Monaco Prince Celebrates First Year Of Power

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