I am a USA citizen and do not have much knowledge or trips to Dubai, but interested in investing in Dubai Real estate. 

Also, you don’t need a business license just to look at properties, but if you buy a bigger property, like a multi-family unit, you might need a certificate of occupancy, depending on the local rules.For business trips, most expenses can be deductible, but if it’s part personal and part business, you can only deduct the business portion.

if you're in St Pete frequently you'll need to turn some of those vacation trips into work trips - networking, building a team, and trying to find a distressed property.but the trick is then going to be moving quickly if either 1) a distressed property hits the MLS (unusual, but not unheard of) or 2) a distressed property comes to you another way (from your network, from a wholesaler.)how you will move quickly enough to lock it down and buy it, if you're in RI? 

If you're getting paid cash for rent get rid of it as fast as you can this way without making needless trips to the bank. 

 I did an investment research trip to Guanacaste, Costa Rica in March of last year.

Well at 6 trips a year, that's $8,334 a trip.

. :-)I agree though - get them involved in a real way (having them help write/advise/ formulate the goals) this will get into their heads faster than just plain talk.I would add this: maybe for the second 'meeting', go on a Field Trip!

Suggestions like driving by the houses weekly are silly, such trips serve no legitimate business purpose. 

Also looking at Viator (parent co. of Trip Advisor).

We have traveled worldwide together on cruises and various different seminars from various different speakers and he smarter than the average investor, going on the type of trips with speakers that he and I have gone to has certainly helped both of us he's outstanding.Dr Butler Portland Oregon