Tourism marketing agency, Tourism Garden has appointed Claire Neil as Visit Monaco Regional Manager Australia and New Zealand as the French Riviera principality looks to capitalise on massive interest from Down Under.
A familiar face in the Australian travel industry, especially in the Gallic tourism realm, Neil joins Visit Monaco after 20 years of representing Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) including Atout France and New Caledonia Tourism as well as operators like Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours (who itself marked a momentous moment last year in Monte Carlo).
According to Tourism Garden, Neil has worked on various aspects of destination and luxury brand management, where she has focused on growing brand awareness through communication strategies and trade events.
The company says she is known for her passion for the travel industry, strategic mind and relationship-building skills.
“We are excited to welcome Claire to the Tourism Garden family and to this important role for Visit Monaco,” Tourism Garden Founder Alison Roberts-Brown says.
“With her impressive background in marketing and travel expertise for French destinations and luxury brands, we are confident that Claire will play a key role in driving our regional success and achieving our strategic objectives.”
Neil’s new role involves building important relationships, implementing marketing plans and promoting Monaco to increase tourism from Australia and New Zealand.
And despite the preconceptions, Monaco isn’t just a luxury destination – as evidenced by the sheer number of Aussies and Kiwis heading there, which are up on pre-pandemic levels.
“I am honoured to join the talented team at Tourism Garden as the Regional Manager for the remarkable destination of Monaco,” she says.
“Visits from Australia and New Zealand in 2023 surpassed 2019, proving the strong interest from this market.
“I am looking forward to working with existing and new trade partners to build mutually beneficial partnerships.”