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Dworld brings together visionary speakers to tackle the future of virtual tourism

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
12/06/2025

The world’s brightest minds in technology, tourism, and sustainability gathered at Le Méridien Beach Plaza on 6th June for the Virtual Economy and Sustainable Tourism Forum. The landmark event hosted by DWorld’s CEO Manila Di Giovani is set to revolutionise the travel experience through immersive technologies.

The forum brought together visionary leaders from public institutions and pioneering companies to explore how artificial intelligence, blockchain, and virtual twins can transform tourism. The focus turned towards how these innovations can create a more sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally friendly future for the travel industry.

An impressive line-up of international speakers attended the event, including Maria Betti, Director at DG JRC European Commission and Director for Pélagos international agreement, Maria Elena Rossi, Director of Foreign Offices and International Development of the Triumph Group and former Global Marketing Director of the Italian Tourist Board, and Wayne Grixti, Chairman of Malta Digital & Innovation Authority and CEO of Tech MT amongst others.

Jersey pioneers digital tourism revolution

Marcus Calvani, CEO of Jersey Hospitality Association, revealed how the Channel Island is developing what he describes as a “digital twinned metaverse version” of Jersey that allows potential visitors to customise their experience before arrival. Speaking to Monaco Life, Calvani explained how the technology transforms the island into a personalised virtual experience.

“We’ve been looking at how we can take some of the layers of our offering as an island—our history and heritage, our food and beverage, our great outdoors and wellness—and enable a digital twinned metaverse version of Jersey to layer the experience for a potential visitor,” Calvani said. “They can turn that into a personalised pleasure park or theme park of their own desire.”

The concept allows food enthusiasts to virtually explore Jersey’s culinary landscape with the press of a button, transforming the entire island into “a wonderful world of food”. History enthusiasts can delve into the island’s rich past, including its Second World War occupation, or engage with historical figures like King Charles inside a digitally recreated Mont Orgueil Castle.

“It offers the ability to curate and design their own experience for the island and choose what they want to visit,” Calvani noted. “Then, when they do physically come to the island, maybe afterwards, they’ve already created their whole experience before they get there.”

Tackling tourism’s carbon footprint

The forum addressed critical sustainability challenges facing the tourism industry, focusing on how digital innovations can dramatically reduce tourism’s carbon footprint. Virtual twins and immersive technologies offer multiple pathways to environmental responsibility by allowing destinations to manage visitor flows more effectively and provide pre-visit experiences that can reduce over-tourism pressures.

The discussions centred on practical applications of blockchain for transparent and sustainable travel practices, AI for personalised experiences, and virtual twins for destination management. These technologies represent a shift toward tourism experiences that begin long before departure and continue after return, all while potentially reducing the environmental impact of traditional tourism models

The event served as a strategic platform for government leaders, public institutions, investors, and tech innovators to forge concrete strategies for tomorrow’s virtual economies.

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

Main photo featuring Marcus Calvani, by Monaco Life

Monaco and France sign enhanced charter for sustainable Mediterranean cruising

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
09/06/2025

Monaco and France have strengthened their environmental partnership by signing an enhanced version of the Sustainable Mediterranean Cruise Charter. The signing symbolically took place during the opening ceremony of the Blue Economy and Finance Forum on 7th June.

The agreement was signed by Céline Caron-Dagioni, Monaco’s Minister for Equipment, Environment and Urban Planning, and Philippe Tabarot, France’s Transport Minister, at the Grimaldi Forum.

The enhanced charter includes four key commitments that build upon the 2022 convention previously signed between the two nations. These include clear commitments to reduce air pollution in four Mediterranean ports and to install electric charging stations at the docks. They also involve slowing ships down when whales and dolphins are nearby, as well as improving coordination between ports to prevent pollution spikes and support the use of cleaner fuels and modern technology.

Finding the right balance

Minister Tabarot addressed the complex challenge of balancing economic benefits with environmental protection. He acknowledged the sometimes strained relationships between ports and cruise operators in recent years.  “For years, many of us wanted to see cruises come to our ports and bring economic benefits… and then, perhaps overnight, because visitor numbers weren’t limited or practices weren’t regulated, that warm welcome began to fade.”

Despite these difficulties, he reaffirmed France’s commitment to a more sustainable cruise model. He explained that he believes the right balance can be found between economic development and environmental protection, noting that economic benefits and ocean conservation are not incompatible goals.

Minister Caron-Dagioni also highlighted that environmental requirements in the Principality are not simply moral imperatives but represent regulatory reality. “In Monaco, environmental demands are not simply moral. It is a regulatory reality,” she stated, describing this as part of the historic commitment of Monaco’s principles that are shared from generation to generation.

“Let’s not forget that in Monaco, we used to be sailors. We lived from that, and this root is deeply anchored in the preservation of our primary environment, which is what the sea represents.” she added.

Signing the enhanced version of the Sustainable Mediterranean Cruise Charter during the Blue Economy and Finance Forum

A shared Mediterranean responsibility

Minister Caron-Dagioni stressed that environmental protection is not the affair of one person or country, but rather the responsibility of all. She noted that Monaco has already implemented a selective cruise policy compatible with air quality standards, quality of life, and climate objectives.

The signing follows the endorsement of the improved charter by major cruise operators in Marseille the previous day, with companies representing more than 50% of cruise operations already committed to the initiative. Minister Tabarot encouraged other operators to join what he described as a virtuous approach that combines environmental, economic, and dialogue-based elements.

The enhanced charter aims to drive the entire cruise sector towards higher environmental standards whilst maintaining the economic benefits of sustainable tourism. Minister Caron-Dagioni concluded that the charter should serve to “pull the entire sector upwards” and position the Mediterranean as an exemplary region for sustainable cruise operations. She explained that Monaco stands “alongside the companies to accompany them, to go further, to understand their problems and try to bring sustainable solutions with them”.

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

All photos by Monaco Life

 

Blue Economy Forum in Monaco draws global powerhouses to fight for the oceans

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
09/06/2025

Prince Albert II of Monaco, Prince William of Wales, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves Robles joined forces at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum on the weekend, calling for urgent action to protect the world’s oceans and promote sustainable economy.

Held at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco and attended by Monaco Life, the two-day event brought together a powerful coalition of leaders, environmental experts, scientists, business innovators, and representatives. The forum served as a key lead-up to the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice this week.

Chaired by Pascal Lamy, former WTO Director-General, and Ilana Sed, UN representative from Palau, the gathering focused on concrete solutions for ocean conservation and sustainable maritime development.

Prince Albert II expressed cautious optimism about the outcome from the discussions in his opening speech. “As someone committed to defending the environment, occasionally positive momentum does occur. And what we have witnessed here in Monaco is precisely that,” he said. The Prince noted that solutions already exist across multiple sectors, from sustainable fisheries management to marine biotechnology, stating that “we are standing at the threshold of this blue transition”.

Scientific financing becomes imperative

French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the scientific imperative for action, firmly rejecting the notion that climate change and ocean degradation are matters of opinion. “This is not an opinion, but scientifically established. We have a political, ethical, and scientific duty to continue financing free and open science,” he said.

The French President outlined the harsh reality that oceans face, explaining that due to global warming, sea levels are set to rise by over one metre in the worst-case scenarios. “We know that changes are dramatic at this point,” he warned, highlighting the particular vulnerability of coastal states, islands, and cities. He announced however that France would strengthen its maritime protection targets, building on the country’s position as the world’s second-largest maritime power thanks to its overseas territories.

The appearance of the Prince of Wales at the Blue Economy Forum brought a spotlight to the UK’s role in ocean innovation. Representing the United Kingdom, Prince William spoke passionately about the power of innovation to drive environmental change, drawing on his personal work through the Earthshot Prize. He shared success stories from prize finalists, including groundbreaking coral restoration efforts that have cultivated over 20,000 corals, and algae-based omega-3 production technologies that have already spared more than 2.5 million wild fish in just six months.

“Put simply, the ocean is under enormous pressure,” the Prince said, calling for scaling up of innovative solutions. He noted that whilst brilliant minds are developing inspiring solutions, “they cannot do it alone. They need scaling, support and investment to reach their potential.”

Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves Robles and Prince William of Whales discussing at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum. Photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life.

Leading by example

Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves Robles delivered an impassioned call for immediate action, mentioning his small nation’s leadership an an example. Despite representing just 0.03% of the world’s land area, Costa Rica holds nearly 6% of global biodiversity and has already achieved the 2030 target of protecting 30% of its marine territory well in advance.

“We are not saying it could be done. We are not saying it should be done. Costa Rica is doing it, putting our actions where our mouth is,” President Chaves declared. He stressed that “vision without action is just hallucination or demagoguery” and called for reformed financing criteria that don’t penalise middle-income countries that have succeeded in conservation efforts.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva brought a developing world perspective to the discussions. He also highlighted the economic significance of the ocean whilst calling for greater international financial commitment. “The ocean generates two trillion and 600 billion dollars annually. If it were a country, the ocean would occupy the fifth position among the world’s largest economies,” Lula observed.

The Brazilian leader highlighted the chronic underfunding of marine conservation initiatives, noting that the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14, dedicated to marine resource conservation, “is among the least funded objectives of the entire 2030 agenda”. He called for what he termed a ‘mutirão’ – an indigenous Brazilian word meaning collective effort – to increase financial commitments to ocean protection.

Collaboration is key

The forum addressed multiple aspects of the blue economy, from sustainable fisheries and marine biotechnology to renewable energy and tourism. Prince Albert II explained that concrete solutions already exist across all these sectors, stressing that “this is no longer just about innovation, although it still plays a key role. This is about practical, operational, and profitable opportunities.”

The Prince of Monaco concluded by highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships and international alliances, noting that “we will need all the goodwill and all the talent available” to address evolving ocean challenges. He called for building bridges between countries, coastal communities, scientists, and economic players to bring the sustainable blue economy to life.

Monaco Life was there! See more in Kyriaki Topalidou’s video below…

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

Main photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life. From left to right: Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, French President Emmanuel Macron, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves Robles and Prince William of Whales.

Young photographers showcase Monaco’s architectural heritage

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
09/06/2025

A captivating photography exhibition featuring the work of young talents aged 11 to 25 has opened at the Saint-Martin Gardens, offering fresh perspectives on Monaco’s built heritage.

The ‘Architectural Heritage of Monaco’ photography competition exhibition was officially inaugurated on Thursday 5th June, transforming the railings of the Saint-Martin Gardens into an outdoor gallery that will remain on display until 5th October.

Organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs, the competition was launched to encourage artistic practice amongst young people. Meanwhile, it contributes to the preservation of Monaco’s architectural legacy. The initiative has successfully engaged the Principality’s youth in celebrating their built environment through the lens of photography.

An expert jury carefully selected 15 photographs from the submissions to feature in the exhibition. The distinguished panel included Françoise Gamerdinger, Director of Cultural Affairs; heritage expert Stéphane Bern; Jean-Philippe Vinci, Director of DENJS; Björn Dahlström, Director of the New National Museum of Monaco; Célia Bernasconi, Chief Curator of the New National Museum of Monaco and President of the Heritage Council; and renowned photographer, director and writer Nick Danziger.

Photos captured by the young talents of Monaco, depicting Monaco's architectural heritage
Photos captured by the young talents of Monaco, depicting Monaco’s architectural heritage

Celebrating young talent

Four standout photographers emerged as winners from this selection: Adrian Blanchi, Andrea Brezzo, Léonie Massa, and Jeanna Grogorian. A youth jury comprised of students from the Principality—including Lily Coheur, Carla Giraldi, Joeline Kalbfleisch, Lou Nardi, and Gabriela Nencheva—chose the winners.

The Department of Cultural Affairs, with support from SOGEDA Monaco, has also rewarded all 15 featured photographers with a special masterclass led by Nick Danziger. This professional development opportunity aims to help the young artists refine their photographic skills and artistic practice.

The timing of the exhibition’s conclusion is particularly significant. It coincides with the European Heritage Days on 5th October, which will focus on the theme of Architectural Heritage.

However, the journey for these young photographers’ work does not end here. Monaco will take the exhibition to Strasbourg in 2026 as part of its presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

See more in our video reel below…

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

All photos by Monaco Life

Local kids invited to join water safety event with Princess Charlene and First Lady Brigitte Macron

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
04/06/2025

A special Water Safety event will take place on Sunday, 8th June, as part of the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron to Monaco.

From 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Centre Nautique Albert II at Stade Louis II, organisers will host pool activities to raise awareness about drowning prevention and teach lifesaving techniques.

The event forms part of the Princess Charlène of Monaco Foundation’s Water Safety programme, which supports projects aimed at raising awareness of drowning prevention and teaching lifesaving to children and adults in all types of water environments.

To offer activities adapted to each environment, the Foundation relies on a network of local associations and national rescue societies.

The water safety activities, whether theoretical or practical, teach participants to learn and apply the prevention triptych: identify, alert, intervene.

In order to attend, children must bring their own swimsuits. Registration is also mandatory as spots are limited.

To register, call +377 98 98 99 99 or email contact@fpcm.mc

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

Feature image sourced from the Princess Charlène of Monaco Foundation

Football: Stars align as Monaco secure Champions League qualification

by: Luke Entwistle
11/05/2025
Zakaria celebrates scoring Monaco's second in a 2-0 win over Lyon. He is joined in celebrating by Thilo Kehrer.

Competitors fell by the wayside on a dream night in the Principality as AS Monaco secured qualification for next season’s Champions League with a win over Lyon (2-0).

This was never supposed to be the night in which Monaco’s fate was decided. For Lyon, it was billed as all-or-nothing. Amid their mounting financial issues, victory was essential to keep them in the Champions League race and, by extension, keep them afloat financially. The pressure was on them and it showed in the reception that their owner, John Textor, received from the travelling Lyon fans. The American was booed pre-match and was on the receiving end of an unflattering banner at kick-off.

That is not to say that the pressure was off Monaco; a defeat at the hands of a direct rival would have proven a substantial blow. With Lille, Nice, Strasbourg, and Lyon all waiting in the wings, the margin for error in this run-in has been minimal. Luckily, Adi Hütter’s side have been nearly faultless in this final sprint, conceding just one loss in their last eight.

In front of a packed Stade Louis II, it was OL, the more desperate of the two sides, who seized the upper hand in the first half. Philipp Köhn once again vindicated Hütter’s decision to reinstate him, pulling off exceptional saves from Alexandre Lacazette and then Malick Fofana later in the half.

Zakaria with a symbolic goal for Moanco

Les Monégasques had their chances but were largely subdued. Takumi Minamino forced Lucas Perri into a good save from close range with neither side doing enough to take an advantage at the break.

This is a game that would be decided on what managers like to call “details”, often synonymous with errors, and Nemanja Matić’s error just after the hour mark proved a game-defining one. His nonchalont free-kick was pounced on by Maghnes Akliouche. He found Minamino, who was inexplicably allowed to advance into the Lyon box unchallenged before finishing past Perri.

Zakaria then doubled Monaco’s advantage just minutes later, heading home a free-kick from man-of-the-match Lamine Camara. It was fitting that Hütter’s most trusted figure, the man who wears the armband, got the goal that secured their return to the upper echelon of European competition. “I trained him when he was 18 and then at Borussia Mönchengladbach. The feeling is that he is my boy, a bit. His goal decided the game,” said Hütter.

“It is a big party” – Hütter

Monaco were doing all they could and elsewhere, results were going their way. Nice were trailing at Rennes, Strasbourg were trailing at Angers, and Lille were trailing at Brest. “All of the results going for us was a bit strange,” admitted Hütter post-match.

In the dugout, players and technical staff were aware of the stars aligning elsewhere and it showed as full-time approached in their eagerness to get on the pitch and celebrate the achievement.

“This season, the achievement is bigger than last season, that is my opinion,” said an elated Hütter after dragging himself away from jubilant scenes in the dressing room to undertake his media duties. “It is a big party. Everyone is very happy, and I am very proud.”

Hütter commits future to Monaco

Despite a gruelling Champions League campaign, with 11 more matches than last season, Monaco have once again reached their objective in their centenary year, and ahead of time too, with one game to spare. “It was a demanding season with some waves, but in the crunch time, we were there,” added Hütter.

Hütter has accorded his side three days off and there will be an end-of-term feel to their Ligue 1 finale against Lens next weekend. It will be a game without consequence and Monaco now go into the summer with assurances: Hütter has said he will remain, some of the more coveted assets (Akliouche, most notably) will likely leave and there will be a regeneration of the squad. Convincing players to join the project shouldn’t be too difficult. With Champions League football guaranteed, Monaco will once again be a particularly popular destination this summer.

 

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

Photo source: AS Monaco