Jean-Eudes Rabut, Director of Acropolis, Christian Estrosi, deputy mayor of Nice, Rudy Salles, deputy in charge of tourism, and Bertrand Carré presented yesterday the figures, showing marked progress, for Acropolis in the 2012 fiscal year and the objectives for the next four years.
The deputy mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, believes that it was “necessary to take stock” of Acropolis’s situation. He considers the complex to be an indicator of the city’s activity: “It’s a means to boost cultural, sporting, and event activities.”
A certain credibility for the city on the international scene. As he points out, there are currently many events taking place in the Azurean city. A cultural offering that suits both the congress attendees and other visitors, with a 25% increase in attendance.
With the World Figure Skating Championships last March, hotel bookings were between 50% and 80%. Since 2007, Acropolis has hosted over 1,000 events, 3 million visitors, 200 conventions, and international congresses.
Some notable examples include the France-Africa summit in 2010, which hosted 40 heads of state, or the upcoming Francophonie Games next September.
International economic promotion is part of the new competencies. The city has 4-5 target countries, including Qatar: “With more coordination between communication and event organizations on the Côte d’Azur, we will be more effective.” For the 2013-2017 period, the goal is simply to “continue the growth in the number of events, congresses, and conventions.”
For the Director of Acropolis, stronger loyalty is needed and perhaps the creation of a major recurring event tied to the territory: “Ambition is needed.” By 2017, Acropolis could host between 40 and 50 events per year, including the General Medicine Congress. “If we do not go further, we will regress.”
In competition with cities like Paris, Barcelona, Singapore, and Milan, Nice understands the necessity of renovating its cultural infrastructures. Jean-Eudes Rebut believes that the City Hall “understood it before everyone else by investing 20 million euros, four years ago.” Attendance increased by 20% last year. Acropolis should continue to be the conference meeting point while the Arenas will be the new space for future exhibitions, all with a concern for environmental preservation: “We have received the 4001 Environmental standard.” Note that “at Acropolis, congresses last an average of 3.5 days whereas the national average is 2.5 days.”
To conclude, Jean-Eudes Rabut wishes to confirm his perfect alignment with the city’s event policy: “Actions that rely on dynamic and voluntary policy in the business tourism market.”
