ASK feBT

Vijay Chadda - Chief Operating Officer, BTI-Sita, India answers your queries...

Wondering about your travel options? Seeking answers to specific issues? Simply ASK feBUSINESS TRAVELLER for a plausible solution... Address your queries to editor@businesstravellerindia.com or write in to The Editor, feBusiness Traveller

Q1. I am a corporate travel manager for a Delhi-based company. I would like to know what Kenya offers if we wish to hold a convention there? How economically viable is it?

- Alok Sharma, Delhi

Kenya offers a good combination for business and leisure, in case you are interested in wild life tourism. The economic viability, however, is purely related to the event budget, but keeping the air fare and hotel tariff in view it would be certainly more expensive than South-East Asian destinations like Thailand or Malaysia.

Q2. I am going on a business trip to Europe and plan to self-drive. Is it a wise thing to do, considering cost and safety? What is required in terms of documentation?

- Pallavi Nair, Chennai

Yes indeed, self-driving in Europe is a good idea. However, do remember that in Europe one drives on the right side of the road except in the UK. It is mandatory to have an International Driving License. The additional requirements are a valid passport and visa for the countries you want to drive through. The Schengen visa is valid for 16 countries and additionally a separate visa may be required if your travel takes you to Switzerland and UK.

Q3. Post-budget, has there been an change in the amount of foreign currency I can carry, whilst going abroad? My credit card is internationally valid. Is that over and above the cash that I am allowed to carry?

- Bhavesh Joshi, Ahmedabad

There has been no change in the Basic Travel Quota (for leisure travel) post budget. The entitlement per person for a calendar year is USD 10,000, out of which USD 2,000 can be availed in cash and USD 8,000 has to be in the form of traveller’s cheques. Any expenses on credit card also form part of the BTQ entitlement of USD 10,000. However, business expenses on internationally valid credit card have no limit now.

Q4. Is there a cruise tour which takes you across the Bering Straits, which connects the US to the USSR? if yes, what are usual ports of embarkation?

- Aarti Chhabria, Pune

Due to the unpredictable weather in that region there are no regular cruises on that route. Occasionally there may be a cruise liner that touches these destinations, but not on a regular basis.

Q5. How do I go to Bolivia? Is it a safe country? Which airlines fly there and what is the shortest route?

- Anup Shetty, Bangalore

Travel to Bolivia (La Paz) from India will be via a hub in Europe such as London or Frankfurt and onward via Sao Paulo. You can travel using a combination of airlines such as Lufthansa and Varig or British Airways and Varig.

Q6. I would like to go on a wine tour in a new world wine country. Between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa which is the best place to visit in June?

- Bhavin Gupta, Mumbai

Wine tours in Australia and New Zealand are conducted from November to March and in South Africa from November to May. In June the wine tours are only available in France.