EVENTS - CAROLINA PEREZ, FOUNDER OF DUCO: "WE CAREFULLY CURATE EACH EDITION TO REFLECT THE ESSENCE OF FRENCH HOSPITALITY" (France)
As the DUCO France event draws to a close on Thursday 7 November, Carolina Perez, its founder, looks back at what makes this event so special, which is entirely dedicated to the French luxury hotel industry. |
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EVENTS - CAROLINA PEREZ, FOUNDER OF DUCO: "WE CAREFULLY CURATE EACH EDITION TO REFLECT THE ESSENCE OF FRENCH HOSPITALITY" (France)
As the DUCO France event draws to a close on Thursday 7 November, Carolina Perez, its founder, looks back at what makes this event so special, which is entirely dedicated to the French luxury hotel industry. |
Category: Europe - France - Interviews and portraits
- Exclusive experiences
- Calendar - Interviews - Industry leaders
Interview made by Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine on 2024-11-07
 Carolina Perez, founder of DUCO
Photo credit © DUCO Journal des Palaces : AfterVoyages Extraordinaires, this new edition of DUCO France has focused on the theme “Appétit”, highlighting French gastronomy. Why did you choose this theme?
Carolina Perez: France is a marvelous country and is world-renowned for its culinary heritage. Gastronomy is essential to French culture for historical reasons. The highly appreciated fine dining concept was born in France, and with the theme 'Appétit,' DUCO invites guests to indulge their senses in the excellence of French cuisine.
As Auguste Escoffier once said, “La bonne cuisine est la base du véritable bonheur,” or “Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.”
I believe that through the experience of attending DUCO, where travel advisors can savor not just the food, but also the place, the hospitality, and the culture of the country, the learning, and experience become ingrained in their memories, making them true experts.
What are the highlights of this edition in terms of venue and programming?
At DUCO, we carefully curate each edition to reflect the essence of French hospitality, and this year, we have woven the theme of “Appétit” throughout the entire experience. Our venues, partners, and programming are all curated to provoke this awe for discovery, connection, and culture.
We welcomed participants to the prestigious Le Bristol Paris on Monday, November 4th, where our registration took place in this magnificent hotel in the heart of the city renowned for its well-seasoned elegance and joie de vivre.
That same evening, DUCO hosted the Opening Ceremony and Awards in partnership with The Peninsula Paris, an iconic venue renowned for its sophistication and characteristic Parisian Haussmann architecture, where a thoughtfully curated program of entertainment was set to enchant and delight our guests, delivering the exceptional experiences they have come to expect from DUCO and such a prestigious setting.
Throughout the week, our appointments have been held at the historic Hôtel Potocki, a beautiful building, constructed at the end of the 19th century. A true palace, with impressive staircases, beautiful ballrooms, and stunning gardens, it is absolutely the perfect backdrop for the meetings about France hospitality, culture, and gastronomy.
The lunch venues including Barrière Fouquet’s Paris, La Réserve Paris Hotel and Spa, Les 110 de Taillevent, Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, Le Bristol Paris, and Groupe Bertrand Restaurants & Brasseries, have been thoughtfully chosen to align with the theme of “Appétit”. Each restaurant has presented its own interpretation of French culinary heritage, making every meal a meaningful part of DUCO experience.
A wine tasting experience, hosted by Oelysium, offering participants an opportunity to further immerse themselves in French culture and flavors, while connecting in a relaxed and enriching setting.
For our closing party, we are honored to once again collaborate with the Monaco Tourism Government Office, who will host the event for the 4th consecutive year at Voyage Samaritaine Paris Pont-Neuf, one of Paris's most beloved venues, bringing the week to a vibrant close.
Every detail has been thoughtfully considered to ensure that DUCO France 2024 is not just an event, but an immersive journey into the heart of French hospitality.
Each year, DUCO is renowned for its ability to offer exclusive networking opportunities. What have you set this year to further enhance exchanges between participants?
At DUCO France 2024, we continue to create meaningful interactions through our carefully curated program gathering the crème de la crème of French high-end hospitality. Attending the summit are 221 of the premier hospitality professionals and 205 of the finest French travel suppliers including frontline travel advisors and influencer travel agents who are the top sellers of the English-speaking markets. Attendees dive deep into the destination, starting at enriching fifteen-minute daytime appointments at Hôtel Potocki and continuing through engaging nighttime events.
Each day, our guests also enjoy curated lunches that showcase the best of French cuisine, offering a relaxed and inspiring environment for networking.
We aim to ensure every interaction, whether during formal meetings or social gatherings, leaves a lasting impression and deepens relationships across the high-end travel industry.
Beyond the summit itself, DUCO France extends its network and influence year-round through dedicated promotional channels. DUCO France offers continued opportunities for engagement and promotion via our social media platforms, @ducofrance, LinkedIn, and DUCO Galerie, a dedicated space on our website, allowing the relationships formed at DUCO extend long after the event concludes.
This edition has once again brought together the leading players in luxury hospitality. How do you select the participating properties?
DUCO brings together a thoughtfully curated selection of distinguished properties and travel suppliers from across France. We prioritize cultural significance and a deep connection to local heritage when selecting our participants. The properties we feature, ranging from iconic Parisian landmarks to intimate retreats in the French countryside, are chosen for their ability to deliver authentic and impactful experiences for travelers.
This year, we have expanded our network of collaborations by welcoming new partners who embody the essence of French hospitality. While we maintain our focus on high-end properties, we emphasize meaningful connections between our participants and the cultural fabric of each destination. This carefully orchestrated experience enhances the value of the event, ensuring that every interaction deepens the understanding of French hospitality in its most authentic and refined form.
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