Monaco Week, an event jointly-organized by Blu Inc Media’s China Boating and Asia-Pacific Boating magazines, the Principality of Monaco, as well as Shanghai Yacht Club on the Bund (SYC), has successfully come to its end in Shanghai. The exclusive three-day event, which was held from June 26 to 28, showcased the numerous economic, tourism and yachting opportunities of the glamorous Mediterranean yacht charter location – Monaco, and generated much interest amongst China‘s elite circles.
The fabulous Mediterranean yacht holiday destination - Monaco during the Monaco Yacht Show
China Boating, China’s leading yachting lifestyle publication since 2004 and an Official Media Partner of the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show, has promoted Monaco in China for the past 7 years with its annual gala event, Monaco Night. The success of Monaco Night paved the way for its evolution into this year’s Monaco Week, a three-day-long affair that brought together Chinese high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), business leaders and representatives from the Principality in celebration of Monaco’s rich culture and heritage. Through a series of impactful forums and presentations, complemented by glamorous social events, distinguished guests were able to gain valuable insights into the various opportunities available to them in the Mediterranean city-state.
Monaco Week opened on 26 June at the Shanghai Yacht Club with a road show presented by the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority. Guests were taken on a virtual journey through the Principality’s leisure options – from golden beaches, historic gardens and museums to the iconic Prince’s Palace with its distinctive Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The day rounded off with China Boating hosting a cocktail function for guests by the Huangpu River.
The second day of the showcase kicked off with the “Monaco Economic Forum”, where the Chinese business leaders were enticed by the attractive investment opportunities available to them in Monaco. Organised by the Monaco Chamber of Economic Development, this event also allowed top executives of both Chinese and Monaco companies to network and forge mutually beneficial ties. Michel Dotta, Chairman of the Monaco Chamber of Economic Development, said, “The cosmopolitan nature of Shanghai makes it an excellent platform for Monaco companies wanting to expand their business into China and Asia. As for the Principality, it offers a window and jumping off point for Chinese companies wanting to increase their influence in Europe.”
In the afternoon, The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation held the “Monaco Environmental Forum”, which showcased its environmental preservation initiatives since 2006 in the areas of climate change, biodiversity and clean water. In particular, the “Solar Impulse” and “Formula E Grand Prix” projects supported by the Foundation generated much interest amongst the Chinese VIPs.
On 28 June, the third and final day of Monaco Week, the focus turned to yachting lifestyle, one of the key allures of Monaco, with its reputation as the world’s “Mega Yacht Capital”. The Monaco Yacht Show (MYS), Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) and the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss) – three global titans of the yachting industry – collaborated to host the “Monaco Yachting Lifestyle Forum”. In attendance were Chinese yacht owners and potential buyers, many of whom have, or are intending to, visit the Monaco Yacht Show.
Held every year in September, the MYS is widely-recognised as the most prestigious mega yacht show in the world. “The international elite clientele consider the show to be the ultimate luxury rendezvous,” said Ms. Ga?lle Tallarida, Managing Director of MYS. By the invitation of the Principality of Monaco, and as an Official Media Partner of the MYS, China Boating organises an annual trip for a select group of Chinese HNWIs to visit the French Riviera and the MYS, where they will enjoy luxury yacht cruises, visit vineyards, and be shuttled around by helicopters and private jets.
Monaco Week 2014 finally drew to a close on the evening of the 28th under the nighttime skyline of The Bund with the much-anticipated Monaco Night Gala, traditionally hosted by China Boating. The evening started with yacht cruises along the Huangpu River for selected Chinese VIPs and journalists. Following which, 130 distinguished guests, including Chinese tycoons, international business leaders and influential socialites, walked down the red carpet into the elegant ballroom of the Shanghai Yacht Club on the Bund (SYC). Prominent guests gracing the occasion included Mrs. Catherine Fautrier, Ambassador of Monaco to China, Ms. Yue-Sai Kan, founder of Yue-Sai Cosmetics, as well as Ms. Diana Xu, Miss China 2012, amongst others. As guests sipped on fine champagne by Veuve Clicquot and sampled the exquisite cuisine created by the SYC chefs, the presence of other luxury brand sponsors like business jet manufacturer Gulfstream, iconic carmaker Jaguar Land Rover, and Art Residences by Armani/Casa, enhanced the classy atmosphere of the evening.
Managing Director of Blu Inc Media China, Mr. Alexandre Heng, said, “As the event co-organiser, Blu Inc Media is delighted to take part in Monaco Week. This year’s edition has grown exponentially – in terms of participants, partners and exposure – demonstrating our media platform’s capability to bridge and strengthen relations between the Principality and China. The Monaco Week in Shanghai will be followed by an exclusive journey tailored for discerning Chinese guests to the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2014.”
Mr. Kevin Lin, President of Shanghai Yacht Club on the Bund, said, “We are truly honored to be co-hosting the Monaco Week after last year’s successful cooperation with China Boating and the Principality of Monaco. We are happy to see an increasing number of China’s elite coming to appreciate yachting culture, and proud that our Club has become a landmark for Chinese HNWIs to gather and exchange ideas.”
Mrs. Catherine Fautrier, Ambassador of Monaco to China, said, “Through Monaco Week, we have continued to build the strong bridge between China and Monaco. Our wish is to organise this event each year in Shanghai and host the China Night in Monaco during the Monaco Yacht Show in September. We would like to impress upon our friends in China that Monaco is not just a glamorous place where you can find luxury hotels, cars, and superyachts; it is also an international business hub with strengths in various niches. Combined with strong political stability and a safe environment, Monaco is the place where the HNWIs of the world would like to be.”
