| While Prince Albert prepares to mark the | | | | |
| first year of his succession to the | | | | Monte Carlo Hotel |
| Principality of Monaco, a local destination | | | | |
| guide suggests that the second smallest | | | | Tradition and modernity have long been a |
| country in the world is in safe hands and can | | | | feature of Monaco, and as well as a first |
| look forward to years of progressive economic | | | | class infrastructure, Monaco can boast one of |
| and social policies that extend well beyond | | | | the world's top hotels in the Hotel de Paris |
| the borders of Monaco. | | | | Monte Carlo. |
| | | | |
| 'Prince Albert has changed his playboy | | | | Along with the banking and finance sectors |
| image', they say, 'since coming to power he | | | | that help Monaco's economy to be one of |
| has taken the initiative on environmental | | | | Europe's most successful, tourism also plays |
| issues, for example in April he went to the | | | | a major part, with many visitors making day |
| North Pole to draw attention to his fellow | | | | trips from neighbouring France and Italy. |
| world leaders that the environment should be | | | | |
| top of their agenda, and he has made a | | | | 'The Monaco Grand Prix plays a part of |
| concerted effort to put the environment on | | | | course', comment YourMonaco, 'but many |
| the Monaco map of issues that need | | | | tourists want to see what it is really like |
| addressing'. | | | | to be in Monte Carlo, the millionaire's |
| | | | playground. Monaco hotels enjoy high |
| The environment seems to be of particular | | | | occupation levels despite the day trippers |
| concern to Prince Albert, and with this in | | | | though, as so many business people are in |
| mind the 2006 Monaco Yacht Show will be | | | | Monaco for two or three days'. |
| carbon neutral. The organisers will be paying | | | | |
| for a variety of green projects in Europe and | | | | Property prices in Monaco are among the |
| further afield, including enough wind | | | | highest in the world, with one bedroom |
| turbines in New Zealand to generate power for | | | | apartments after closing costs starting at |
| 50,000 homes. | | | | around a million Euros. |
| | | | |
| In two further steps earlier this year to | | | | It's thought unlikely that the new island to |
| increase Monaco's influence in world affairs | | | | be built off Monaco will reduce prices much |
| and to promote Prince Albert's concern for | | | | overall despite the increase in the number of |
| the environment, the Monaco government | | | | property units available as Monaco real |
| announced that it would calculate GDP for the | | | | estate is always in demand. |
| first time, enabling Monaco to meet the UN's | | | | |
| target of 0.7 per cent for developing | | | | Tribune properties who specialise in Monaco |
| countries, and Prince Albert himself founded | | | | real estate believe that most new apartments |
| a new foundation as 'part of his personal | | | | will be sold to investors off plan well in |
| commitment for the protection of the | | | | advance of any building work starting. |
| environment and for sustainable development'. | | | | |
| | | | 'The problem with property in Monaco is not |
| Prince Albert's father, Prince Rainier who | | | | the lack of buyers', they say, 'but more the |
| ruled Monaco for fifty years was known as the | | | | lack of good properties for buyers to choose |
| 'builder prince', as Monaco grew out of all | | | | from. Hopefully the new island will address |
| recognition while he was in power, | | | | that. Everyone in Monaco is aware of how |
| transforming the principality from a European | | | | important the environment is thanks to Prince |
| backwater to Europe's top tax haven and home | | | | Albert's initiatives in pushing it up the |
| to many of Europe's top businessmen and | | | | political agenda, and any new developments |
| sports stars. | | | | will be low rise. With the good Monaco |
| | | | weather expect to see plenty of solar panels |
| Prince Albert has continued his father's | | | | on the roofs to make the buildings energy |
| tradition, with plans recently announced for | | | | efficient'. |
| an island to be built off Monte Carlo which | | | | |
| will increase the size of the world's second | | | | In his first year Prince Albert has |
| smallest country. But bidders have been asked | | | | successfully made the people of Monaco aware |
| to plan the project with the environment in | | | | of global warming and taken steps to combat |
| mind, as well as the Monaco Grand Prix. The | | | | it, and for his second year and beyond he is |
| possibilty exists that the Grand Prix circuit | | | | likely to be campaigning just as hard at home |
| will be changed to encompass the new island - | | | | and abroad on the issue he believes in so |
| and with it more opportunities for | | | | much. |
| overtaking. | | | | |