Luisago (CO), August 25, 2025 – TTG Italia interviews Giulia Nuzzaci on the occasion of the prestigious Rising Star 2025 award received at the Virtuoso Travel Week:
At just 22 years old, she’s already a recognized name among travel advisors worldwide. Her name is Giulia Nuzzaci, a Luxury Travel Designer at Exclusive by ACI blueteam, and she is the only Italian to have been honored by Virtuoso in the Rising Star category, which seeks out travel advisors who will become leading professionals globally in the future.
Accepting the award on her behalf in Las Vegas during the Virtuoso Travel Week was Denis Bartesaghi (Brand Manager Exclusive at ACI blueteam), a well-known figure in the luxury travel advisor community, who deserves credit for nurturing young talent.
The Virtuoso Rising Star Award looks to the future: how long have you been working in tourism, and which areas interest you most?
I’ve been working in tourism for two years, after completing my studies in Toronto, Canada. This has always been a field that fascinates me because it combines culture, creativity, and the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world. In my professional journey, I’ve gravitated toward luxury experiential travel, with a special focus on tailor-made trips that tell a story: not just destinations, but authentic emotions, encounters, and once-in-a-lifetime moments.
In particular, I’m fascinated by cultural experiences and itineraries linked to nature and sustainability, which I believe represent the new frontier of luxury travel—because they combine exclusivity with authenticity.
How do you design a trip for luxury clients?
Every trip begins with listening. In the luxury world, nothing is standardized: every experience is unique, built around the desires and expectations of the high-end client. Attention to detail, the impeccable selection of hotels, local partners, and ancillary services are essential—but what truly makes a stay unforgettable is the emotion it evokes. Our goal is to turn every trip into a story to live, remember, and share..
What do clients expect from a Virtuoso advisor? And does artificial intelligence risk replacing travel agents?
In luxury tourism, a Luxury Travel Designer is not just a consultant: they’re a true experience director. To work with a high-end clientele, you need empathy, strategic vision, and a strong network. Virtuoso clients, in particular, look for trust: they want to know that the person advising them knows the world, has direct connections, and can guarantee privileged access anywhere on the globe. Being part of a structured and recognized network like Exclusive by ACI blueteam ensures the highest preferential treatment from suppliers—hotels, DMCs, airlines—who recognize reliability and provide exclusive access.
It’s a hot topic for those like you who are new to the industry: will AI replace travel agents?
Artificial intelligence is a valuable ally that we’ve integrated into our operations to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and support personalization. However, it will never replace the human side of consulting: active listening, sensitivity, and the ability to interpret unspoken desires remain irreplaceable skills.
How will the high-end tourism sector evolve?
High-end tourism is moving toward experiences that are increasingly authentic, transformative, and sustainable. Iconic hotels or exclusive services alone will no longer be enough: high-end travelers will seek deeper connections with destinations, nature-based activities, wellness experiences, and cultural immersion—enjoyed in a privileged, tailor-made way.
Luxury is becoming less ostentatious and more intimate, where the true value lies in the quality of the time spent.
