AGP Executive Report

Monaco Yacht Show logistics: The government is urging visitors to ditch the car for the 23–26 September Monaco Yacht Show, pushing free CAM buses (18–30 September, including night services and ClicBus) and a park-and-ride at Parking des Salines via the Albert II tunnel or Jardin Exotique roundabout. Local transport costs: New fixed Monaco taxi fares start at €18 within the Principality and rise to €110 for a normal motorway trip to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, with other set prices to nearby towns and waiting time charged at €90/hour after a short grace period. Prince Albert II Foundation milestone: Prince Albert II marked the 20th anniversary of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation with a star-studded gala at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, featuring Christina Aguilera, Monica Bellucci, Richard Gere, and performances by Christina Aguilera and others. Yachting & luxury: A 24.9m Riva 82’ Diva “L’as Bleu” is listed for $7.85m, while the 6th Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous (20–21 Sept) brings marina innovators to the Yacht Club de Monaco. Travel watch: China says visa-free entry for nationals of 48 countries ends 31 December 2026, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and others.

Monaco Taxi Update: New fixed fares are now in force for rides within Monaco (from €18), with a motorway trip to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport set at €110 in normal traffic, plus published zone-to-zone prices and €90/hour waiting charges after a short grace period. Luxury Yacht & Travel Biz: dnata Travel Group is integrating UK tailor-made travel specialist Travelbag into Imagine Cruising, expanding cruise and land itineraries and adding a first high-street presence via Travelbag’s seven stores. Monaco Yacht Show Spotlight: Zeekr will bring its six-seat 9X Ultra AWD (priced from €119,500 in Germany) to the Monaco Yacht Show, sponsoring the Upper Deck Lounge and closing party. Visa Rules Watch: China says visa-free entry for nationals of 48 countries will end on 31 Dec 2026, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK—plan ahead if you travel there. Superyacht for Sale: Billionaire Ian Malouf is putting his 73m Coral Ocean on the market for $160m after major restorations. Travel Safety/Justice: The investigation into tourist Chiara Jaconis’ death in Naples has been reopened, with a new ballistics assessment ordered.

Monaco Travel & Tourism: MyCrown Collection has opened its first permanent boutique in Monaco at Le Méridien Beach Plaza, bringing its crown-themed accessories and local design collaborations into a prime spot for arriving guests. Luxury Travel: The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 crowned Rosewood Hong Kong as No. 1 again, with Bangkok and Dubai also dominating the top ranks—useful inspiration for travelers planning high-end stays. Travel Planning (Visas): Australia published its full list of 36 countries eligible for the free eVisitor visa, including Monaco—good news for Europeans eyeing multiple short trips. Marine & Yachting: Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 highlighted how ultra-luxury yacht brands are balancing onboard service with shore excursions, with guests expecting a “concierge” feel and flexible city exploration. Local Interest: Monaco Life continues its Princess Grace Foundation-USA spotlight series, featuring Princess Grace Award winner Justen Ross and his creative journey.

Monaco Retail & Lifestyle: MyCrown Collection has opened its first permanent boutique in Monaco at Le Méridien Beach Plaza, bringing its crown-themed accessories and local design collaborations into a new retail space for arriving guests. Luxury Travel & Hospitality: The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 crowned Rosewood Hong Kong as No.1 for a second straight year, with Capella Bangkok and Four Seasons Bangkok taking the next two spots—another reminder that Asia is dominating top-tier stays. Superyachts & Monaco’s Scene: Old Doha Port will return as sponsor at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026 (Sept 23–26), backing the Upper Deck Lounge for the second year and positioning Qatar as a growing maritime tourism hub. French Riviera Buzz: Hollywood stars Margot Robbie and Bradley Cooper are filming the Ocean’s prequel on the French Riviera, with the story set around a 1962 Monaco Grand Prix heist—so Monaco-area visitors may see more production activity soon. Travel Planning Watch: Canada has published the full list of countries whose citizens can apply for a work permit at the port of entry, a useful update for international travelers planning work trips. Cruise Trends: Ultra-luxury yacht brands at Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 say guests want concierge-style flexibility—less rigid planning, more city-by-city exploration.

Luxury Travel Trend: Axiom Aviation says private jet travel is increasingly about privacy and mental resets, with destinations like Aspen, Colorado leading the “peak” list for 2026/27. F1 & Travel Planning: F1’s 2027 calendar is out with 24 Grands Prix across 22 countries and a record 10 sprint weekends; Monaco is set for June 4-6, making early bookings for the Riviera a must. Monaco on Screen: Ocean’s Eleven prequel filming is bringing Hollywood to the French Riviera, with scenes tied to the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix—expect extra buzz (and crowds) around Villefranche-sur-Mer and nearby hotspots. Hotels Watch: The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 crowned Rosewood Hong Kong No.1 again; Europe dominates with 21 entries, while Dubai’s Atlantis The Royal climbs to No.4. Local Business/Finance: IDBank showcased Armenian products and premium banking services during “Days of Armenia in Monaco,” highlighting Monaco’s role as a high-end international meeting point. Maritime Tourism: Old Doha Port returns as sponsor for the Monaco Yacht Show 2026, backing the Upper Deck Lounge for a second year.

Luxury Travel Rankings: Rosewood Hong Kong has been named the World’s Best Hotel for 2026 for a second straight year, topping The 50 Best Hotels list in Paris; Europe leads the haul with 21 properties, while Capella Sydney is the only Australian entry at No.16. Monaco & Wealth: CFM Indosuez says Monaco is drawing fewer but richer, more internationally mobile clients—especially those moving away from the UK—seeking stability and premium service. Yachting & Events: Old Doha Port returns to the Monaco Yacht Show 2026 (Sept 23–26) for a fifth year, again sponsoring the Upper Deck Lounge. F1 Travel Planning: The 2027 F1 calendar is out with four Middle East rounds and sprint weekends expanded to 10 races, with Monaco included. Hospitality Jobs: voco Dubai Monaco appoints Emad Ramzy as Multi-Property GM. River Cruise Ideas: Scenic opens early access for 2028 Europe cruises, including a new four-day Monte Carlo & French Riviera land extension. On the Riviera: Ocean’s Eleven prequel filming continues on the French Riviera with Margot Robbie and Bradley Cooper in 1960s-style scenes tied to the Monaco Grand Prix.

Old-Money Ski Getaway: Europe’s elite are still chasing the classic alpine vibe, with Megève in France highlighted for its discreet luxury, beginner-friendly runs, and top dining (including Flocons de Sel). Second-Home Boom: Spain leads a study of the best places for high-net-worth vacation homes, citing strong price growth and luxury infrastructure—good news for travelers who like to plan long stays. Walkability Spotlight: Córdoba, Spain, has been named the world’s most walkable city, with UNESCO-packed history and easy wandering—plus warm beach options nearby. Monaco Culture & Heritage: Prince Albert II visited Paris’ Petit Palais, lending Monaco’s Princely Collections to an exhibition restoring Éva Gonzalès, a painter with deep Monegasque family ties. Hotel Update: voco Dubai Monaco appoints Emad Ramzy as Multi-Property General Manager, aiming to boost guest experience and commercial performance. Local Sports: AS Monaco Volleyball women’s team launches a new high-performance project, ramping training to ten sessions per week with a 2030 title vision. Travel Disruption Watch: easyJet pilots postpone a strike, sparing some Nice flights this week. Luxury Film Buzz: Bradley Cooper and Margot Robbie are filming Ocean’s Eleven prequel scenes on the French Riviera, with the story tied to the Monaco Grand Prix.

Hotel Leadership: voco Dubai Monaco appoints Emad Ramzy as Multi-Property General Manager, bringing 20+ years of IHG experience and a focus on guest experience and operational excellence. Arts & Culture: Pavillon Bosio public workshops run 5 Oct 2026–29 May 2027, with ceramics, drawing, and a new Tuesday painting class for sixth-formers, undergrads and adults. Travel Docs & Access: Kuwait’s passport ranks 86th globally (third among GCC), with visa-free and visa-on-arrival options plus electronic travel authorisations. Border Rules Watch: the EU has let nine Schengen countries delay full Entry/Exit System (EES) enforcement due to border disruption and queue concerns. Air Travel Disruption: easyJet pilots in France called off a planned strike affecting Nice, but the notice is pushed to 24–25 Sept, so cancellations could still loom. Luxury Yachting: Amaala Yacht Club has opened in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea, positioning it as a new winter hub for superyachts—about 2,000 nautical miles from Monaco. Monaco-Linked Travel Perk: Monaco is listed among Youth Mobility Scheme eligible countries for the UK (1,000 places for 2026). Sports Travel Buzz: E1 World Championship returns to Angola with celebrity owners including LeBron James and Will Smith, as the race is marketed as a tourism push.

Monaco & Riviera Travel: Monaco’s Port Hercule is set for another busy stretch as Mediterranean superyachts keep rolling in—one recent snapshot logged 457 yachts across the Côte d’Azur, Balearics, Corsica and Sardinia, with 73 recorded at Port Hercule alone, highlighting the luxury-yachting spend that peaks ahead of the Monaco Yacht Show. Yachting & New Routes: Amaala Yacht Club has officially opened in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea, positioning the destination as a new winter hub for luxury sailing—about 2,000 nautical miles from Monaco—with 119 berths and superyacht capacity over 100m. Border Rules for Travelers: The EU has delayed full Entry/Exit System (EES) enforcement in nine Schengen countries due to rollout problems, meaning more travel disruption risk for anyone planning cross-border trips. Air Travel Disruption Watch: easyJet pilots in France have postponed a strike that could have hit Nice flights, but the threat remains later in September. F1 on the Ground (and the Monaco angle): Madrid’s new Madring Spanish GP is already sparking calls for circuit changes after fans complained about overtaking—while Monaco travelers may be watching how F1’s “Monaco-style” street-circuit ideas land elsewhere. Monaco Community: Monaco’s annual Braderie returns to Parc Princesse Antoinette, a key local shopping-and-stroll date for visitors.

EU Border Update: The EU has let nine Schengen countries delay full Entry/Exit System (EES) checks after technical problems sparked long queues and travel disruption. Strike Watch (Nice): easyJet pilots in France called off a planned strike affecting Nice flights this week, but the union has pushed the next action to Sept 24–25. Luxury Yachting (Red Sea): Amaala Yacht Club has opened in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea, positioning it as a new winter hub about 2,000 nautical miles from Monaco for superyachts and marine tourism. Monaco Travel Pulse (Yachting): A snapshot of Mediterranean superyachts shows Port Hercule as the busiest monitored spot, with 73 yachts recorded at once ahead of the Monaco Yacht Show. Monaco-Linked Travel/Events: Fred Holidays launched “Beyond the Water” cruise-and-tour itineraries, including a Monaco Grand Prix option, with materials rolling out to travel partners. F1 Fan Talk (Madring): Drivers and fans are pushing for changes after the Spanish GP’s new Madring track drew complaints over overtaking.

Monaco Yacht Show Buzz: Around 120 superyachts are set to gather in Monaco at Port Hercule (Sept 23–26), with a striking 43 delivered this year—an unusually fresh fleet that could signal what buyers will want next. Mediterranean Spending Snapshot: A tracking snapshot found 457 superyachts across the western Med, with an estimated €8.9m per day in running costs, and Port Hercule the busiest spot (73 yachts). Ligue 1 Focus: Monaco look to keep their perfect start going with a trip to Strasbourg, while Rennes edged Marseille 1-0 to move top—setting up a big weekend for the French top flight. Rally Chile: Oliver Solberg extended his WRC lead in muddy conditions, with Toyota sealing a record-equalling 10th manufacturers’ title. Travel & Entry Rules: The US says ESTA applications take about 23 minutes on average, and lists ESTA-eligible countries including Monaco. Fall Getaway Deals: Kayak highlights cheaper fall city breaks across Europe, with Reykjavik flagged for last-minute trips. Local Culture: Monaco’s annual Braderie returns to Parc Princesse Antoinette.

Monaco & Riviera Events: Monaco’s free Braderie de la Mairie returns Saturday 26 September at Parc Princesse Antoinette (10am–4pm), with second-hand finds from clothing to books and home décor. Ligue 1 (Monaco focus): Monaco look to keep their perfect start as they travel to Strasbourg, with predictions leaning toward a 3-2 Monaco win in a likely goal-fest. Superyachts & Port Hercule: The Monaco Yacht Show (23–26 Sept) is set for a big new-build surge, with 43 yachts delivered this year and Port Hercule already tipped as a key hub as hundreds of yachts spend millions daily across the western Mediterranean. Travel Rules (US): The US says ESTA applications take about 23 minutes on average, and it has published the full list of 42 ESTA-eligible countries plus what travellers need to apply. Yachting/Itineraries: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection unveiled its Summer 2028 Europe season, including roundtrips from Monte Carlo and new ports like Portovenere (Italy) and Gijón (Spain).

Ligue 1 (Monaco): Monaco keep their perfect start in focus as they travel to Strasbourg, with the matchup tipped as Strasbourg 2-3 Monaco—while Rennes’ 1-0 win over Marseille lifts Rennes to the top and leaves OM reeling after a third straight loss. Monaco & superyachts: A fresh snapshot shows 457 superyachts across the western Mediterranean, with Monaco’s Port Hercule the busiest spot (73 yachts), underscoring the Principality’s pull during the late-summer yachting rush ahead of the Monaco Yacht Show. Monaco Yacht Show: Around 120 superyachts are set to gather at Port Hercule (Sept 23-26), including a standout 102-metre new build delivered in 2026. Travel rules (US): The US says ESTA applications take about 23 minutes on average, and it has published the full list of 42 countries eligible to use ESTA instead of a visa. Braderie de Monaco: Monaco’s free-to-enter Braderie returns to Parc Princesse Antoinette on Sept 26 (10am-4pm) for second-hand finds and community reuse. Hotel review (Paris): Experimental Marais in the Marais area gets a spotlight for its maximalist, travel-collector vibe and its Temple & Chapon dining concept.

Monaco Football: Monaco travel to Strasbourg aiming to keep their early Ligue 1 momentum going, with the hosts still searching for their first win and both sides expected to trade chances. Ligue 1 Shake-up: Rennes beat Marseille 1-0 to move provisionally top, while Marseille head into tough fixtures with confidence low after a third straight defeat. F1 & Travel Buzz: Kimi Antonelli says Madrid’s new “Madring” is the toughest of the season for drivers and engineers, and the F1 2027 calendar is set to be revealed soon, with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi expected to stay. Monaco Events: The Braderie de la Mairie de Monaco returns to Parc Princesse Antoinette on Saturday 26 September (free entry, 10am–4pm). Superyachts: Around 120 superyachts are set for the Monaco Yacht Show (23–26 September), with 43 brand-new vessels among the fleet. Travel Rules: The US published ESTA guidance for citizens of 42 countries, and the Philippines listed 157 countries eligible for Balikbayan entry with a former Filipino.

Monaco Yacht Show: Around 120 superyachts are set to gather at Port Hercule for the 35th Monaco Yacht Show (Sept 23–26), with 43 brand-new vessels among the fleet—good news for travelers chasing high-end harbor views and waterfront buzz. Local Events: Monaco’s free Braderie de la Mairie returns to Parc Princesse Antoinette on Saturday Sept 26 (10am–4pm), bringing second-hand bargains and a circular-economy vibe right before the back-to-school season. Travel Planning: Thailand’s visa rules are shifting for many travelers—starting Sept 15, 2026, eligible passport holders get 30 days visa-free on arrival (with a free digital arrival card still required) and can extend once for up to 30 more days. F1 & Travel: The Singapore Grand Prix 2026 runs Oct 9–11 and becomes Singapore’s first-ever F1 Sprint weekend, with The Killers and Lana Del Rey headlining concerts across 10 stages. Sports (Monaco link): Rennes moved top of Ligue 1 with a 1-0 win over Marseille, while Monaco’s schedule note has them traveling to Strasbourg next.

Monaco Events: The Braderie de la Mairie de Monaco is back at Parc Princesse Antoinette on Saturday 26 September, 10am–4pm, with free entry and a big second-hand market for clothes, books, home décor, toys and more. Luxury Stays & Yachting: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has unveiled its Summer 2028 Europe season with 52 voyages on Evrima and Ilma, including roundtrips from Monte Carlo and new ports like Gijón (Spain) and Portovenere (Italy). Hotel Leadership: Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo names Laurent Herschbach as general manager from 1 October, bringing nearly three decades of Ritz Paris experience. Travel Rules Watch: Thailand is rolling out a new visa-free entry setup from 15 September 2026 (30 days for eligible passport holders), while South Korea expands K-ETA eligibility to 116 countries and the UK clarifies what ETA holders can’t do. F1 Travel Buzz: Singapore’s 2026 Grand Prix lands 9–11 October with the first-ever Sprint weekend, plus The Killers and Lana Del Rey headlining concerts.