Gilda Perez-Alvarado on Dream Travel and the Orient Express: “Luxury in Today’s Tourism Means Time and Unique Experiences”
During the TOURISE 2025 event, recently held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, we had the honor of speaking with Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express and Chief Strategy Officer of Accor Hotels. Renowned for her strategic vision and passion for luxury tourism, Perez-Alvarado offered us a unique perspective on how a brand with 142 years of history successfully merges heritage with innovation, redefining the concept of premium travel experiences.
When we think of the Orient Express, we immediately envision elegance, mystery, and dream journeys through the heart of Europe. The story of this iconic luxury train begins in 1883, when George Nagelmackers, a Belgian entrepreneur passionate about engineering and innovation, sought to create something truly spectacular: a train that would connect cultures, offer exceptional comfort, and inspire through its beauty. He called it “the king of trains and the train of kings” — and rightly so, as the Orient Express was conceived as a symbol of elegance and technological progress of its era.
The train traveled across Europe from Paris to Istanbul, offering its passengers an unparalleled travel experience. Luxurious compartments, refined dining cars, and impeccable service transformed each journey into a true aristocratic adventure. Over the years, the Orient Express became not only a means of transportation but also a source of inspiration for novels, films, and mystery stories, including those by the legendary Agatha Christie.
Throughout its history, the Orient Express trains have undergone numerous restorations, adapting to technological changes while preserving the unmistakable elegance of the Art Deco era. Today, Orient Express continues its prestigious legacy, offering restored trains and heritage hotels that blend historical charm with modern comfort, such as La Dolce Vita Orient Express in Italy and the future Lauren Express, which will link Paris to Istanbul, celebrating the golden age of travel.
The Orient Express and Romania: A Special Connection
For Romania, the Orient Express holds special significance. In the past, the romantic train crossed the country, and future brand itineraries once again include stops on Romanian territory, reviving the charm and elegance of those legendary journeys. Thus, the train’s history naturally intertwines with the present, offering today’s passengers not just a trip, but a memorable luxury experience where culture, discovery, and refinement meet on steel rails.
The Heritage of the Orient Express and Innovation in Luxury Tourism
At the beginning of the interview, Gilda Perez-Alvarado reflected on the brand’s historical legacy:
“If you look back at the 142 years of Orient Express heritage, you will see that heritage and culture have always gone hand in hand with innovation. When George Nagelmackers invented the train in 1883, he wanted to create something spectacular that would connect cultures, with the best-in-class engineering. He said it was the ‘king of trains and the train of kings.’ It was efficient, comfortable, and beautiful. It connected the principles of Europe and the United States, inspired by the engineering and technology he saw there.”
She emphasized that the same philosophy continues today:
“We restore trains from 1929, build the largest sailing vessel in the world, and celebrate the Art Deco movement of the 1920s in our interiors. Our train in Italy, La Dolce Vita Orient Express, inaugurated this April, celebrates post-war Italy of the 1950s–60s: pleasure, beauty, excess – the authentic Italian way of living, Sophia Loren style. The trains are former Trenitalia carriages, fully restored.”
The New Italian Itinerary: La Dolce Vita Orient Express
La Dolce Vita Orient Express promises passengers an authentic Italian luxury experience, combining historical elegance with contemporary comfort. In addition, Orient Express continues to invest heavily in heritage hotels:
“Our hotel in Rome, originally built in the 17th century and opened as a hotel in the 19th century, has been completely renovated. Another hotel will open next March in Venice: a 14th-century palazzo restored in collaboration with the Italian government, celebrating 15th-century Italy.”
The future also brings ambitious new projects:
“Another train, Lauren Express, will be inaugurated at the end of 2027: state-of-the-art, connecting Paris with Istanbul, celebrating the golden age of travel of the 1920s and Art Deco, using original trains from the 1921–1929 period, discovered between Poland and Belarus.”
Romania on the Orient Express Route Map
The interview also explored the historic link between Orient Express and Romania:
“Speaking of this train, a long time ago, the romantic train passed through Romania. Do you believe it will stop here again in the future?”
“Romania is definitely part of our itinerary,” replied Gilda Perez-Alvarado.
This announcement is undoubtedly welcome news for lovers of luxury travel and railway history enthusiasts in Romania.
Strategic Advice for Travel Journalists in 2025
At the end of the interview, we asked what strategic advice she would offer a travel journalist writing about luxury hospitality:
“What’s interesting is that we are living in a golden age of travel, a golden age of experiences. Luxury is being redefined. My personal definition is time. We want to optimize time, create incredible memories, enable people to connect and discover. This is the promise of the Orient Express brand: a special, unique experience. To see another culture, understand people, and have a conversation with a perfect stranger at least once in your life.”
Exclusive Interview with Gilda Perez-Alvarado
The interview with Gilda Perez-Alvarado provided a fascinating insight into how Orient Express continues to blend tradition with innovation, delivering memorable luxury experiences on historic trains and in heritage hotels. Romania, Italy, France, and Turkey are all part of its future itineraries, giving travel enthusiasts even more reason to dream of a unique journey in true Orient Express style.
