Serge Telle, accompanied by Robert Colle, Secretary General of the Government, received journalists on the afternoon of Monday, September 4, to discuss a number of themes.
For tourism – Although the figures for August are not yet known, the Secretary General confirmed the good results of tourism for the summer season with an occupancy rate estimated at 85 percent. For the month of July, the average price of a night stayed at 386 euros, the same as in 2016, and the occupancy rate for the month was 78.72 percent.
On another theme, Mr. Telle said that the problems associated with the Gardens of Apolline were an absolute priority for the Government: “We are not in a logic of economy but in a logic of action,” he said referring to the problems associated with water pipes and drainage. Families have been rehoused temporarily and rent holidays implemented as repair work continues on the buildings, which house Monegasques.
He said that every effort was being made to find appropriate solutions. He said that an expert was appointed to rule on the causes of the malfunctions, the responsibilities, and an assessment of the financial damage suffered by the State. Remedial work will continue in parallel with the assessment of damages and costs. He said that a special account had been opened to keep track of expenditures.
Firmly oriented towards the superyacht sector’s end clientele, the Monaco Yacht Show has completely reset the Quai Antoine I area to unveil a new exhibition space dedicated to the superyacht lifestyle.
The 34,000 attendees expected this year will be able to visit this completely transformed area that will host four exhibitions: The new Starboard lounge-exhibition; The Car Deck (prestige car exhibition); Tenders & Toys; and the The Holland Pavilion.
The Starboard will present a selection of exhibitors, specialising in superyacht destinations, luxury products and arts. The new area will also house the second official Monaco Yacht Show restaurant-lounge. Indoors or on the terrace visitors and exhibitors can enjoy snacks and cold dishes, then come back again after 16.30 for Happy Hour with live piano-bar music.
The Starboard will also house the Show’s official Press centre – access restricted to accredited journalists – and Business centre with private meeting rooms available only for exhibitors’ business meetings. A selection of yachting and lifestyle magazines will be freely available and Wifi will be available all alongside Quai Antoine I.
Launched at last year’s MYS, the Car Deck will be set alongside the Starboard and present fifteen or so prestige vehicles, with some available for test drives by the Show’s premium clients.The finest cutting-edge models of prestige brands will be displayed, including Aston Martin, Automobili Lamborghini, Bentley, Elemental Cars, Hoffmann & Novague, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, and Shelby by Gentleman Car.
Visitors to the 2017 Monaco Yacht Show will discover a brand-new exhibition area devoted entirely to the trendiest luxury tenders and water toys on the market. Tenders & Toys will display fifteen or so tenders on two sites, one on the quay – in the extension of the Dutch HISWA pavilion – and the other on the water – opposite the Car Deck and the Starboard. Yacht owners, skippers and future clients will be able to choose their tenders from among the variety of products on view.
HISWA, one of the longest-standing exhibiting federations at the Monaco Yacht Show, will again raise the flag of the Dutch superyachting industry with its Holland Pavilion. Eight exhibiting companies will present their best know-how, expertise and high-end nautical products.
The reconfiguration of the Quai Antoine I exhibition area will create a new epicentre for the activities of the Monaco Yacht Show and will stand as a new milestone in the development of the Monaco Yacht Show.
Monaco Yacht Show, 27th edition, September 27-30. Port Hercule, Monaco www.monacoyachtshow.com
At the initiative of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, a meeting of Mediterranean monk seal experts is to be held on the Yersin exploration vessel moored in Madeira.
The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is one of the most endangered mammals in the world, with the global population being estimated at only 500 individuals living in the Mediterranean and the near Atlantic.
There are two main reasons for the vulnerability of the Mediterranean monk seal: on the one hand, fishermen view the species as competition for fisheries resources and, on the other, the species has been affected by the degradation of its habitat due to urbanisation and tourism. This meeting, to be held on September 6, is aimed at creating solid, lasting cooperation between the different projects aimed at protecting Monachus monachus populations.
This momentum originated in Monaco around ten years ago. Following two workshops organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which brought together Mediterranean monk seal experts, the Foundation ordered a feasibility study. The results of this study formed the basis of the Foundation’s commitment to the protection of this emblematic species.
This is a commitment that has continued to develop in collaboration with the Tethys Research Institute, the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal and WWF Greece. This collaboration, along with support from local communities, has allowed for the creation of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) around the Island of Gyaros, which is home to one of the largest Mediterranean monk seal colonies.
It is in keeping with this long-term work that the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation decided to bring together the leading Mediterranean monk seal experts on the Yersin research vessel when it stops over in Funchal on the Island of Madeira. The first objective is to review all the projects currently underway. The second is to prepare, with this group of experts, a major meeting as part of the Monaco Ocean Week 2018 programme, in which all the foundations from the Mediterranean and the near Atlantic concerned about this emblematic species will participate.
This workshop will be moderated by Paulo Oliveira, Vice-president of the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests [Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza, IFCN]. The participants will include: Rosa Pires (Senior Technical Officer, IFCN), Luis Freitas (Head of the Science Unit at Madeira Whale Museum), Panos Dendrinos (Biologist PhD, President of the Board, MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study & Protection of the Monk Seal), Spyros Kotomatas (PhD, CYCLADES LIFE Project Leader, WWF Greece), Joan Gonzalvo (PhD, Programme Manager, Tethys Research Institute), Harun Güçlüsoy (PhD, University of Izmir, Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology), Pablo Fernández de Larrinoa (Marine Biologist, CBD-Habitat Foundation) and Philippe Gaubert (Research Fellow, Institute of Evolutionary Sciences of Montpellier).
Meteo France, the French meteorological service, has confirmed that the summer of 2017 was one of the hottest on record.
It has been the third-warmest summer in 75 years with a number of records broken in the valleys behind Nice. In addition to the high temperatures, reaching 40 degrees on at least two occasions in the hinterland, it has never rained so little since the creation of the weather station in Nice in 1942.
In the space of three months, several records have been beaten, even in comparison with the heatwave of 2003, Meteo France said. The lack of rain has contributed to the spread of several fires, including a major blaze close to Saint Tropez that caused the evacuation of tourist campsites in late July.
Southern France is not alone in experiencing the downside of a hot summer. A long drought in Italy has caused severe water shortages and a reduction in water pressure for domestic supplies in Rome and other cities. In France, the grape harvest was brought forward in many areas due to the lack of rain and there have been forecasts of the lowest yield since 1945.
Oh this past weekend! For sure there was no shortage of activities and parties to take part in provided you found yourself in the right social scene on the Monaco/ Côte d’Azur landscape. From multi-million euro birthday bashes, to champagne showers and caviar-dotted dinner parties, social media was buzzing with style moments from familiar names and fresh faces. These were my favourite fashion moments from this weekend in Monaco. These days it’s less about glam and more about vibes.
Victoria Silvstedt
@VictoriaSilvstedt TV personality, model and Les Anges Gardiens de Monaco charity Ambassador Victoria Silvstedt pulled double denim duty at financier and Heavensake founder Carl Hirschmann’s birthday bash. The svelte Swede showed off her late summer tan and toned tummy in a white bustier crop top and a high-waisted white skirt. Victoria took us back to the early 2000s with the infamous denim Louis Vuitton speedy purse paired with a denim jacket and lace up open toe booties. With her signature tousled blonde hair, Silvstedt is the epitome of cool for the summer. But what I really want to know is, after running into her on Sunday at Anjuna beach, what is her anti-hangover regiment, because for a girl about town one can’t even tell, for she looks fresh faced on the tail-end of the weekend.
Rebecca Isabelle
@Chicbelles This Dubai-based style influencer has no problem giving the cold shoulder in hot weather. The blonde beauty explored the port area clad in an off-the-shoulder white Mango dress paired with one the seasons must have accessories, a Gucci double G belt, a pink Valentino bag and white Hermès Oran sandals. Showing her prowess in successfully mixing High Street and high end, Rebecca embodied Monaco summer style looking ready to pop off to a friend’s yacht or a poolside drink at the Meridien hotel.
Julien Giurado
@giura22 Julien Giurado, the dashing model and reality television star of shows such as Secret Story, Moundir et les Apprentis Aventuriers, and the upcoming series of Les Marseillais VS le reste du Monde, cut quite the figure in a blue plaid jacket, black t-shirt, black pants, and black-studded loafers most likely on his way to join girlfriend and fellow reality television star Martika Caringella for dinner at the Place de Casino. His long hair pulled back in a man bun the social media influencer looked calm and composed ahead of the premiere of his new show.
Yana Weiman
@yanaweiman Miss Yaroslavl/Vice-Miss Russia Yana Weiman showed that even after working out at World Class gym in Monaco, style never sleeps. Pretty in pink was the order of the day for the Russian beauty queen. In a pink crop top and embellished jeans accessorised with an iconic matching Lady Dior bag Yana gave us a much appreciated fashion victim moment shaking it up in furry flats from Ice Queen Design. Multiple question abounding, what I want to know is not how Ms Weiman can wear fur shoes in summer but how does her hair look so good post workout?? #GOALS
Lauren A.
@the.la.way I’m not going to lie, I stalk Lauren’s Instagram account regularly to follow the adventures of this brunette babe around Monaco. When it comes to serving looks she never disappoints. Positively glowing at the Place de Casino in an off the shoulder NALA top, NALA denim skirt, and Lady Dior bag Lauren celebrated the beginning off the weekend in style. Instagram tells me she’s someones wifey and is it any surprise with her endless supply of on -point outfits, phenomenal makeup skills and high taste level. Lauren A you make our Instagram popular pages brighter. Keep slaying.
Honourable Mention
Now I wasn’t even going to add this in but after MUCH consideration I have to give credit where credit is due: Michelle & her #GirlSquad
By chance Saturday night at Jimmy’z, I was sitting next to a table of girls that had me gagging in the best way with their looks. Here’s the thing about Monaco and fashion, it can be hit or miss. So many people try to be “fashion” and lose their STYLE.
When I saw Michelle dancing in her Gucci t-shirt and button up track pants I knew that she was dressing for herself. She knew who she was and didn’t care about the expectations of anybody else. While doing my research for this feature I found her Instagram, which further validated my initial thoughts. From Gucci tees, to track pants in the club and denim jackets paired with a custom Gucci Dionysus bag Michelle is THAT chick that looks good in everything.
The Squad
This wasn’t going to be added in either but I ran into Michelle’s squad at Sass Café and they were equally as fierce as her. I’m a bit tired of seeing the same look in Monaco, tight dress, stiletto heels, bad contour, etc. Comfy is the new cool.
Bumping into Vittoria Picci at Sass in that must have Gucci tee, athletic shorts and tennis shoes was refreshing. To be quite honest is there really any reason to put in any more effort than that for a Sunday night? However I don’t want to speak about that look alone in itself. Can we just talk about how Michelle, Vittoria, and Polina Moisseeva casually slay at drinks at Hotel de Paris? Note the Gucci tee, the Fendi bag, the dad hat, not to mention the Balenciaga boots and Vetements socks! Bravo girls, you’ve managed to put out-cool pretty much everybody twice your age in Monaco and doing it in t-shirts.
ML: Can you tell us about Namaste, when and why it was founded? ND: For many years, I had been organising charity events through my events agency Victoria and had raised a lot of money for worthy causes. But I felt frustrated because I never had the chance to see/feel/meet the beneficiaries. It was in February 2009, after a humanitarian trip to Nepal with Mrs Proust, the wife of the former Minister of State, and a group of volunteers that I decided to invest my time and energy in helping the villagers of Rigaon. NAMASTE was founded in October 2009 under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II.
Since then, I have been to Nepal with a group of volunteers on a yearly basis in order to follow up our projects. This year, I will go for the 8th time. It is this close link between Namaste and the beneficiaries that makes, I think, our association so special.
ML: Can you share some key facts and figures about the association? ND: The main goal of NAMASTE is to improve the living conditions of the villagers of Rigaon, which is located in a very remote area in the Himalayas at an altitude of around 2000 metres, at the base of Ganesh Himal. It’s one and half day’s travel, 60 kilometres northwest of Kathmandu. The people belong to the ethnic group of Tamang.
We concentrate our efforts on education and the empowerment of women. In general, we provide children with the learning tools and job skills necessary to raise the quality of life for themselves and for their community of 8,000 inhabitants, of which 2,000 are students.
Since its creation, NAMASTE has raised on average €100,000 a year thanks to memberships, donations, events and many other initiatives from NAMASTE, its 100 or so members and other friends.
ML: What is something people generally misunderstand about the Nepalese, and why is important to raise awareness of the Nepalese culture in Monaco and Europe? ND: Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world, located between two giants, India and China. Despite the country’s difficulties, the Nepalese culture, philosophy and way of living are fascinating and extremely inspirational. This multicultural country has many traditions that should be preserved and shared.
ML: What kind of projects does Namaste undertake to promote this objective, specifically in the fields of Education, Training and Health? ND: In Rigaon, we’ve built:
– Two schools: the Shanti Primary School in Salleri for 70 students and the Ree Gaun Higher Secondary School in Ree for 400 students.
– An atelier for traditional crafts for women.
– An extension of the health centre.
– An extension of the Kailash hostel for students in Kathmandu (under construction).
And we’ve created:
– WEP – the Women Entrepreneurship Program, a training program for women to learn embroidery, sewing, tailoring, bamboo crafts, etc.
– 30 individual scholarships to help motivated students prepare for a profession (nurse, teacher, accountant, designer, etc…). These students are followed by a local coordinator who guides and motivates them during their studies.
– Several medical missions (with dentists, ophthalmologists, gynaecologists, generalists and nurses).
We want to assist the agricultural development of Rigaon as only 30% of the land is currently being farmed efficiently. Tea, coffee, and honey are some of the products for which farmers would potentially need guidance.
ML: Does Namaste have an annual fundraiser and how can residents get involved with the association? ND: Since the beginning, the Metropole Hotel has been committed to supporting NAMASTE and backing our activities. With the hotel, we co-organised four charity events: Arty Spring, Qee Bear dolls, Namaste@Odyssey and Window to the Soul. Each fundraiser consisted of an exhibition and a cocktail party for hotel clients and friends of Namaste and during these different evenings, we sold arty objects, Qee bears personalised by VIPs, bracelets with a Nepal inspiration or photographs of your iris.
We have friends who donate regularly because they know that every euro donated is 100% spent on a project that is closely monitored. We try to give as much feedback as possible, which is greatly appreciated by the donors.
Everyone is very welcome to help NAMASTE and every donation will be used in the best possible way. We have no administrative costs and we do all of the work ourselves.
A few examples:
– The International school of Monaco (ISM) has been sponsoring 2 Nepalese students for a number of years by organising sales or small fundraising initiatives.
– NAMASTE has received donations during birthday parties or other special occasions.
– Other associations (Rotary Club, Soroptimist) have decided to dedicate a fundraising event to NAMASTE.
– The Metropole Hotel is associated with NAMASTE and has hosted/co-organised four special fundraising events.
– Conferences.
ML: What does your role as President involve? ND: My role involves representing the association and promoting its goals in the best possible way; raising funds; contacting our local Nepalese coordinator about twice a week to follow up our projects; creating a close relationship with the people from Rigaon and understanding their needs; constantly coming up with new ideas; being creative; exchanging ideas with ACFN, an association based in Avignon which is also involved in Rigaon and with whom we work hand-in-hand; organising events for the members and friends of Namaste, holding board meetings to keep track of our activities and goals.
It is a personal long-term commitment that I am proud of.
ML: How did you end up in Monaco? ND: A little bit about my background – 26 years ago, I moved from Belgium, my home country, to Monaco for professional reasons; I started as an auditor with KPMG and moved to Monaco to work for Ernst & Young. For the past 10 years I have been the director of Christie’s, the international auction house, in Monaco and I am the Honorary Consul of Belgium.
ML: Monaco is said to have more not-for-profits per square kilometre than anywhere else in the world. Why do you think that is? ND: Personally, I feel privileged to be a Monegasque citizen and to live in this magnificent country. Giving back to the community is a way to say thank you. I am sure many people feel the same way and this might be one of the main reasons why there are so many humanitarian initiatives. It’s also part of Monaco’s DNA.
ML: For you personally, what have you learned about yourself since starting Namaste and what are some of your most rewarding moments? ND: Every time I come back from a trip to Nepal, I say that the Nepalese people give us so much more than we give them. Their lifestyle is a fabulous life lesson. They share, live in harmony with nature, have a sense of living together, and they respect the mountain environment.
Their country is as beautiful as their people.
My most rewarding moments are those I spent with children: when I see a smile on their faces (and they smile all the time) or when I see them on their way to school and they say “Namaste”, which means “Hello, I honour the Light, Beauty and Peace within you” … and much more.
I also experienced a sad moment with them as we were in Rigaon during the earthquake on April 25th, 2015. I will never forget this day, 24 hours after the inauguration of the high school. Rigaon was hit, as it was close to the epicentre of the earthquake. Ninety percent of the population lost their homes …but they faced this disaster with remarkable courage and dignity.
ML: How can we get people to become more involved than just writing a cheque? ND: Visit our website – namastemonaco.com – every initiative is welcome!
Also, at the moment, I am looking for someone who can assist us with administrative work.
Firmly oriented towards the superyacht sector’s end clientele, the Monaco Yacht Show has completely reset the Quai Antoine I area to unveil a new exhibition space dedicated to the superyacht lifestyle.
Oh this past weekend! For sure there was no shortage of activities and parties to take part in provided you found yourself in the right social scene on the Monaco/ Côte d’Azur landscape. From multi-million euro birthday bashes, to champagne showers and caviar-dotted dinner parties, social media was buzzing with style moments from familiar names and fresh faces. These were my favourite fashion moments from this weekend in Monaco. These days it’s less about glam and more about vibes.
