COVID-19: Government meets with tourism industry representatives

©Direction de la Communication - Manuel Vitali

Minister of Finance and Economy Jean Castellini met representatives from Monaco’s tourism sector (hotels, Grimaldi Forum, the Monegasque Hospitality Industry Association (AIHM) and the Union of Travel Agents) at the Ministry of State today to discuss the situation in the industry in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

“I sensed that people in the industry are mobilised, organised and working together,” the Minister said, restating the Government’s position: “We are not recommending that business events and other conventions be cancelled or postponed, beyond any decisions that may be the responsibility of private organisers. Clearly, however, participants from risk areas should not be invited.”

In terms of the impact on business in the sector, Jean Castellini and the industry representatives noted a certain wait-and-see attitude on the part of tourists, which reinforces the trend already observed in favour of last-minute decisions. “During this low season, a very small number of cancellations are being offset by a very small number of bookings. But it is to be hoped that the situation does not continue beyond the end of March.”

Following this meeting, Jean Castellini and Didier Gamerdinger, Minister of Health and Social Affairs, led a further press briefing at which it emerged that: “There were no reported cases in the Principality, 120 requests for information made to the Department of Health Affairs doctor were handled yesterday, expanded teams would be working throughout the weekend at the Department, and medical capabilities were being reviewed.”