The New Business Traveler | Condé Nast Traveler

Paid partnership with Delta

There was a time when the term ‘business travel’ conjured images of navy suits, airport lounges, and hotel conference rooms. But in reality, all sorts of careers cause people to hit the road—and the skies—for a work trip. Perhaps even more so as we emerge from the pandemic, a time when remote work has given our schedules more flexibility, and shown us the endless potential in connecting with colleagues and collaborators all over the world—instead of just around the water cooler. And for those in creative fields, like chefs, designers, or writers, traveling for work is not just for meeting people, but a means of sampling exciting flavors, discovering new fabrics, or bookmarking alternative ways of thinking. It can also deepen connections to the places and people with whom you work with from afar, like Diaspora Co.’s Sana Javeri Kadri, who has used a recent string of trips to Kashmir to spend time with her spice company’s farm partners: “[On] sourcing trips, we can share and connect resources. We’re becoming part of the community.”

Keep reading for more on how Javeri Kadri, who spends six months out of the year in Mumbai, gets the most out of her work travel—as well as conversations with Rashad Frazier, founder of Portland-based adventure company Camp Yoshi, and designer Hopie Stockman, one half of textile brand Block Shop Textiles, about the scouting trips that have inspired them recently. Plus, contributor Tariro Mzezewa reports on the challenges parents face as they begin traveling for their jobs again, and we tap a range of travelers, all with very different jobs, for their tips, tricks, and product recommendations to make work travel—no matter what it might look like—go a little bit smoother.

The spice brand founder tells us about the responsibility that comes with participating in local communities as a visitor, being spoiled for life by eating Kashmiri cuisine at the source, and the beauty of early morning walks. 

Business travel today is not like it was before the pandemic—and there is no going back.

Planning adventure trips where Black travelers and their allies can unplug and reconnect with the outdoors requires careful vetting of sites, routes, food supplies, guides, and more, says Frazier.

Including travel-sized steamers, de-puffing under-eye patches, hydration packets, and hair perfume.

And reports on the rhythmic sounds of Block Shop blankets being hand-woven on looms.