MONACO - October 22, 2002 - On October 15th, the Monaco Government appointed Mr. Michel Bouquier as President of the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority in Monaco, succeeding Mr. Dario dell'Antonia, who has held this position since 1996. The two men will be working in unison through 15th November, when Mr. dell'Antonia will begin his retirement following a successful 25-year career in the Principality of Monaco.

As a 53-year-old French national, Michel Bouquier has acquired 20 years of professional experience with the French Government Tourism Office abroad. He graduated from the Strasbourg School of Hotel Management and Tourism and obtained a Masters degree and a postgraduate degree in Human Sciences with a tourism option at Lyon II. He then served as Managing Director of the French Government Tourist Office, first in Zurich, then in Geneva and Chicago, and finally in New York from 1987 to 1993.

Michel Bouquier returned to Western Europe to be appointed Managing Director of Relais et Chateaux in Paris and was successful in establishing important strategic alliances, as well as launching a worldwide central booking service for the organisation, regrouping over 400 independent hotels in 52 countries.

In 1999, he became General Manager of Marketing and Development for the Forte Heritage Hotels group in the UK. Then in May 2001, following the buy-out of Forte Heritage Hotels by MacDonald Hotels, he was appointed as Managing Director of Development and Franchising, his last position before joining the Principality.

Mr. Bouquier says that his goal for Monaco is, to develop a multi-faceted strategy: To spread the tourist flow year-round, mainly through the conference and incentive market and in attracting sophisticated international independent travellers The aim is, of course, to remain competitive through a targeted and segmented sales and marketing strategy and to be creative in meeting the demands of today's traveller. As I have done previously, I will focus on the synergy of all partners, and professional bodies to develop strong and long term strategic alliances.

For more information on the new Director of the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority in Monaco, please contact the New York bureau at (212) 286-3330, email MGTO@Monaco1.org or visit www.monaco-tourism.com.