José Gil Duarte
Managing Director, Lisbon, Portugal
José Gil Duarte is the Managing Director of Horwath HTL Portugal and one of the foremost experts in the global hospitality, tourism, and leisure industries. With over 30 years of exceptional experience, he leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for delivering innovative and high-impact projects across Portugal, Cape Verde, São Tomé & Príncipe, Angola, Mozambique, and Equatorial Guinea.
Bio
José Gil Duarte is the Managing Director of Horwath HTL Portugal and one of the foremost experts in the global hospitality, tourism, and leisure industries. With over 30 years of exceptional experience, he leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for delivering innovative and high-impact projects across Portugal, Cape Verde, São Tomé & Príncipe, Angola, Mozambique, and Equatorial Guinea.
As the head of Horwath HTL’s Network Centre of Excellence for Leisure and a member of the executive committee of the Leisure Innovation Lab, José is at the forefront of shaping the future of leisure and tourism worldwide. His leadership drives groundbreaking initiatives, setting benchmarks in strategic planning, tourism development, and urban regeneration.
José’s illustrious career began in 1991 with Euro Disneyland Paris, where he played a pivotal role in the development, opening, management, and restructuring of Disneyland Park, one of the world’s most iconic leisure destinations. This foundational experience honed his ability to manage large-scale, complex projects with global significance. In 1996, he founded Essentia, a consultancy firm that has delivered transformative hospitality and leisure projects across Europe, Africa, and Central America.
José’s expertise spans strategic business planning, mergers and acquisitions, hospitality and leisure development, and the creation of sustainable, forward-thinking tourism strategies. His work has earned him international recognition, making him a sought-after advisor for governments, corporations, and developers aiming to maximise the economic and social impact of tourism and leisure investments.
As a visionary leader, José continues to push the boundaries of innovation in the hospitality sector, shaping projects that redefine standards and drive lasting value for communities and stakeholders alike.
José has over 30 years of industry experience. He began his career in 1991 with the Euro Disneyland Paris team, where he contributed to the development, opening, management, and subsequent restructuring of Disneyland Park. In 1996, he founded Essentia, a strategic consultancy firm, and has since provided specialised services in Hospitality, Tourism, and Leisure across Europe, Africa, and Central America. His expertise spans strategic business planning, expert M&A, hospitality and leisure planning, and strategic advisory in tourism development and urban regeneration.
José's Experience
Bold steps forward
We help clients achieve extraordinary outcomes.
Lisbon Hospitality Investment Strategy
Lisbon, Portugal
Strategic Consulting for Disneyland Paris
Paris , France
Strategic Urban Regeneration Plan
Lisbon , Portugal
Strategic Advice for Palace Hotel do Bussaco
Bussaco , Portugal
Luxury Eco-Resort Concept Development
Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece
Farm-To-Table Boutique Hotel Strategy
Alandroal, Portugal
Tourism Master Plan for Angola Province
Cuando Cubango, Angola
Strategic Tourism Development Plan for Fundão Municipality
Fundão, Portugal
Expert insights
Cutting edge analysis.
Tourism, real estate, and the challenges of urban balance
In many of Portugal’s major cities, public spaces have become venues for demonstrations demanding more affordable housing. Tourism is often seen as a key contributor to various urban challenges, with critics pointing fingers at real estate developers who prefer the profitability of tourist accommodations over providing residential options for the middle class. Additionally, local and central authorities are often criticised for favouring these interests.
Tourism is a value of civilisation
Portugal has seen sustained growth in tourism, fueled by the increasing international recognition of its unique value proposition and substantial investment in the sector.
Portugal Hotels & Chains Report 2023
The 2023 edition of the Portugal Hotels & Chains Report offers an extensive analysis of the dynamic hospitality industry in Portugal, emphasizing the remarkable post-pandemic recovery and the challenges faced by the sector. The report also highlights the increasing interest from international investors and the leading role of domestic hotel chains. Portugal is a vibrant hospitality market, contributing over 40 billion Euros to the economy, almost 16% of GDP. Portugal is also unusual in that the top hotel chains are locals, for those of you following our Chains Reports across Europe, beating Accor into third place is highly unusual. Over the last year, a remarkable post pandemic resurgence is evident. Robust demand has propelled most markets to exceed pre-pandemic levels, allowing for unprecedented rate increases that have pleasantly surprised property owners.