DUCO FRANCE'S EXTRAORDINARY VOYAGE DRAWS TO A CLOSE
A highly targeted, high-quality trade show, a unique opportunity to showcase the French art of living and hospitality, a means of paving the way for new partnerships... these were just some of the qualities cited by the participants at DUCO France, which was holding its third edition in France |
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DUCO FRANCE'S EXTRAORDINARY VOYAGE DRAWS TO A CLOSE
A highly targeted, high-quality trade show, a unique opportunity to showcase the French art of living and hospitality, a means of paving the way for new partnerships... these were just some of the qualities cited by the participants at DUCO France, which was holding its third edition in France |
Category: Europe - France - Industry economy -
Tourism
Article written by Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine on 2023-11-10
 DUCO France's meetings gave participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in Paris, including at Printemps Haussmann
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine / DUCO
The uniqueness of this show, and undoubtedly, its added value, lies in the fact that the meetings are spread out over several prestigious venues in the French capital. From palaces to luxury hotels and shopping venues, the travel agents and advisers, most of whom were American, were taken on an extraordinary journey across France.
DUCO France, a must for the French luxury travel industry…
For Anthony Souchard, Sales and Marketing Director of the InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hôtel, attending DUCO France is an opportunity to “ensure that buyers include Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux in their travel plans”. A position shared by Michele Andre, Sales Manager of the Four Seasons Hotel Megeve, who appreciates “the idea that these are only French hotels because I find it interesting to sell our destination as a whole. When I sell our hotel, I don't sell it on its own, I combine it with other destinations, such as Bordeaux, the French Riviera or Paris”.
While there are many reasons to be represented at DUCO France, Alexandre Cognet, Sales Director at Monte Carlo SBM, also comes to forge partnerships with new contacts. And above all to unveil the advantages of a complete stay in Monaco, which is sometimes considered a one-day destination.
For DUCO France, the general managers proudly opened the doors of their properties, including Jean-Pierre Trevisan at the Lutetia, Gerald Krischek at the Prince of Wales, François Delahaye at the Plaza Athénée, Franka Holtmann at Le Meurice and Laure Pertusier at the Saint James Paris. While some hotels hosted a press day, others were the scene of one-to-one meetings every 15 minutes. Others played a festive role, as each DUCO France evening marked the culmination of a day of discoveries and rich encounters.
And for travel consultants and agents in the most demanding markets
While the vast majority of the advisors and agents present were from the United States, others came from Europe to consolidate their knowledge of French treasures. Ilonka Molijn, Luxury Travel Consultant for 360 Private Travel in the Netherlands, had a real crush on l'Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay, the latest addition to the Paris Society, revealed during one of the dozens of meetings scheduled for agents.
The American buyers invited were more or less initiated to France and were able to deepen their knowledge to meet the growing expectations of their clients. This was the case for Sasha Charney, from Departure Lounge, who appreciated not only the splendour of the event and its meticulous organisation, but above all the unique venues and experiences put together by the 210 exhibitors brought together by DUCO France.
From Biarritz to Monaco, via Beaune and Guainville, the major hotels and boutique-hotels revealed the extra soul and unique charm of French destinations. The challenge seems to have been met, as the pleasure was shared on both sides of the tables set for the meetings.
An extraordinary edition
Carolina Perez, DUCO's founder, ended the week with a poetic note, expressing the pleasure she had in bringing this third edition to fruition in Paris. “What an extraordinary voyage we have been on this week for the third year of DUCO France. So much of how we measure our lives is through our movement – the steps we take, the miles we fly, the tracks we ride – and this week we have moved at what seemed like breakneck speed, creating connections, fostering relationships, and expanding our understanding of this magnificent country,” she said to Journal des Pälaces.
“Each year, the world’s premier travel agents come together at DUCO with France’s leading hoteliers and service providers. This year we took inspiration from French author Jules Verne, who centuries earlier dreamt of adventures beyond the imagination of the time. Today, we take on that mantel and become both explorers and ambassadors of the crème de la crème of French Hospitality. And we leave with Verne’s words echoing in our minds: ‘Travel if you can… and if you cannot, travel all the same,’” she concludes.
 An extraordinary voyage hosted by DUCO France, including meetings at the Lutetia Paris
Photo credit © DUCO
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