Monaco has launched a tourism strategy, a White Paper which defines the future of the Principality until 2013. Monaco, which attracts over five million visitors a year, wants to continue positioning itself as a destination for individual travellers (FIT). They represent already 77% of all accommodation today.

Another strategic sector is business tourism with the further promotion of MICE activities. The Feuille de Route will also redefine the growth of tourism according to strict ecological criteria, as Monaco wants to be a leading country and a reference in Europe for sustainable tourism as expressed by Prince Albert II. The qualitative development of cultural activities and events will be another sector as one-day tourism remains a key element of Monaco’s tourism success.

Monaco’s assets are its small size, which is in phase with current trends for sustainable tourism, the high quality of its tourism infrastructure, a luxury tourism segment less dependent on the crisis, a rich cultural life, green charts in hotels, a good public transport system and an image of being an ‘accessible dream destination’. The perceived weakness in its tourism, however, is its dense traffic, the noise and pollution generated by construction, unreliable taxis and the closure of shops on Sunday.

The new strategy includes the promotion of eco-labels for hotels and congress organisations, the use of organic and local products in F&B outlets, the development of more pedestrian zones, the launch of an ‘green tourism card’, as well as of a ‘green tourism day’, the creation of new cultural events, providing free WiFi access to all visitors. and more diversified cuisine – especially for overseas travellers.