Business cards and calling cards: what is it, and should you take it with you on a trip or while backpacking?

What are calling cards or business cards?

• Business cards are small paper (or digital) cards on which you present your contact details, position and possibly logo or slogan. A mini resume, but extremely short, more convenient and without anyone having to check your LinkedIn.
• Business cards are almost outdated for many people, but they are still regularly useful for business trips.
• As business cards have become less common, your carefully crafted card stands out even more
• Calling card, visiting card, or name card are seen as synonyms but might be useful terms when you want to leave your contact details for a fellow traveler 

What can you use business cards for when traveling and backpacking?

• For new friendships that are made abroad.
• Keep friendships temporary by removing social media and home address from cards and giving others only a name and, for example, a temporary email address.
• For networking with locals, travelers, companies, or NGOs when you are looking for work or want to enter into collaborations.
• For volunteer projects, yoga retreats or safari guides whom you want to be able to call back.
• For when someone asks you what you actually do and you don't feel like a long story about your career.
• For your luggage: your card in your backpack or camera bag is a cheap ‘lost & found’ tool.

When do you take business cards with you on a trip or while backpacking?

• If you have even a small chance of networking or entering into professional collaborations.
• During conferences, festivals, internships/volunteer work, or if you travel as a self-employed person and look for clients on the road.
• Also useful if you promote your own (travel) company, or for example offer yoga lessons, coaching or language assistance.

Where can you have business cards made or bought locally in the world?

• In most cities you can have cards printed cheaply at copy shops or online printers. In Asia and Latin America this can be done surprisingly quickly and creatively.
• In countries such as India, Vietnam or Thailand you will also find street printers who can fix hundreds of cards within a few hours; with all the decoration that you want.
• In some hostels or co-working spaces you will even find printers for digital cards or QR codes.

How can you insure business cards through your travel insurance?

• The cards themselves are not insured, but replacing them will not cost you more than your travel budget.
• However, when you lose your bag with laptop, branding material or flyers: these items are often covered by the baggage cover of your travel insurance.
• Are you traveling for work? Then you sometimes need additional business coverage. Check this before departure.
• Tip: scan your card or put your information as a QR code on your phone, then you always have a digital backup at hand to print an extra batch of cards.