What Is A Business Trip Report And How To Prepare One?

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Business trip report is a post-trip activity essential to know the outcome of the business trip vis-à-vis its objectives. Employees can use the trip report to highlight their achievements and enhance their reputation in the eyes of the management. Additionally, the report will help the management to analyze the outcome of the business trip. Let us discuss the tips for writing a business trip report.

What is a Business Trip (or Business Travel) Report?

A business trip report, or a business travel report, summarizes the business trip to justify travel expenses. It reviews activities to fulfill pre-defined business objectives, such as finalizing a business deal, providing technical service to a customer, or representing the organization at a trade fair.

  • Travel managers can review business reports based on the following criteria:
  • Improving networking and customer relationships
  • Fulfillment of the training objectives, such as deals, services, certifications, etc.
  • Identifying and attracting prospects for new business opportunities
  • Knowing new business trends
  • Attending company conferences or review meetings
  • Imparting training to business associates
  • Providing customer business travel support
  • Assessing the competition

Business travel reporting activity helps understand to what extent the employee met the trip objectives. It enables travel managers to change policies and improve the efficiency of the future business trips.

Suggested Read: All You Need To Know About Corporate Travel Management

Importance of a corporate trip report

corporate-trip-report-importance

A corporate trip report is necessary to justify the cost of business travel. It is a critical summary to enable reporting, auditing, and business travel budgeting. Business trip reporting helps travel managers monitor, track, and control travel costs. They can leverage the knowledge to enhance the effectiveness of future business trips.

An ideal trip report provides a detailed review of the particular business travel report and is a vital instrument for understanding the justification of the trip expenses. The business trip report comprises many details, such as graphs, tables, photographs, and other documents supporting the claim by justifying the travel expenditure.

How to write a business report?

writing-business-trip-report

1. Preparations

Preparations for writing a comprehensive business trip report begin before proceeding on a business trip. You should note down the core corporate of the business trip you expect to meet. The entire trip itinerary will focus on accomplishing this goal. The measure of the trip’s success will depend upon the details and supportive documents you provide while submitting the trip report. Continue noting down all details about your achievements as your business trip progresses. Collecting bills or receipts is an essential prerequisite to facilitate expense reporting. Platforms like Paxes can help you with planning, booking, and producing the necessary travel data and invoices needed to back your report. Remember to get snaps and video clips of important events besides documentary evidence of your achievements, like feedback forms to justify your accomplishments.

2. Headings and essential details

The heading section should provide a quick introduction to the trip report with the total cost of the business trip. Mention the core purpose in the first section of a business trip report. Include the cities and places you covered with dates. Write down the names of colleagues if they accompanied you on the trip. List the names of prospects, customers, and business associates you met on the business trip.

3. Introduction of the report

A general overview of the business trip is an essential feature of the introduction. Let the introduction outline the goal and the results of the business trip. Mention the places you covered and the people you met with the outcome. One should briefly describe the activities such as attending the exhibition stall, highlighting product benefits, meeting prospects, or attending seminars. Focus on how you accomplished the trip’s aim without providing data or supportive documents.

4. Business trip report’s body

The main section of the business report is the body. You should provide details of the activities that helped you meet your business objectives. By providing reasons, you should also reveal the goals you missed to achieve. One should add any other achievements, not part of the trip’s original objectives, in the body. You should explain how the achievement can benefit the organization.

5. Summary of the report

The summary justifies the consumption of resources to cover the trip. Share your observations by mentioning how the business trip can help the organization win more customers, increase sales revenues, or improve the company’s brand awareness. The summary should focus on the expected rise in the business to help travel managers know the ROI from the business trip. The report should include attachments like data, snaps, and customer feedback reports that will help support your accomplishments.

Business trip report template

Here is a simple template for you to get started with your business trip report:

Trip information

Trip itinerary: Insert summary of trip itinerary

Purpose of trip: Define the purpose of the trip with a clear objective

Activities and meetings conducted: Write about the activities and meetings conducted

Site visits and events attended: Write details of site visits and events attended

Key accomplishments: Summary of key achievements during trip

Business opportunities: New opportunities found during the trip

Challenges encountered

Logistics issues: Were there any issues with the transportation

Communication issues: Any language barrier encountered

Other issues: Other issues occurred during the trip

Expenses incurred

Travel and accommodation expenses: Enter airfare, transfers, mileage, hotel rooms charges

Meal and other expenses: Meal expenses, stationary costs and others

Recommendations for future trips

Improvements: Tips on how to get better results

[End of Business Trip Report Template]

Organizations use the business trip report to know the return on travel costs. Business travel reporting is the art of presenting your achievements systematically. Providing details and supporting these with data or documents is the key to writing a perfect business report. The business report should be crisp and clear, presenting the trip’s purpose, activities, learnings, and recommendations.

Travel and expense management platforms such as Paxes offer easy and quick booking of flights and hotels. Additionally, the expenditure data provided in these platforms can help one in preparing a comprehensive business trip report.

Business Trip Report FAQs

Who should receive the corporate trip report of the employee.

Employees submit a corporate trip report to line managers, or corporate travel managers, depending upon the corporate policy.

What is excluded from a business trip report?

The business trip report should not include personal experiences, like visiting a tourist spot, having dinner with colleagues, or detailed notes. Avoid lengthy descriptions of the event or venue.

Is there a standard format for writing a corporate trip report?

The ideal format is the headline, introduction, body, and summary. However, some organizations expect employees to write a corporate trip report in a particular fashion.

Is the expense report part of the corporate trip report?

Many organizations mandate attaching expense reports to the business trip report. In such cases, one can add receipts and bills to the expense report.

What is the focus of a corporate trip report?

A corporate trip report aims to explain how the investment in the business trip will benefit the organization.

What should be included in a business trip report?

A business trip report should consist of trip details, itinerary, expenses, results, challenges, and recommendations.

What is called as trip report?

A document detailing the various aspects of a business trip for analysis and betterment of next trips is called business trip report.

What is an example of a business trip?

Sales trips, brand awareness trips, VIP trips are some of the examples of business trips.

What is the purpose of business trip report?

A business trip report is used to highlight the key findings of the trip and analyze the same to better the following trips.

How do I create an effective business trip report?

What information should be included in a business trip report.

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Pratyush is a traveling enthusiast who always looks for innovations in business travel management. He has 5 years of experience writing content on corporate travel management and working closely with expert business travel facilitators.

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What should a business travel report include? self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R15ajm:",1)

Your business trip is over, and now it’s time to draft up a travel report. Why does your manager ask for a business trip report? And what should a good report include? Scroll down to learn everything you need to know about how to write a travel report.

meaning trip report

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A business trip report, or business travel report , is a document about a business trip, usually written for a manager. It’s like a memo of the trip, its purpose, learnings, and outcomes.

The meaning of a business trip report is to give an overview of the trip and justify the expenses. 

With a travel report, you tell your manager (or other relevant people in the company) what your trip was about: purpose, goals, achievements, learnings, and recommendations. The purpose of a business trip can be, for example, to solidify business partnerships, prospect for new clients, or learn about the latest industry trends.

A business trip report also justifies the investment the company makes. If your employer sends you on a business trip and pays for the costs, how will it benefit from your travel? 

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There isn’t one set format for a travel report. You can check if your company has a template for reporting business trips or if there are some conventions or requirements the report should follow. If not, you can find a simple business trip report template in this article. 

Unless you work in a traditional industry, a travel report doesn’t have to be too formal. Your manager probably doesn't want to scan through a 20-page report. 

It’s okay to keep the report brief and concise. You can skip the table of contents and executive summary and focus on the goals, outcomes, and learnings of the trip – the part that matters the most. 

A simple outline for a business trip report  self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":Rktajm:",1)

If you want to keep your travel report short and sweet, you can follow this simple structure. 

Basics : Your name, participants (your colleagues), travel period, and destination.

Purpose of trip : Why did you go on this trip? What were the goals? 

Overview : What events did you attend? Who did you meet? What learnings did you gain? 

Summary and Conclusions : A brief summary of the trip and recommendations or action points.

Expenses : You can list your expenses here or deliver your expense claim separately. 

Attachments : If you claim expenses, attach receipts and invoices as proof of travel costs.

Claim travel expenses with an expense report self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":Rqtajm:",1)

If you’ve paid travel expenses from your own pocket, you can claim expense reimbursement from your employer. Depending on your company’s conventions, you can either attach the expense claim to the report or deliver it separately. 

More and more companies use digital tools to manage travel expenses, which means that you don’t need to claim back travel costs with a paper document (and not even with a PDF). For example, Pliant features an integration to Circula , a software designed to streamline and automate claiming and managing travel costs and allowances.

Use a business travel report template  self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R10tajm:",1)

If your company doesn’t have a fixed structure for a business travel report and you’re not sure how to go about it, here’s a template to help you get started. 

You can use this template to summarize your trip and its expenses in a simple and easy-to-skim format. 

Bear in mind that this isn’t an official travel report template – if there is such a thing. Feel free to edit and customize it for your needs. You can skip or add sections that you see useful. If you want to highlight something particular, add new sections, like Goals or Learnings. 

How to write a travel report?  self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R18tajm:",1)

Following the structure of the template above, here’s how you write a travel report. 

Start with the basics self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R1ctajm:",1)

First things first. In addition to your own name, mention any colleagues that were with you on the trip. Include the travel period and destination.

Focus on the benefits for the company  self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R1gtajm:",1)

The body is the most important part of your report. You can use a structure that works best for you, but if you’re not sure what to include, here are some ideas.

You can start with the purpose . Why did you go on this trip? What were the goals? This could be, for example, to keep up with the industry trends at a conference. 

Provide an overview of the trip. Who did you meet? What events did you attend? What did you learn? This is your chance to shine. Stress how the trip was beneficial for the company. Not only did you pick up new skills at a seminar, but now you can put them to use in your work for the company. You’ll want to show how sending you on this trip was a good investment. 

Close with a summary and conclusions . Write a summary and revisit the key points, like your learnings, how the goals were met (or why they weren’t), and recommendations and an action plan for the next steps.

Attach a cost summary and receipts (if necessary) self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R1qtajm:",1)

Depending on your company’s travel expense policy, you can attach a cost summary of your reimbursable expenses and relevant attachments to the travel report. Attachments include receipts and invoices as proof of incurred expenses during the trip.

If you deliver an expense claim with an app or in another way established in your workplace, you don’t have to include it in the travel report.  

What is an example of business travel? self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R20tajm:",1)

There are many types of business travel, ranging from conferences to trade shows to visiting international branches of the same company. 

What qualifies as business travel in the eyes of the tax office varies from country to country. But usually, there’s some kind of requirement for temporary travel for work purposes.

Examples of business travel include:

Conferences and seminars

Trade shows and fairs

Travel to meet business partners, like suppliers or clients

Internal visits and meetings at different locations  

Company retreats and events

Not every type of business travel requires a travel report. If you’re traveling to a company retreat or summer party to unwind and bond with your colleagues, you can skip the report. 

When does a business trip require a travel report? self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R2ctajm:",1)

Whether a business trip report is required depends on the organization and its travel policy. A travel report isn’t always necessary, so it’s best to ask your manager. 

But if you claim reimbursement for business-related travel expenses, you do need to submit an expense report and receipts. This is usually required by the tax office to provide a clear audit trail of why your employer is making a (tax-exempt) payment to you. But this doesn’t mean you have to write a report on the whole trip. 

Depending on the policy of your company, you might either submit an expense claim with an app or software or in another fashion that is established in your organization. 

In summary self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R2ktajm:",1)

Business travel report policies vary from company to company. While a travel expense claim may be required by the tax office, a business trip report is usually just used for internal purposes. 

In some companies or industries, lengthy reports may be the norm. But just the same, there may not be a culture of writing travel reports at all. When in doubt, ask your manager.

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How to Write a Trip Report: Outlining the Steps and Examples

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By Happy Sharer

meaning trip report

Introduction

A trip report is a structured document that details the events and observations made during a business or leisure trip. It is important to document the purpose of the trip and the findings in order to assess the success of the trip and evaluate any future actions that need to be taken. This article will provide an overview of how to write a trip report, what information should be included, tips for making the report more effective, and examples of well-written reports.

Outlining the Steps to Writing a Trip Report

Writing an effective trip report requires planning and preparation. The following steps should be followed to ensure a comprehensive and organized report:

Step One: Gather Information

The first step in writing a trip report is to gather all of the necessary information. This includes any relevant documents, such as itineraries, expense reports, and notes from meetings. Additionally, it is important to take note of any observations made during the trip and conversations that were had with other individuals. All of this information should be compiled before beginning the report.

Step Two: Create an Outline

Once all of the necessary information has been gathered, the next step is to create an outline. This allows the writer to organize their thoughts and structure the report in a logical manner. The outline should include an introduction, body, and conclusion, as well as any subsections or headings that are relevant to the report.

Step Three: Draft the Report

After the outline is completed, the writer can begin drafting the report. This process involves filling in the details of the trip, providing summaries of discussions, and documenting any observations. It is important to use clear and concise language when writing the report in order to make it easy to read and understand.

Step Four: Review and Revise

Once the draft of the report is complete, it is important to review and revise it before submitting. This helps to ensure accuracy and clarity, as well as identify any areas that may need additional information or clarification. Additionally, it is important to proofread the report for any spelling or grammar errors.

Describing the Purpose of a Trip Report

Describing the Purpose of a Trip Report

Trip reports are used to document the events and findings of a business or leisure trip. They provide a record of the trip and serve several purposes, including:

Summarize Events

Trip reports provide a summary of the events that occurred during the trip. This includes any meetings that were attended, tours that were taken, or presentations that were given. This allows the reader to quickly get an overview of the trip without having to read through detailed accounts of each event.

Record Observations

Trip reports also serve as a record of any observations that were made during the trip. This includes any insights or discoveries that were made, as well as any potential issues or challenges that were encountered. This allows the reader to gain a better understanding of the overall experience of the trip.

Document Results

Finally, trip reports are used to document the results of the trip. This includes any decisions that were reached, goals that were achieved, or plans that were created. This allows the reader to assess the success of the trip and evaluate any future actions that need to be taken.

Explaining What Information Should Be Included in a Trip Report

Explaining What Information Should Be Included in a Trip Report

In order to create a comprehensive trip report, it is important to include all of the relevant information. This includes the following:

Details of the Trip

The report should include basic information about the trip, such as the dates, locations, and purpose of the trip. Additionally, any special arrangements or accommodations that were made should be noted in the report.

Identify Key Players

It is important to identify any key players that were involved in the trip, such as colleagues, clients, vendors, or partners. This helps to provide context to the report and allows the reader to understand who was involved in the events described.

Summary of Findings

The report should include a summary of the findings from the trip. This includes any insights or observations that were made, as well as any conclusions that were reached. Additionally, any relevant data or research should be included in the report.

Recommendations

Finally, the report should include any recommendations for future action. This could include new strategies or plans that need to be implemented, or any changes that need to be made. These recommendations should be based on the findings of the trip.

Providing Tips for Writing an Effective Trip Report

Providing Tips for Writing an Effective Trip Report

Writing an effective trip report requires attention to detail and careful editing. Here are some tips for creating an effective report:

Use Clear and Concise Language

It is important to use clear and concise language when writing a trip report. Using overly technical or complicated language can make the report difficult to understand. Additionally, using simple language helps to ensure that the report is understood by all readers.

Include Relevant Supporting Documentation

Any relevant supporting documentation should be included in the report. This could include photographs, diagrams, charts, or graphs. Including these documents helps to illustrate the points being made in the report and provides evidence for the conclusions reached.

Avoid Unnecessary Details

When writing a trip report, it is important to avoid including unnecessary details. This includes any information that does not directly relate to the purpose of the trip. Keeping the report focused on the key points helps to ensure that the report is concise and to the point.

Edit and Proofread Carefully

Finally, it is important to edit and proofread the report carefully before submitting. This helps to reduce any errors and ensures that the report is accurate and clear. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the report follows any specified formatting guidelines.

Offering Examples of Well-Written Trip Reports

Seeing examples of well-written trip reports can help to provide guidance when writing your own report. Here are three examples of effective trip reports:

Example One

This example is a trip report from a business trip to Las Vegas. The report includes all of the relevant information, such as the dates, locations, and purpose of the trip. Additionally, it includes a summary of the events that occurred during the trip, as well as any observations that were made. Finally, the report includes a list of recommendations for future action based on the findings of the trip.

Example Two

This example is a trip report from a leisure trip to Hawaii. The report includes basic information about the trip, such as the dates, locations, and purpose of the trip. Additionally, it includes a summary of the activities that were participated in and any observations that were made. Finally, the report includes a list of recommendations for future trips based on the findings of the trip.

Example Three

This example is a trip report from a research trip to Japan. The report includes basic information about the trip, such as the dates, locations, and purpose of the trip. Additionally, it includes a summary of the research that was conducted and any observations that were made. Finally, the report includes a list of recommendations for future action based on the findings of the trip.

Writing an effective trip report requires planning and preparation. It is important to gather all of the necessary information, create an outline, draft the report, and review and revise before submitting. Trip reports should include details of the trip, identify key players, provide a summary of findings, and include recommendations. Additionally, it is important to use clear and concise language, include relevant supporting documentation, avoid unnecessary details, and edit and proofread carefully. Seeing examples of well-written trip reports can help to provide guidance when writing your own report.

Overall, writing a trip report is an important part of any business or leisure trip. It provides a record of the trip and allows the reader to quickly gain an understanding of the events that occurred and the findings that were made. Following the steps outlined in this article and utilizing the tips and examples provided can help to ensure a successful and effective trip report.

(Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)

Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

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How to Write a Top Trip Report

Hailey Oppelt

Our eNewsletter Routefinder, sent on the first of each month to over 30,000 individuals (including our 15,000 members), is one of our most important communications. Considered a “mini magazine,” each month we sift through dozens of blogs, events, and updates to select eight to ten of the most important items for you to read. This includes heartfelt magazine stories, key organizational updates, conservation and advocacy alerts, new courses, and more. And do you know what is often the most popular item, month after month?

Trip reports.

That’s right – what some would consider to be dry, technical reading is actually top-tier content for our membership. Post holing on Mt. Si? Crowded trailheads by 9am at Colchuck Lake? Yet another batch of blowdowns in the Pasayten? The people want to know.

Trip reports are foundational to our members’ and leaders’ ability to get outside. Trail conditions, weather, new obstacles, route information, and more contribute to the feasibility and the success of any potential outing we plan. More than that, trip reports give us a taste of what’s to come. Whether you want to find the best spot to pick alpine blueberries and admire mountain goats, or you just need to know if you should bring your microspikes up McClellan Butte this week, trip reports answer the questions that we would otherwise have to ask our friends or hunt down on our own. And as a member of The Mountaineers, you now have the informational power of 15,000 friends.

For this reason we have decided to offer you top tips to create successful trip reports, and a stellar autumn backpacking trip report for you to read. Break out your waterproof notebooks, folks, because this is what The Mountaineers is all about.

The best trip reports include

Detailed trip information . The foundation of any good trip report is going to be high-quality information on the route and how your group completed it. This is what most readers come for, as it allows them to plan their own trip to maximize preparation and minimize time-drains or safety risks. Especially on highly technical trips like climbs, the more information, the better. If you’re creating a trip report, do your best to include the following:

  • Trail conditions, including snow conditions (when applicable)
  • Route obstacles (blowdowns, water crossings, loose rock, etc.)
  • Route-finding tips, and any route-finding issues your group ran into
  • Weather conditions throughout your trip
  • Start and end times (include break durations)
  • Water sources
  • Potential campsites/natural shelters
  • Any safety concerns

Group dynamics. In addition to learning about the trail itself, trip reports are an opportunity for people to learn more about what works and what doesn’t. The size of your group, their experience level, and any strategic or safety decisions you made could be valuable information for another leader or participant. For instance, if your group did not summit, why did you make that decision and what factors influenced your final outcome? These details can sometimes be just as important as the trail conditions. Other group information can also inform readers on how they want to approach their trip. For instance, including group experience and fitness levels, paired with total trip time, will help readers estimate how long their own trip may take.

High-quality photos. Although it’s helpful to have a written description of a route and any issues your party encountered, photos can quickly clarify route confusion, show trail conditions, and get folks excited about the trip. Always be sure to take photos that are clear, not backlit (facing the sun) or overexposed, and offer a full shot of the trail or obstacles you faced. Well-taken photos are much more useful to future route users, and make your trip report more appealing overall.

This image is washed out, only shows a small portion of the trail, and does not include any relevant information about the route.

This image is clear, shows the trail straight-on, and provides information on trail obstacles..

Bonus info. Half of the fun of reading a trip report is getting stoked for your upcoming excursion. If you’re putting together a trip report, always include the bonuses: wildlife sightings, top-notch views, beautifully-done stewardship work, berry picking, and stellar sunrises. At the end of the day, it’s the journey, not the summit, that we remember most. Revel in it, and others will be inspired to do the same.

Example trip report

This is a staff favorite example of a highly-detailed trip report, offering the perfect balance between technical information and outdoor stoke. Read on to learn about Golden Lakes Loop, and consider taking your own backpacking trip this season

Golden Lakes Loop, October 4-7, 2021

By Cheryl Talbert, 13-year member & backpacking leader

Photo by Cheryl Talbert.

Our group of four Mountaineers friends started at the Crater Creek trailhead (TH) with a plan to do four days around the Golden Lakes loop, including nights on the ridge near N Navarre Peak and at Sunrise Lake. The roads to the TH were very good, only a few bumpy sections, and the parking area at the TH is very large with a toilet. When we arrived at around 11AM on a Monday there were already a dozen vehicles in the lot.

The trail to Upper Eagle was dusty at the bottom but well graded (with lots of trail engineering for mountain bikes and motorbikes) and signage is good. Golden larch and aspen appeared part way up, and by the time we got to the lake the larch color was all around us and stunning! Needles are falling fast now though I project that the color will last another week, windstorms notwithstanding. We arrived first at Upper Eagle and took lovely camps by the lake; probably another 8-10 people arrived after us and there was room for everyone to disperse out of sight and hearing. There is a box toilet at this camp and the lake is gorgeous, highly recommended! We arrived there in about three hours.

On day two we set out up toward Horsehead Pass, a good trail with a few boulder-hopping sections. Great views on the way up, looking across Lower Eagle Lake to the eastern plains. From the pass the views to the west along the Chelan summit ridge are really beautiful, a mix of golden larch, dark evergreens, yellow aspen, red berry bushes, and broad golden meadows. We descended to Boiling Lake, then took the route signed 'Cub Lake,' which then requires keeping an eye on the map and taking the turn on the Summit Trail going east. Many people get confused and take the spur straight along the shore of Boiling Lake - don't do that, as that trail goes up to a ridge and stops. The Summit Trail is flat for a while through forest, then climbs and turns east through broad meadows with views. We passed by the turnoff to the Angel's Staircase (well signed) because we wanted to explore the ridges along the Summer Blossom Trail to North Navarre Peak and camp along there. It was well worth the walk along the summit trail - more lovely meadow and fall vegetation - but then there was a steep (but well graded) larch- lined climb to Horsethief Pass (much damaged by bikes). At the top of the pass we could see that the ridges above Horsethief Basin on both sides had burned out and weren't so pretty to look at, though there were still larch and spruce in the basin (you could probably find places to camp below but we didn't look). We saw a bear below as we followed the Summer Blossom Trail - narrow but pretty easy to follow with lots of ups and downs. Finally, there was a steep descent and then a climb to the ridge with N Navarre Peak ahead, where a friend had suggested a ridgetop camp. However the weather forecast was for cold wind and the ridge was burned out, plus the creek before the ridge was down to just a trickle. We decided to go back and camp under a patch of spruce in the gorgeous larch meadows on the other side of Horsethief Pass, and this was a good call – low clouds and mist/rain blew in later and we were glad for shelter under the trees.

The next morning dawned VERY cold - mid 20s. Our water filters froze sitting for a short time next to our cooking area! We bundled up in all of our clothes, treated water with aquamira drops, and set out to go up Angel's Staircase. The trail through here is just fantastic, a gentle climb to the ridgetop with dramatic views though everything was quite frosty (about an inch of heavy frost near the top covering all the rocks, though not slippery). From the top of Angel's Staircase we descended through Merchant's Basin and set out to climb up to Sunrise Lake to camp (note that most maps, including Gaia, show a turnoff well before the clump of evergreens where the Sunrise Lake trail sign is posted - but the trail is very faint and I've missed it twice! Not to worry, you can cut toward the creek and will find the trail). We got to Sunrise Lake to find a VERY cold wind blowing even at 11am, and insufficient shelter from the wind, so anticipating having to hide in our tents the whole day and night we decided instead to enjoy a chilly lunch at the lake and then go back down to Merchants Basin, where there are lots of really nice sheltered camps and protection from the wind (a very good decision, as we heard the wind roaring through the trees up in the direction of the lake through that night!). We explored along Foggy Dew creek and I read for a while in the sun before an early dinner and into our tents.

On day four we woke to another very cold morning, bundled up and headed back up the trail through the basin, over the crest and down the trail to Cooney Lake (this section is steep with poor traction in places). Cooney is beautiful with a lot of camps, but was deserted on this Thursday morning. Larch color on this side is well on the decline and the ground drifted with golden needles. We made quick work of the six miles from Cooney back out to Crater Creek TH.

Lead image of Garrett Arnold and Skye Stoury. Photo by Skye Stoury.

This article originally appeared in our fall 2022 issue of Mountaineer magazine. To view the original article in magazine form and read more stories from our publication, visit our   magazine archive . 

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The Complete Guide to Business Travel Reporting

Why is effective reporting on business travel so important today, improved budget management, spotting potential cost savings opportunities, travel policy compliance, want to know more, keeping track of expenses, common challenges of effective business travel reporting, unmanaged business travel.

  • Fragmented data : if employees are booking on different platforms, data becomes fragmented and difficult to track. This can be a nightmare for finance teams trying to stay on top of each and every receipt. Effective reporting hinges on gathering scattered data for an accurate ‘bigger picture,’ the foundation for effective accounting.
  • Unmanaged business travel often relies on manual processes : this increases the risk of human error and consumes precious employee time, which could be better spent on other tasks. Mistakes can be costly, and many cannot be reversed.
  • Missing data: lost receipts, incomplete information, and inconsistent reporting practices can complicate business travel expense reporting. Overcoming these data gaps is essential for comprehensive reporting.
  • Employee duty of care : unmanaged travel systems can make it difficult to track an employee down, especially when there are last-minute modifications. This presents a problem for the company as they’re bound to their employee duty of care, meaning they have a responsibility to look after an employee at all times, particularly in case of emergency.
  • Not getting the best deals, or having control on spend: booking through third-party platforms will mean the company doesn’t get access to corporate rates, nor rack up any travel points for using certain membership programs at scale. At the same time, leaving employees to book on their own means a company has less control over their spend and policy compliance until it’s too late.

On the hunt for the best travel expense software around?

Managed business travel.

  • Data overload : managed business travel often involves collecting a vast amount of data, which means that companies can struggle to determine which KPIs are most important to their business. Without focus and direction, data reporting isn’t much help.
  • Knowledge sharing : implementing a new tool or system for business travel reporting is effective only if employees adopt and understand it. Effective training and knowledge sharing are the pillars of a successful transition.

Best practices for effective business travel reporting

Set clear, concise policies and promote awareness.

“I’d recommend starting with a clear and concise travel expense policy that could include different “zones” with expense limits. An easy to follow process of uploading expenses and paying them out in a timely manner, if it’s a bigger company maybe investing in an expense management tool like Expensify to get accurate reporting and automatic reimbursement. Other than that, be sure when building a policy that it’s in line with company culture and creating the desired behaviors!”

Need a hand with policy compliance?

Leverage technology to automate the process.

“We’ve recently started using Pleo with TravelPerk and it has made reporting/reimbursing travel costs so much easier! We used to have to e-mail our receipts to the accounting department (very old-school, time-consuming and prone to delay), but now it’s all done in the app. You just snap a photo of our receipt, upload it to the app, your manager approves and you can be reimbursed straight away. This makes our reporting process a dream, and saves hours of time.”

Train your employees and gather feedback

“I've read the book No Rules Rule , and I try to go with this principle I learned there: it's more important to build a great culture and trust, having an environment in which people know what to do and don't do than endless policies. Some employees will sometimes take a chance and try to overspend on a trip or do something they shouldn't do. If you try to always go against this, you'll end up building longer and longer policies that no one reads anyway, constantly adding to all the things people can't do. So, it's simpler to write a short, clear policy with a very efficient process, and then train on culture and build trust for the company. I'm a Chief People Officer, I have four country HR heads reporting to me, and that's the advice I give them when they building their policies.” Cécile POMPEÏ , Chief People Officer at Sistema Biobolsa

Run regular audits and update your policies where necessary

Start today to stay on top of your company’s business travel.

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How to Write a Business Trip Report

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How to Write a Job Self Audit Report

How to write a proposal on the introduction & marketing of bakery products, how to do a proposal statement.

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When writing a report about your business trip, stress how it was a good investment for the company to send you. This will help convince managers that future trips also will be money well spent. Creating a report on your trip to a seminar, conference or trade show should focus on showing a return on the company’s investment.

Format of a Trip Report

Unless you are writing a long, formal report, skip the cover and contents pages and executive summary. Use a memo format if the document will only be a few pages long, and use a heading that lists the date, topic of the report, your name and who’s receiving it. Use section heads to organize the report, such as Trip Purpose, Overview, Benefits, Cost and Summary.

Introduction and Overview

Start the report with an overview that states facts but does not provide support or detail. Let the reader know what the trip was, why you were sent and the expected results. For example, you might write that you went to a trade show in California to meet with important clients, prospect new ones and check out the competition. You might write that you attended a business workshop to learn new human resources practices to help you recruit better employees, reduce turnover and develop a better benefits package.

The Body of the Report

Describe what happened at the event in terms of how or if you met your goals for going there. Don’t be afraid to tell your supervisor any expectations that fell short -- if you don’t, and he asks later, you might look like you purposely left this information out of the report. For example, if you went to a trade show and weren’t able to meet any promising new clients, you might have solidified relationships with longtime customers and learned new information about competitors, which could lead to more business or better product ideas.

Give specific examples of events relevant to your goals or anything that happened that will benefit your company. Rather than listing personal benefits you got from the trip, such as improving your knowledge of a specific software, discuss how those benefits will help the company -- for example by decreasing the company’s need to hire outside vendors now that you have this skill.

Summarize the Highlights of the Trip

Use the summary to recap the highlights of the trip, including your expected benefits, whether or not you attained them or any others, the total cost for the trip, any expected financial benefit to the company and your recommendation for the future. The more specific you can be about the benefits of your trip, the easier it is for your superiors to calculate a return on their investment.

Attach Your Expense Report

Consider attaching your expense report to the document, rather than listing the details in the document. Include the total cost of the trip in your document, but save details, such as airfare, lodging, meals, tips, parking and other travel costs for the expense report.

  • Let’s Fly Cheaper: Tips for Writing a Business Report
  • Top Travel Tips: Business Trip Report Template

Sam Ashe-Edmunds has been writing and lecturing for decades. He has worked in the corporate and nonprofit arenas as a C-Suite executive, serving on several nonprofit boards. He is an internationally traveled sport science writer and lecturer. He has been published in print publications such as Entrepreneur, Tennis, SI for Kids, Chicago Tribune, Sacramento Bee, and on websites such Smart-Healthy-Living.net, SmartyCents and Youthletic. Edmunds has a bachelor's degree in journalism.

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COMMENTS

  1. What Is A Business Trip Report And How To Prepare One?

    Business trip report is a post-trip activity essential to know the outcome of the business trip vis-à-vis its objectives. Employees can use the trip report to highlight their achievements and enhance their reputation in the eyes of the management.

  2. What should a business travel report include? - getpliant.com

    The meaning of a business trip report is to give an overview of the trip and justify the expenses. With a travel report, you tell your manager (or other relevant people in the company) what your trip was about: purpose, goals, achievements, learnings, and recommendations.

  3. Travel or Trip Report - Sam M. Walton College of Business

    Travel or Trip Report. Purpose: The purpose of a travel report is to justify the purpose of the trip and the money that you spent. Because trip reports provide proof of expenses, it is imperative that they are accurate and provide a clear explanation of the trip.

  4. How to Write a Trip Report: Outlining the Steps and Examples

    Trip reports should include details of the trip, identify key players, provide a summary of findings, and include recommendations. Additionally, it is important to use clear and concise language, include relevant supporting documentation, avoid unnecessary details, and edit and proofread carefully.

  5. How to Write a Top Trip Report — The Mountaineers

    Trip reports are foundational to our membersand leadersability to get outside. Trail conditions, weather, new obstacles, route information, and more contribute to the feasibility and the success of any potential outing we plan. More than that, trip reports give us a taste of what’s to come.

  6. Want To Write Trip Reports? Here Are 9 Tips - One Mile at a Time

    Whether you're a blogger or just looking to share your trip details with friends or a forum, here are some tips for writing trip reports.

  7. The complete guide to business travel reporting

    Despite its complexities, business travel doesn’t have to be complicated. Automated business travel reporting has become the go-to solution for those managing business trips, with real-time updates, in-depth data analysis, and centralized information.

  8. How to Write a Trip Report - Backpacking Light

    This guide provides some guidance to help you write engaging trip reports that maximize your readership and hits the high points of what our readers want to see! What to Include in a Trip Report. A trip report should include the following major sections, each designated as a Level 2 Heading: Introduction; Narrative; Trip Review; Gear List ...

  9. Top tips: how to create a business travel report

    Business travel reporting refers to the documenting of the corporate travel process to improve the overall strategy and efficacy of a corporate travel programme. Collating patterns in spending, trip purpose, general learnings and other data, these reports give an overview of business trips in their entirety.

  10. How to Write a Business Trip Report - Chron.com

    Describe what happened at the event in terms of how or if you met your goals for going there. Don’t be afraid to tell your supervisor any expectations that fell short -- if you don’t, and he asks...