Travel Tips Summary
Emirate’s divisional vice president for the United States and Canada, Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, shares his top travel tips with iBestTravel.
Essa Sulaiman Ahmad knows a thing or two about jet lag. That’s because, as the divisional vice president for the United States and Canada for Emirates, he travels quite a bit — often every two weeks.
And because of all that travel, Ahmad, who is based in New York, has a few tricks up his sleeve which he shared with iBestTravel.
How to Beat Jet Lag Without Breaking a Sweat
Ahmad’s No. 1 tip is to start preparing for a trip two or three days in advance. This allows your body to adjust to the time zone of your destination, meaning you should shift everything from sleeping habits to eating schedules.
“The tricks that I kept on using and the trick that seems to work, especially for someone who doesn’t travel as often, would be… two or three days before [a trip], try to align with the clock hours of the destination you are going to visit,” he advised. “There is no secret way of getting it done, but it actually helps.”
Being proactive on the plane is also vital, and staying hydrated is crucial. “I am not usually one to drink water; I often get my intake from coffee,” Ahmad laughed. “So when traveling, I ensure I hydrate by drinking plenty of water.”
On long-haul flights, like between New York and Dubai, Ahmad recommends resisting the urge to sleep immediately. “I wait for a couple of hours and then I ensure I can get at least five or six hours of sleep to wake up refreshed,” he explained. “I strive to avoid power naps, as they interfere with my ability to fully adjust.”
Never Forget Anything with This Packing Hack
To simplify packing, Ahmad uses different bags for varied trip lengths: one for quick getaways, another for slightly longer journeys, and a third for extended vacations. He keeps essentials like toiletries in each bag to ensure nothing is left behind.
“I have three sets of chargers, three sets of toiletries, three sets of everything,” he shared. “This system genuinely helps me stay organized.”
Dreamy Destinations
As a seasoned traveler, Ahmad has visited approximately 80 countries. Dubai holds a special place for him as his home, but when it comes to relaxation, he thinks of beach vacations. “I’m more of a beach person when it comes to holidays. I prefer taking it easy,” he noted. “For instance, you can visit the Maldives for a cozy experience or the Seychelles and Mauritius for a trip with a larger group.”
