Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority recently visited Delhi and Mumbai to showcase the destination to the Indian trade. Patrick Medecin, Ambassador of Monaco to India; Jean-Francois Gourdon, Director of Communications and Public Relations, Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority; Eric Marsan, Marketing Director, Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority; Rajeev Nangia, Director-India, Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority; and Benoit Badufle, Director – Sales and Marketing – Asia Pacific, Monte Carlo SBM Hotels and Casinos were present at the event.
“We have encouraging feedback from Indian groups to know exactly what has caught the Indian traveller’s eye. We have special packages and tailor-made itineraries available for MICE groups and recently also hosted a wedding as well. In addition, we currently have a passport programme available for the trade wherein the tour operators can get in touch with hotels for lower rates, get a choice of additional perks for their clients, and offer these to customers as their own packages,” said Nangia.
Addressing the media, Medecin stated that the Authority wanted to showcase various facets of tourism in Monaco to the Indian travellers – culture and events, spas, casinos, shopping, gastronomy, night life, and hotels and palaces. According to Benoit, 94 per cent of the destination’s hotels were of the three star categories and above, with accommodation rates being cheaper than those of popular destinations like London and Paris. “Approximately 1,500 Indian tourists travel to Monaco on an annual basis and the number has been growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 20-25 per cent over the last four years,” Gourdon said. He further revealed that the upcoming yacht club opening next year and the new winter sporting project slated to open in 2016 will pull larger crowds in the future.
Nangia further revealed that workshops and participation in trade shows is an ongoing process for the Authority. “We are also exploring the possibility of working with Bollywood to showcase the destination,” concluded Nangia.
