For most, travel is a favorite pastime. For Henry Watkins, it’s his livelihood. And while an increasing number of professionals are logging more time on the road, Watkins, 49, has enjoyed a hectic travel schedule for more than 20 years as a sales executive in various media businesses with a focus on business and leisure destinations. Currently, as a travel media consultant for Voyages North America Inc., Watkins travels roughly 15 to 20 days a month and visits about 50 countries a year. He offers us a glimpse into how he manages his schedule.
Favorite international destination for business: Dubai. “It is a major center of capitalism—about three hours from India, six hours from the U.K.” The Desert Palm is his favorite hotel. “It has polo fields in its backyard.”
Favorite domestic destination for vacation: San Francisco. “It has it all—bay, mountains, world-class dining.” His favorite restaurant: Bix.
Favorite international destination for vacation: Zambia. “One word: safari. It quickly became my favorite trip of all time, also because of the kindheartedness of the people.”
Best luggage Tumi for quality and the reputation of the brand. “All my luggage is Tumi except for one piece.” Favorite overnight bag Red Victorinox Swiss Army duffel bag. “It’s durable and easily recognizable when I check it.”
Favorite brand of shoes Brown Gucci loafers. “They’re sexy and comfortable.”
Best airport for a layover: London’s Heathrow. “Best choice of restaurants and retail shopping—Harrods, Sony Style, HMV.” Favorite eateries: Café Rouge in Terminal 1, and Bagel Street and “rhubarb” in Terminal 3.
Best frequent flier lounge: American Airlines Admirals Club in Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport. “There are several of them and they’re spacious.”
Favorite first-class service Emirates A380. “They have shower spas, an onboard lounge, and the in-flight entertainment system has 1,200 channels on demand. It’s expensive but worth it.”
Best mobile device for international travel Blackberry with T-Mobile. “It may not be the best service provider in the States, but internationally it provides service in more than 220 countries.”
Favorite time piece for international travelSwiss handcrafted Gevril GV2 Automatic. “It’s elegant and keeps perfect time wherever I am in the world.”
Travel tech tool: Air Watch Alert on Tripadvisor. Choose a departure city and destination, and the site alerts you if the fare between those cities decreases.
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