Travel Smarter this Summer, says Teleperformance

GONE are the days when the thrill of traveling is only for the few lucky Juans. With the advent of low-cost airfares and online-based accommodations, inauguration of new flight routes, advanced announcement of long holidays, and a gleaming Philippine economic outlook - traveling has become more accessible today, more than ever.

Whether you are backpacking outside the country or in the province, here are some tips for a for a safe travel by Teleperformance - the leading global provider of outsourced customer experience management services.

1. Safety first.

Make up a basic first aid kit with plasters, antiseptic wipes, travel thermometer, pain killers, antibiotic ointment and a small bottle of alcohol. Make sure that the liquids don't exceed the allowable size for carry-on baggage. To top it all off, feel free to overdose with vitamin C to keep you in the pink during your adventures.

2. Wake up early.

When you start your day on the first hour of the morning, you somehow avoid the crowds in tourist attractions. If you're heading to the outdoors, catch the sunrise and appreciate the tranquility of nature. If you partied all night, stay hydrated and don't skip breakfast.

3. App-date your game.

Forget your actual maps, calculators and foreign dictionaries -- for the age of the mobile traveler has come. Prepare for takeoff with apps that search for the best flight, hotel and car rental options like SkyScanner. Be able to convert to every global currency with the popular XE Currency app. Google Translate rapidly translates whole paragraphs of text or even the spoken word from English to your foreign language of choice. Did you not enable your roaming services? In today's smartphone-driven lifestyle, developers have come up with an endless variety of apps that ensures you of cheaper, more organized and more fun travels.

4. Dress practically.

Pack comfortable rubber shoes if you'll be out exploring the city. They might not look as pretty for some, but your feet will surely thank you for it. Always bring a light jacket that can protect you from the rain, sun and the cold wind. That's hitting three birds in one outfit. Most of the time, you don't need half of the things you brought with you.

4. Snap it.

Take home lots of photos from your trip. Who knows? You may only see these people and places once in your lifetime. Don't forget to free up some space in your camera before flying out. Oh, a power bank should come in handy too for guaranteed picture-perfect moments all throughout the day.

5. Immerse yourself.

They say the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach. We say, the best way to know a new town is through its local cuisine. Eat street food. Find where people are queueing. Visit the less traveled areas - walk, use public transportation, and stumble into the real character of the city. Talk to strangers using your gut feel. Go out of your comfort zone, said Marilyn Ventenilla, Teleperformance Philippines Communications and Marketing Director.

Ventenilla said a bulk of the over one million Filipinos who are employed in the rewarding BPO sector are already plotting their vacations for the year. The large workforce, who has substantially contributed to the growth of the local economy in the past years, deserves to take a break once in a while.

These vacations lead to fresh perspective that is beneficial to everyone's physical and mental health, she said.

She also cited her own company saying: "At Teleperformance, we focus on giving our employees a great career experience by creating a conducive working environment for them to grow both as an individual and a professional. On our 20th year in the Philippines, we continue to train our more than 41,000 employees to be at their best in providing excellent customer experience at every touch point, while providing them avenues where they can play, interact and have fun."