Today, against a general background where things are slowly returning to normal, the Principality of Monaco is taking numerous extra health precautions which have been adopted by all businesses and tourism operators to reassure visitors. Rajeev Nangia, India Director – Monaco Government Tourist Bureau, assures that all precautionary measures are applied and taken to ensure better safety for all. The destination remains vigilant and informed of the development in the international health situation and soon looks forward to Indians visiting Monaco.
– Prashant Nayak
The year 2020 presented an unprecedented challenge, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and the world faced its biggest global challenge. Travel and Tourism, across the globe was greatly impacted. After a year of confinement and travel bans, dreams of resuming travel are increasingly on everyone’s mind.
“As we have already witnessed the eagerness of people to travel; last year essential travel began and people started travelling, taking road trips to nearby destinations. Post which people started to travel to a few mid & long-haul destinations with all safety procedures in place. We are optimistic about the future as travel will increase gradually and Indian travellers are keenly waiting for the re-opening of international borders. People are aspiring to travel soon. Since after the first wave of COVID-19 in India, travel had begun to various parts of the world, we are very sure that India will be among the top outbound nations again and the same will be true for the Principality of Monaco,” says Rajeev.
Elaborating more on the travel aspect, Rajeev continues, “Travel is an integral instinct in humans. It provides an escape from busy everyday life and an excellent remedy for stress, anxiety, and depression. Keeping in mind, the young and tech-savvy population of India (which nearly accounts for 50 per cent of the population), travel will pick up rapidly as this generation is constantly looking for new experiences. People want to escape from their mundane day-to-day life. Wanting to meet new people, gain new experiences and create memories, people will travel for a much-needed stress-free vacation and we are confident that there will be a pent-up demand of travel in near future and beyond.”
Meanwhile, the Government of Monaco is focusing on health confidence to boost the Principality’s attractiveness. The Prince’s Government has launched the Monaco Safe certification, which is designed to offer customers and visitors the best possible welcome in shops, hotels, restaurants, convention centres, and all other premises that are open to the public, in accordance with the current health regulations to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The leading hospitality homegrown brand, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, is also following the pandemic very closely and is focused on ensuring the health and safety of employees and customers. Monte-Carlo SBM has introduced a number of preventive and protective measures, including Health and Safety protocols in all the establishments, and has also been awarded Monaco Safe label to the Monte-Carlo Cares programme of hygiene measures put in place to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The Monaco Tourist and Convention Authority has re-launched its communication campaign with a slogan which is evolving: “Monaco FOR YOU. At last!” The campaign represents the diversity of what Monaco has to offer tourists, focusing on themes including wellbeing, fine dining, culture, family, romance, sport, responsible tourism, gambling and casinos, weekend escapes, and shopping. With the re-launch of the ‘Monaco For You, At Last!’ campaign, the Tourist and Convention Authority communicates that it’s time for tourism recovery.
“While things were on hold, the Monaco Tourist and Convention Authority nonetheless worked to maintain contact with all those who are passionate about travel, whether loyal clients or tourism industry professionals. The Principality is now planning recovery and demonstrating its resilience by sending a message of invitation which marks both the end of a long wait and the beginning of hope,” concludes Rajiv.
