“Become the world’s number 1 in business tourism, rejuvenate mid-range tourism, and create a true force.” Rudy Salles dreams of his city as an undisputed tourism capital. “Nice is a precious pearl. But in the coming months, we will need to work on the city’s image.”
The summer season is in full swing. Despite everything, the hiccups in July tarnish the picture. Rudy Salles is proud of his 4 months, proud of his decisions. “But we have inherited a policy. It is not yet our programming.” Rudy Salles is being patient, then. And prepares for 2009. “The arrival of Denis Zanon as the head of the Office of Tourism will help us become the global leader in business tourism. We have everything to succeed. All that’s missing is a Grand Palais des Expositions at the MIN. We must adapt and no longer let large global events go to Barcelona, London, or Budapest.”
The Carnival at Place Masséna
Rudy Salles wants to change things, even at the risk of shaking up the established order. “2009 will be a year of transition. Soon, the Carnival will return to its Place Masséna.” He has many projects. But he swears that taxpayers won’t foot the bill. “The funds from the Office of Tourism should be used to create major events, and no longer small events, like the military music festival that attracted no one and that we have of course abolished.” A festival dear to Mr. Peyrat… “Major quality events to attract private funding, but also to rejuvenate mid-range tourism. We need to attract these tourists through the actions of the Office of Tourism, which, in past years, had the tendency to fall asleep.”
“Today, people talk to each other”
He assures: “what has already changed is our mindset. There are no longer walls between the different players. There is now a big family working hand in hand.” As proof, the cancellation of the 2006 decree that forced Nice beach operators to remove 1000 mattresses. “I came with the Minister of Tourism to announce to the beach operators that their problem has been addressed. We have suspended the decree, and next year they will be able to operate under good conditions. So you see, today, people talk to each other.”
Rudy Salles is flying off for a week on vacation, “a week in the Gard, the cradle of my family, 8 necessary days of rest to prepare for a very busy return…”
This video is from the site Web TV Nice 
