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Day: 28 September 2024

Private jets and super yachts: VistaJet roundtable looks at tech, sustainability and trends

by: Niki Borisova
28/09/2024

On the third day of the Monaco Yacht Show, VistaJet and Bombardier held a roundtable discussion to celebrate 20 years of innovation in private aviation. The event delved into the future of luxury travel, highlighting advancements in jet technology and the shifting trends within the yachting world.

The morning of the 27th September started with an exclusive roundtable discussion hosted by VistaJet and Bombardier at the new Aviator Lounge by Bombardier, marking the 20th anniversary of their collaboration. The event brought together industry leaders to reflect on the past two decades of innovation and share insights into the future of luxury private aviation.

Top executives, including Matteo Atti, VistaJet’s Chief Marketing Officer, and Simon Rochefort, Vice President of Sales and Development, discussed how the company has shaped the private jet industry and what drives ultra-high-net-worth individuals. They stressed the importance of understanding their client’s evolving preferences and needs and the value of staying agile and open to new technologies.

“We use technology with moderation, as you only need to change as fast as the people change,” said Atti. “There is no point in being ahead of the curve of the customer.”

See more: Podcast: VistaJet’s Simon Rochefort talks elite travel

It was revealed that VistaJet operates from 2,700 airports worldwide, which requires providing multiple services to meet its clients’ needs. To keep up with these demands, VistaJet has developed booking and food delivery apps, offering personalised services tailored to its clients’ preferences. With a dedicated tech team of 400, VistaJet has a strong focus on technological innovation. Atti disclosed that one standout feature developed by the team is the daylight simulation system, which clients highly appreciate for its ability to help reduce the effects of jet lag.

In addition to VistaJet’s technological advancements, Bombardier executives, including Mathieu Noël, Director of Product Strategy and Sustainability, and Ettore Rodaro, Vice President of Regional Sales Europe, delved into the company’s work in sustainable aviation. They spotlighted the Global 7500 and 8000 aircraft as examples of industry-leading innovation. Ettore stated, “Sustainability, when combined with technology, is also rooted in engineering.”

The Bombardier Global 8000 aircraft allows clients to fly up to 17 hours uninterrupted. “We recently had a client who flew from the famous Ambani wedding in India to Paris in 16 hours straight and another who flew from Saint Martin in the Caribbean to the Galapagos in 15 hours,” revealed Ettore.

With its ability to fly several nonstop routes, the Global 8000 demonstrates sustainability by reducing the need for additional fuel stops and minimising overall fuel consumption and emissions during long-haul flights.

See more: Photos: New Aviator Lounge by Bombardier opens at the Yacht Club de Monaco

The roundtable also featured special guests from the yachting world, such as Fraser Yachts CEO Anders Kurtén and Benetti Yachts Marketing Director Camilla Calza, who explored the growing link between private aviation and yachting, discussing how both industries serve a shared, demanding clientele. “When you talk about market trends, it’s healthy to understand that these ecosystems (yachts and aviation) are extremely scarce,” noted Kurtén.

According to Kurtén, the younger audience wants more diversity regarding yachts, as today, they are more focused on social spaces and what the client can do onboard. “The younger client wants to continue their lifestyle seamlessly on board,” disclosed Kurtén. Features such as tenders, water toys, wellness areas, fine dining, and remote trips are in high demand. “Trips to Greenland on explorer yachts have tripled this past year, for example,” reflected Kurtén.

Kurtén provided an example of how the yachting industry is adapting to these evolving demands through yacht design and crew recruitment. “We recently posted a job listing for a new crew position with the following description: ‘Trilingual, teaches yoga, can make a mean martini, and plays a musical instrument,’” he shared with a smile. This reflects the growing expectation for crew members to offer more diverse skills that align with the modern, lifestyle-focused experiences younger clients seek on board.

Camilla Calza shared this sentiment, mentioning that the first step in designing yachts is to understand what the client wants, as every aspect of the process is based on the client relationship.

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo by Monaco Life.

Interview: Thiago Scuro reflects on AS Monaco’s past, present, and future

by: Luke Entwistle
28/09/2024
AS Monaco CEO and Adi Hütter look on during a training session at the club's performance centre in La Turbie.

Ahead of Saturday night’s “special” centenary celebrations, AS Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro discussed the club’s past, it’s present, and it’s future in an interview with Monaco Life’s Sports Journalist Luke Entwistle.

Earlier this season, the Principality club celebrated its centenary. But whilst the club was officially founded on 23rd August 1924, they didn’t play their first game until 20th September of the same year. As a result, further celebrations are planned on Saturday, when Les Monégasques will take on Montpellier HSC in Ligue 1.

“It will be a special night. It will be a moment to celebrate some good moments and some important people from our history,” began Scuro in an interview with Monaco Life, before outlining those plans.

“[We will be] hosting some iconic players from our history, and coaches that have made history over these past 100 years. A special jersey on the pitch in order to show our respect for our past. We will have Arsène Wenger, one of AS Monaco’s former managers and who became a legend. There will also be players like (Marco) Simone, (Eric) Abidal, (Delio) Onnis, (Claude) Puel, and (Jean-Luc) Ettori.”

“There will be around 40 former AS Monaco players from different moments of our history. There will also be an exposition of the trophies in the stadium during the match, all of the iconic jerseys, and other animations both before and after the match to surprise our fans,” added Scuro. 

‘The club represents the Principality forever’ – Scuro

It is a night that transcends AS Monaco as a club and that has a greater importance for the entire Principality, as Scuro recognises: “It is special and it is also important to highlight how important it is to Prince Albert II, who is strongly connected to the club. The club represents the Principality forever. There has been a deep relationship with him and his family since day one. And also the our president Dmitry (Rybolovlev) that after 10 years here in Monaco leading the club, supporting the club, having the chance to be here means a lot to him too.”

Amid the festivities, Adi Hütter and his squad have the task of focusing on matters on the pitch. “This is the most important thing. We are working a lot on not distracting ourselves from the football project. Everything around [the club]: the excitement, the celebrations, it is important to the Principality and to our fans but we need to keep focused on our job on the pitch,” admits Scuro

It has been an excellent start to the season for Monaco, who are joint top in Ligue 1 after four wins and one draw, whilst the victory over Barcelona means that Les Monégasques are so far unbeaten. It is a run that means that Hütter has the best percentage of any Monaco manager in the 21st century. Whilst the legends of the past will be honoured and on show at the Stade Louis II, the Austrian is in the process of making his own history at the Principality club.

“Adi really fits well with the way we work, the way we are in terms of an organisation. He has a clear playing idea and he is very simple in the way that he shares this with the players. Has also a very positive leadership skills […] strong compliments to our coach Adi, who is building a strong history here at AS Monaco,” Scuro told Monaco Life. The Brazilian’s first appointment has certainly been a successful one.

Monaco’s unwavering youth strategy

Under the Austrian manager, the club’s youth are featuring prominently and flourishing. As has been the case historically, developping young players through the prestigious La Diagonale or investing in youth, as they did with this summer through the signings of George Ilenikhena, Lamine Camara and Christian Mawissa, remains a central pillar of the club’s strategy.

The club’s participation in this season’s Champions League not only allows those young players to grow, but it also gives them increased exposition. There is no question of a deviation from the Monaco model. “Sometimes [the youth-centric recruitment] goes against fans’ expectations but we believe in this way. That’s the way we have the opportunity to see an 18-year-old striker scoring against Barcelona at the Stade Louis II. This is the history of the club,” said Scuro.

“This is the way we believe we should keep working. So having so many young players on the pitch playing a game of this level for sure will be a big, big step to allow them to become higher-level players in the future.”

A Ligue 1 title challenge?

And those players, notably Camara and Ilenikhena, as well as academy products Eliesse Ben Seghir and Maghnes Akliouche are already contributing to the club’s current success.

After a strong start to the season, there is already talk of a title challenge, with vice-captain Thilo Kehrer admitting that such talk had reached the dressing room, even if he believes he and his teammates remain unperturbed.

“At this stage, it is too soon to discuss the possibility [of a Ligue 1 title challenge]. PSG continue to be a strong club in the league, as they have been in previous years,” said Scuro, who nonetheless recognises the “clear potential” in this current cohort of Monaco players.

Scuro provides update on AS Monaco sale talks

Les Monégasques have a glistening past and in the present they remain at the cutting edge of French football, whilst also once again flourishing on the European scene. But there are uncertainties surrounding the future.

As reported earlier this year, owner Dmitry Rybolovlev received unsolicited interest to purchase the club, and talks over a potential sale have been ongoing. Scuro provided an update on the situation. “The process is ongoing; nothing concrete has been announced or has happened,” said Scuro, before providing assurances.

“What I want to highlight is that, throughout the whole process, the transparency and the support of our president. The president was part of the summer strategy, decisions, and investment. He is very connected to us and I speak to him basically every week about key decisions that we must take together here at the club. The president, Adi, and I had a conversation last week in terms of what we are doing for the season. This is what we need at this stage – clarity and support from the president. This will make AS Monaco stronger and this is our main focus,” said Scuro.

As Monaco celebrate their past, Scuro is unequivocal in his positive outlook for the future.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo source: AS Monaco

AS Monaco’s centenary celebrations detailed

by: Luke Entwistle
28/09/2024
A view from the back of the Pesage stand of the Stade Louis II.

AS Monaco will celebrate their centenary during Saturday’s Ligue 1 fixture against Montpellier, with CEO Thiago Scuro promising a “special night”. 

“It will be a special night. It will be a moment to celebrate some good moments and some important people from our history,” AS Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro told Monaco Life.

Wenger returns to the Stade Louis II

It will be a festive occasion at the Stade Louis II on Saturday. The club have unveiled their plans for the event, which marks the anniversary of the Principality club’s first-ever match.

“This night is very special as it is very connected to the date of AS Monaco’s first match, which happened on 20th September 1924. As we know, the club was founded on 23rd August but this was the closest home game to celebrate 100 years since the first match,” said Scuro.

He added, “It is pretty special and it is also important to highlight how important it is to Prince Albert II, who is strongly connected to the club. The club represents the Principality forever.”

Outside the stadium, one of the Principality club’s legends will be present at a Kids’ Tour event to sign shirts. There will be many more legends inside the stadium. “There will be around 40 former AS Monaco players from different moments of our history,” reveals Scuro. Amongst them will be Arsène Wenger, Claude Puel, Gérard Banide, Danijel Subasic, Eric Abidal, Ali Benarbia, Emmanuel Petit, Marco Simone, Andréas Zikos, Delio Onnis, Lucien Cossou, Jean-Luc Etorri, Gaël Givet, Bruno Bellone, and Manuel Amoros.

Monaco to wear centenary jersey

Those figures, who have defined AS Monaco’s history, will be present on the pitch at the Stade Louis II before kick-off. “There will also be an exposition of the trophies in the stadium during the match, and all of the iconic jerseys, [whilst there will also be] other animations both before and after the match to surprise our fans,” added Scuro.

During the match, the Monaco players will wear a special black kit (available on sale), designed especially to mark the occasion. At half-time, there will be a freestyle DJ set, whilst post-match, there will be a pyrotechnic display, retracing the 100-year history of the Principality club.

It looks set to be a spectacular evening under the floodlights at the Stade Louis II as Monaco celebrate their “special” night.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo source: AS Monaco