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.
Equipe relacionada
Robin Heinemans
Junior Consultant
Pedro Ricou
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António Fontes
Senior Director
José's Experience
Bold steps forward
We help clients achieve extraordinary outcomes.
Desenvolvimento de conceito de resort ecológico de luxo
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Lisbon Hospitality Investment Strategy
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Strategic Consulting for Disneyland Paris
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