Hi everyone, how are you? If you’re following me on Instagram ( @aondecasar ), you know that I’m currently traveling through Istanbul. But while I gather all the material from this trip to share with you, I want to share my participation in the latest edition of Belmond’s VIP LATAM SUMMIT 2024 , held at the legendary Copacabana Palace , in my beloved Marvelous City. Over three intense days, the event offered a unique experience to explore the nuances of luxury in global tourism, through inspiring panels, strategic meetings and interactions with industry leaders.
First day
Upon arrival, I was greeted with a super elegant reception, setting the tone for the event. In the evening, a sophisticated cocktail party brought together participants for networking in a setting of pure glamour. The hotel’s penthouse, with its stunning views, was the perfect setting to kick off the connections that would mark the following days.
Second day
The program began in the hotel’s theater with impactful lectures. Carlos Ferreirinha explored new trends in luxury, reinforcing the importance of emotional experience and exclusivity. Daniela Filomeno moderated a chat between general managers of iconic Belmond properties, such as Cipriani in Italy and Maroma in Mexico, sharing insights on innovation and hospitality.
Getting Married in RioOn the same stage, Dani Gontijo, Country Manager of Louis Vuitton, highlighted how history and heritage are crucial to connecting brands to contemporary consumers. Silvia Custódio, from Sephora Brazil, moderated another panel that delved into the role of personalized experiences in the premium market.
In the afternoon, I attended B2B meetings in the penthouse apartments, where I met with general managers from over 30 Belmond properties. It was a unique opportunity to understand how each destination in the group translates its essence into experiences, whether it’s the romanticism of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express or the African retreat of the Belmond Eagle Island Lodge.
Third day
On the final day, a new round of meetings generated deep and productive conversations, reinforcing Belmond’s commitment to excellence. The closing of the event celebrated the positive impact that luxury tourism can have, connecting cultures and creating unforgettable memories.
We rounded off the trip with breakfast at Pão de Açúcar, which is one of the experiences that Copacabana Palace offers to hotel guests. The experience of having breakfast at 5 am at Pão de Açúcar was magical. We watched the city lights go out as the day began to dawn. Beautiful!
So, what did you think? If I was already a fan of the Belmond brand, I became even more so. And now I know even more about each of the unforgettable destination wedding properties in the world.
There was a really cool article about the event on PanRotas, check out this link !
See you next week!
Kisses,
Simone.
