Rakesh Sarna is a travel industry professional with nearly 40 years of experience in hospitality. His unique perspective on travel makes him a valuable resource both for consumers and for industry members. Sarna’s father served in the Indian Foreign Service, giving him a broad experience of the world starting at a young age.
After graduating from high school in India, Sarna went to Algonquin College in Canada to study Hospitality Administration. He then entered the field of hospitality by getting a job with Hyatt. With Hyatt, he traveled around the world and gained a wealth of experience. He worked for Hyatt for over 35 years and was able to hone his skills in management and customer service.
Rakesh Sarna shares his thoughts on travel with readers, bringing to bear his many years of hospitality experience.
What is your favorite thing about traveling?
I enjoy experiencing different cultures. I have been traveling the world since I was quite young, and experiencing a new culture never fails to amaze me. I enjoy the challenge of adapting a hotel or restaurant’s services to fit in with the local culture.
Is traveling something you consider a hobby or a lifestyle? How did you get started?
Traveling is most certainly a lifestyle for me. I have spent much of my life going back and forth between cities and regions of the world. My work has taken me to many unique locations spanning North America, the Caribbean, Middle East, Pacific, Asia, Europe and South Asia to name a few. I got started traveling at a young age because my father was in the Foreign Service. We moved often, and while this could be upsetting for a young child, I grew accustomed to the changes. My parents were careful to help me adapt to each new place, reducing the chance of culture shock.
Do you have any exciting travel dates or itinerary planned for the future?
I am headed to Australia in the coming months. It is a beautiful country with amazing topography and incredible food. My wife and I have always enjoyed traveling to Australia.
What are some travel tips you’d give to an inexperienced traveler?
Don’t be afraid to engage with the local culture. It’s sad to visit a new city and stay within the confines of your hotel or resort. If you can, engage the services of a local guide to help you explore the city. The local guide will help you get past the cultural barriers and help you enjoy your trip.
Also, it is important to make sure that all of your travel documents are up-to-date. International immigration standards have only gotten tighter in the past several years.
Where would you like to go?
There aren’t very many corners of the world that I haven’t yet explored. I feel very fortunate to have visited such a broad spectrum of countries. That being said, I haven’t explored South America in great depth. This is something my wife and I need to correct soon.
Where would you like to revisit?
I have a wide variety of cities that I would love to see again. Interlaken in Switzerland is a little gem of a city in the midst of the Alps. It provides a perfect base of operations for travelers who want to experience the Swiss countryside. It has beautiful hotels and a wide variety of quality restaurants.
Do you travel alone? Why?
I rarely travel alone these days.
My wife comes with me on all of our major trips. I frequently traveled alone
while I was working. I am used to traveling alone and I don’t mind it, but
every trip is better with my wife by my side.
If you could pick the top three places every person should go, what would they be?
It is challenging to narrow this list down to three. I believe that everyone should see Hong Kong, London, and San Francisco. Hong Kong has an amazingly vibrant blend of cultures and a food scene that has to be seen to be believed. London has centuries of history available to be explored. San Francisco is the gem of the Pacific coast with a laid-back yet sophisticated world view.
Do you travel light, or do you pack up the house?
I have always traveled light. It is an ingrained habit learned in early childhood. We moved so much, there was never time to acquire a lot of belongings, so I learned to carry only the essentials. Sometimes I do run into a situation where I need to buy something on my trip.
