Lots of champagne, the necessity of a change of clothing and moving beyond travel travails – we talk with René Jacobs, MD at Gartner Africa.

TSB: How often do you go on business trips, and where do you travel to most often?

RJ: Overseas about six times a year. As I live in Cape Town, I always travel via London, so it is either the end destination or my ’hub’ to go to the US or Europe - i.e. fly to London, ‘turn left’ to go to the US or ‘turn right’ to go to Europe.

TSB: Any packing tips?

RJ: Pack as little as possible (which I battle with), but ALWAYS have a change of clothes with you, then it doesn’t matter if luggage gets delayed.

TSB: According to you, which airline is tops and why?

RJ: British Airways – it is the most professional and comfortable and it works with my ‘London hub” concept. SAA bizarrely discontinued all direct flights between London and Cape Town.

TSB: Where’s the best airport lounge?

RJ: Heathrow Terminal 5.

TSB: Passport and airplane tickets excluded, what are the items that you do not travel without?

RJ: My iPad to keep in touch and my swimming gear so that I can have a swim if the opportunity arises.

TSB: Do you have any survival tips for those long-haul nights overseas?

RJ: Lots of champagne interspersed with still water and eating only ‘light’ food.

TSB: Are there any special hotels you can recommend?

RJ: The Langham in London is my favourite hotel on the planet – it is well situated; the staff always makes you feel welcome; the food, including room service is excellent and they have a great swimming pool. It is always a pleasure to stay there and I almost always find an excuse to do so.

TSB: Do you have a travel horror story you don’t mind sharing?

RJ: Too many, but I tend to move beyond those as soon as possible, instead of dwelling on bad things that happened in the past.

TSB: Is there an interesting place/shop/museum/ restaurant that you’ve found that you just have to visit on your travels?

RJ: I love to go to the Royal Opera House in London whenever I can, primarily to see the ballet. Also, if I have any opportunity to divert to Lake Como in Italy for a few days, I find it an irresistible, vibrant place with delightful coffee shops and quaint squares; and I love going on jaunts on the ferry boats on the lake to visit some of the numerous villages on the shore.