Sep 4, 2008

Getting Lost on Business

Over the years, we’ve frequently been told to get lost. Now a new study shows that getting lost and the delays it causes are a serious problem for many business travelers. According to a survey commissioned by Avis, nearly three-fourths (70 percent) of travelers consider getting lost to be very or extremely inconvenient, which leads you to wonder what’s up with the other 30 percent. Do they relish the random nature of not knowing where they are and where they’re going? Are they confident of finding serendipitous adventures along the way?

Getting lost while in the car isn’t the only problem either. The study of travel delays also found that one in five renters experience yet another avoidable delay: getting lost while walking around.

“Anyone who’s tried to find a destination on foot in an unfamiliar city knows how easy it can be to lose one’s bearings. And safety concerns can sometimes make travelers cautious about asking for directions,” said Thomas M. Gartland, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Avis Budget Group, parent of Avis. “This can be avoided thanks to our new slimmer, portable Where2 [GPS navigation] units, which can operate on batteries and fit comfortably in a pocket, purse or briefcase. Now, not only can people avoid getting lost while walking, but they can discover points of interest within walking distance of their hotel to further help them make the most of their business trips.”

The new Where2 navigation device also offers real-time traffic alerts in 25 major destinations, which can help the 51 percent of business travelers who describe traffic delays as very or extremely inconvenient. Other major inconveniences identified in the study were “waiting in line to pay tolls” and “sitting in traffic.” “Lack of good-looking women” was an inconvenience not cited in the survey, but the study also found that 28 percent more women report “getting lost while driving” compared to men -- which could mean they are more honest than men.