After two spectacular back-to-back wins at the Belgium and Italian Grand Prix races, Ferrari pilot and Monegasque darling Charles Leclerc was invited to the Palace and received by HSH Prince Albert II.
Leclerc was accompanied by his mother Pascale, two brothers Lorenzo and Arthur, and his uncle and aunt.
“It’s always a pleasure to meet with him, even more after his two great victories,” said the Sovereign on-air to Monaco Info. “I was not the only Monegasque or friend of the Principality to be happy, not only of his victories and the way they were won, but also to hear the Monegasque anthem on the podium. It’s still extraordinary.”
The Prince is a huge F1 fan and devotee, so having a hometown favourite to cheer on would of course be a source of pride and excitement, and he says he sees a bright future ahead for the prodigy.
“There was no better ending than coming here to the Palace,” said Charles Leclerc. “The Prince has always supported me enormously.”
Leclerc is soon leaving to race at the Singapore Grand Prix to see if he can make it three wins in a row.
3rd annual Powers Properties Padel Tournament a Princely success
Prince Albert has won the third annual Powers Properties Padel Tournament with his partner, former tennis player Thomas Johansson.
It was a festive evening on Tuesday 10th September at the Stade du Devens in Beausoleil, as around 30 participants took part in the latest sporting craze to not only hit Monaco, but the globe.
The final tiebreak of the hotly contested competition was won by HSH Prince Albert and his partner Thomas Johansson, defeating Ashley Field and Kristina Clement 7-2.
Among the participants were Belgian tennis player David Goffin, Norwegian cyclist Thor Hushovd, and American pole vaulterKory Tarpenning. Afterwards the hundred or so guests were treated to a great BBQ and live entertainment provided by The Woops.
“Despite the elements, we were really pleased to have such a great turn out for the third annual Powers Properties Padel Tournament,” Mike Powers, tournament co-director and managing partner of Powers Properties, told Monaco Life. “It was great to see all of our guests enjoying themselves and it is exciting to see how the sport has grown over the past few years. Padel has a great future in Monaco; most of the Powers Properties team plays as well as a number of other Monegasques, including HSH Prince Albert, who is a huge fan and actually has his own private padel court.”
Padel has been growing in popularity around the world and in the Principality. In an effort to boost its fan base in Monaco, a temporary padel court was set up on the Port Hercule this summer and it was very well received by the public.
After Sundays 3-4 defeat against Marseille, AS Monaco’s ultras are calling for manager Leonardo Jardim’s head.
Leonardo Jardim
The Ultras Monaco 1994 put out a statement on Monday declaring that it is time for the manager of the beleaguered team to go.
The message, sent out on social media, read: “Because the club is saying nothing, we are not going to tire ourselves out by writing a lot, despite there being so much to say… Simply, it is time for action: Jardim, thank you, but it is time to leave now, and take with you those that you have been protecting.”
AS Monaco is in 19th place five games into the season.
Jardim held a press conference after Sunday’s loss at the Olympique de Marseille, defending his team and acknowledging its weaknesses.
“I will not compare the beginning of this season to last year,” he said. “The important thing is this year. We give away a lot of goals, and we need to work on that. We need to adjust our defence; we must stay more focused and have more impact. We lose two-on-ones, leading to the second goal. We need to be more attentive.”
The Portuguese coach came in last January to replace former coach Thierry Henry, who had replaced him only three months earlier.
A new promotional campaign has been rolled out called ‘Monaco is FOR YOU’ and is directed at tourism professionals and casual travellers alike.
The Monegasque Tourism and Convention Department has initiated a new promotion to replace ‘Destination Monaco’. Rather than a vague request to experience the Principality, they believe FOR MONACO is an invitation to explore and enjoy all there is on offer.
“With this new campaign, our goal is to position the Principality as a destination that reinvents itself, staying true to its DNA,” says General Manager of Tourism, Guy Antognelli.
He adds that the significant elements that make Monaco a special destination: excellence, achievement, ethics, commitment, quality and expertise to name a few, are still the same as they ever were, only now there is more of a call to arms, rather than a passive approach.
The elements that comprise FOR YOU are based on 10 major themes: culture, gastronomy, sport, family, games, weekend getaways, responsible tourism, nightlife, spa related, and conventions and it covers all segments of touristic activity in Monaco. The target markets for the initial launch are primarily European and America, and include the French, British, Swiss, Russian, Italian, Belgian, Austrian and German markets.
Tourism is an extremely important part of the economy and this new campaign is meant to exploit that fact for the best outcomes for local business and visitors alike.
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Interview: Manuel de Vasconcelos, General Manager of Le Meridien Beach Plaza Hotel
From Lisbon to Paris, Pittsburgh to San Paolo, Manuel de Vasconcelos has headed some of the largest hotels in many of the world’s most famous cities.
For the past seven years he has been General Manager of Le Meridien Beach Plaza Hotel and he spoke to Monaco Lifeabout the fine art of diplomacy in the world of luxury hospitality.
Manuel de Vasconcelos
Monaco Life: Manuel tell us where it all began for you…
Manuel: I started working in hotels as a breakfast waiter and night porter, and I didn’t see myself working in hotels all my life because I wanted to go into diplomacy. But there was a revolution at the time in Portugal and the universities were on strike, so I left for London and started working; then I carried on in Switzerland as a waiter and at reception. One day my father came to me and said: “Are you going to be a waiter all your life?” and while I was making good money with no responsibility, I thought perhaps he was right. So, I went to hotel school in Switzerland and then I joined Hilton for seven years, which took me to Columbia, Brazil and Pittsburgh. After that I worked for Sheraton in Portugal, San Paolo, Lisbon, and my first job as a general manager was in San Sebastian. Then I went to Paris for 10 years and moved here seven years ago.
How many languages do you speak?
Four fluently: Spanish, English, French and Portuguese, plus I can manage German and Italian.
Le Meridien Beach Plaza Hotel
Are you happy with the direction you took in life?
Yes, because this job is, in many ways, similar to diplomacy. Every time I have lived abroad, I have had good friends in embassies and consulates because they are all doing a job like me. In my career, I have to make things work; I must deal with situations and find ways to settle things, because I work through people. You are not only measured by your results but what you achieve through other people.
And you are dealing with hundreds of staff here, it’s like a little village…
Yes it is. In winter we have 290 staff members, in the summer it reaches as high as 550.
What is your favourite city you have worked in?
It is hard to say. Paris is fantastic, the life and culture, and all the new and exciting things they have there. Monaco is great, I love the auto racing, the beaches, everything. San Sebastian is wonderful because it is perhaps the best place to eat in Europe. Lisbon is a fantastic city. San Paolo in Brazil is amazing. Even Pittsburgh, it is in the centre of the United States but it is beautiful because it sits in the middle of three rivers. Colombia is also incredible.
Did you get the opportunity to go back to your father as a successful hotel general manager and say “Look where I am now!”?
Actually, he passed away before I was general manager but I was already number two at the Sheridan in my home city in Portugal. So that was nice.
View of the bay from Le Meridien
Le Meridien is competing against some incredibly famous institutions in Monaco like the Hôtel de Paris and the Hôtel Hermitage. What sets this apart from the rest?
Our number one advantage is the fact we have our own private beach. Stepping out of the hotel and straight onto the sand is unique in Monaco. We also have three swimming pools, a heated one inside and two external pools.
Twiga beach at Le Meridien
Tell me about the best rooms you have in the hotel? What’s above floor number nine?
All of our suites are on floor 11. Then a few years ago we renovated the 10th floor and we added six more suites, so now guests can connect four different rooms. It’s great for big families and the like.
I hear there are private elevators in some suites?
There are two presidential suites on the 12th floor, one in each tower, and they each have a private elevator. The 360 degree view they have up there is wonderful.
A suite in Le Meridien
It is also a unique hotel because it is was built in the 1970s but still feels very contemporary…
It is part of the brand message: the hotel reflects what you can find in your destination. But we try to present things that people usually do not see all the time in Monaco. With the art, for example, we exhibit work that is different from others in the Principality. We are trying to create new things all the time, we don’t like to stand still. We like to create life and movement, for both the clients and staff.
Le Meridien features regular art exhibitions
What are some of the challenges you face being a hotel manager?
The most satisfaction I have is gained from personal contacts, which can also be the biggest challenge as well. There are some people who are more difficult than others, but it is part of the job, and I like that. Over the years, in the many countries I worked, I have learned that mentality can vary significantly, and that is nice.
So, what’s next for Le Meridien?
We just created a new kids club on the upper terrace for children in summer, which is very popular with families. Sometimes we have about 50 to 60 kids a day in August, so it’s a great option for parents who would like some rest.
After the summer we will start renovating the 11th floor. Then we will renovate our convention centre, which spans 3,000sqm and hosts many private and corporate events, especially during the winter.
Apart from that, everything else has been done!
Prince Albert to honour Robert Redford at Monte-Carlo Gala
It has been announced that world-renowned actor, activist, director and producer Robert Redford will be honoured at the third annual Monte-Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean this September. Redford will join previous honourees Leonardo DiCaprio and Orlando Bloom in receiving the award.
Robert Redford. Photo: World Travel & Tourism Council
Organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundationon the terraces of the Opera of Monaco, the Gala will conclude a week of activities dedicated to the health of the Ocean. In bringing together global policymakers, business leaders, scientists, and celebrities, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco will once again shine a light on solutions to the existential crisis facing the world’s Ocean and its connection with climate change.
“We are delighted to honour Robert Redford, who has highly contributed to raising awareness about the environmental challenges the world is facing,” said HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. “Mr. Redford is a long-time champion for climate change action, and it is our privilege to celebrate his life’s work.”
Monte Carlo Gala for the Ocean. Photo credit: TUFF
“I am honoured to be recognised by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and his Foundation,” said Robert Redford. “The Prince’s tireless leadership in the fight to preserve and protect our Ocean sets an example we all should follow. It’s our responsibility to work together to overcome the challenges before us in the fight to save our Ocean – and in turn, our planet.”
Mr. Redford has devoted his career to spurring meaningful change through the power of media. In his films, including All the President’s Men, The Candidate, Quiz Show, Out of Africa, and Truth, there has always been an underlying message of responsibility and advocacy, whether for the truth itself or for the preservation of the earth and those that inhabit it.
In 1981, Mr. Redford founded the Sundance Institute. The non-profit’s annual Sundance Film Festival is one of the largest and most respected of its kind, attracting a global audience to the work of emerging artists in independent film.
In 2005, Mr. Redford and his son, James Redford, established the Redford Centre, dedicated to harnessing the power of film, video, and new media to engage people through inspiring stories that galvanize environmental action.
And in December 2015, Mr. Redford delivered an inspiring message at the UN Assembly before the COP 21, on behalf of the National Resources Defence Council of which he has been a trustee for over 40 years.
Previously, the Foundation has honoured Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio and Orlando Bloom with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Award for their work to protect and preserve the Ocean.
All proceeds from the Monte-Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean and its auction will support the Foundation’s Ocean initiatives, which make up 60 percent of its philanthropic portfolio and include the development of marine protected areas, the protection of threatened marine species, the mitigation of the impact of climate change and acidification on the ocean and the fight against plastic pollution.
In 13 years, the Foundation has supported over 470 projects around the world for a financial amount of more than 55 million euros.
Playing a key role in climate regulation, the Ocean covers more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, produces 50 percent of the oxygen that we breathe and absorbs 25 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. Overfishing, illegal fishing, rising temperatures and increased pollution are severely disrupting the Ocean’s balance.
This year’s gala will be the culminating event of a week of activities dedicated to saving the Ocean, including the launch of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) latest report on the Ocean and climate change in Monaco.
Sources: Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
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