Meet the founder

Puglia Gateway is led by Luciano Gerry Gerardi, a specialist in Institutional and Corporate Communication with over 20 years of experience in the international hospitality, events and media sectors.

While many travel consultants view Puglia from a distance, Luciano has built his expertise on the 'front lines' of excellence. His professional journey spans Italy, Switzerland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, leading to over a decade within the heart of Sydney’s elite hospitality and event industry.

The Sydney Standard: "Based in the Inner West of Sydney, Luciano brings a unique 'insider’s eye' to Puglian tourism. His operational background includes roles within Australia’s most prestigious groups:

• Luxury Events: Serving within the management at Navarra Venues, he mastered the complex mechanics of Sydney’s most iconic weddings.

• Elite Hospitality & Corporate VIP: From roles at Merivale to delivering VIP service for private functions at Oliveto and managing high-profile event service with Stedmans Hospitality, he understands exactly what constitutes world-class service.

• Luciano has personally worked in numerous gala evenings and high-stakes events for elite global clients, including Vogue, Sky, Channel 9, Alibaba, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Capri Holdings Limited, and Carla Zampatti. This experience ensures he can meet the exacting demands of high-net-worth individuals and corporate entities with the precision they expect."

• Media & Communication: A graduate in Mass Media and Corporate Communication, he bridges the gap between local Italian reality and international expectations with precision."

An Institutional Pillar: "Beyond hospitality, Luciano is a recognized leader in the Italian-Australian community. As the Secretary of ComItEs (Committee for Italians Abroad) NSW and an active member of GIA (Giovani Italiani in Australia) and the Associazione Puglia Sydney, he sits at the heart of a vast cultural and professional network.

His work as a journalist for La Fiamma and various international publications, combined with his experience reporting on global events like the America’s Cup, ensures that his approach to travel planning is investigative, transparent, and rooted in storytelling."

The Puglia Gateway Promise: "We operate with a commitment to absolute integrity. Because of our institutional roles and professional background, we maintain a strict no-commission policy with local vendors in Italy. Our loyalty belongs solely to our clients.

We offer a 360-degree perspective: we know how a kitchen should run, how a grand gala is executed, and how to navigate the institutional complexities of Italy. We are your local advocates in Sydney, bringing the soul of Puglia to the world with the standards of a global professional."

Sincerely,