Luxury travel summit Duco sold to investor fund led by Rebeca Pinheiro

What's the deal? Duco, the luxury travel summit platform, has been acquired by an entrepreneurial investment fund led by Rebeca Pinheiro and backed by a group of investors. The company announced the deal in August 2026. Terms were not disclosed.

What does Duco do? Founded in 2016 by Carolina Perez, Duco connects top hotels, travel advisers, and tourism partners through immersive, single-destination summits. Its portfolio spans Italy, France, and Spain and Portugal, with UK and Ireland editions set to debut in London in 2027.

What changes? Perez will retain a stake and stay on as a strategic board member focused on new destinations and long-term strategy. Pinheiro takes over day-to-day operations as president and partner. She is a founding partner of Spain's RNP Growth, a search fund offering succession solutions for business owners.

What's the endgame? The deal is pitched as a growth play. "Our goal is to bring the same commitment to relationships and destination immersion to every new market we enter," Pinheiro said.

Why now? The luxury hospitality market keeps expanding. Market observers see the worldwide luxury hotel and resort market rising from $115 billion to more than $150 billion by the end of 2026.

The signal: A search fund taking over a niche events business signals investor appetite for founder-led, high-touch platforms tied to the luxury travel boom. Perez, who spent 16 years running her family agency, Teresa Perez Tours, framed the sale as continuity: "This next chapter allows us to build on that foundation while staying true to the philosophy and values that have guided us from Day One."

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