Michel Bouquier says cruise ship passengers are a priority for 2011.

Head of Monaco's tourist authority, the DTC, has announced the creation of the Monaco Cruise Bureau. The new office's objectives are to facilitate the frequency and optimise the economic benefits of visitors to the Principality who arrive by ship. A website dedicated to cruise tourism is to be launched in April, and representatives of Monaco are to present at Miami's Seatrade conference, the largest annual cruise industry gathering.

The announcement was made during a press conference that also provided an overview of the DTC's results for 2010, along with the initial findings of the satisfaction survey that it commissioned (see below). Last year saw an optimistic revitalization of tourism in Monaco following an unhappy 2009, when a large number of corporate events were canceled. A year later and overnight business stays have increased by 13%, with hotel occupation rates 5% higher.

Developments during 2010 include:

• three new offices in Moscow, Sydney and Dubai
• the creation of Monaco Private Label for high net worth individuals (HNWI)
• London based "Night in Monaco"
The latter is to be repeated in Milan on 8th June 2011, and in Los Angeles at a future date. Also on the cards this coming year are new offices for the emerging economies of Brasil, Lebanon, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Tourism : good figures for 2010, ambitions for 2011

Initial results of the tourist satisfaction survey are positive. Approximately 95% of visitors say they're satisfied with their stay in Monaco, with 77% of holiday-makers very satisfied. What pleases them is the reputation of the Principality, its climate, beauty and location.

Surprisingly, 51% of European tourists and 42% from other regions stay with family or friends.

The survey also indicates areas where improvements can be made. Some dissatisfaction arises from the difference between expectations of visitors before they arrive and what they actually do once in Monaco. Tourists report that shops are too expensive and have inflexible opening hours. They also expressed disappointment with the amount of traffic and the diversity of entertainment.

Tourists in Monaco are delighted