he is on business trip

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Can I say "He's on a trip."?

• Thread starter yang3220
• Start date Feb 3, 2014
• Feb 3, 2014

One of my friend is having a trip right now. But the trip is not a business trip or a vacation because he is retired. When someone asked me "How is he?", can i say "He is on a trip.". Can someone tell me the common and natural expression? Thank you very much.  

Member Emeritus

Yes, you can say "He's on a trip." Or: "He's traveling." P.S.: Remember that the first person singular pronoun "I" is always capitalized.  

Thank you very much.  

Senior Member

A small correction: he is taking a trip, rather than having a trip.  

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"i am currently on business trip" vs "i am currently in business trip"

Last Updated: April 01, 2024

i am currently on business trip

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

• I am currently on a business trip to New York.
• She is on a business trip to Tokyo.
• He will be on a business trip next week.
• They are on a business trip to Europe.
• We were on a business trip last month.

i am currently in business trip

This phrase is not correct in English. 'In a business trip' is not a standard or commonly used preposition in this context.

Alternatives:

• I am currently on a business trip.
• I am currently away on a business trip.
• I am currently traveling for business.
• I am currently on a work trip.
• I am currently on a business journey.

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Definition of 'business trip'

Business trip in british english.

Examples of 'business trip' in a sentence business trip

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What is a business trip? Definition and examples

If you visit somewhere for work purposes, i.e., on behalf of your company, that is a business trip. The term applies to both the journey to your destination and your trip back. In most cases, the trip is not a short one.

Collins Dictionary has the following definition of the term :

“A journey made somewhere and back again for business purposes in one’s working capacity.”

Business trip vs. business travel

The two terms refer to the same action or activity. However, their uses are not the same.

Business travel

Business travel refers to traveling on behalf of your employer generally. Although it is a singular term, i.e., business travel and not business travels , it refers to all trips for work purposes. It is a general term .

I might say, for example: “Business travel is becoming a significant part of our airline’s income.” In this case, we are talking in general.

I cannot use business travel for just one journey. For example, I cannot say: “I’m sorry, Jane is away. She is on a business travel.” I would have to say: “I’m sorry … She’s on a business trip.”

Business trip

This term refers to just one journey. We need to use the plural if we are talking in general.

For example, if I wanted to talk about my airline’s revenue, I would say: “Business trip s are becoming a significant part of our airline’s income.” I would not be able to use the singular form.

Reasons for business travel

In all the examples below, your employer is paying for travel, accommodation, etc.

• Meeting with customers or clients.
• Visiting suppliers.
• Attending a conference.
• Attending a course.
• Identify new markets, trends, and consumer traits elsewhere.
• Visiting somewhere to check the progress of a project.
• Visiting a prospect. A prospect is a company or person that you think could turn into a paying customer.
• Apologizing to a customer.
• Your purpose is PR or public relations , such as taking part in a press conference.
• The ROI from the trip is more than its cost. ROI stands for return on investment .
• Your employer sends you somewhere to fix, for example, equipment.
• Networking. There are many people you can meet away from work with whom you or your company could do business.
• Face-to-face meetings are usually more effective than using email, VoIP, texting, etc. Sometimes they are necessary.

Business travelers typically claim their expenses by filling a report , in which they list how much they spent on local public transport, meals, taxis, phone calls, etc.

Negatives and positives of business travel

Business trips may be extremely rewarding experiences. However, for some people, especially if they have families, there is a price to pay.

Regular business travelers frequently feel loney. Some of them may show signs of deteriorating mental health and even depression. According to Adam Perotta in a Business travel News article in December 2019, over 20% of business travelers said they experienced negative mental health effects.

Regarding the survey, Perotta wrote :

“22 percent of respondents reported that business travel had a “very” or “somewhat” negative impact on their mental health. Twenty-one percent indicated that even thinking about an upcoming work trip caused stress. Factors causing that angst include the toll travel takes on physical health, sleep schedules, personal relationships, personal finances and productivity.”

Traveling regularly on behalf of your company may mean missing major family events, which can contribute significantly to relationship problems.

Jet lag can play havoc with our body clock, productivity, and mental and physical health. Eating small meals before and during your flight, refraining from consuming alcoholic drinks, drinking plenty of water, and getting plenty of rest beforehand can help reduce the negative effects of jet lag.

In a Small Business Trends article, Samson Haileysus wrote that the vast majority of small company owners enjoyed their work-related trips. Approximately fifty-five percent of small business owners travel for work purposes at least once each month. Sixty percent of them spend three nights away from home during each trip.

Haileysus added:

“Surprisingly enough almost all (88%) small business owners who travel for business do enjoy traveling. In fact, just under three in four (72%) say they wish they traveled for business more often.”

Corporate travel is a huge market

Business travel is worth hundreds of billions of dollars each year globally. The biggest spenders on business trips are the United States and China.

In the United States, there are over 405 million business trips annually (long distance). For every working day, approximately 1.1 million Americans are traveling for work purposes.

The world’s most popular destination is New York City, while Shanghai is the fastest growing. Trondent Development Corp. made the following comment regarding the importance of business travel for airlines:

“Business passengers represent 75 percent of an airline’s profits despite only being 12% of their total passengers. But the money is well spent: every $1.00 spent on business travel creates $15 of profit for increased sales.”

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Best Cruise Travel Insurance of May 2024

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A cruise vacation can take much of the stress out of planning a vacation. With a pre-set itinerary on the high seas, you don't have to worry about how you're getting to your destination and what you're going to do there. However, an unexpected emergency can take the wind out of your sails and money out of your travel budget. So you'll want to ensure you have the best cruise insurance plan that won't leave you high and dry in an emergency.

Our top picks for the best cruise insurance

• Best Overall: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Best for affordability: AXA Assistance USA
• Best for seniors: Seven Corners Travel Insurance
• Best for expensive trips: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance
• Best for exotic locations: World Nomads Travel Insurance

How we rate cruise insurance companies »

Compare the top cruise travel insurance companies

While booking a cruise takes off much of the pressure when coming up with itineraries, your trip can still encounter several hitches, which is where cruise travel comes in. The best cruise travel insurance will have high coverage limits on emergency medical evacuations, as sea to land evacuations can be expensive. They'll offer coverage for baggage delay, trip interruption, and it might be a good idea to have some adventure sports coverage if you plan on participating in any outdoor activities like snorkeling or scuba diving. 

Here are our picks for the best cruise travel insurance companies in 2024.

Best overall: Nationwide

Nationwide Travel Insurance  is a long-standing and reputable brand within the insurance marketplace that offers cruise insurance plans with solid coverage and reasonable rates.

It has three cruise insurance options: Universal, Choice, and Luxury. The Nationwide Choice plan, for example, offers $100,000 in emergency medical coverage and $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage.

The right plan for you depends on your budget and coverage needs. But each plan offers cruise-specific coverages like ship-based mechanical breakdowns, coverage for missed prepaid excursions if your cruise itinerary changes, and covered service disruptions aboard the cruise ship.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best for affordability: AXA

AXA Assistance USA  offers three comprehensive coverage plans: Gold, Silver, and Platinum. Each of these plans offers coverage for issues like missed flights, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and more.

The highest-tier Platinum plan provides $250,000 in medical emergency coverage and $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. The baggage loss coverage is $3,000 per person, and their missed connection coverage is $1,500 per person for cruises and tours.

In addition, travelers can take advantage of AXA's concierge service, which provides an extensive network of international service providers. They'll be able to assist you with things like restaurant reservations and referrals, golf course information, and more. This service could come in handy if you're stopping at a variety of unfamiliar destinations during your cruise.

The coverage limits on AXA's policies are on the higher end compared to other providers. And you can buy coverage for a little as 4% of your trip cost depending on your age, travel destination, and state of residence.

Read our AXA Travel Insurance review here.

Best for seniors: Seven Corners

Seven Corners Travel Insurance lets cruisers enjoy traveling in their golden years with the knowledge they're covered in the event of an accident or emergency. While other providers do offer coverage to those 80+ years old, Seven Corners is known for its affordable premiums while offering above-average medical expenses and medical evacuation coverage limits — two areas of travel insurance coverage that are even more important as we get older.

Seven Corners also offers the option of a preexisting conditions waiver and CFAR insurance at an additional cost, plus "Trip Interruption for Any Reason" coverage, which you won't find on many policies.

You can choose between the Trip Protection Basic or Trip Protection Choice plans, with the higher-tier Choice plan costing more but providing more coverage.

Read our Seven Corners Travel Insurance review here. 

Best for expensive trips: HTH Worldwide

HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance  offers three levels of trip protection: TripProtector Economy, Classic, and Preferred. The higher the tier, the more coverage you'll get for things like baggage delays, trip delays & cancellations, and medical expenses. But their premiums remain reasonable even at the highest tier of coverage.

Not only does the HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Preferred plan offer higher-than-average medical emergency and evacuation coverage limits ($500,000 and $1 million, respectively), but you'll also get a baggage loss coverage limit of $2,000 per person and coverage for trip interruption of up to 200% of the trip cost. You also have the option to add CFAR coverage for an additional cost.

Read our HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best for exotic locations: World Nomads

World Nomads Travel Insurance  has been a top choice for comprehensive travel insurance for many years now. And it's a great option when it comes to cruise coverage, too.

Even the most basic Standard Plan comes with $100,000 in medical emergency coverage and $300,000 in emergency evacuation coverage. And you'll get higher coverage limits with their Premium Plan. Plus, unlike many other providers, World Nomads trip cancellation and emergency medical coverage include COVID-19-related issues.

What sets World Nomads apart from many other insurance companies is that its policies cover 200+ adventure sports. This can be important for adventurous cruisers who plan to take part in activities like jet skiing, scuba diving, or parasailing during their cruise.

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

Introduction to Cruise Insurance

Cruise insurance may offer unique coverage like missed port of call and medical evacuation coverage. You might not need the flight protections of a regular travel insurance plan if you're catching a cruise at a port near you, but medical and cancel for any reason coverage could be critical. The best travel insurance plans will provide flexibility to add coverage options to fit your travels needs.

Understanding the Basics of Cruise Insurance

At its core, cruise insurance is your financial lifeboat, designed to protect you from unforeseen events that could disrupt your sea voyage. Whether it's a sudden illness, adverse weather, or other unexpected occurrences, having the right insurance can make a world of difference.

Why Cruise Insurance is Important

Picture this: You're all set for your dream cruise, but a sudden family emergency means you can't set sail. Or worse, you fall ill in the middle of the ocean. Without cruise insurance, you're not just missing out on an adventure, but also facing potentially huge financial losses. That's why securing cruise insurance isn't just recommended; it's a crucial part of your cruise planning.

Types of Cruise Insurance Coverage

Cruise insurance isn't a one-size-fits-all life jacket. There are various types of coverage, each tailored to protect different aspects of your cruise experience.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage

This coverage is like your safety net, catching you financially if you need to cancel your trip last minute or cut it short due to emergencies, be it due to personal, health-related, or even certain work conflicts.

Medical Coverage

Being on a cruise shouldn't mean being adrift from medical care. Medical coverage ensures that if you fall ill or get injured, your medical expenses won't sink your finances.

Emergency Evacuation Coverage

In the rare case that you need to be evacuated from the ship due to a medical emergency or severe weather, this coverage ensures you're not left adrift in a sea of expenses.

Baggage and Personal Effects Coverage

Imagine reaching your dream destination only to find your luggage lost at sea. This coverage ensures that lost, stolen, or damaged baggage doesn't dampen your cruise experience.

Buying Cruise Insurance

Securing the best cruise insurance isn't just about finding the best price; it's about ensuring it covers all your potential needs. 

When to Purchase Cruise Insurance

Timing is everything. Purchasing your insurance soon after booking your cruise can often provide additional benefits and ensure you're covered for any early surprises. As you get closer to your trip your coverage options may get more expensive, and certain providers may not be able to offer you coverage.

How to Find the Best Deals on Cruise Insurance

Keep a lookout for deals, but remember, the cheapest option isn't always the best. Balance cost with coverage, and ensure you're getting the protection you need at a price that doesn't rock your financial boat. A travel insurance comparison site like SquareMouth is a good place to compare multiple quotes from all of the major carriers at once.

How we reviewed cruise insurance plans

When comparing cruise travel insurance providers, we evaluated them based on the following criteria to come up with our list of top picks:

Customer Satisfaction

We look at ratings from JD Power and other industry giants to see where a company ranks in customer satisfaction. We also look at customer review sites like Trustpilot and SquareMouth.

Policy Types

We look at policy types and offerings, from standard travel protections to adventure sports coverage. We look at the amount of insurance offered

Average Premiums

We compare average premiums per trip. Some companies also offer annual plans, and we compare policies accordingly.

Claims Paid

How frequently do companies pay claims easily and quickly? We check customer reviews and other resources to see which companies honor policies most effectively.

We look at the company's overall behavior. Is it operating ethically? Companies can earn additional points for such behaviors.

You can read more about how Business Insider rates insurance here.

Best cruise travel insurance FAQs

How much does insurance cost for a cruise.

As a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay between 5% and 10% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses for cruise insurance coverage. The price will vary depending on factors like your age, your travel destination, and whether you require additional coverage.

When is the best time to buy cruise insurance?

If you're booking a cruise, we recommend purchasing travel insurance when you make your first trip payment. That could be for the cruise itself or an expense like airfare to get you to your cruising destination. This way, if you have to cancel your trip, you'll have the most extended coverage period possible.

What cruise insurance coverage do I need?

Your cruise insurance should have high coverage limits for emergency medical evacuations, trip delays, interruption, and adventure sports.

What is the difference between travel insurance and cruise insurance?

The difference between traditional travel insurance and cruise insurance is that cruise insurance offers more specialized coverage, for situations such as missing a departure port and more coverage for medical evacuations, since it's more expensive to evacuate someone at sea than on land. 

Can I claim for missed ports on a cruise?

Most cruise insurance includes coverage for missing a departure port, so you should be able to claim for a missed port. Just make sure you check the details of your policy before you file a claim, and before you travel so you know what compensation you're entitled to.

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Business Insider on Microsoft Start.

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How a Crypto Compliance Officer Ended Up in a Nigerian Prison

Tigran Gambaryan, an American compliance official for the giant cryptocurrency exchange Binance, flew to Nigeria in February for a planned two-day business trip. He hasn’t returned.

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By David Yaffe-Bellany and Emily Flitter

David Yaffe-Bellany reported from San Francisco, and Emily Flitter from New York.

When he flew to Nigeria for a business trip in late February, Tigran Gambaryan, a top compliance officer at the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, packed a small suitcase with just enough clothes for two days.

A former U.S. law enforcement agent, Mr. Gambaryan knew the trip was risky. Only a few weeks earlier, he and a group of colleagues had rushed out of Nigeria, concerned that the local authorities might detain them, five people familiar with that trip said. This time, he assured his wife, he would “get in and get out.”

A month and a half later, Mr. Gambaryan is being held at Kuje prison in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, a complex that has housed Islamic State militants and Boko Haram fighters.

After meeting with government officials in Abuja on Feb. 26, Mr. Gambaryan, 39, and a Binance colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were abruptly escorted to a guesthouse controlled by Nigerian security officials, where they were held for nearly a month with no formal charges filed against them.

Then, late last month, Mr. Anjarwalla, the company’s regional manager for Africa, escaped under mysterious circumstances. Initial reports suggested he had fled Nigeria after guards permitted him to leave the guesthouse for Ramadan prayers.

Within days of the escape, the Nigerian government charged Mr. Gambaryan, Mr. Anjarwalla and Binance itself with tax evasion and money laundering — effectively accusing the company and two midlevel employees of the same crimes.

This account of Mr. Gambaryan’s detention in Nigeria is based on interviews with Nigerian officials, crypto compliance experts and a dozen other people with knowledge of the situation, many of whom requested anonymity to discuss a legally sensitive matter.

In an April 3 statement, Binance denied that Mr. Gambaryan had any “decision-making power” in the company and said he should not be “held responsible while current discussions are ongoing between Binance and Nigerian government officials.”

A Binance spokesman, Brad Jaffe, said the company had “great respect” for the Nigerian government and remained engaged in “good faith discussions at all levels.”

Mr. Gambaryan’s arrest is the latest flashpoint in years of legal troubles for Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange. The company is trying to rebuild after it agreed to pay $4.3 billion in penalties last year to settle charges by several U.S. agencies that it violated economic sanctions against Syria, Cuba and Iran while allowing criminal activity to flourish on its platform.

The case also shows how the crypto industry, built on technology that was originally designed to circumvent the global financial system, is still struggling to stay on the right side of law enforcement in countries around the world. In November, Binance’s founder, Changpeng Zhao, stepped down as chief executive and pleaded guilty to money-laundering violations in the United States.

Binance replaced Mr. Zhao with Richard Teng, a former Singaporean regulator, and continued to operate worldwide, but with a smaller staff after it laid off 3,000 of its nearly 8,000 employees last year.

Around the time of the leadership change, Binance was working with the Nigerian government, hoping to collaborate on efforts to monitor crypto transactions for financial crime. But those discussions deteriorated as Nigerian officials voiced suspicions that Binance was committing some of the same crimes that the United States had investigated.

With one of the largest economies in Africa, Nigeria has recently become a hot spot for digital currencies: It has the second-highest rate of crypto adoption in the world behind India, according to Chainalysis, a data firm. Some Nigerians have turned to crypto as an alternative to the local currency, which has depreciated substantially over the past two years.

Mr. Gambaryan, a weight lifter who practices martial arts in his spare time, spent his early childhood in Armenia before moving to Fresno, Calif., as a preteen. He now lives outside Atlanta with his wife and two young children.

Binance hired Mr. Gambaryan to work on compliance issues in 2021 and eventually made him the head of its financial crime compliance team.

By the time he traveled to Nigeria, Mr. Gambaryan had become one of the company’s most recognized employees outside its executive suite. He spoke at conferences, used his pedigree as a former law enforcement officer to help recast Binance as a law-abiding financial firm and met with government officials around the world. He liked to recount his years as a criminal investigator for the Treasury Department, where he was part of the team that investigated crimes linked to the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace. His friends and colleagues described him as fearless and proud of his government service.

In early January, Mr. Gambaryan was part of a delegation of Binance employees that traveled to Abuja for meetings with Nigerian officials, who were concerned that the company was evading taxes and violating anti-money-laundering rules.

The trip soon turned frightening, six people familiar with it said. On Jan. 8, Binance’s delegation met with a group of Nigerian legislators, who read aloud a list of accusations against the company, including tax violations, three of the people said. The Binance delegation asked how it could resolve the government’s concerns.

Peter Aniekwe, a Nigerian lawmaker who attended the meeting, said in an interview that he and his colleagues had told Binance’s employees to speak with the Nigerian tax authority about how much the company owed.

Then one of the lawmakers suggested that the delegation was at risk of detention. “We told them that it’s better to settle or they might not leave Nigeria,” Mr. Aniekwe said.

It was meant to be a casual comment, Mr. Aniekwe said, and not an explicit threat, since legislators have no power to arrest anyone.

Still, the employees were alarmed. That night, a local Nigerian lawyer who was working with Binance told the delegation that the cost of settling the company’s legal problems in Nigeria could exceed $100 million, three people familiar with the talks said.

Fearing for their safety, Mr. Gambaryan and his colleagues cut the trip short and flew out of Nigeria, the people said.

Just a month and a half later, though, Mr. Gambaryan went back.

The decision-making among Binance officials about the return trip was muddled, and it wasn’t clear who made the final call. Friends and colleagues pleaded with Mr. Gambaryan not to go, three people familiar with those discussions said. He responded that he felt a sense of obligation to return, and that he thought he could mend relations with the Nigerian officials, a person familiar with his thinking said.

The debate reached Binance’s top executives, a person familiar with the discussions said. Before Mr. Gambaryan left, Binance received assurances from local officials that he would be safe, the person said, and the company hired a security firm to help him navigate Abuja.

But tensions were growing. A few days before Mr. Gambaryan’s return trip, Bayo Onanuga, an adviser to Nigeria’s president, accused Binance of facilitating trading that had contributed to the collapse of the naira, the country’s currency.

Only one other Binance employee traveled with Mr. Gambaryan — Mr. Anjarwalla, who had also been part of the January delegation. On Feb. 26, they met with officials from Nigeria’s financial regulators and other government agencies. Binance did not send any lawyers to accompany them, a person familiar with the meeting said.

The discussions turned hostile. The Nigerian officials wanted Binance to turn over data for a large swath of its customers, a demand that the company was unwilling to meet, three people familiar with the talks said.

A few hours later, Nigerian officials escorted Mr. Gambaryan and Mr. Anjarwalla to their hotel and ordered them to pack their bags, according to their families. Then they were taken to the guesthouse — a secure compound near the headquarters of Nigeria’s national security adviser. “You’re our guest now,” a Nigerian official told them, according to a person familiar with what happened.

The Nigerian authorities confiscated Mr. Gambaryan’s and Mr. Anjarwalla’s passports, but they were able to keep their phones, allowing them to communicate with family and colleagues. No criminal charges were filed, though a local court issued an order permitting the authorities to detain Mr. Gambaryan and Mr. Anjarwalla pending an investigation.

For weeks, they stayed in a section of the house that included two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen. Guards holding AK-47s were stationed nearby, a person familiar with the matter said.

Speaking to the BBC in early March, Mr. Onanuga, the presidential aide, said Nigeria’s government was demanding close to $10 billion from Binance “in retribution because they really messed up our economy in a very short time.” (In an interview with The New York Times, Mr. Onanuga said he had meant that Binance “may” have to pay such an amount, and that he had been speculating about the size of a potential fine.)

On March 22, lawyers for Mr. Gambaryan and Mr. Anjarwalla learned that Nigeria was preparing to charge the two men personally with criminal violations, as part of its case against Binance, according to their families. The next morning, Mr. Gambaryan woke up to discover that Mr. Anjarwalla was missing, a person familiar with the matter said.

How Mr. Anjarwalla managed to escape was unclear. A local newspaper reported that Mr. Anjarwalla, who has dual nationality in Kenya and Britain, had used his Kenyan passport to leave Nigeria after handing over his British one. The guards led him to a nearby mosque for Ramadan on March 22, the report said, before he somehow slipped away.

A representative for Mr. Anjarwalla said he had left Nigeria “by lawful means.” A spokesman for Nigeria’s national security adviser said the country’s security agencies were working to obtain an international arrest warrant for him.

“The personnel responsible for the custody of the suspect have been arrested,” the spokesman said.

After the escape, the Nigerian authorities confiscated Mr. Gambaryan’s phone. On March 25, he, Mr. Anjarwalla and Binance were charged with money laundering, tax evasion and other crimes. A judge ordered Mr. Gambaryan to be taken to Kuje, where the Islamic State staged a dramatic prison break in 2022 to free hundreds of its fighters.

Mr. Gambaryan’s family, friends and colleagues have been lobbying U.S. officials to secure his release. “They need to make it clear that this kind of injustice should not be tolerated,” Mr. Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, said in an interview.

A White House official, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic issues, said the administration was working with the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria to resolve the situation.

Mr. Gambaryan has lawyers representing him in Nigeria and is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing on Monday, a spokeswoman for his family said. Before he was taken to Kuje, Mr. Gambaryan recorded a video of himself in the courtyard of the guesthouse.

“Guys, I’ve done nothing wrong,” he said. “I’ve been a cop my whole life. I just ask the Nigerian government to let me go.”

Julian Barnes and Ruth Maclean contributed reporting.

David Yaffe-Bellany writes about the crypto industry from San Francisco. He can be reached at [email protected]. More about David Yaffe-Bellany

Emily Flitter writes about finance and how it impacts society. More about Emily Flitter

Inside the World of Cryptocurrencies

Tigran Gambaryan, an American compliance official for the giant cryptocurrency exchange Binance, flew to Nigeria in February for a planned two-day business trip. Here’s how he ended up in a Nigerian prison .

Two years after the cryptocurrency market crashed, there are signs that crypto is booming again in the Philippines, long a center of crypto activity .

Pushed by a nonprofit with ties to the Trump administration, Arkansas became the first state to shield noisy cryptocurrency operators from unhappy neighbors. A furious backlash has some lawmakers considering a statewide ban .

Ben Armstrong, better known as BitBoy, was once the most popular cryptocurrency YouTuber in the world. Then his empire collapsed .

Federal judges are weighing whether digital currencies should be subject to the same rules as stocks and bonds. The outcome could shape crypto’s future in the United States .

New investment funds that hold Bitcoin have begun trading , and it might be tempting to invest in them. Should you ?

An Oklahoma tourist says he faces 12 years in prison in the Caribbean after he mistakenly left 4 bullets from a hunting trip in his carry-on duffel bag

• Ryan Watson was on vacation when he was charged with illegally carrying ammo into Turks and Caicos.
• He and his wife, Valerie, say the four bullets in their duffel bag were unknowingly left there from a hunting trip.
• Watson now faces 12 years in prison, alongside several US tourists charged for similar offenses.

An Oklahoma man traveling with his wife in the Caribbean territory of Turks and Caicos faces 12 years in prison after four rounds of ammunition were found in his luggage.

Ryan and Valerie Watson arrived in Turks and Caicos earlier this month to celebrate his 40th birthday with several other couples, their families said in a GoFundMe. NBC Boston reported that the Watsons arrived on April 7.

But the pair, who have two young children, were arrested in the self-governed British territory after airport security found the four bullets in their carry-on duffel bag.

Their families' GoFundMe said the ammo had been left in the bag unintentionally, and was from a prior deer hunting trip.

"They were hunting ammunition rounds that I use for white-tailed deer, and I recognized them, and I thought: 'Oh, what a mistake.' I had no idea that they were in there," Ryan Watson told NBC News.

Valerie Watson was released from the charges on Tuesday and flew back to Oklahoma to reunite with her children.

But her husband remains in Turks and Caicos, and was granted $15,000 bail the day after by the local supreme court, according to a police statement.

He now faces 12 years in prison, which is the minimum custodial sentence for bringing firearms or ammunition into Turks and Caicos.

Ryan Watson must stay on the islands and report twice a week to a local police station while waiting for his hearing, which is set for June 7.

Meanwhile, his family is trying to raise $300,000 for his legal fees and housing in the Caribbean.

"Isolated from their family, friends, and children, they face mounting legal fees, living expenses, and the overwhelming stress of their situation," their GoFundMe reads. "The emotional and financial toll is immense, and they are at risk of losing everything."

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"We were trying to pack board shorts and flip flops," Valerie Watson told CBS News . "Packing ammunition was not at all our intent."

The Watsons did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider through their GoFundMe.

Eight US tourists prosecuted since February

It is illegal to bring firearms or ammunition into Turks and Caicos, and penalties apply regardless of the offender's status or country of origin, according to the local attorney general's chambers.

Several tourists caught under this law were previously let off with just a fine, while at least one was given a prison sentence under the minimum limit.

But in February, a court of appeal ordered that all offenders be given at least the minimum sentence of 12 years in prison.

At least eight tourists from the US have since been prosecuted under this rule, per the attorney general's chambers.

Another American tourist, 31-year-old Tyler Wenrich , was charged on Tuesday with possessing ammunition after he arrived in Turks and Caicos on a cruise ship, according to local police.

"While going through a security checkpoint, it was discovered Mr Wenrich allegedly had ammunition in his possession," a police statement said.

Amid the recent spate of tourist arrests, the US State Department published a September advisory warning US citizens that it wouldn't be able to secure their release if they brought firearms and ammo into Turks and Caicos.

"We strongly encourage you to carefully check your luggage for stray ammunition or forgotten weapons before departing for TCI," the advisory said.

The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Tourism is a key revenue for Turks and Caicos, and in 2019 provided about $787 million, or 65% of the island's GDP, to the territory, per a 2023 report by the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce.

The Caribbean archipelago is a popular port of call for US cruise ships, and this year has seen a 127% jump in tourist arrivals — the largest increase in the world — compared to 2019, the United Nations World Tourism Organization said in February.

Watch: VIDEO: Matthew McConaughey makes an emotional plea for more gun control

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From NFL to Augusta National: Patrick Peterson Details His Dream Trip to 2024 Masters

Peterson had been to Augusta National previously, but it was never quite like his trip to the recent Masters Tournament. He shares his story exclusively with SI.

• Author: Patrick Peterson

Just 615 miles from Canton, Ohio, lies a first-ballot Hall-of-Fame golf tournament on a first-ballot Hall-of-Fame golf course. 

Yes, that’s an NFL analogy, but can you blame me? I'm about to start my 14th season in the league. But the Masters Golf Tournament, held annually at Augusta National, is a celebrated, world-renowned springtime event. I love it. I’ve been lucky enough in past years to both attend a Masters and play Augusta National, and this year, thanks to an invitation from Mercedes, I got to experience the 2024 Masters in a completely new way: as a Sports Illustrated correspondent. 

During the NFL offseason, I live in Alpharetta, Ga., and my drive east to Augusta was as sweet as the famous Moonpies and White Chocolate Georgia Pecan cookies awaiting me at the Masters. I rolled in the new Mercedes Benz Maybach EQS 680 SUV. Not going to lie: that loaner Maybach may soon be in my garage as a full-time member of the Peterson family. 

My accommodations were situated in a neighborhood exclusively rented for Mercedes guests. It was a wonderful neighborhood, which, set the tone for a weekend of elite golf and unmatched hospitality. My roommates were fellow golf enthusiasts and Masters of their own crafts: YouTube stars Rick Shiels and Seb Marc Michel-Brown. We had a blast sharing stories about our golf journeys — and they were lucky we didn’t get on the golf course for a match, or they would have been a few “pounds” lighter on their way back to London!

Nightly entertainment was star-studded. One evening featured a fireside chat with college football legend Nick Saban. Another night was a tasting event with actor Aaron Paul, who introduced his new tequila brand. I also had some fun chats with ESPN’s Michael Collins, who is hilarious and has a bunch of cool experiences and insight from his time as a media member. I was also surprised to bump into my former head coach from the Minnesota Vikings, Kevin O'Connell, which only added to the memorable experience. It was great to hear from him about the impact I had on the locker room during my time there, which meant a lot, and we also talked golf and cars. Speaking of cars, I also enjoyed a cocktail and cigar with Dimitris Psillakis, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz North America. We talked more about that EQS 680 SUV loaner, and he also got me fired up for the EQS 680 Night Series, which he drives personally. That was definitely one of the highlights of my weekend. 

In the past I’ve been lucky enough to drive down Magnolia Lane when I was invited by a member— that was never during a Masters week, of course. But this year the hospitality house was near the gates so in the mornings I strolled over to a shuttle alongside other Mercedes guests, and we were then zipped right up Magnolia Lane to start our day. 

Peterson made the most of his trip to the 2024 Masters.

Courtesy of Patrick Peterson

That ride was unreal, and it also brought me closer to golf legend and long-time Mercedes-Benz ambassador Bernhard Langer.

At 66, Langer’s passion for golf and thrill of competition remains strong. Despite his age and recent injury, he maintains a firm belief in continuous improvement—a philosophy that resonates with my own 13-year NFL career, where I believe that constantly evolving and finding areas to improve is key to my success. I try to carry that same philosophy as a husband and father … and as an aspiring pro-celebrity golfer.

Langer and I talked about his special connection with Augusta National. He fell in love with the course on his first visit and was immediately blown away by the course’s demanding greens. He always felt that if he could master (excuse the pun) his putting stroke there, he could succeed anywhere in the world. He also said golfers are often seen as “mad scientists” who never stop tinkering with their gear, and their games, all in search of even the slightest competitive edge. 

Langer also revealed that the 2025 Masters would mark his 40th and final appearance at the tournament. He said that Augusta’s chairman, Fred Ridley, offered him the chance to play as long as he desired, but Langer wants to compete and contend. With the course now stretching to lengthier yards every year, he feels the physical demands might surpass his competitive capabilities. Langer plans to have his son caddie for him to make his last Masters a special family moment.

This resonated with me because like Langer I am motivated not just to play football, but to compete and contribute to a championship. Once I can no longer meet that standard, I feel comfortable with my body of work. 

I really connected with Langer through our shared philosophies on competition and longevity in sports. That conversation was on Masters Saturday, and was a perfect lead-in for a Sunday afternoon following the GOAT of the sport, Tiger Woods. I could not help but wonder how long Woods will put himself through the grueling physical challenge of the Masters. He’s a competitor, but Augusta National is a tough walk. 

The 2024 Masters undoubtedly goes down as one of my favorite sporting experiences, and my gratitude to Mercedes is as profound as the legacy of the Masters itself. Until next time.

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The rising dark side of business travel ceos need to pay attention to.

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It's time for companies to rethink their approach to business travel.

The business landscape has rapidly changed since the pandemic, with remote work and hybrid models becoming more prominent. Despite these workforce shifts, one aspect remains constant: business travel.

Business travel is back in full force following an expected dip during the pandemic. Corporate travel budgets are returning to pre-pandemic levels, and more companies are planning budget expansions. A Morgan Stanley survey revealed that over two-thirds of companies with under $1 billion in annual revenue anticipated increased travel budgets in the coming year.

The Impact of Frequently Flying

Frequent travel can significantly impact an individual's physical, emotional, and mental well-being . While companies prioritize conventional risk management areas, they often overlook the personal well-being of their travelers. From maintaining a healthy diet to proper sleep and various emotional components such as loneliness and separation, business travelers encounter numerous potential long-term health disruptions that non-traveling employees don't face.

Business travelers had higher claims than non-travelers for all health conditions across the board, along with a higher likelihood of stress-related disorders, as reported in the Harvard Business Review . Lastly, as shared in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine , frequent business travel adversely affects overall body composition, leading to risks of obesity and various other ailments if left unmanaged, such as heart disease and diabetes.

More and more companies are prioritizing workplace wellness due to factors such as obesity's $400 billion impact on companies . Corporate travel wellness programs are a necessary part of the equation as well. As you look to implement a modern and more robust travel wellness program, start with these two areas:

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The giant grey ghost lizard went extinct 100 years ago or did it, amazon prime video s best new show arrives with a perfect 100 critic score, embrace bleisure travel.

When attracting and retaining the best people, more and more employees choose lifestyle over salary . It's not out of laziness. It's out of a desire for work-life integration. With this in mind, organizations can embrace employees' desires through bleisure . Organizations can promote work-life integration and rejuvenation by allowing employees to combine business trips with leisure activities.

Implementing flexible travel policies that enable team members to extend their trips on the back end is a way to improve employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention rates. Research shows that 89% of business travelers wanted to add a private holiday to their business trips. Traveling for work is energetically demanding, physically and mentally. A few extra days for leisure allow team members to process their trip, recharge, and return at total capacity.

Treat Your Employees Like Athletes

Just as professional athletes require careful management of their physical, emotional, and mental well-being , so do business travelers. Business travel is a stressor with a high burnout rate and decreased performance across the board. As you revamp your corporate wellness travel program, consider your approach to business travel as a sports team thinks of traveling to play an away game.

As you prepare the company playbook for healthier and more productive business traveling, consider the following:

• Providing support for handling jet lag
• Offering advice on maintaining healthy sleep and nutritional habits away from home
• Investing in business class and non-stop flights
• Providing hotels that have conducive amenities for optimal well-being
• Ensuring team members reside in centrally located hotels or apartment hotels

Business travel isn't going anywhere anytime soon, as the average business traveler takes roughly 6.8 trips per year, with business travel in the U.S. from domestic and international travelers also accounting for $387 billion in annual revenue, according to research shared over at Zippia . Incorporating travel wellness initiatives isn't merely an expense; it's an investment in employees' health and performance.

As organizations revamp their corporate travel programs, prioritizing their travelers' well-being is paramount. By implementing strategies to support travel wellness, companies can ensure that their employees remain healthy, engaged, and effective representatives of their companies.

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