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Day: 29 March 2022

Monte-Carlo Beach rewarded for green initiatives

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/03/2022

Monte-Carlo Beach has take out the Special Prize in the Green category of the Hotel & Lodge Awards, recognition of the establishment’s dedicated commitment to sustainability.

On Thursday 24th March, French tourism magazine Hotel & Lodge held its third ceremony of the Hotel & Lodge Awards at Pavillon Cambon in Paris. Monte-Carlo Beach claimed the Special Green Prize, a new category that is awarded, on the selection of editorial teams and a judging panel made up of tourism professionals, to a hotel resolutely committed to an eco-responsible and sustainable development approach.

The award recognises that Monte-Carlo Beach has been Green Globe certified since 2014, with Green Gold status since 2018. This approach is driven by General Manager Daniele Garcelon, who has been working for many years to achieve a zero-plastic policy, recycle waste and drastically reduce energy and water consumption.

“My teams and I accept this award with joy and humbleness,” said Daniele Garcelon. “It is a recognition and strong encouragement in the pursuit of our everyday commitment.”

The hotel has implemented a proactive policy to protect biodiversity, in particular with the creation in 2021 of a positive biodiversity reef dyke. Located under the water 100 metres from shore, this dyke has been designed to protect the beach and allow the development of marine life in a protected area.

Pointe de la Vigie and its surrounding pine forest have also been classified LPO (Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux) bird protection status. The latest wildlife inventory listed no fewer than 20 species of birds, including 10 nesting species and 15 protected species.

“This site at Monte-Carlo Beach is becoming an essential refuge for local biodiversity,” said Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer in announcing the award for its hotel.

Keen to develop its local eco-system, Monte-Carlo Beach and the Elsa restaurant, which has been Ecocert certified since 2013 for its 100% organic and wild-caught fish, work closely with local producers to give preference to seasonal products as well as nearby estates and gardens: Jardin des Antipodes in Menton for aromatic herbs and fruit, and Domaine d’Agerbol in the heights of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, which supplies Elsa with organic vegetables, from farm to fork.

 

SEE ALSO:

Manon Fleury: “This is the future of gastronomy”

 

Photo source: Monte-Carlo SBM

 

 

 

Omicron BA.2 variant behind Covid resurgence

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/03/2022

The highly transmissible subvariant of Omicron, known as BA.2, is now the dominant Covid strain, sending the number of cases surging once again in Monaco and the world.

After peaking at 2,157 in the third week of January and driven by the highly contagious Omicron BA.1 variant, the circulation of Covid in Monaco then fell as quickly as it had risen.

However, figures on Monday show that the incidence rate in the Principality now stands at 1,050, compared to 422 in the first week of March.

Meanwhile, of the 3,500 PCR and antigen tests conducted in Monaco from 21st to 27th March, a record 20.39% came back positive.

Analysis shows that the new Omicron subvariant, BA.2, is behind the resurgence.

Monaco Life has been informed that BA.2 now represents more than 80% of all sequenced cases in the Principality, while the World Health Organisation puts the global figure at 86%.

While it is even more transmissible than its highly contagious Omicron siblings, BA.1 and BA.1.1, the evidence so far suggests that it is no more likely to cause severe disease.

But as case numbers rise, the Princess Grace Hospital Centre has seen a corresponding increase in the number of Covid patients. Currently, there are 26 seeking care, nine of whom are residents, while one person is in ICU.

As with the other variants in the Omicron family, vaccines are less effective against BA.2 than previous variants, and protection declines over time. However, according to UK Health Security Agency data, a booster jab is still effective at preventing hospitalisation and death.

In Monaco, 71.6% of the population aged over 12 have completed a full vaccination schedule. The latest Covid report from IMSEE shows that coverage is highest amongst those aged 54 to 64 at 82%, while 95% of the population aged 75 and over are considered fully vaccinated.

 

 

 

 

Oceanographic Museum seeking summer staff

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/03/2022

The Oceanographic Museum is recruiting for seasonal and temporary positions to cover the summer and school holiday periods, giving interested people the chance to learn the inner workings of this important Monaco institution.

The Oceanographic Institute is looking to take on 22 temporary and seasonal employees starting in April to cover shifts at the museum’s reception, the entertainment shop and as cashiers.

The length of employment will run between two and seven months on fixed-term contracts and managers will be meeting with candidates for individual interviews on the designated recruitment day, 6th April, from 10am to 5pm. Interviews are scheduled to last roughly 20 minutes per candidate.

These face-to-face meetings will give those interested in working for the Oceanographic Museum a chance to better understand the mission of the organisation as well as to get a feel for the working environment.

The positions available are for six year-round entertainment activities contractors, three seasonal entertainment activities contractors for the months of July, August and September, five shop salespeople, with four needed in July and August and one for seven months starting in April, four cashiers, with one required for June, July and August, two for July and August and one from 1st April to 1st August and four receptionists, with three being needed for July and August and one from 1st June to the end of August.

Additionally, they will be hiring temporary workers throughout the year for weekends and school holidays. 

Candidates must provide a CV and a cover letter and must speak both English and French. Online registration to be considered for any position is required through the link on https://www.oceano.org/journee-de-recrutement-2022/

 

 

Photo by Cassandra Tanti for Monaco Life

 

 

 

 

Monaco Pavilion in Dubai marks exciting milestone

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/03/2022

With just four days to go at the Universal Exposition in Dubai, the Monaco Pavilion hit the million-visitor milestone.

Two unsuspecting women from the Emirates strolled casually into the Monaco Pavilion at exactly 11:50am on Sunday 27th March. Little did they know they would be greeted with the surprise of learning they were the millionth guests to enter since the start of the Universal Expo on 1st October.

The team working the Pavilion, including General Manager Albert Croesi, were on hand to welcome the women, who received a “privileged visit” to the Monegasque Pavilion.

Said Mr Croesi of the historic moment, “We also offered a few Monaco 360º presents and the magnificent collector’s item, made by the Automobile Club de Monaco, representing William Grover-Williams’ ‘Bugatti’, the first Formula 1 car to win the Monaco Grand Prix in 1929. And of course, we had our guests taste barbagiuans ‘made in Dubai’, but according to the Monegasque recipe.”

Despite a dramatic drop in attendance in January due to surging Covid cases, the spring saw a resurgence in interest and turnout. The Pavilion officials have said that it has recorded about 5,650 visitors per day on average.

“The Principality has always recorded between 4% and 5% of the total number of visitors to exhibitions in which the country has participated,” said Croesi. “It is a great satisfaction to verify that here, in Dubai, we are still within this percentage. The Expo announced it had 21 million visitors in total on Saturday.”

The Universal Expo was originally scheduled to be held from October 2020 to April 2021, but the pandemic had other ideas. The event was postponed until October 2021 and has been a huge success. It officially ends on 31st March.

 

Photo source: Monaco Pavilion

 

 

 

 

€3,000 raised for civilian victims of Ukraine conflict

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/03/2022

An event that looked at the geopolitical and economic consequences of the Ukrainian conflict was also able to raise a total of €3,000 in donations to go towards helping those in need from the war-torn nation.

In an even split, three Monegasque initiatives each received €1,000 from the Swiss Club of Monaco (Club Suisse de Monaco) from the donations given during a 17th March dinner and lecture. The funds will go directly to assist civilian victims on the ground in Ukraine.

The Swiss Club of Monaco, one of the oldest organisations in the Principality, held the event to talk about the impacts of the war on the country and the reverberations around the globe.

José Badia, President of the Foreign Relations Commission, was present as a representative of the Conseil National. In addition, several honorary consuls also accepted the invitation, including the Honorary Consul of Switzerland Urs Minder. The Austrian Consulate was also on hand to support the event.

An initiative by Gabriella Vogogna will see €1,000 going toward the purchase and transport of clothing, hygiene items, food and medicine to the Polish border town of Stalowa Wola. There, local Councellor Renata Butrym will dispense the items to the refugees. Additionally, some of the items, notably medical supplies, will cross back into Ukraine where there is short supply.

The plan organised by Martine Ackermann will see donations being used to procure medicine, hygiene articles and food for children. These will be taken directly to Chernivtsi in western Ukraine where they are distributed to hospitals and those on the ground.

Finally, the last €1,000 slice, an initiative by Danuta Fürst and Anna Pogadz, is being used to buy medicine for the City Children’s Hospital number 5 in Kharkiv. Dr Piotr Juszczak and Dr Krystyna Masna will receive the medicine in Poland and distribute them where needed. Dr Peter Pokatylo will coordinate the transport to ensure the treatments arrive at the hospital.

The Swiss Club of Monaco has been around since 1949. It connects the Swiss, Monegasque and international communities for events throughout the year.

 

 

Photos provided