Foreign tourists inject €58 billion into the French economy

France pulled in €57.9 billion from international tourism in 2022, a record for the country.

According to government tourism agency Atout France, the latest figures show that the country achieved “record” numbers last year.

“At the end of December 2022, receipts from international tourism in France were up by €1.2 billion compared to their level of 2019,” the agency states on their site. “This result is explained by the return of European and American customers but also by inflation which mechanically increases revenue in value.”

On the other hand, the flow of travellers from Asia, in particular from China and Japan, still remains very weak.

The foreign customers who spent the most in France in 2022 are nationals of three border countries: Belgium with €7.3 billion, Germany with €6.5 billion, and the United Kingdom with €6.2 billion.

The United States ranks fifth with $5.6 billion in cumulative spending in 2022.

After “good” activity during the Christmas holidays and in mountain areas despite a poor start to the snow season, Atout France is looking with “certain optimism” to the first quarter of 2023, “despite a context that is still difficult” economically and geopolitically with the war in Ukraine.

 

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Photo of Annecy by Monaco Life

Football: Two more years of Aleksandr Golovin at Monaco

AS Monaco have announced the extension of Aleksandr Golovin’s contract at the club. The Russian playmaker is now committed to Les Monégasques until 2026.

Golovin is in his fifth season at Monaco after joining from Russian side CSKA Moscow for €30m back in 2018. He joined the club off the back of an impressive campaign for his national team at the World Cup, and is this season showcasing his most promising run of form for the side.

This season, Golovin has six goals and seven assists for Monaco in 35 appaearances in all competitions. Over the duration of his time with the Principality club, the midfielder has made 166 appearances, scoring 20 goals and registering 26 assists.

“I thank the club for this show of confidence.”

However, Golovin’s contract was due to expire in 2024, and the club were therefore keen to tie him down to a more long-term deal. Monaco Life understands that there was a common desire to continue their collaboration, and that has now manfisted in a two-year contract renewal, taking his stay in Monaco until the summer of 2026.

Speaking in a press release, Golovin said, “I am very happy to continue the adventure with AS Monaco and I thank the club for this show of confidence. This opportunity that was offered to me, to sign up long-term and continue my progression here represents a great satisfaction.”

The Russian international continued, “Once again this year, the team is having a good run in the league and I’m very motivated by the idea of continuing to help the team in order to finish as high as possible and reach our objectives.”

 

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Photo by Monaco Life

AS MONACO: Oleg Petrov leaves, Ekaterina Sartori Ryboloveva becomes vice-president

Monaco Petrov Rybolovleva

The daughter of AS Monaco President Dmitry Rybolovlev, Ekaterina Sartori Rybolovleva, has taken over as vice-president of the club following the resignation of Oleg Petrov.

Oleg Petrov replaced Vadim Vasilyev in 2019 and had been the club’s vice-president until last summer, when the club underwent an organisational shift and Jean-Emmanuel De Witt joined the club as General Director. Since that change, Petrov has been the vice president of the administrative council at AS Monaco, as well as the club’s representative of the European Club Association (ECA).

Photo of (left to right) Paul Mitchell, Vanderson and Oleg Petrov by Monaco Life

However, Petrov, who is now closely tied with the Principality’s basketball team, AS Monaco Basketball, has stepped back from his role in the football club. His resignation has been accepted by owner and president Dmitry Rybolovlev.

Juan Sartori takes more prominent role at Monaco

Juan Sartori, co-owner of Sunderland AFC and son-in-law of Monaco owner Rybolovlev, will take over as Monaco’s ECA representative.

Photo of (left to right) Juan Sartori, Ekaterina Sartori Rybolovleva, Prince Albert II and Jean-Jacques Raffaele by Monaco Life

Ekaterina Sartori Rybolovleva becomes vice-president

Ben Lambrecht, who replaced De Witt as Monaco’s CEO in December 2022, as well as Stéphane Morandi, the president’s advisor, have joined the administrative council as new members.

The council convened on Monday and elected Rybolovlev’s daughter and the wife of Sartori, Ekaterina Sartori Rybolovleva, as the new vice-president of the club. Her work on the council dates back almost 12 years.

 

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Photo of Ekaterina Satrori Rybolovleva, Prince Albert II and Juan Sartori by Monaco Life