of luggage.
Ovis hands-free carry on case
The Forward X robotics company have come up with a nifty carry-on bag that rolls alongside you as you walk. It is the world’s first AI-powered case that uses computer vision technology, artificial neural network algorithms and multi-sensor fusion that can move around obstacles and continue moving beside you – that’s just how it rolls.
You pop a smartband onto your wrist and it will let you know if your case is more than six feet away. It also has Quick-touch manual mode for use on stairs or escalators. It comes with a 93.6Wh removable battery with two USB ports for charging your phone or tablet.
It is available in four colours – white, black, silver and blue – and costs from $640.00
This lightweight aluminium carry-on thinks it is a laptop table on wheels. It has been designed with a flat top to use as a work table. It can also charge your laptop and mobile phone (the latter up to 10 times). Inside there are several organizational bags so your items can be packed more efficiently and double locks means it stays securely shut. It is partnered with a mobile app which notifies you in real-time about the whereabouts of your suitcase and even if someone has opened it when it’s out of your sight.
A nice touch is that a light comes on when you open the case in the dark. It comes in two colours, silver and black and costs $345.00 with free shipping.
Modobag is a carry-on that is designed to carry you. At a press of a button, it turns into a battery-powered scooter yet is surprisingly lightweight – 20lbs – even though it is carrying a lithium battery. It is easy to manoeuvre and comes with a throttle, brake, and steer using the easy-to-access telescoping handlebar. And a cushioned seat. It has a side panel to stow your laptop and dual 5V USB ports to charge your devices.
How fast does it go? Top speed is eight miles an hour and it will have enough charge to keep you mobile for eight miles – enough to get you from end of the airport to the other. Price $1,495.00.
This carry-on cum scooter is made of aluminium with a robust laptop compartment. It’s pretty agile too able to reach speeds of up to 15 mph and range of 15 miles per charge. Scoocase has it’s own mobile app connecting via bluetooth which displays speed, distance travelled, distance left on current battery level, power consumption, temperature, ballast or RPN (revolutions per minute).
The app even has map location that lets you know if you will be able to reach your destination with the available battery level. The app will also tell you if the case has separated from you. Incidentally, the scooter part can be separated and used as a skateboard.
More a carry-around than a carry-on, fanny packs are a travellers friend. Small enough to be mobile and big enough to carry essentials. Now they have become even more useful. This Side Pocket 100 per cent wireless charging travel fanny pack from Ampere comes with a built-in wireless input/output 13,400mAh power bank.
You slip your device into a hidden pocket dedicated to the power bank for cord-free charging. It is fitted with waterproof zips and outer shell, RFID blocking sleeve, padded back, hand strap, power bank battery indicator window, key fob and pen holder.
The Fanny Travel Bag is available from January 18th in black but if you want yellow or navy one you can pre-order for shipping in March, 2020. Costs $119.00
Intimate sleeping pods designed by sleepbox have been installed at Dulles International Airport in Washington DC by architecture studio //3877. Sleepbox has 16 bookable nap rooms that are available for hire for a minimum of one hour, to offer travellers a place to rest in privacy.
