Ricky and his wife on a ski trip in Park City.

The Co-Pilot Spotlight navigates into the minds and experiences of travel professionals and professional travelers. Join us in the cockpit with Ricky Sitomer, CEO & Founder, Star Jets International. Ricky is the private jet guru to celebrities and high-end corporate travelers around the world.

OTPYM: Where was the first place you ever traveled?

RICKY: My first time flying on a private jet, I was going to visit my kids at camp in New Hampshire.

Where is the last place you visited?

Park City and Deere Valley and Park City, Utah. I spent 4 days skiing and soaking in all their luxury resorts have to offer. It was an amazing trip. It was my first time to Park City and I loved it.

Where are you off to next?

I’m going to Riviera Maya, Mexico with my family for Spring Break. We’re staying at Rosewood Mayakoba. I’ve never been.

How has travel helped to define your world view?

Travel has made the world much smaller. And in my line of work, private airports and planes make for even easier access.

Where is the favorite place you’ve traveled and why?

No way I can pick one favorite. I love all places. Anything new, I love. So I guess whatever the newest place I traveled is would be my current favorite. I just went to Park City for the first time. I remember South of France; Capri, Italy; St. Barts. London is up there on my list too. I like that it’s a big city and has a lot of culture yet is so different than New York.

When on your travels have you felt the most out of your comfort zone?

Who is the most interesting person you have ever met while traveling and why?

I love traveling and meeting new local people but also talking to and networking with the other travels. I’m passionate about private travel and visiting new places allows me to bring that experience to new people and new places, people that I wouldn’t have met if I was in the same place. I remember the people I met at the Viceroy in Antigua and Tiwana in St. Barts. I still know them.

What is the most adventurous food you have tried while on the road?

I just had Elk and Buffalo in Park City. The Elk was delicious and tender. The Buffalo was good too, but not as good as the Elk! I’d definitely go back for seconds.

What’s the next trend in travel?

More and more people are going to fly private due to the current administration’s travel bans. TSA lines are going to get longer, in turn time in the airport is going to get longer. Economically, I believe the business environment is going to get better so people will be in the air more.