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EVENT - CAROLINA PEREZ, FOUNDER OF DUCO: 'WHAT MAKES DUCO SO APPEALING IS THE UNIQUE VALUE IT OFFERS’ (France)
For its fifth edition, DUCO France celebrates French excellence and the art of travel through unique experiences and iconic locations. |
Category: Europe - France - Exclusive experiences
- Calendar
Article written by Romane Le Royer on Wednesday 29 October 2025
 Carolina Perez is the founder of DUCO, a must-attend trade show for luxury travel professionals.
Photo credit © DUCO France
As the event approaches, the Journal des Palaces met with Carolina Perez, founder of DUCO, to discuss the highlights of this edition and how the summit continues, year after year, to enhance the appeal of France as a destination.
Journal des Palaces : Why did you choose the theme No. 5 for this edition (beyond the reference to the fifth edition) ?
Carolina Perez : This will be the fifth edition of DUCO France, and it felt like the perfect moment to embrace a theme with both symbolic and cultural depth. The number five marks a milestone for the summit since its debut in Paris in 2021, while also evoking France’s profound heritage in the art of fragrance. “Tout ce qui est petit est mignon” (all that is small is lovely). Much like in this French saying, where the most precious essences are contained in the smallest bottles, DUCO’s format distills excellence into a niche, destination-oriented experience with a meaningful impact.
What are the highlights of this edition in terms of venue and programming?
The fifth edition of DUCO France will unfold across Paris’ most iconic hotels, from Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme to Hôtel Plaza Athénée. Appointment days will be hosted at Shangri-La Paris, and Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, combining business with culture in the heart of the city. A key moment will be the DUCO Awards Ceremony, celebrating excellence in French hospitality. Beyond the program, curated experiences and post-summit journeys will immerse travel advisors in the spirit of Paris and the best of France.
How did you choose the Park Hyatt, the Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, the Shangri-La, and the Plaza Athénée to host DUCO this year?
These hotels are long-standing partners of DUCO, united by a shared commitment to excellence and hospitality. Each one reflects a different facet of Paris, its history, character, and international appeal.
Are there any new features for this edition? What are they?
Each edition of DUCO France is designed to open new ways to explore, connect, and be inspired. This year, we are pleased to welcome three new French destinations to our community: French Polynesia, Saint Barthélemy, and Saint Martin. In addition to the inspirational N° 5 theme, the prestigious venues hosting our events, the DUCO Awards Ceremony celebrating the Best of France, and the unveiling of the theme for DUCO France 2026, guests will enjoy a series of curated experiences that embody French culture, hospitality, and savoir-faire.
Highlights include exclusive pre and post DUCO trips in Paris and Versailles in partnership with Visit Paris Region, as well as a post DUCO trip to Monaco, in partnership with Visit Monaco. In Paris, Secret Journeys will open the doors to a unique private visit of NotreDame, while Carita Maison de Beauté will welcome our guests for a moment of beauty and refinement. A celebration of French heritage is also expressed through thoughtful gestures: in honor of Le Bristol’s centenary, participants will receive a commemorative gift from this iconic Parisian landmark; Airelles Château d’Estoublon will share a taste of Provence with one of their distinguished estate wines. Together, these initiatives enrich the DUCO experience and deepen our community’s connection with the essence of France.
How do you manage to dazzle la crème de la crème of travel agents every year?
At DUCO France, everything begins with meticulous curation. The summit brings together the very best: highly selected frontline travel advisors, invited and hosted by DUCO, alongside top producers from the luxury travel industry, primarily from the USA, complemented by other key markets. To keep the experience fresh, we also ensure new participants each year, with advisors rotating on a three-year cycle to open new business opportunities.
What makes DUCO so compelling is the unique value it offers. Advisors experience a true immersion in France, a travel summit entirely dedicated to the destination, enriching their knowledge and strengthening their network. They engage with an extraordinary selection of hotels and experiences, discovering the icons of French hospitality and also hidden gems and under-the-radar suppliers rarely accessible elsewhere.
All of this unfolds in a boutique setting that is elegant, exclusive, and deeply personal. By combining French hospitality with a human touch, and by ensuring every detail feels special and memorable. DUCO creates an atmosphere that inspires and leaves a lasting impression on even the most seasoned travel professionals.
Did you draw inspiration from the Italian and Spanish editions when putting together this fifth French edition?
DUCO Italy was where it all began. The very first summit to embrace the destination-oriented concept: an event about the destination, in the destination. An immersion into the destination’s culture, history, people, and language, and naturally served as inspiration when we created DUCO France, 3 years later. That said, the French edition was conceived with an entirely distinct spirit, shaped exclusively by France: its heritage, its traditions, and its inimitable savoir-être, savoir-faire and art de vivre.
As for DUCO Spain & Portugal, which takes place just two weeks before, we see a beautiful potential for cross-inspiration in the years to come. DUCO France has its own clear identity, firmly rooted in the richness and uniqueness of this country. It is, in essence, a celebration of France itself, expressed through its culture, hospitality, and excellence.
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