On April 10, 2026, the JCU Women in Leadership Program wrapped up its first semester of activity with a shadowing experience held at Pellicano Hotels’ Rome headquarters.
Three JCU students took a behind-the-scenes look at one of Italy’s most iconic luxury hospitality groups. Pellicano Hotels oversees three standout properties in Italy: Hotel Il Pellicano in Porto Ercole, Tuscany, La Posta Vecchia Hotel in Rome, and Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal Spa in Ischia, near Naples.
The opportunity, organized by JCU’s Career Services Center, attracted students interested in the inner workings of the luxury hospitality world. Among them was Aurora Caruso, who is double majoring in Art and Design and Communcations. She had been following Issimo, the group’s digital lifestyle magazine, and wanted to understand how its content connects to the broader brand strategy.
The experience was led by Maria Cristina Di Flaviano (Head of Brand, Marketing & CRM), who started things off with an introduction to the company’s brand identity and its position within the luxury hospitality landscape.
The rest of the day was spent across departments, giving students a closer look at daily workflows and responsibilities across the organization. Students had the opportunity to see firsthand how visual identity is developed, maintained, and aligned with the principles of luxury branding.
Aurora was particularly impressed by how “each hotel offers a distinct guest experience shaped by the local culture, engaging directly with its surroundings and enhancing them.”
For Fabiana Vivolo, a Business Administration major, what stood out was the group's commitment to people. As a family-owned business, Pellicano Hotels places the human experience at the center of everything – a philosophy reflected in every detail, from the vision behind each property to the individuality of each guest room.
Marketing major Matilde Pederzani reflected: “One of the key insights I gained was the importance of consistency and storytelling in branding, especially in the luxury sector. I also developed a deeper understanding of how collaboration among departments is essential to executing successful marketing strategies.” She concluded: “This experience has further strengthened my interest in pursuing a career in marketing within the hospitality industry and has motivated me to continue developing my skills and professional network.”
