Monaco’s Stars Sparkle In Australia & New Zealand

By: Tourism Garden

A delegation from the Principality of Monaco is here this week for a series of events to showcase the Principality of Monaco.

Guillaume Rose, President of the Monaco Government Tourism and Convention Authority, lead the largest delegation to visit Australia to date, including members of his Government Department, representatives from 6 hotels and a Michelin starred Chef.

The week of events commenced with a Diplomatic cocktail reception at Sydney’s Park Hyatt Hotel hosted by the Monaco based Ambassador to Australia, Her Excellency Catherine Fautrier. The event welcomed the new Sydney based, Honorary Consul for Monaco, Hadrien Bourely, a Monegasque citizen whose family dates back to the 16^th Century in Monaco. Hadrien will work closely with the Honorary Consul in Melbourne, Andrew M. Cannon AM to further missions of Prince Albert II.

The local Monaco Tourist Bureau team joined forces with hotel representatives from Monte-Carlo SBM, Fairmont Monte-Carlo and Hotel Metropole participating in the French Travel Workshops in Sydney and Melbourne where they met with over 1,000 travel agents. Over the last few years the Monaco Tourist Bureau has managed to strengthen its presence in Australia and New Zealand, converting more and more day-trip leisure visitors into overnight stays and working to promote Monaco to the incentive travel industry. Australian and New Zealanders staying in Monaco make up less than 3% of the total international visitor numbers, however, they are ranked as the no. 8 nationality for Monaco just ahead of Belgium, a big achievement for a long haul destination.

The highlight of the week was the star studded “Soirée Monaco” Gala Dinner at Melbourne’s Sofitel On Collins, where Melbourne Society, senior representatives of the travel industry and other friends of Monaco were treated to a sumptuous menu created by Michelin starred Chef, Marcel Ravin of the acclaimed Blue Bay Restaurant at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort. A never before screened 360 Virtual Reality experience surprized guests taking them all the way to Monaco with the help of the latest technology to experience paragliding, underwater diving, sightseeing and even driving a formula one car in the 2016 Grand Prix.

The delegation continued on to New Zealand for two events held at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Auckland. Lastly, the government delegation attended a charity event in Hobart for the inaugural International Antarctic Festival in Hobart, to support the Mawson’s Hut Foundation. Monaco has historic links with Sir Douglas Mawson’s famous expedition. Over 100 years ago, Monaco’s Oceanographic Institute, led by the great-great grandfather of Prince Albert II, Prince Albert I (1848-1922) donated scientific equipment for Mawson’s expedition.

Date: 8 September 2016

Major International Airline Regional Manager - NSW/ACT Commercial Operations

Just a short note to thank you for a marvellous job you have done to make BOP Mission to Australia run smoothly and successfully! I think we have made a very good team together and everyone enjoyed your company and guidance. It has been lovely to work with you again and look forward to repeating it soon.

South American Hotel Marketing Group Director

Mary Rossi Travel has had the pleasure of working with Alison, a leader in the marketing of luxury tourism products, ever since her time in Japan when she was promoting international high-end hotels. For Monaco she and her team orchestrate exceptional events, educational trips and offer a very reactive, reliable information service for my consultants.

Travel Agency Managing Director

Atout France works closely with Tourism Garden, the representative of Monaco in Australia and is proud to count them amongst their professional partners. We continue to enjoy collaborating on a range of activities.

European Tourism Board Director

Over the past 15 years I have had the privilege and pleasure to work with Alison and her colleagues in the Asia Pacific region. Tourism Garden is the leader in the marketing of luxury tourism products with an excellent cross-cultural understanding. Most recently we have worked together with our ultra-luxury brand, Regent Seven Seas Cruises in association with Monaco Tourism. Tourism Garden has exceptional knowledge and a prestigious network of agent, media and consumers in the luxury travel sector and are highly valued partner of our company.

Major International Luxury Cruise Company Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Asia Pacific

I enjoyed all of the modules. To be honest, Monaco has always held an air of mystery to me – a playground for the rich and famous, and not so much for the average person like me. Now I appreciate so much more about the region. It was great to get a better understanding of all that Monaco entails.

Travel Agency Travel Manager - Testimonial about Monaco Tourism Expert Program

I wanted to thank you for hosting me to LAC on Saturday night. It really was a very special night and reflected the elegance and glamour that I always associate with Monaco.

Luxury Travel Agency Manager- Testimonial about closing night of Le Ballets de Monte-Carlo performance in Melbourne

Very good and I’ve now done the 3 modules – great break in the day. Good on you for creating Alison.

Travel Agency Managing Director- Testimonial about Tokyo Tourism eLearning Program

Hi there Alison and Yukiko, I hope you’re both well. This is just a short note to say thank you so much to both of you for your assistance for my recent trip to Tokyo. I had an amazing time, collected material for so many stories, and both of the hotels were really incredible properties, both perfect for Traveller.