NY Times: More Business Travel Blogs Coming

Posted on January 17, 2006

A New York Times article expects an increase in blogs by business travelers. The article mentions several business travel blogs and says many more such blogs are on the way.

An Internet search for full-time business travelers who write Web logs produces astonishingly low numbers, considering the eight million Americans whom the Pew Internet and American Life Project say publish a blog.
But that appears to be changing. "Just wait," said Steve Broback, a business traveler in Woodinville, Wash., who edits the new blog Inflighthq (www.inflighthq.com) and is an organizer of a blog conference called the Blog Business Summit. "The rush is starting."
Mr. Broback, whose Web journal is sponsored by Connexion, Boeing's wireless division, writes about the plight of the road warrior and offers links to news for business travelers. And he expects a lot of company soon. "In a year or two we'll probably even have blogs focusing on vintage airport vending machines," he predicted.

These blogs will be of interest to frequent business travelers as they look for the latest scoop on the best deals and the best places to stay. Blogs providing information about how to navigate airports and tips about hotel rooms and restaurants will also be sought out by travelers.

On the plus side maybe some aspects of business travel will improve as a result of bloggers pointing out flaws and inconveniences. The downside is that business competitors may also be reading these blogs. Inc.com's blog called Fresh Inc. advises business travel bloggers to be careful about what they blog:

One business travel blogger noted that after her colleagues began reading her posts about being homeless after Hurricane Katrina, she felt she lost her anonymity. Her quote: "When your boss is reading your blog, you say to yourself, 'Well, maybe I shouldn't be writing about staying at the Ritz-Carlton.'" Another reason business travelers should be wary to blog: competitive intelligence. A blogging specialist in the article noted that business travelers who mention cities they're staying in or about to visit could reveal "enough information for a competitor to surmise what's going on."

If that's the case then maybe anonymous business travel blogs are the most likely to emerge.