Monaco continues to push into new markets.
The DTC has been in India this week to encourage wealthy Indians to visit the Principality. Jean Francois Gordon, Communication and Press Director of the DTC confirmed the strategy to attract middle class travelers and business groups from India. Apparently Indians stay 3 days on average compared to most visitors' 2 days. Gordon also says there has been a 44% increase in the number of Indian tourists to Monaco this year compared to 2009, perhaps due to extensive location filming of the TV serial Humsafar in the Principality.
2011 is expected to bring an extra 600 Indian tourists for the Monaco based wedding of a leading Indian family.
Monaco promotes itself as destination for upper middle-class India [1]
Monaco in India [2]
UPDATE 4th December
While the DTC was in India, the CDE organized an Ambassador's Lunch at which the Indian Ambassador spoke of India as a partner for Monaco. Ranjan Mathai suggested that entrepreneurs would find excellent working partnerships with Indians in new technology, tourism, the maritime industry and consumer goods.
Links:
[1] http://www.bombaynews.net/story/711531
[2] http://www.visitmonaco.com/fr/L'actu/News/Monaco-en-Inde
[3] http://www.monaco.mc/Pages/monaco_fait_les_yeux_doux_a_l_inde