inCONVERSATION with Danilo Cerqueira, Founder and CEO of Tempovip DMC Portugal
Wrapped in history, Mediterranean scenery and old-world charm, Portugal is no stranger to the luxury travel market and has been a firm favourite for incentives for years. But what’s on the horizon for 2023? And how can DMCs bring added value and creativity to the Events sphere? We catch up with leading industry creative Danilo Cerqueira – Founder and CEO of Tempovip DMC Portugal – to get the latest scoop.
Danilo Cerqueira, Founder and CEO of Tempovip DMC Portugal
It’s no secret that the role of DMCs has changed considerably over the years – a job that was once characterised as “middleman” and “service provider” has evolved and transformed into forward-thinking specialists who take on the role as creative partners. And Tempovip is the perfect example.
Working predominantly for small groups of corporates, Tempovip specialises in providing bespoke, innovative experiences that only a local could know about. Take one of their latest cases for example – where a wealthy African American client from the US wanted to celebrate his birthday in style with a three-day trip. Tempovip's solution? To rent an art gallery, secure two artists from the archipelago of São Tomé and Príncipe (who specialise in the African diaspora) and set up a private exhibition, followed by a private dinner prepared by a two Michelin-starred chef.
And this is what marks their business out from the crowd: “We are constantly developing new products, new approaches and new ways of looking at the destination to ensure the very best experience for our clients. After all, it’s about creating the perfect version of our clients’ wishes so they can retain the most amazing memory of their visit to Portugal.”
Brazilian-born Cerqueira refined his strategy through experience in the hotel industry in his homeland, setting up his first company in Portugal in 2004 to specialise in travel arrangements and tailor-made experiences.
When asked where he got his creative inspiration from, Cerqueira said “Ever since I was 17 years old there have been two clear directions for me: making things happen and taking inspiration from the world and people around me. When brought together, there’s really no limit to what you can do. You just have to dare to imagine.”
Now at the height of its success and working with the very best luxury event planners around the globe, Tempovip is heading for expansion as they set up their new office in Spain.
“We’ve been working on the project for about a year. Spain is a natural progression for the company…and we are aiming to launch in June. In fact, our video crews are out there as we speak, shooting the very best hotels, restaurants, experiences and wineries" he reveals.
“Promoting the right product to the right client is our mission. It’s not just about being a seller; it’s about putting the client in an environment where we know they will really appreciate the experience and they will have a memorable stay. It’s about making the right match – if we do that, then it’s mission accomplished.”
To find out more about what specialist experiences Tempovip DMC Portugal can arrange for your luxury incentive trip, visit their dedicated website.