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Dog days ahead for biz travelChinese New Year ushers in uncertain times
 The Chinese horoscope predicts a 'ruff' year for business travel. BUSINESS TRAVELLER
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YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS(CNN) -- The coming year is likely to be fraught with economic pitfalls for business travelers, who will also face stormy skies as east-west trade hits turbulence. That's the warning from astrology experts as the Chinese calendar prepares to usher in its Year of the Dog, spelling troublesome times ahead for those on the move. There's some good news though, says Richard Ashworth The Lunar New Year, which begins on January 29, is always a significant time in the world of business travel, with large portions of Asia grinding to a halt as factories shut down and millions hit the road to join family and friends. But as Asian economies, led by the industrial powerhouse of China, become increasingly important in global trade, more businesses are looking to the Chinese calendar, even if they may doubt its relevance. Says Ashworth, the Year of the Dog will be "powerful" in terms of communication, with greater cooperation between those already linked. Countries within the European Union will be more cooperative than in recent years. "Those relying on Chinese markets, however, will face glitches," he says, warning of similar spats to the 2005 clothing export row between Beijing and Brussels. "It's likely to be a volatile year for China and consequently it may falter a bit with its openness towards western trade." According to Ashworth, the horoscope predicts the likelihood of an "undramatic" regime change in China, as well as possible flooding to an excess of rainfall that could hit other parts of the world. The spring will also bring uncertainty to areas of northeast Europe, particularly around Russia and Belarus. Avoid air travelElsewhere in the world, with the arrival of the dog auguring "sudden changes," financial sectors are likely to enjoy an initial three or four-month boom period, before falling victim to possible "market meltdowns". "It may be a good time to get out of stocks and into cash," adds Ashworth. More worryingly for travelers, there are indications of a major seismic event in the middle of the year, either in the Indian Ocean or in South America, and of trouble in the skies. "Air travel also looks a bit tricky in the third quarter. It does seem as though there will be some sort of major confrontation in the year where civil airspace will be encroached by the military -- probably in the Far or Middle East. "You should travel by air only if it's essential," he advises. Not everyone is convinced by such predictions, however. Alan Killick, who regularly travels to Hong Kong and southern China representing an international manufacturing firm says he never pays heed to astrological forecasts. "Every year, they make their predictions, but the only thing that influences our profit margins are sensible business decisions," he says. 
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-- a British-based practitioner of Feng Shui, the highly-influential Chinese study of elemental forces -- with executives likely to strengthen existing business bonds and enjoy early financial windfalls.
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