December 2009

A very special guest to the pre-dinner reception was His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco who was in the United States in his capacity as President of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation for the environment.

An initiative of the Monaco Government Tourist Office in New York and co-hosted by SBM Monte-Carlo, the reception and dinner for clients, media and guests, was held at the elegant Harold Pratt House on Park Avenue.

For this, his first visit to New York, Chef Marcel Ravin, who is originally from the Antilles isle of Martinique, created an imaginative, appetizing menu using some of his signature combinations (menu listed below). As the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort’s Executive Chef since its opening in 2005, he constantly delights diners with his original and inventive cuisine using the freshest of local seasonal produce from the land and the sea at the acclaimed Blue Bay Restaurant.

During his trip, he was introduced to some of New York’s most respected and influential executive chefs including Chef Eric Ripert (www.le-bernardin.com), Chef Shaun Hergatt (www.shoshaunhergatt.com) and Chefs Daniel Boulud and Cedric Tovar (http://www.danielnyc.comand www.feastandfetes.com) and spent time touring the restaurants and kitchens of these acclaimed establishments.

Chef Ravin was accompanied to New York by his sous and pastry chef Philippe Brito, who is originally from Cannes. Their maiden voyage to New York was documented by a film crew from the NY-based TV program Canapé, a joint production of CUNY (Channel 75) and the French Cultural Service. The program airs on December 24 and 31 at 10:30AM, 4:30PM and 10:30PM, then again on December 26 and January 2 at 2:00PM.

“Chef Ravin is one of the brightest stars in Monaco’s gastronomic galaxy and we are honored to have him in New York to share his inspired culinary secrets and passion for food with us,“ said Maguy Maccario, Consul General and Director of the Monaco Government Tourist Office. “The collaboration between Chef Ravin and Chef Boulud underscores the continuation of close (culinary and other) ties between our two nations despite recent difficulties and challenges we have all faced.”

Mr. Bernard Lambert, CEO and General Manager of Monte-Carlo SBM also addressed the gathering with the latest news of renovations, openings and investments in Monaco’s luxury hospitality industry.

Chef Ravin’s Monégasque-inspired Winter Menu

Appetizer:
Veloutine de Courge et Saint-Jacques du Maine
en Vinaigrette d’Huile de Vanille

Main Course:
Bar de ligne confit aux Aromates, Artichauts & Tomates,
Condiments Savora aux olives

and

Volaille Fermière cuisinée comme une Royale
Frivolité de Légumes d’ Automne, Onctuosité de kumquat

Dessert:
Adaptation d’un concentré de Fruits Exotiques Chocolat Passion

* * *

Under the umbrella of Monte-Carlo SBM are some of Monaco’s best known and most cherished eateries, and from now through September 2011, there is much news to trumpet including:

• The May 2009 launch at the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel of Elsa, featuring contemporary, seasonal seafood with a modern twist on traditional dishes served on the Riviera during the1920’s and 1930’s. It will compliment this hotel’s three other restaurants which offer guests a range of fashionable fare; Le Deck, the Sea Lounge and La Vigie.
• At the Hotel Hermitage, Le Vistamar (a former Michelin–starred eatery under the culinary baton of Chef Joël Garault) is closed for a significant renovation and refurbishment and set to re-open in May 2010 with accompanying bar, Le Scorpion. Before the grand re-opening, Le Vistamar will operate from the Hotel Hermitage’s private Excelsior room and is open Wednesdays through Sundays (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
• Buddha Bar Monte-Carlo will replace the former Cabaret at the Casino de Monte-Carlo. This Asian-inspired restaurant will open in May 2010, accompanied by a dramatic yet relaxing lounge.
• Café de Paris: This popular restaurant will undergo extensive refurbishment and its outdoor terrace will be equipped with roofing to allow guests to dine al fresco in any weather.
• One of the chicest restaurants on Monaco’s culinary map is Bar & Boeuf – Alain Ducasse, the award-winning chef’s second restaurant in Monaco. Opened seasonally at the Sporting Monte-Carlo, from May to September, it features terrace seating overlooking the lush gardens and the azure sea.
• Bar & Boeuf is a striking counterpoint to Ducasse’s acclaimed Le Louis XV. This three-Michelin-starred restaurant, located in Monte-Carlo’s Hôtel de Paris, features a world-famous and legendary wine cellar (containing more than 600,000 bottles including many rare and valuable vintages from around the world) and a dining room reminiscent of 17th century Versailles.
• Also located in the Hôtel de Paris is Le Grill. Under the direction of Jean-Philippe Borro (sous chef) and managed by Franck Cerutti, Executive Chef of the Hôtel de Paris, this elegant one-Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant, is considered a “monument” to Monégasque gastronomy, Le Grill features open-air dining with panoramic views of the Mediterranean.

For all the above restaurants within the purview of Monte-Carlo SBM, please visit www.montecarloresort.com

Travelers to Monaco can find excellent vacation value by bidding on exclusive packages at MonacoAuction.com, the premier online travel auction marketplace dedicated to luxury travel within the Principality.

For more information, please contact the Monaco Government Tourist Office (MGTO) at 565 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017; phone (800) 753-9696 or (212) 286-3330; or via e-mail at info@VisitMonaco.com. Information and links are available via the Monaco Government Tourist Office web site at VisitMonaco.com. Follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

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This year’s event took place at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto July 16-19, 2009 and included the tourist offices of Britain, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Monaco, and Switzerland. Each of the featured countries, in partnership with their suppliers, illustrated why they offer some of the most exciting incentive itinerary options in the world.

All selected participants were senior employees of North America’s most qualified incentive and meeting planning companies as well as select corporate end users and have the ability to influence site selection with corporate clients. Attendance is by invitation only and all applications are subject to review by the Trailblazers committee.

Trailblazers is organized like an actual incentive program but the schedule also includes several marketplace sessions, with appointments scheduled in advance, during which the supplier-partners and tourist offices can promote their products and services to the invited buyers. Ten Monaco supplier-partners including hotels, destination management companies and cruise companies had the opportunity to meet with 46 qualified North American planners in Toronto.

Trailblazers 2010
Next year, the Monaco Government Tourist Office will once again join forces with the tourist offices of Britain, Canada, Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland for Trailblazers 2010, which theme is Time to Explore, scheduled for August 13-15 at the Hotel InterContinental Geneva in Switzerland. (www.trailblazers-info.com)

The post The Monaco Government Tourist Office Joins Forces with Five Other Destinations for Trailblazers 2009 appeared first on Consulate General of Monaco.

The Monaco page on Facebook with over 2,400 fans allows members to post links, images, videos or updates about Monaco.

Monaco’s Twitter page counts over 1,600 followers and is used both to promote Monaco and as a marketing tool to enhance our customer service.

Monaco Travel Guide for iPhone is now available at the Apple Store.
This world-first Monaco-specific mobile guide immerses savvy travelers in the local culture. Featuring up-to-date information on the Principality’s legendary attractions, events, restaurants, nightlife, hotels, shopping, spas and so much more…
Coupled with stunning images, the Monaco Guide provides phone, address, email and website of local points of interests and can help you find your way with Google maps.

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During the second part of the meeting, members are asked to examine the MGTO’s meeting and incentive marketing tools and assess their effectiveness to generate business.

This year’s meeting, which took place in the MGTO’s offices in New York on March 20, 2009, was moderated by Bruce Tepper and was attended by the following seven Board members: Michael Campbell of USMotivation, Tracy Norum of Fox Premier Meetings and Incentives, Monique Louvigny of The Performance Group, Linda Leroy of Mary Kay, Karen Paganuzzi of Nycomed, and Diane Howell of Carlson Wagonlit.

According to the board, the current global economic recession and the unpopularity of reward trips generated by the media has highly impacted the meeting and incentive industry. Motivational travel programs have been, to a large extend, cancelled or cut back due to lack of funds and perception. Financial, insurance and automotive sectors, which were key to Monaco, have suffered more than most.

As far as marketing strategies, the board advised that the MGTO sticks to its traditional image of glamour and refinement, and convey an “unforgettable”, “memorable” experience that “exceed expectation”. Board members recommended that the MGTO keeps promoting VAT refund and US Dollar guaranteed packages.

The minutes of the meeting were sent to all industry partners in Monaco including hotels, destination managements companies and the Grimaldi Forum Monaco.

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