Positive 2016 Results for Monaco Tourist and Convention Authority

©Direction du Tourisme et des Congrès/Valentina De Gaspari

On 21 November, Guillaume Rose, the Director of Monaco Tourist and Convention Authority (DTC), announced positive results to the destination's touristic partners, large numbers of whom had gathered at the Méridien Beach Plaza.

Monaco Tourist and Convention Authority presented its results for 2016 in the presence of H.E. Mr. Serge Telle, Minister of State, Jean Castellini, Minister of Finance and Economy and more than 350 tourism professionals from Monaco, as a preamble to its annual meeting with its offices abroad.

In a touristic context that has been marked by terrorist attacks and a decline in popularity among some nationalities for France as a destination, the Principality of Monaco has certainly benefitted from its atmosphere and its reputation, encouraging tourists to remain in Europe or come from Europe to the Principality, rather than choosing other regions of the world.

Guy Antognelli, Deputy Director, gave a detailed report for 2016 – although the occupancy rate had decreased slightly, with 2.8 % fewer hotel rooms sold, this decline was very slight and was compensated by an increase of 4.3% in the average price of hotel rooms.  The main indicator of the financial profitability of hotels has therefore risen by 1.3%, reaching its highest level in late October since the year 2000!

Some new objectives are planned for 2017, in addition to the usual activities, for destinations that seem promising for Monaco according to indicators of arrivals and economic forecasts, such as Scandinavia, Spain, South Africa and Mexico.

As concerns business tourism, Sandrine Camia, Director of the Convention Bureau, and Sylvie Biancheri, Director of the Grimaldi Forum, announced some very good results. Sandrine Camia emphasised that "31% of hotel nights sold outside July and August result from business tourism."  For the Grimaldi Forum, Sylvie Biancheri was able to announce proudly that "the building was only unoccupied for 10 days."  A record year for 2016 since the beginning, with a turnover of 17 million euros.

The DTC's Communication Department also performed well, with press coverage totalling more than 23 million euros in 218 different media that had been received in the Principality.  In addition, at the international level, fifty or so activities were organised with the media, thanks to the DTC's very efficient networks of representational offices and the collaboration of partner hotels.

At this evening event, a lively video was shown, illustrating the activities of the DTC and its offices, thus highlighting the importance of the promotional work that is undertaken internationally throughout the year.

Vincent Vatrican, Director of the Monaco Audiovisual Archives, was invited to watch a 360° virtual reality film on the Principality, featuring new technology, enabling him to appreciate its qualities.

To close this evening event for professionals, a parade in the style of a fashion show, by partner hotels, the Grimaldi Forum and the DTC, was an opportunity to present all the new innovations for 2017 in a very festive way.