Guilt-free incentives: Planning a sustainable event in Monaco from start to finish
Planning an incentive in Monaco? Show your top clients a new side to Monaco’s luxury high life with an incentive that beats right at the heart of the destination, telling a story of innovation, sustainability, and local heritage. We catch up with the team at Visit Monaco Convention Bureau for an insider’s perspective of just what goes into the planning of a sustainable incentive here in Monaco…
Credit @BVergely
Step 1: Choose Your Eco-Certified Hotel
Start your sustainable incentive journey with one of Monaco’s Five Star eco-certified hotels and give back to the world around you as part of their government-certified commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability. From green vehicles and organic produce to zero-waste pastry classes, Monaco’s 5* Hotel Scene continues to pave the way for a new generation of eco-events.
Monte-Carlo Beach HOTEL:
40 rooms & suites || 2 Banquet/Meeting Rooms || Private Beach || Olympic Pool & Spa
Take advantage of the hotel’s hybrid vehicles, e-bike station and ethical cosmetic line and dip your toes into a whole host of flavours with their 5 award-winning restaurants and bars, all authentic by nature and certified by its ability to protect the environment. Their Elsa Restaurant alone has picked up a number of awards including the "Prize for Ethical and Environmental Responsibility" by La Liste in 2023 and the Mr. Goodfish Label.
Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel - Credit @BVergely
Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo:
125 rooms & suites || 6 Meeting/event venues || 2-Michelin-Starred Restaurant || Pool designed by Karl Largerfeld || Spa by Givenchy
The first 5* hotel to completely remove the use of plastic straws, Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo continues to lead the way with a number of innovative green initiatives. From depolluting plants and zero-waste pastry classes to e-bike outings and re-foresting cocktails, run an incentive here and put your mind at ease with the strong values they place on the environment around them.
Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo - Credit @StudioPhenix
Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo:
277 rooms & suites || 14 Banquet/Meeting Rooms || 1-Michelin-Starred Restaurant || Pool & Spa
With its Belle Époque architecture and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo eloquently combines 5* luxury with environmental responsibility. Treat your clients to a Michelin star dining experience featuring produce grown in partnership with Terre de Monaco, the top organic urban fruit and vegetable farming initiative in Monaco and get involved with local sustainable initiatives. Its firm focus on local community, biodiversity and local charities, make it an ideal choice for small incentives looking to give back.
Credit - @Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo
Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo:
208 rooms & suites || 8 Meeting/event venues || 3-Michelin-Starred Restaurant || Largest hotel wine cellar in the world Pool & Spa
Situated adjacent to the iconic Place du Casino, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo offers timeless luxury with a clear focus on eco-development and social community. From its cork recycling program that helps with cancer research to its 20 beehives and a hotel bug in their gardens, the hotel continues to show its unwavering commitment to maintain biodiversity. Incentives here offer a chance to rally behind a region-wide initiative.
Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo - Credit @BVergely
Step 2: Pick from A Range of Environmentally Responsible Restaurants:
For dining experiences both local and green, immerse clients in the sights and scents of one of Monaco’s eco-conscious restaurants. Monaco offers a variety of environmentally responsible restaurants, all of which prioritise locally sourced ingredients, minimal waste, and eco-friendly practices, ensuring a guilt-free dining experience for your incentive attendees.
Les Perles de Monte-Carlo: Perfect for seafood lovers and connoisseurs alike, Les Perles de Monte-Carlo boasts an elegant oyster bar at the tip of one of Monaco’s Monte-Carlo’s piers. From their origins as an oyster farm, run by two trained biologists, the restaurant remains committed to a number of eco actions, with all their oysters farmed organically and raised with respect for nature and the environment around them. Enjoy the rustic charm of their humble origins and enjoy some of the best seafood of the province!
Marius: Just one week on from their grand opening on 14th June, The Marius Restaurant has been eagerly met with hungry eyes. Directed under the masterful gaze of Michelin Starred chef Sebastien Sanjou, it boasts light, simple Provençal cuisine that transports you to the summer-drawn fields of southwest France. Built on the values of their Conscentiae restaurant it plays on the same wonderful notions of Sustainability, offering the perfect balance of elegant cuisine and respect for the environment.
Monte-Carlo Bay’s Blue Bay Marcel Ravin Restaurant: Immerse yourself in the powerful flavours and cutting-edge techniques of one of Monte-Carlo’s most treasured restaurants with The Blue Bay Marcel Ravin Restaurant. In true “tête-à-tête style” Ravin’s open kitchen allows you to experience in full force the reimagined visions of his family’s old Creole Garden whilst collaborating with one of Monaco’s top urban garden initiatives – Terrae for the best organic produce.
Step 3: Opt for one of Monaco’s soft mobility options:
Reduce your carbon footprint by promoting soft mobility options throughout your programme. Encourage attendees to explore the city on foot, bike, or public transport. The particularity of Monaco is its size (only 2km2) its well-connected infrastructure, so you can even walk across the entire length of destination- east to west – in 45 minutes. Lace up your walking shoes and explore Monaco’s sustainable wonders at your own pace!
Make use of Monaco’s 80 public lifts, 32 outdoor escalators, 8 travelators to reduce the need for motorised transport and provide seamless connectivity throughout the different districts. Otherwise, why not arrange an afternoon e-bike tour using the city’s public electric Bike Hire Scheme – the perfect eco-friendly option for small incentive groups.
Whilst planning your incentive, make sure to take advantage of the principality’s advanced public transport routes with the aid of Monapass, a one-stop solution for navigating Monaco’s public transport system. It carries all the city’s bus routes, tram schedules and bike rental stations in one place, making sustainable journeys just a short click away.
Monabike - Credit @BVergely
Step 4: Choose from a range of Eco-Conscious Experiences:
Enhance your incentive program with eco-conscious experiences that lie at the heart of Monaco's commitment to sustainability. From exclusive gin tastings at the orangery distillery to dolphin excursions and whale watching, there are plenty of opportunities to immerse attendees in the local culture while supporting eco-friendly initiatives.
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Treat a small group to an exclusive gin tasting experience at La Distillerie de Monaco. Sample locally crafted gin while learning about the distillation process and connect with peers over shared experiences. The distillery also offers a market featuring local products, providing a unique opportunity to support sustainable businesses.
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After a morning at the distillery, head out on a boat excursion to the Pelagos Sanctuary to observe dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. This eco-friendly tour promotes marine conservation while offering attendees a memorable wildlife encounter.
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For a sustainable lunch experience head to the Monaco market, where attendees can sample dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Meet the artisans behind the products and learn about Monaco's culinary heritage!
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Privatise a section of the Brasserie de Monaco to enjoy locally brewed beer by the port. Don't forget to try the Barbajuan, a traditional Monegasque snack made from local ingredients.
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After a restful night’s sleep head out the next morning to explore Monaco's scenic landscapes on a guided e-bike tour - enjoying the city's best attractions while reducing carbon emissions.
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End on a high! Finish your programme with a sell-out cocktail reception at the iconic Oceanographic Museum. Book the room that overlooks the turtle sanctuary and enjoy mesmerising views of the sea while appreciating the importance of the marine conservation around you. A stunning backdrop for any networking event or celebration, it’s the perfect venue for a grand finale and to toast to success among colleagues.
“Just last month we supported a fam trip for a group of English decision makers with a Monegasque DMC. The idea was to create a 3-day programme 100% dedicated to sustainability to show them that Monaco is a responsible destination and to inspirethem with some actions they can put in practice in the future to create a better events offer. - Estelle Antognelli, Head of Monaco’s CSR Department
Step 5: Track your progress along the way
Monitor your sustainability efforts throughout the incentive program using Monaco's carbon footprint calculator. This tool allows you to assess the environmental impact of your activities and identify areas for improvement, ensuring that your incentive remains environmentally responsible from start to finish.
“We developed our carbon calculator with event planners in mind. Access the tool and you can immediately see an estimation of how big your event’s carbon footprint will be, as well as tailored tips and specific suggestions on how to reduce it. It’s completely revolutionised the events industry as we know it”. – Estelle Antognelli, Head of Monaco’s CSR Department
Step 6: Final check for a responsible event
The Monaco Convention Bureau provides invaluable support to the MICE industry and customers looking to adopt a sustainable approach.
For more information, check out their most recent Sustainable event manager’s guide.
“The guide provides practical solutions to reduce carbon emissions and essential advice to increase the positive impact of your event” - Estelle Antognelli, Head of Monaco’s CSR Department
With careful planning and a commitment to sustainability, your incentive in Monaco can be both luxurious and eco-friendly, leaving a positive impact on the environment and creating unforgettable memories for your attendees.
Monaco’s tourism industry is diligently following the sustainable policy led by H.S.H. Prince Albert II: At the Sovereign’s behest, the Principality has committed to cutting its greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 from their 1990 levels and achieving full carbon neutrality by 2050. An ambitious objective, and one that requires everyone to play their part, Monaco continues to lead the way for sustainable practices in the global incentive industry.
For more information on Monaco’s Commitment to Sustainability and placing meetings and incentives in Monaco, please click here or contact Rebecca Petit-jean : rpetitjean@gouv.mc