How Monaco is transforming from a playground for the super-rich to a destination for sustainability

The fight for a sustainable future is everyone’s business, he continues: “That is why we are pushing for collective action as often as we can.” The transformation is also a sign of the times. Manila di Giovanni, a 23-year-old Italian Filipino entrepreneur and founder and CEO of the tech company DWorld, who moved to Monaco from Italy in 2018, says, “As a young entrepreneur, I find Monaco’s sustainability policies quite impactful, especially considering my generation’s heightened awareness and concern for environmental issues.”

Indeed, consumers today are increasingly paying attention to the ethical values of brands, says Wenden. “It’s in [the brands’] interest to integrate the sustainable dimension into every stage of the design of their products.” Monaco has 11 hotels within its borders (the iconic Monte-Carlo Beach is actually located just outside Monaco’s borders, in France’s Roquebrune-Cap-Martin—but in essence, it feels like part of Monaco); four of these are five-star properties and many of them have sustainable policies in place. But rather than existing as a box-ticking exercise, they are incorporated into the guest experience.

At Monte-Carlo Beach, which has been a playground for high society and celebrities alike since it opened in 1929, the waters by its private beach are home to a biodiversity-positive reef dyke, constructed by the hotel with the goal of marine wildlife development. The private beach, which is also home to the Monte-Carlo Beach Club, and the dyke were unveiled as part of a redesign in 2021. Elsa, the hotel’s Michelin-starred fine-dining destination, sources produce from local suppliers: organic vegetables come from the Domaine d’Agerbol farm in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin; herbs and fruit are from Jardin des Antipodes in Menton, a nearby French town. Eric Rinaldi, one of Monaco’s last fishermen, and the Verinni fishery, which works with fishermen operating from the Italian coastal town of Imperia, about 70km from Monaco, are also the restaurant’s suppliers.

The Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, which takes up a belle époque-style property that dates back to 1886 and is steps away from the Casino de Monte-Carlo, won “best sustainability policy for a hotel in the world” at the 2021 edition of the Prix Villégiature, a Paris-based body that honours luxury hotels across the globe. In 2018, it became the first five-star in Monaco to ban plastic straws—before an official ruling came into place. Other moves include partially donating proceeds of two specially created cocktails to the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco and ReforestAction, a French organisation that works on reforestation, and reducing paper use by an average of ten per cent each year. Guests at the hotel’s two-Michelin-starred Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac restaurant and at the Karl Lagerfeld-designed Odyssey, which encompasses a heated sea-water pool, stylish gardens, a lounge bar and a terrace, will find their drink coasters made of sustainable materials.

“Sustainable initiatives can mean a lot more for visitors beyond just creating a great experience and adhering to environmental policies,” says Laurence Shukor, the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo’s director of press and public relations. “Visitors can enjoy a sense of well-being knowing that their stay is contributing to environmental conservation efforts. Being in a space that prioritises sustainability can positively impact their mental and emotional state, promoting relaxation and peace of mind.” Staying at a hotel with strong sustainability initiatives also allows visitors to “feel like they are part of a larger movement towards environmental responsibility”, she adds. “It gives them a sense of purpose and satisfaction, knowing that their choices as consumers are contributing to positive change.”

Di Giovanni also thinks that the principality’s transformation into a sustainable destination will open it up to a wider range of travellers. “As the Millennial and Gen Z generations increasingly prioritise sustainability and environmental consciousness in their travel choices, destinations that actively promote eco-friendly practices tend to resonate more with them,” she says. Attracting younger travellers is also crucial to ensure the long-term sustainability of tourism in Monaco: “While older tourists may have different preferences and spending habits, focusing mainly on this demographic may not be sustainable in the long run.” Although hotel prices are geared towards a high-spending crowd—four-star properties start at around the US$400 per night mark in June, just after high season kicks off with the Grand Prix in May—the principality is easily accessible for day-trippers from France and Italy. There are more than 100 free recharge stations for electric cars around the territory, e-bikes and electric car services are available to visitors, and all buses run on Diester, a biofuel. There is also the greenest solution of all: “Due to the tiny size of the principality, a lot can also be done simply by walking,” says Wenden.

Meanwhile, with the long history of yachting in Monaco, the foundation also works with the maritime industry to promote sustainable innovation and raise awareness of eco-friendly practices, says Wenden. One of the goals is to have the industry “take a different look at the sea—in order to show its fragility and inspire them to protect it”. The Sustainable Yachting Network, which the foundation launched in 2019, has held matchmaking-like conferences and programmes to connect owners and industry stakeholders, with the aim of providing eco-responsible and sustainable solutions. These include encouraging the use of wood from certified and sustainable forests in the construction of yachts, and the use of hydrogen fuel cells, an emerging technology that can power boats. The Monaco Yacht Show, one of the biggest events in global yachting, aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 60 per cent by 2025, compared to emission levels in 2022.

For Monaco, sustainable policies “make a positive contribution to the preservation of natural resources, cultural heritage and the overall well-being of the destination”, says Di Giovanni. As for those visiting the principality, Shukor says: “Sustainable initiatives have the potential to change visitors’ perceptions of Monaco by positioning it as a leading destination for sustainable travel, fostering a greater sense of connection, appreciation and responsibility towards the principality and its environment.” For a luxurious escape and an eco-conscious adventure all in one—consider this jewel of the Côte d’Azur part of your next itinerary.

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