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LEADER – CAROLINA PEREZ, FOUNDER OF DUCO TRAVEL SUMMIT: "AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY IS ONE THAT LEAVES AN IMPRINT ON THE SENSES AND THE HEART" (France)
When relational elegance meets a passion for destinations, DUCO is born: the exclusive yet high-impact salon by Carolina Perez. |
Category: Europe - France - Interviews and portraits
- Exclusive experiences
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Interview made by Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine on Monday 08 September 2025
 Inspired by an opera by Verdi, Carolina Perez founded DUCO in 2016
Photo credit © DUCO Travel Summit
After sixteen years at the helm of the family agency Teresa Perez Tours, followed by the founding of Travelweek São Paulo – which later became ILTM Latin America – she decided in 2016 to launch DUCO. A trade show entirely dedicated to a single destination at a time, where cultural immersion, personalisation, and emotion are the watchwords.
In Florence for Italy, Paris for France, and now Madrid for Spain and Portugal, Carolina Perez orchestrates exceptional encounters between hoteliers, travel artisans and international influencers. Far from standardised formats, each edition of DUCO is experienced as a celebration of the local art of living, in the most emblematic locations of the destinations being showcased.
“What I want is to offer a sensory, inspiring and deeply human experience,” she tells Journal des Palaces. This ambition is evident in every detail of the event and has propelled DUCO to become one of the most sought-after events in luxury travel.
Journal des Palaces: What have been the most memorable moments of your career?
Carolina Perez: At the age of 22 I began working at my mother’s travel agency, Teresa Perez Tours, where I immersed myself in the world of destinations, personalized itineraries, and the art of curating meaningful experiences for discerning travellers. Over time, I realized that what truly inspired me went beyond designing journeys — it was about building genuine relationships with the people behind the hotels and with the very essence of the destinations themselves.
After 16 years in the family business, I felt it was time to create something of my own — a travel event that would celebrate destinations and elevate the spirit of high-end hospitality.
In 2011, I founded Travelweek São Paulo. The first edition brought together around 300 exhibitors, which felt monumental at the time. From there, it began to grow organically. In 2013, the company was sold, and by 2015 — after years of dedication, intensity, and passion — I stepped away for a sabbatical. The impact on my career was profound. Those years gave me a deep, intuitive understanding of the needs of hoteliers and destinations. That experience became part of me — something I carried naturally.
Years later I founded DUCO.
All of this to say that the two pivotal moments were the creation of Travelweek São Paulo in 2011 and of DUCO in 2016.
Why did you found DUCO? What was your vision?
It all started in Italy, with Italy.
The inspiration for DUCO came during a summer evening at the Verona Arena, while listening to Verdi’s Nabucco. It was a moment of richiamo del sangue — a call of the blood — a longing to return to my roots. I have always felt deeply connected to my Italian heritage.
My great-grandfather Giovanni Falcone, from Puglia, married my great-grandmother Catherina Mastracchio, from Veneto. They left Italy to build a life in Brazil, where I was born and raised. Yet, the emotional bond with Italy remained strong through generations and became a vital part of my identity and love for il bel Paese.
One day, a simple yet powerful question came to me: Why not create an event for Italy, in Italy?
All my ventures have always been born out of passion — passion for destinations, for knowledge, and for connecting hoteliers and travel professionals in meaningful ways.
A few years later, DUCO France was born. And today, I am grateful to have launched DUCO Spain & Portugal — destinations whose hospitality is as warm as it is refined, and whose cultural heritage and beauty deserve to be celebrated together on the DUCO stage.
Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal hold a special place in my heart. Each one carries a deep cultural richness, a rhythm of life, and a sense of beauty that speaks to the soul.
In your opinion, what do UHNW travellers expect today? What makes a trip truly extraordinary for you?
I believe, (ultra-high-net-worth) travellers are looking for experiences that feel both deeply personal and genuinely authentic — moments that linger in their memory long after the journey ends. Beyond impeccable service and seamless access, what truly elevates a trip is the opportunity to forge meaningful connections with the destination, its culture, and its people.
For me, an extraordinary journey is one that leaves an imprint on the senses and the heart: the fragrance of a place, the sound of its music, the beauty of its landscapes, the richness of its history, and — above all — the warmth of the people I encounter along the way.
What are the essential ingredients a hotel must have to appeal to the most demanding travel agents?
In my view, the key for a hotel to appeal to the most discerning travel agents are meticulous attention to detail, excellence in service, and personalized approach to each guest — hallmarks of high-end hospitality.
Equally important is the ability to highlight the property’s unique strengths, whether it be a remarkable location, an exceptional restaurant or culinary offering, breathtaking views, or the surrounding natural beauty. Hotels can also draw on the richness of local culture, heritage, and the spirit of their people — elements that bring depth and authenticity to the guest experience. Together, these qualities create a truly distinctive sense of place that sets the hotel apart.
Finally, a strong commitment to sustainability and to the local culture can have a significant impact, resonating deeply with demanding travel advisors and their clientele.
What has been your most memorable experience in a luxury hotel?
I have been fortunate to live many memorable experiences in extraordinary hotels, and each one has offered something unique that I carry with me. What stays in my heart is not one particular place, but the moments when hospitality becomes something truly human.
It may be through the kindness of a team that anticipates your needs before you even express them, or through a dinner where local flavours are celebrated with creativity and respect, or through architecture and design that reveal the soul of a place. Sometimes it is the quiet elegance of a grand palace, sometimes the intimacy of a small retreat — in both, the essence is the same: the ability to make a guest feel both inspired and at home.
For me, the most memorable luxury is when a hotel creates not just comfort, but a sense of connection — with people, with culture, and with beauty in its many forms.
You grew up in a family of passionate travel agents. Today, as a luxury professional, what are your references and inspirations?
My first and greatest inspiration has always been my mother, Teresa Perez. From an early age, I witnessed her unique ability to curate journeys that went far beyond logistics, transforming them into deeply personal and enriching experiences. Her vision was always rooted in authenticity, in truly understanding each destination’s culture, heritage, and people, and in translating that into meaningful moments for travellers.
That passion, combined with her pioneering spirit and dedication to excellence, shaped my own path and instilled in me a profound respect for the art of hospitality. She taught me that true luxury lies in the details, in the human connections, and in the capacity to create lasting memories. To this day, she continues to guide and inspire me in everything I do at DUCO.
DUCO is often described as a “confidential but high-impact salon.” How do you maintain this promise year after year? Beyond contractual agreements, what do you hope to inspire in participants at the end of each DUCO event?
DUCO is indeed often described as “salon confidentiel mais à fort impact”. This is very true to who we are. We deliberately keep DUCO boutique and curated because we believe that meaningful encounters cannot happen in large, impersonal settings.
Maintaining this promise year after year requires discipline and conviction. Every decision, from the selection of destinations and properties to the buyers and media we invite, is guided by curatorship, not by volume to ensure quality, depth of conversation, and genuine connections.
What I hope participants take away at the end of each DUCO is not just a business outcome, but a sense of inspiration. Inspiration to look at a destination with fresh eyes, to tell its story with authenticity, and to bring more meaning into the act of travel. For me, this is what makes DUCO more than an event.
After the editions in France, Italy & Spain/Portugal, do you want to expand DUCO to other destinations? How do you choose the destinations where you roll out DUCO?
The soul of DUCO is to choose with care. Each destination we bring to the portfolio is like opening a precious book, one that deserves to be read slowly, with attention and respect.
As a successful business, there is of course the opportunity to expand, as the world is filled with beauty and stories waiting to be told.
Yet, a new DUCO is not about “where can we go next?” but rather “which destination is ready to be revealed through the DUCO lens?”
What is your ambition for DUCO in the next five years?
I hope DUCO will continue to be recognized as a place where true connections are made, where destinations are celebrated, and where travel professionals leave with both business results and a renewed sense of inspiration.
Our goal is to refine, to make each edition more meaningful, more authentic, and more impactful for those who join us. If, five years from now, our community still describes DUCO as “salon confidentiel mais à fort impact”, then I will know we have remained true to our proposition.
On a more personal note, what else would you like to achieve in the world of luxury travel?
This year was particularly special for me and my team, as DUCO Italy — after seven years in the high-end travel event business — was honoured with an award from Fondazione Altagamma for its contribution to the Italian economy in high-end tourism. It is a milestone that I cherish deeply, both professionally and personally.
Looking ahead, I wish to continue elevating the voice of destinations, showing that behind every great journey there is beauty, but also culture, craftsmanship, and people. Luxury travel has the power to shape perception and inspire appreciation — and if DUCO can keep being a stage for that, then I feel my mission is being fulfilled.
 The next edition of DUCO in France will take place in Paris from November 3 to 7, 2025
Photo credit © DUCO Travel Summit
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