Indian Wedding in Monaco

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Indian Wedding in Monaco – March 18-21, 2011

FOUR-DAY, FOUR-DA Y, 600-GUEST HIGH SOCIETY INDIAN WEDDING EXTRAVAGANZA IN MONACO Monaco, 17th February 2011 Dear Members of the Press, We are currently organising an event which is certain to create quite a stir in the Principality and in the international press: the wedding of Indian socialites Kajal Fabiani and Gaurav Assomull. What

The largest destination wedding Monaco has ever seen. The only Monaco wedding which will receive more coverage this year will be the wedding of H.S.H. Prince Albert II & Miss Charlene Wittstock in July.

When

March 18th to 21st, 2011 (over four days).

Who

Indian socialites Kajal Fabiani & Gaurav Assomull, 600 guests, two elephants & a white horse!

In short

Four days of wedding festivities combining Indian tradition tra dition and Monaco elegance: Two Indian elephants with traditional Indian headdresses on Casino square A traffic-stopping procession following the groom as he rides a white horse from the Casino Square, past luxury boutiques on Avenue des Beaux Arts and ending on the Hotel Hermitage A Sindhi Hindu wedding ceremony held on the stage of the Salle Garnier of the Opera de Monte-Carlo a performance by award-winning international artist Akon

Covered by For more info Contact

International and local TV, magazine, newspaper, radio and internet outlets. Special interest by women’s

magazines, bridal magazines and celebrity magazines.

Mr Frank Damgaard , head of Monte-Carlo Weddings. His boutique wedding planning company has been covered by the French television show “Envoyé Special” and by UK broadcaster “WeddingTV.” He is currently

being filmed for a reality show by Metronome Productions. He speaks English, French and Danish and will be available for interviews only before or after the wedding. For interview inquiries contact Grisel Damgaard on: + 33 6 12 70 34 61 or [email protected]. Mr Michel Bouquier, Director, Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority. He speaks English and

French and will be available for interviews before, during and after the wedding. For interview inquiries contact Mr Bouquier on + 377 92 16 66 05 or [email protected]

Mr Michel Sabot , Managing Director Hotels & Resort, Monte-Carlo SBM, for information on the venues and

accommodation used for this event. He speaks English and French and will be available for interviews before, during and after the wedding. For interviews contact the Monte Carlo SBM Press Department: Mireille Rebaudo : +377 98 06 63 60 or [email protected] or Christiane Cane: +377 98 06 63 62 or [email protected] FREE PHOTOS In order to safeguard the couple’s privacy and avoid too many photographers taking photos at the wedding, we will be placing hundreds of professional, high definition photos on Monaco Tourism’s website,

www.visitmonaco.com,, immediately after the wedding. www.visitmonaco.com

Access

Members of the Press wishing to access photos after the wedding must contact Mr Jean-François Gourdon on + 377 92 16 60 47 or [email protected] before Wednesday 16 March in order to be access the photos.

TV coverage

Television networks and production companies wishing to be granted onsite filming rights must contact Mr JeanFrançois Gourdon on + 377 92 16 60 47 or [email protected]. Only a few stations and production companies will be granted onsite access, but footage will also be available free of charge, post-wedding.

In the following pages you will find more information on the celebrations. We remain at your disposal for any further information which you might require. « Namaste ! » Michel Bouquier Director, Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority

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Frank Damgaard Monte-Carlo Weddings


FOUR-DAY, FOUR-DA Y, 600-GUEST HIGH SOCIETY INDIAN WEDDING EXTRAVAGANZA IN MONACO Monaco, 17th February 2011 Dear Members of the Press, We are currently organising an event which is certain to create quite a stir in the Principality and in the international press: the wedding of Indian socialites Kajal Fabiani and Gaurav Assomull. What

The largest destination wedding Monaco has ever seen. The only Monaco wedding which will receive more coverage this year will be the wedding of H.S.H. Prince Albert II & Miss Charlene Wittstock in July.

When

March 18th to 21st, 2011 (over four days).

Who

Indian socialites Kajal Fabiani & Gaurav Assomull, 600 guests, two elephants & a white horse!

In short

Four days of wedding festivities combining Indian tradition tra dition and Monaco elegance: Two Indian elephants with traditional Indian headdresses on Casino square A traffic-stopping procession following the groom as he rides a white horse from the Casino Square, past luxury boutiques on Avenue des Beaux Arts and ending on the Hotel Hermitage A Sindhi Hindu wedding ceremony held on the stage of the Salle Garnier of the Opera de Monte-Carlo a performance by award-winning international artist Akon

Covered by For more info Contact

International and local TV, magazine, newspaper, radio and internet outlets. Special interest by women’s

magazines, bridal magazines and celebrity magazines.

Mr Frank Damgaard , head of Monte-Carlo Weddings. His boutique wedding planning company has been covered by the French television show “Envoyé Special” and by UK broadcaster “WeddingTV.” He is currently

being filmed for a reality show by Metronome Productions. He speaks English, French and Danish and will be available for interviews only before or after the wedding. For interview inquiries contact Grisel Damgaard on: + 33 6 12 70 34 61 or [email protected]. Mr Michel Bouquier, Director, Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority. He speaks English and

French and will be available for interviews before, during and after the wedding. For interview inquiries contact Mr Bouquier on + 377 92 16 66 05 or [email protected]

Mr Michel Sabot , Managing Director Hotels & Resort, Monte-Carlo SBM, for information on the venues and

accommodation used for this event. He speaks English and French and will be available for interviews before, during and after the wedding. For interviews contact the Monte Carlo SBM Press Department: Mireille Rebaudo : +377 98 06 63 60 or [email protected] or Christiane Cane: +377 98 06 63 62 or [email protected] FREE PHOTOS In order to safeguard the couple’s privacy and avoid too many photographers taking photos at the wedding, we will be placing hundreds of professional, high definition photos on Monaco Tourism’s website,

www.visitmonaco.com,, immediately after the wedding. www.visitmonaco.com

Access

Members of the Press wishing to access photos after the wedding must contact Mr Jean-François Gourdon on + 377 92 16 60 47 or [email protected] before Wednesday 16 March in order to be access the photos.

TV coverage

Television networks and production companies wishing to be granted onsite filming rights must contact Mr JeanFrançois Gourdon on + 377 92 16 60 47 or [email protected]. Only a few stations and production companies will be granted onsite access, but footage will also be available free of charge, post-wedding.

In the following pages you will find more information on the celebrations. We remain at your disposal for any further information which you might require. « Namaste ! » Michel Bouquier Director, Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority

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Frank Damgaard Monte-Carlo Weddings


Contents Summary .............................................................................. ............................................................................................................................... ................................................. 4-6 Quotes ................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................... 7-9 The couple and their families ....................................................... ................................................................................................. .......................................... 10-11 Monte-Carlo Weddings W eddings ........................................................................... .......................................................................................................... ............................... 12 PDM ...................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................... ................................. 13-14 Monte Carlo SBM .................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................. 15-16 The Luxury Destination Wedding industry .................................................................. ............................................................................. ........... 17 Sindhi Hindu traditions ............................................................. ........................................................................................................... .............................................. 18-23 The Mehndi party ..................................................................................................... 18 The Sangeet ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. 19 The Baraat ............................................................................................................... 20 The Symbolism of Elephants in Indian Culture ........................................................ 21 The Pheras (Wedding (W edding Ceremony) ........................................................................... ............................................................................. 22-23 The Mandap .......................................................................... .............................................................................................................. .................................... 23 The fashion element ........................................................................................................... .............................................................................................................. ... 24 Kajal Fabiani’s wedding dress and other outfits .................................................................... 25 .............................................................................. ..... 26 Sample article using the “Monaco angle” ......................................................................... Radio Blurb ............................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................ 27 The venues ............................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................ ................................ 28 The guests ........................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................. ..................................... 29 Indian decorations and fabrics .......................................................... ............................................................................................... ..................................... 30 The culinary aspect ....................................................................... ................................................................................................................ ......................................... 31 The logo ............................................................................ ............................................................................................................................... ................................................... 32

Articles about the couple and their families ................................................. .......................................................................... ......................... 33-45 Articles about the business / tourism aspect of this wedding and the benefits Monaco will reap ...................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................... 46-56

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FOUR-DAY HIGH SOCIETY INDIAN WEDDING EXTRAVAGANZA IN MONACO The biggest destination wedding ever to hit Monaco will be organized from March 18 – 21st by Monte-Carlo Weddings, in collaboration with the Direction de Tourisme et Congrès de Monaco and the Société des Bains de Mer. This four-day wedding will include a multitude of events celebrating the marriage of Indian jet-set socialites Kajal Fabiani and Gaurav Assomull. Festivities will be held in accordance with long-standing Indian traditions, all while blending in the elegance, luxury and refinement which Monaco is known for the world over. Monaco is very proud to host this wedding, especially since the two families originally considered both Beirut and Rome as destinations. In the end, nothing could beat Monaco’s prestige and hospitality expertise and it was decided to hold the event in the Principality, at a multitude of venues. Wedding planning started last August, and it has been full-steam ahead for Frank Damgaard, who heads Monte-Carlo Weddings, the local wedding planning company chosen to oversee the process. The Indian events company PDM, who has years of experience fulfilling the event planning wishes of India’s top families,

are also bringing their expertise to the table.

The couple and their families invited 600 guests from India, Europe and North America, who will converge on the Principality on this grandiose occasion. Straight out of India’s High Society pages, the visitors will certainly bring some Indian “glitz and glam” to Monaco and are sure to hit the Principality’s many luxury boutiques during their stay. The prestigious Hotel de Paris and the Hotel Hermitage, two belle-époque jewels, will play host to t o the wedding guests. The festivities will kick off on Friday evening 18 th March in the evening with a “Youngsters Party” at Monte-Carlo’s Indian-themed lounge/bar/restaurant The Buddah Bar. On Saturday 19th March a big welcome party will take place at the Grimaldi Forum’s new and trendy hotspot headed by Michelin star rated Alain Llorca. Guests will be entertained by tribute band “Fabba” and will enjoy a fireworks

display and traditional Indian music.

On Sunday 20th March a traditional Mehndi celebration, one of the pre-wedding parties, will be held for the 300 women attending the wedding, at the prestigious Hotel Hermitage. This time-honoured lavish and elaborate affair centres around decorating the bride’s hands and feet with henna while women sing and dance to traditional songs. A professional henna artist will be flown in for the occasion.

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Although only women guests are allowed to attend, the groom does make a special appearance; so as to sit alongside the bride in the jhoola wedding swing which will be brought in from India and guests will be treated to Indian specialities prepared by a famous catering company, a famous catering company, in collaboration with the Hermitage Chef, Joël Garault. The guests will all be wearing festive traditional wedding dresses – a sight which promises to leave even the most blasé trend-setters, fashion followers and designer gown aficionados envious. Invitations were sent out to 1200 people around the world and included a silver tray and chocolates from the Chocolaterie de Monaco, one of the many Monaco suppliers who have been called upon to supply their services for the wedding. The Casino of Monaco have even been gracious enough to open their doors early in order to accommodate all the visitors, who have heard of the worldfamous casino and cannot wait to try out their luck at the tables! On the evening of the 20th there will be a gala evening, called a “Sange et.” This traditional event will take place at the prestigious Salle Empire of the Hotel de Paris, in Monaco. In order to accommodate all the guests a special extension will be built onto the terrace of this belle époque room. A buffet dinner will be served by Chef Franck Cerutti and his team, who will integrate a team of Indian chefs, brought in to serve traditional Indian dishes alongside the European fare usually served at top weddings. The evening’s entertainment will also come straight from India, and the party is

not scheduled to finish before 6 am, when guests will go to bed and gear up for the wedding ceremonies the day after. On Monday, 21st March guests will be treated to the “Baraat Ceremony,” whereby the groom will leave Casino Square on a white horse to lead a procession down Avenue des Beaux Arts, home to Cartier, Yves Saint Laurent, Céline, Bvlgari and Louis Vuitton. The procession will end at the Hotel Hermitage. In order to facilitate this procession traffic will be rerouted and police officers from the Principality will be on hand to direct not only cars and onlookers, but the hundreds of guests who will be following the groom on the horse. All of this will take place to music and singing by the well-wishers. Another Indian tradition will be included in the festivities: two Indian elephants bejeweled in Indian headdresses, will be on hand at Casino Square in order to act as lucky symbols and insure that the couple has a long and happy life together. Then one of the highlights of the festivities takes place: the traditional wedding ceremony, which will be held in none other than the famous Salle Garnier of the Opera de Monte-Carlo. This historic room has played host to many a celebration in the past, but none with included a “Mandap” (traditional indoor wedding

marquee) specially constructed for the occasion.

The wedding ceremony will then take place, officiated by a “pandit” who will unite the couple in a ceremony which is described below in further detail

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Guests will then be treated to a post-wedding cocktail at the Atrium of the Casino, before being ferried to Salle des Etoiles at the Larvotto Peninsula, for the evening’s entertainment. Specially decorated buses will be placed at the disposal of the guests by the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority; one of the many ways in which the Principality has gone to great lengths to accommodate the Indian visitors. Once at the Salle des Etoiles, guests will be treated to a laser/acquatic show as a lead up to the introduction of the couple, a sit-down four-course meal and, last but not least, the evening’s big act: Senegalese/American R&B singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer Akon. On Tuesday 22nd March, guests will be making their way back to the airport to fly back home (but not before many of them get in some shopping at Monaco’s

luxury boutiques)!

Texts can be used freely without author mention. Photos were gleaned from the internet without permission, so should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter)

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Quotes which can be used in press coverage By Mr Michel Bouquier, Director, Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority, concerning destination weddings “Personally, I can see a wave of high -end destination weddings is about to hit the Principality.”

By Mr Michel Bouquier, Director, Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority, concerning how this wedding showcases Monaco’s strengths “During thei r stay, the 600 guests will have ample occasion to witness everything that Monaco has to offer: first-class accommodation at the Hotel de Paris and the Hotel Hermitage, the elegance and refinement of the Salle Garnier at the Opera de Monte-Carlo, the hip atmosphere of the brand-new Buddah Bar and last but not least the legendary open air stage at the Salle des Etoiles, where superstar Akon will be taking the floor.”

By Mr Michel Bouquier, Director, Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority, concerning how this is the first of many high-end destination weddings to hit the Principality “This will certainly be the first of many high -end destination weddings to be staged in the Principality in the coming years. Recent trends demonstrate that destination weddings are becoming more and more upmarket, with the world’s affluent not only fuelling the luxury brands market as far as products are concerned, but with a high demand in the luxury services sector as well. Luxury wedding planning services fit that niche perfectly, and Monaco is more than ready to meet this challenge.”

By Mr Michel Bouquier, Director, Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority, concerning how their efforts to attract the Indian market are already paying off... “Over the past few months the Principality has been working hard towards increasing Indian tourism in Monaco, and this wedding serves as proof that our efforts are indeed bearing fruit. The high-end, well-travelled Indian clientele present at this wedding represents a new and exciting target market for the Principality, one which fits nicely with growing trends in the destination weddings industry.”

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By Frank Damgaard, head of Monte-Carlo Weddings, concerning his goal as the wedding planner “As a wedding planner my goal is to ensure that the wedding is literally the best wedding guests have ever attended, if not the best wedding they will ever attend.”

By Frank Damgaard, head of Monte-Carlo Weddings, concerning the demands of the luxury destination weddings clientele “Certainly, this clientele brings to the table a very high level of expectations, both during the planning process and during the unfolding of the wedding itself. Fulfilling their needs means providing only the best service im aginable.”

By Frank Damgaard, head of Monte-Carlo Weddings concerning the planning of this highly mediatised event “What is so exciting about this wedding is that it brings together so many magical and romantic elements: a glamorous, high-society couple, a grandiose four-day, 600-guest wedding showcasing an amazing blend of Indian culture and world-renowned four-star venues and last but not least, the fairy-tale Principality of Monaco.

By Frank Damgaard, head of Monte-Carlo Weddings concerning why Monaco is synonymous with romance days in which the Principality exploded on the international scene with Prince Rainier III’s marriage to American movie -star Grace Kelly, up until this July, when Prince Albert II is to wed Miss Charlene Wittstock, the Principality offers couples an exceptional setting of old-world charm, top notch hotels, spas and luxury boutiques, essentially the perfect recipe for romantic week- ends, weddings and, of course, honeymoons.”

By Mr Michel Sabot, Managing Director Hotels & Resort, Monte Carlo SBM, concerning what well-heeled Indian clients seek “This new market fits in well with the venues and services Monte Carlo SBM has to offer. Monaco is all about luxury, refinement and impeccable service, and that is exactly what the well-travelled, well-off Indian clientele expects.”

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By Mr Michel Sabot, Managing Director Hotels & Resort, Monte Carlo SBM, concerning the wide variety of wedding venues in the Principality “Monaco really is a sort of paradise wh en it comes to offering a wide variety of top-notch wedding venues. It offers everything from beachfront lounges for pre-wedding events, exclusive sea-view settings for the most romantic of wedding ceremonies, the most grandiose of belle-époque ballrooms and restaurants for the wedding reception and accommodation worthy of the most discerning of guests. ”

By Mr Michel Sabot, Managing Director Hotels & Resort, Monte Carlo SBM, concerning the rich history of the Salle Garnier, chosen as the venue of the wedding ceremony itself th

“Since its inauguration on 25 January 1879 the Salle Garnier has certainly hosted a wide range of events and productions, from famous operas and ballets to classical music concerts by world renowned performers. However, I must say that this is the first time that an Indian wedding ceremony is conducted on the stage, along with all of the accoutrements and decoration typical of such an occasion.”

By Mr Michel Sabot, Managing Director Hotels & Resort, Monte Carlo SBM, concerning Monaco’s famous venues as a backdrop to this high society wedding “We are very pleased to play host to the 600 guests visiting Monaco this week-end. This wedding has been many months in the making – testament to the variety of services, venues and accommodation which needed to be coordinated for their arrival. We are very honoured that so many Monte Carlo SBM venues were booked for this event. Guests stayed and dined at the Hotel de Paris and the Hotel Hermitage and attended events at the Salle Garnier, the Salle des Etoiles and the Buddah Bar over the course of the wedding celebrations. Hopefully they will return home and act as ambassadors for Monaco’s charms and all we have to offer.”

These texts were approved by Messrs Damgaard, Bouquier and Sabot and can be used freely in the press as direct quotes. Photos on this fact sheet should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter).

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The couple and their families Two Indian socialites and business people who have known each other for years decide to tie the knot in Monaco

How they met

The glamorous couple first met as children and a decade later they met through common friends in London. After dating for a while, Gaurav surprised Kajal with a proposal at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Bride

Miss Kajal Fabiani

Profession

Restaurant owner: Villa 39 in Mumbai, India

Background information

Grew up in Madrid Bachelor Degree in Business Management from King’s

College, London Postgraduate Hospitality Diploma from Les Roches, Marbella, Spain Videos

Interview with Kajal Fabiani about her restaurant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl5OqzdhxJA

The Groom

Mr Gaurav Assomull

Profession

Businessman

Background information

Grew up in England Now runs a Mumbai/ Delhi based business and is working on a renewable energy project in India Heir to the Marigold Group – heavily involved in the art world

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The Bride’s family Her Father

Mr Kamal Fabiani Mr. Fabiani is President of the Americorp Group, a global player in real estate investment, development and management. He is actively involved with technology companies, finance and trading, and with businesses in USA, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Europe. He is the co-founder and first president of the India-Spain Chamber of Commerce, and is currently the Honorary President. He has been the youngest President of the Indian Association in Spain. Mr. Fabiani is a pioneer and leader in supporting social causes. He is also the coordinator of the new cultural centre of Madrid. He was an Advisory Committee member of the World Forum for Ethics in Business.

Her Mother

Mrs Rachna Fabiani Through different investment vehicles, the Fabiani Family has invested over USD 750 million in India. Notable direct private equity investments include Edelweiss Capital Ltd; Indiabulls Financial Services Ltd; Nimbus Communications Ltd; TV18 India Ltd; and Avendus Advisors.

The Groom’s family His Father

Mr Madan K.Assomull Chairman, Marigold Group

His Mother

Sangeeta Assomull (see interview below) CEO, Marigold Group

This information was taken from the internet but was approved for usage by the couples and their families. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter)

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Monte-Carlo Weddings Frank Damgaard, who boasts over 25 years in the wedding, hotel, restaurant and catering industries hails originally from Denmark, but has been living on the Côte d’Azur and in Monaco for over 30. Married to his wife Grisel, together they have

built what quickly became the premier boutique wedding planning company on the French Riviera, catering to a discerning international clientele. In its sixth year of operations, Monte-Carlo Weddings specialises in destination weddings and in organising large-scale weddings, although Frank is quick to add: “I admit that I have certainly never been entrusted with su ch a large event: 600 people over a total of 4 days is big, even for Monte-Carlo Weddings!” This multi-faceted event is so large in scope and will bring such a great amount of publicity to the Principality that the Monaco Tourism Office and the “Société des Bains de Mer” were quick to step up and offer support . This is not the first time that Frank Damgaard and his company are in the spotlight: he was the subject of WeddingTV’s TV show: “Focus on Monte -Carlo”, and an episode of Envoyé Spécial on France 2, highlighting destination wedding planning. At present, Frank Damgaard’s activities are being filmed for an upcoming TV show produced by Metronome,. The show will follow the challenges Frank faces when orchestrating big weddings in Monaco and on the French Riviera. Monte-Carlo Weddings doesn’t only plan weddings in Monaco, they also organise nuptials across the French Riviera and in castles in the nearby Var region, in private villas and on yachts such as the famous Christina O. They are accredited by the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), the Association for Wedding Professionals International (AfWPI) and the Wedding Association – National Association of Professional Wedding Services (NAPWS). The Monte-Carlo Weddings office is located right next to the Yacht Club de Monaco, at 14, quai Antoine 1er in Monaco. DVDs and further information on Monte-Carlo Weddings are available from Grisel Damgaard by calling + 33 6 12 70 34 61. Website: www.montecarloweddings.com

These texts can be used freely without author mention. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter)

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PDM (a division de Percept) PDM (Percept D’Mark) India was formed in 1994 with the vision to help brands

create a 360-degree communication approach. In the years after its genesis, PDM has established itself as India’s leading experiential brand marketing

company. Over the past 14 years PDM has managed over 3500 brand experiences amongst which few outstanding examples include: Sunburn – Asia’s first Electronic Dance Music Festival

Green Peace Concert

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Metalfest

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India’s first home- grown Broadway Musical for the world – 'Bharti' 

The Nokia New Year’s Eve Party

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The Indian Cricket Team Sponsorship

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'The Sangeet Awards' – India’s first Indian Global Music Awards

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Asia’s Largest Car Rally – 'The Airtel One India Challenge' 

A R Rahman Concert

The BSA Asian Cycling Championships. 

Mukti AIDS Concert

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'The Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week' 

DLF Cup Sponsorship

Goa Super Sixes

Sahara Indian Sports Awards 

Force India Formula 1 team Sponsorship 

XXX Super car Show (Gautam Singhania) 

PDM leads in the following core domains: Sports Management Wedding Management  Fashion & Entertainment Management 

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Brand Activation Intellectual Properties Sponsorship Management

Key Brands Serviced                

Airtel AMD Bajaj Barclays Citibank Club Mahindra Colgate Palmolive Cognizant Canon DTC DS Group Goldstar FedEx Genpact HLL HSBC

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XXX Energy Drink Red partners (F&B) For IPL  IIFL Pvt Ltd  Taj Hotels  Times of India  Times Jobs  Uttam Galva Steel Ltd  Videocon  Westside  World Gold Council  Standard Chartered Bank  Reliance Money  Dhanlaxmi  BSNL

Loreal TATA Indicom  Apollo Tyres  Canon  Wrigley’s  L’Oreal  MasterCard (not stared working)  Garnier (not started working)  Red Foods  Kara  Kingfisher  FoRCE India  Radiocity  Bridgestone

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PDM Network Offices

Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad & Chennai PDM India Corporate Office Contact

P2, Level 2, Raghuvanshi Estate, 11/12, Senapati Bapat Marg, Mumbai - 400 013 Tel: +91-22-30428822. Fax: +91-22-24922023 Website: www.pdmindia.com Media Contacts PDM India Mr Manuj Agarwal, Chief Operating Officer Email: [email protected] Mob: 91-9892074674 PDM WMS Mr Aditya Motwane, Chief Operating Officer Email: [email protected] Mob: 91-9892592586 Corporate Communications Department, Percept Limited Ph: +91-22-24918811 Fax: +91-22-24911281 Email: [email protected]

About Percept

Founded in 1984, Percept Limited, an entertainment, media and communications company, is at an enviable leadership position today, with a team of over 1,000 people and 62 offices in India and the Middle East and capitalized billings of about INR 26 billion (FY’10). Percept operates in 3 verticals – 

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Consultancy.

For more information, please visit www.pdmindia.com

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Monte Carlo SBM For almost 150 years, Groupe Monte-Carlo SBM has remained loyal to its tradition of diversity and innovation. It offers excellence in each of its many specialised domains: Leisure and business tourism, first rate gastronomy and hotels, art and culture, casinos, wellness and high-level sport. Its architectural heritage — unique in the world, international development, glamorous yet trendy inimitable style, immense savoir faire and legendary welcome skills are admired by clients from all over the world who visit throughout year. Visiting the Monte-Carlo SBM resort is a luxurious journey to the very heart of fine living thanks to its four fabulous hotels: Hôtel de Paris, Hôtel Hermitage, MonteCarlo Bay Hotel & Resort and Monte Carlo Beach which was renovated recently by architect-designer India Mahdavi. The Monte-Carlo magic is present everywhere... even in flavours, at the tables of the Group’s thirty restaurants, mentioned in the world’s top gastronomy guides and catering for everyone… even the most discerning gourmets. The cream-of-the cream — “Le Louis XVAlain Ducasse” — has, since its inauguration, featured right at the top of the planet’s fine food ratings.

In addition to the amazing variety of table games, the celebrated Casinos run by Groupe Monte-Carlo SBM offer an astonishing selection of slot machines that are always one step ahead of anywhere else combining the latest state-of-the-art technology with new fun elements. Under the gildings of the historic Casino Belle Époque, in the interstellar atmosphere of the Casino Café de Paris, the very American Sun Casino or the contemporary Bay Casino, each player can find his niche and hope that Lady Luck will lead the way to the amazing jackpot! A range of games for all tastes and budgets... thrills and a change of scenery guaranteed! Monte-Carlo’s effervescent atmosphere extends far beyond the casinos. A paradise for night-birds, the resort offers a formidable choice of different bars and music venues for all tastes. To hear the latest in music, the Salle des Étoiles, Sea Lounge, Moods and recently opened Buddha Bar, organise musical soirées featuring daring artistes. Jimmy’z, the temple of Riviera nights, is one of the best known discotheques in Europe. A talent scout committed to artistic creation (Opera, Sporting Summer Festival, Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival, Monte-Carlo Ballets, Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, Spring Arts Festival, Monte-Carlo Dance Forum, First class fine arts exhibitions...), Groupe Monte-Carlo SBM has made a name for itself as an international hub for arts and culture. It is also involved in major fund-raising events in the Principality of Monaco such as the Rose Ball (Fondation Princess Grace) and the Red Cross Gala. Boasting sumptuous sports facilities (Country Club, Golf Club, Beach Club) and spas, the Monte-Carlo SBM resort is a major destination for health, fitness and wellness. The Thermes Marins de Monte-Carlo is one of the finest and largest spas in Europe. A thalassotherapy haven offering almost unequalled personalised treatments and state-of-the-art equipment, its contemporary design, sea view and relaxing atmosphere have contributed to the reputation that has made it so popular with the greatest names in the world of sport.

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An unfailing partner in top sporting competitions (Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, Formula One Grand Prix...), Groupe Monte-Carlo SBM is also associated with prestigious events that are part of the Principality of Monaco’s busy life.

Committed with His Serene Highness Prince Albert II to set up a solid national policy for sustainable development, the Group created the Monte-Carlo SBM Environmental Charter and the Be Green ecological brand, assuring its clientele of its utmost respect for the environment. A major player in the Principality’s hectic events calendar, trustee of a prestigious heritage yet fascinated by current trends, Groupe Monte-Carlo SBM is something of an exception both in business and in leisure. An open door to the legend that is Monte-Carlo, it offers an impressive range of possibilities given the compactness of its territory. Day in, day out, its strength, uniqueness and commitment contribute to making MonteCarlo one of the most sought-after destinations in the world.

Monte-Carlo S.B.M. Press Office Tel. : +377 98 06 63 61 [email protected] w ww.p ressmontecarlosbm.com

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The Luxury Destination Wedding industry

This section of the wedding planning market has literally exploded in recent years, sparking the creation of a number of boutique wedding planning companies which specialise in this type of personalised service. Frank Damgaard of Monte-Carlo Weddings, the wedding planning company entrusted with overseeing the unfolding of this large-scale Indian extravaganza, explains more. What are destination weddings? “A destination wedding is just a wedding which takes place away from the hometown or city of the couple getting married.” Why are they becoming more and more popular? “I think this is for a number of factors: statistically people move a lot more often, people get married later on in life, meaning that they might consider more than one city “home,” it is much easier to find relatively inexpensive flights for one’s guests, and the fact that some people decide to combine their wedding and their honeymoon.” What about the luxury-end of the destination wedding market? “Well, this is where boutique wedding planning companies come into the picture. What we’ve found is that the upscale clientele looking for a luxury destination wedding planner require a top notch, unparalleled level of service, even more hands- on than for smaller scale weddings.” Isn’t it too challenging for couples to plan their wedding from afar? “That’s what destination wedding planners a re for! Just as with my other clients, Kajal and Gaurav only had to visit the Principality a few times in the lead up to their wedding.”

Any funny stories you can share about planning this particular wedding? “Well, other than the fact that we had to find two elephants to greet the wedding party in the middle of Monte- Carlo’s Casino Square as well a trained horse to bring the groom from the Casino Square to the Hotel Hermitage, organise decorations for a Sindhi Hindu wedding ceremony at the Salle Garnier of the Opera de Monte-Carlo, deal with a host of logistical issues concerning building an addition to the terrace of the Salle Empire of the Hotel de Paris, overcome the challenges inherent to the accommodation and transportation of 600 guests, orchestrate a seemingly endless number of local and international suppliers and organising the arrival of international A-list celebrity Akon... I think I would say that it’s just business as usual... ”

These texts can be used freely without author mention . Photos on this fact sheet should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte-Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter).

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Sindhi Hindu traditions Background info about Weddings in India in general

Weddings in India are considered to be a sacred and sanctified ritual. They are long and elaborate affairs with lots of pre-wedding, wedding, post wedding rituals and celebrations.

The Mehndi party Summary

The occasion of Mehndi is one of the most important pre-wedding rituals. It is a fun-filled ritual, which is celebrated mainly by the bride's family. Different regions of the country celebrate it in different ways according to their own marriage customs, rituals and culture. The bride's family celebrates Mehndi party for gathering bride’s friends and relatives for blessing the bride as well as for amusement. Background information

The ceremony is mostly held at bride's place or sometimes in a banquet hall on the eve of the marriage ceremony or few days before the marriage. On this occasion a professional henna designer or some relative applies mehndi to the bride’s hands and feet. There are a few places in India where it is a ritual that the first motif of henna or mehndi is applied by the bride’s sister -in-law whereas there are some places where the first mehendi motif is said to be auspicious if applied by bride’s mother.

Popular motifs of the bridal mehndi include flowers, peacocks and traditional Indian patterns. The intricate motifs of the bridal henna also hide the husband’s name. It is said that the husband’s name in the intricate henna motifs is made for the groom who has to find out his name in his bride’s mehndi as an evidence of

his sharp eyes and active brain to impress his girl.

The mehndi has a festive feel to it with the women dancing and singing traditional songs during the mehndi ritual. The bride is dressed in light color clothes with light jewelry. According to the custom the bride must not step out of the house after the mehndi ritual until the wedding day. It is believed that the darker and deeper the henna stains the more the husband and the in-laws will love the bride. The ritual of mehndi signifies the strength and power of love in a marriage so it is regarded good omen for the would-be bride. It is said that the long the bride retains the mehndi, the more auspicious her future will be. At the Fabiani / Assomull wedding

A beautifull jhoola (wedding swing) will be on hand and a professional mehndi artist will be flown in. th

Date and Venue: Hotel Hermitage, Sunday 20 March

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The Sangeet Summary The word “Sangeet” means “music.” Here both the families get together for

celebration of the wedding. The family members do a choreographed dance on stage on wedding songs. Background informaton

The Sangeet ceremony is one of the vital rituals in an Indian wedding. This ceremony is the musical announcement of the couple’s union, their love and

prayers for their happy married life.

Sangeet Ceremonies are usually held after the Mehndi Ceremony or along with it. The women folk of the household gather around the bride or sometimes, professional groups are called upon to perform the sangeet ceremony. The songs sung are all related to marriages and unifications, usually with folk lyrics and traditional music. The music that is played in the ceremony varies. Bhangra, Indi pop, Hindi film scores, are the common preferences. At the Fabiani / Assomull wedding

An extension will actually be built onto the terrace of the Hotel de Paris, famous for its excellent view of the formula one cars driving past Casino Square during the Monaco Grand Prix, in order to create additional space to accommodate all 600 guests at the Salle Empire. Date and Venue

The Salle Empire of the Hotel de Paris. Sunday night 20th March.

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The Baraat Summary This is the bridegroom’s wedding procession. It is the customary trip which he

makes to travel to the wedding venue on a horse, accompanied by his family members. Background information

The baraat can become a large procession, with its own band and dancers. The groom and his horse are covered in finery and do not usually take part in the dancing and singing; that is left to the “baraatis” or people accompanying the

procession. The groom usually carries a sword. The term baraati is also more generically used to describe any invitee from the groom’s side.

At the Fabiani / Assomull wedding

The groom will be riding a white horse and leaving from Casino Square. We will have traffic diverted and the Avenue des Beaux Arts cleared of traffic so that the procession can go up the street and arrive at the Hotel Hermitage.

Date and Venue

Monday, March 21st in the area between Casino Square and the Hotel Hermitage.

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The Symbolism of Elephants in Indian Culture Summary

Elephants have long been a symbol of good luck in India. Whether the groom's entrance is upon one, they are used in the decorations and on invitations. An elephant with a raised trunk is likely to be found bringing a ton of good wishes and luck during the celebration. The elephant is broadly associated with the powers that support and protect life. Background information

The elephant has enjoyed the charismatic status in South Asia from the earliest times, and its representations in stone and painting are ubiquitous. The Indus Valley seals depict the elephant in graceful aspects standing over a manger, creating the impression that it was already a domesticated animal and of artistic and possibly religious importance. At the Fabiani / Assomull wedding

One of the major highlights of the wedding celebrations will be seeing two Indian elephants on Monaco’s casino square and the departure of the groom on a horse leading a procession of guests up Avenue des Beaux Arts.

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The Pheras (Wedding Ceremony) Summary

This is in fact the most important event during the entire wedding celebrations, as it is the wedding itself. It is purely based on rituals. The ceremony, which is conducted by the pandit (wise or learned man), recites mantras and the couple becomes married. The bride and groom must go around the fire 7 times and recite their vows to each other. The two families are also involved in the ceremony, and the brother of the bride has an important role to play. After the Pheras takes place, the couple is considered married. The Meaning of Seven Pheras

Hindu marriage ceremonies involve elaborate rituals, one of the most important being the "saat phere" or the seven steps to marriage. This ritual involves the bride and groom walking around the sacred fire seven times while the priest chants the holy mantras. With every step, the couple invokes the Gods to shower their blessings on them. These seven vows are known as Saptadi, and the significance of each sacred "phera" is as follows: First Step

The couple invokes the gods for plenty of pure and nourishing food. "With God as our guide, let us take the first step to live with honour and respect. Let us walk together so we get food," the couple prays. Second Step

With the second step, the couple prays to the Gods to give them the mental, physical and spiritual strength to lead a healthy life. "Let us be happy and enjoy life. Let us walk together so we grow together in strength," they pray. Third Step

The third step is for preserving wealth and prosperity in life. The chant at this stage means, "let us share joys and pains together. Let us walk together so we get wealth." Fourth Step

With the fourth step, the bride and groom invoke the gods for attainment of happiness and harmony by mutual love and trust in all walks of life. "Let us not forget parents and elders. Let us walk together so we get happiness by sharing our joys and sorrows," they say. Fifth Step

They pray for the welfare of all living beings in the Universe and pray for virtuous, noble and heroic children." Let us observe all acts of charity. Let us walk together so we have family," the mantras say. Sixth Step

They ask the gods to give them a long, joyous life and togetherness forever. "Let us live a long and peaceful life. Let us walk together so we have joy," the couple prays. Seventh Step

With the seventh, and last, step, the couple prays for understanding, companionship, loyalty and unity. "Let us be friends with love and sacrifice. Let us walk together so we have friendship," the holy chants signify. Page 22


After the seventh step has been taken, the groom says to the bride: "With seven steps we have become friends. Let me reach your friendship. Let me not be severed from your friendship. Let your friendship not be severed from me." At the Fabiani / Assomull wedding: The Mandap, or pavilion type marquee

where the ceremony will take place, will be placed on the stage of the Salle Garnier of the Opera de Monte-Carlo.

Date and Venue: Salle Garnier of the Opera de Monte-Carlo on Monday the 21st

of March.

The Mandap The mandap, or wedding pavilion, is a major part of any Indian wedding. The most important part of the 4 days of celebrations will take place under it, in the form of the wedding celebration itself (see above). It will be exquisitely decorated with traditional Indian ornaments and flowers. This sacred structure will be supported by four pillars under which the bride and groom are seated and exchange their wedding vows.The four-pillared structure is said to represents the four Vedas as well as the four goals of a fulfilled Hindu life (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha). The symbolism of the mandap goes further with each pillar being understood to represent the four parents of the couple, without whose support, love and blessings, the marriage would not have come to take place. At the Fabiani / Assomull wedding

The Mandap, or pavilion type marquee where the ceremony will take place, will be placed on the stage of the Salle Garnier of the Opera de Monte-Carlo.

These texts were gleaned from the internet and are included in order to give members of the press general information on the Indian traditions involved and therefore should not be lifted verbatim without the permission of the authors. Photos on this fact sheet should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte-Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter).

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The fashion element: the wedding attire for the bride and groom and the guests One of the main components of this wedding will definitely be the designer fashions on show: nothing spells luxury like a High Society Indian Wedding...

Traditional Indian wedding gowns and groom’s attire are much more lavish than so-called western wedding gowns. If one were to leaf through the major Indian Bridal magazines, one would find truly amazing dresses, fit for royalty. The Fabiani/Assomull wedding fashions, as far as the couple, their families and their guests are concerned, promise to be one of the high-fashion events of the year in the Principality. The Official Press Wedding Photographers will be capturing photos of these fashions and high-resolution images will be placed at the disposal of accredited members of the press, free of charge, immediately after the wedding.

Photos on this fact sheet should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte-Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter).

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Kajal Fabiani’s wedding dress and other outfits and accessories worn during the wedding celebrations

One of the high points of the wedding celebrations will be to see the bride in her bridal outfits, and we expect the wedding attire to be featured prominently in international bridal magazines as well as in Indian ones. We obviously do not have any pictures of her wedding outfits because they will all be surprises to her guests, family and of course, the groom! Details about the designers, the fabrics and ornaments used, etc. will also be furnished.

Photos on this fact sheet should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte-Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter)

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Sample article using the “Monaco angle” Monaco means luxury. Monaco means romance. Monaco means... weddings!

Monaco has longtime been considered the epitomy of class, glamour and the jetset lifestyle. As far as weddings are concerned, it of course made world headlines when Prince Rainier III married movie-star Grace Kelly in 1955 and will do so again later on this year with Prince Albert II’s marriage to Charlene Wittstoc k. However, yet another big wedding just made the news this week in the Principality, with the nuptials of Indian high-society couple Kajal Fabiani and Gaurav Assomull, whose 600 guests were treated to the biggest and most grandiose destination wedding ever to hit Monaco. This four-day event was an intriguing combination of Indian traditions and Monaco belle-epoque luxury, with celebrations taking place in Monte Carlo SBM’s top venues such as the Hotel de Paris, the Hotel Hermitage On Monday 21st March, traffic was diverted off of Avenue des Beaux Arts in order for the Baraat procession to take place: the groom rode a white horse and led hundreds of guests past famous luxury boutiques on their way down to Casino square, where the unusual sight of two elephants in Indian headdresses greeted the well-wishers. The wedding ceremony itself took place in none other than the Salle Garnier of the Opera de Monte-Carlo, which had certainly seen numerous ballets and worldclass productions over the years, but had never played host to a traditional Sindhi Hindu wedding. Frank Damgaard of Monte-Carlo Weddings, the wedding planning company entrusted with local logistics, mused: ‘ It was a real pleasure to stage an event of this magnitude. Monaco offers all the right ingredients for couples searching for the perfect destination wedding: the 5-star luxury hotels, the famous wedding venues and the full support of the local authorities, who are aware of the potential of this niche market.”

These texts can be used freely without author mention. Photos on this fact sheet should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high- definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte- Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter).

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Radio Blurb Over the past few days Monaco hosted the biggest luxury destination wedding ever to hit the Principality. Indian socialites Kajal Fabiani and Gaurav Assomull treated their 600 guests to four days of wedding celebrations held all over the Principality, including at Monte Carlo SBM’s Hotel de Paris, Hotel Hermitage and

the Salle des Etoiles, where Akon performed live. Highlights included a traffic-stopping procession up Avenue des Beaux Arts led by the groom on a white horse, a wedding ceremony at the Salle Garnier of the Opera de Monte-Carlo and two elephants in Indian headdresses on Casino square.

97 words, 35 seconds.

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The venues used for this wedding th

Friday 18 March

th

Saturday 19 March

Youngsters’ Party

Buddah Bar

Welcome Party

Grimaldi Forum’s “Café Llorca”

th

Sunday 20 March

st

Monday 21 March

Mehndi Party

Hotel Hermitage

Sangeet Party

Salle Empire, Hotel de Paris

Baraat Ceremony (groom on horse followed by procession of guests)

from Casino Square to the Hotel Hermitage

Appearance of two Elephants

Casino Square

Pheras Wedding Ceremony

Salle Garnier, Opera de MonteCarlo

Post-Wedding Cocktail

Atrium of the Casino

Gala evening with Performance by Akon

Salle des Etoiles, Sporting d’Ete

These texts can be used freely without author mention. Photos on this fact sheet should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter).

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The guests who will attend the wedding The guests at this wedding will literally read as a “Who’s Who” of the Indian jetset. Millionaires, billionaires, successful business people and celebrities on the social scene, guests at the Fabiani/Assomull wedding are used to the best of the best and that is exactly what they will be treated to during this wedding. The festivities will certain to go down in Indian high society history as the biggest and best destination wedding ever to be organised by an Indian family.

These texts can be used freely without author mention. Photos on this fact sheet should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings,

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Monaco Tourism office and Monte Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter).

The Indian decorations and fabrics to be used for the wedding Red, gold and a rainbow of colours will make this wedding a photographer’s

dream. A lot of effort has gone into planning the decorations down to the very last detail and they promise to be elegant, refined and dramatic.

These texts can be used freely without author mention. Photos on this fact sheet should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter).

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The culinary aspect: Indian delights abound! The 600 Fabiani/Assomull wedding guests will be treated to the best of the best and as such will eat like kings and queens at every single event. Indian chefs will be flown in for the occasion and will combine their efforts and expertise with Monaco’s top chefs and caterers. We will be providing information on what the guests ate alongside the photographs, post-wedding.

These texts can be used freely without author mention. Photos on this fact sheet should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter)

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The logo of the wedding As is customary, a logo was created for this event, representing the first letter of the the bride’s first name (Kajal) and the first letter of the groom’s first name

(Gaurav). It was incorporated into the invitations (shown here) and many other elements of the wedding.

These texts can be used freely without author mention. This logo should not be reproduced as is, nor should the picture of the wedding invitation. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter).

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Articles about the couple and their families which have appeared in the press

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http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_it-s-like-marrying-your-bestfriend-gaurav-assomull_1443962

It’s like marrying your best friend: Gaurav Assomull Published: Monday, Sep 27, 2010, 10:46 IST By Ismat Tahseen | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

Sure, destiny rules! Just ask society darlings Gaurav Assomull and Kajal Fabiani whose lives seem peppered with a dash of romance, right timing and style. Having met 10 years ago “as children” and then recently dated for a year to finally decide to get married, fate’s played Cupid alright! For last July, he proposed, admitting to have “no rehearsed speech” at the Albert Hall, London, leaving her so touched that she cried! “Gaurav lied to me and said he

had to pick up some tickets for his dad, so I went there with him.

And before I knew it we were both alone inside the Royal Albert Hall and he was down on one knee. I was in absolute shock and began to cry….it was such a memorable day,” she recalls. “We have grown to be the bestest of friends and knowing each other meant it was easier to break the ice from the start,” starts Gaurav seated at his French windowed home. So, is it like marrying your best friend? “Yes, indeed,” smiles the

bride-to-be. “We

first met in London randomly through our brothers and then when he moved to India a few years ago we started hanging out a lot more as we had common friends.” The latter also share similar leisure pursuits. “For one, we are both foodies,” says Gaurav. “Yes, eating, travelling and playing cards…we both could live our lives doing this,” she laughs. With his professional commitment keeping him busy (Gaurav’s working on renewable energy in India) and she’s got her own baby Villa 39, it’s probably not easy juggling preparations for the wedding. “Well, D -Day is next March, so there’s time,” he says. As Kajal grew up in Spain and Gaurav in England, society’s abuzz with whispers of a location in Europe. “We want a destination wedding, that’s for sure,” he admits, as she joins in, “It’s been tough finding the right venues for each event as we want everything to be perfect. We also want to make it as intimate, as we’d like to know everyone at our wedding, so about 500 people,” she says.

These texts are taken from the internet link mentioned above. Photos on this fact sheet should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter).

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http://weddingsutra.com/blog/index.php/tag/gaurav-assomull/ Posts Tagged ‘Gaurav Assomull’

KAJAL FABIANI AND GAURAV ASSOMULL TO MARRY IN MONTE CARLO

SEP 30, 2010 Celeb Weddings to Watch out for Society darlings Kajal Fabiani and Gaurav Assomull are marrying in March 2011. And their Destination Wedding is in Monte Carlo. Says Kajal who runs Villa 39, the fine dining restaurant in Colaba, Mumbai: “It took us a lot of efforts to find the right venue for our intimate celebration. We’ve more or less finalised the finer details, but at this point, we’d like to keep it

private and a surprise experience for all our guests.”

Gaurav grew up in England and now runs a Mumbai/ Delhi based business. The glamorous couple first met as children and a decade later they met through common friends in London. After dating for a while, Gaurav surprised Kajal with a proposal at the Royal Albert Hall. Around 500 guests are expected to attend what is likely to be the most exotic Indian Wedding at an International locale. And the Wedding in the unique fairytale country, is sure to be a unique experience for all the privileged guests.


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http://www.magnamags.com/content/view/3384/329/lang,english/

« OOZING ELEGANCE » Article for Magnamags.com Society

[03 Jan 2009]

(About the Groom’s Mother – Sangeeta Assomull)

SANGEETA ASSOMULL MIGHT HAVE BROUGHT SUPER LUXURIOUS LABELS LIKE JUDITH LEIBER AND XESS COUTURE TO INDIA BUT THERE IS A LOT MORE TO HER THAN A BUSINESS SAVVY MIND THE ELEGANT LADY IS ALSO AN ACTIVE PARTNER IN HER HUSBAND MADAN K ASSOMULL’S BUSINESS VENTURES AND A LOVING MOTHER TO

TWO GORGEOUS SONS GAURAV AND VIKRAM.

IN A CHAT WITH SOCIETY WORLD OF LUXURY, SHE TALKS ABOUT THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO HER LUXURY BRANDS AND HER PASSION FOR FASHION What does style mean to you? How do you define your personal style?

Style to me is something that comes from within and you inherently have it. It is very difficult to create. Style is about being completely feminine and absolutely confident. In terms of my personal style, I think I am a little more daring than a lot of other people. I am not particularly fond of trousers. I love dresses and especially the long ones. I think saris are great. Even at work I always dress up very elegantly. How did the Judith Leiber venture take shape? How is the response to the brand?

Funnily enough, Leiber was actually my husband’s idea. Having grown up with Leiber, one always saw it. During shifting house one day, we were packing and I realised that among all the bags I had packed over the years, it was always the Leibers that I never gave away. So many Leibers showed up in my collection about which I had forgotten over the years. They never go out of fashion. My husband felt that they are timeless and not dependent on seasons besides being fun to carry. The response to Leiber has been phenomenal. Anyone who has ever owned a Leiber has never given it away. When we did a survey on Leiber and spoke to the society ladies and socialites, none of them had ever given away their Leibers and they were handed down to them by their parents. Leiber in India is the most logical brand especially when the bridal market is so large that no trousseau is complete without a Leiber. The potential for Leiber is huge. How do Xess couture and Judith Leiber tie in with the Indian clothing scenario?

Xess couture was our initial stepping stone into India. It became my baby and that was how I saw women in India. It is about the beauty of the cuts and the way couture is made. Xess intimate is the lingerie line, which is also a part of the Page 36


bridal trousseau. For Leiber we would like the help of Bollywood and also the Indian designers.

The Indian couture and Judith Leiber are in synergy with each other. Judith Leiber has its own designing team and a creative director who studies the changes in the trends and the revival of the old pieces. For instance the Peacock collection has been re-configured in terms of stones and the colour palette. Ganesh - the limited edition collection was created for the Indian market and had met with a huge response and the allocated 12 pieces were sold out. The creative design team of Leiber exactly knows what has to be revived at the right time. Leiber has simply no competition. It is super luxury and there is no duplicate. Our novelties are unique. You have a lot of designers making satin and beaded bags but Leiber and its novelties have exclusively created patterns. It is a tribute to the bride and the brand has immense staying power. Every first lady and red carpet dazzler has carried a Leiber bag so I don’t think there is any competition. Xess couture is known for corsets and they are our strong points. We have tapped couture in the corset area to the fullest potential. It can be worn with a pair of jeans, with a sari or under a suit so we manage to capture that niche market. Xess is about confidence. It can be very risqué but again it is about confidence. We have a golden rule. We either show cleavage or legs and that’s true for all our outfits You will never find it sexy and revealing. If there is a cleavage showing then it will be a long dress going down. Xess couture conceptualises what fits into our design. Christie, the Italian brand has the most spectacular collection and we take everything from them with slight amendment for the Indian market. How did you develop a flair for fashion and jewellery?

I grew up in a family where clothing and jewellery were very much a part of our everyday lifestyle. For us luxury was not about impressing other people. It was about the luxury at home. It was about perfection, for instance, a polished silver tray with a white linen napkin, morning tea and a rose meant breakfast to me. It was the luxury of style and comfort at home that came first. Tracksuits and leggings, thank god, didn’t exist then. I always saw my mother beautifully dressed when it was time for my dad to come home. There was no question of her sitting in a kaftan. My mother ’s lingerie would be packed discreetly in pouches. All the lingerie was to be hand washed by me even when I was a child. A sense of style and luxury was something that we grew up with. What kind of interior and décor do you prefer at your houses in Mumbai and London? Which is an ideal ambience for you?

I have to give full credit for the interiors of my Mumbai house to my exceptionally talented mother-in-law. This is her home and she has an impeccable taste in interior. My husband’s and my taste in interiors are little more minimal. We love bright colours. Our London home has dark colours with a purple Fendi sofa in the middle of the living room. We are partial to arts, sculptures and Confetti, a brand that we will be introducing in India in the coming months. Who are your favourite designers in India and abroad?

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I am very partial to Suneet Varma and also love Rohit Bal. Both these boys are extra-ordinarily talented. Indian couture came with Rohit Khosla who unfortunately passed away but I think that Suneet and Rohit have very much carried the torch forward. Among the European designers, I am particularly fond of Bluemarine. I do wear a lot of Prada. I am partial to Columbian designer Franchesca Mirando. We are already starting to work with Suneet Varma. He had a meeting with Franks Ambrelli, the creative director of Judith Leiber. We would like to work with Suneet when we work for the next collection. Last one year it was difficult to catch up with the fashion weeks since we were busy building the brand, travelling a lot and setting up the business. Without a doubt, the Lakme fashion week is very well done. I go for the private viewings. We are working closely with a couple of European brands. Celine and Missoni invited us to their shows. What’s your idea of a perfect holiday?

For me the best holiday is when I am skiing with my boys. When it comes to my private time, there is nothing like the spa, the sun and the beach. My elder son Gaurav has graduated from a university in Paris in business and is looking forward to coming to India; while my younger son Vikram is studying. You are also a patron of art. Tell us about your interest in art.

We had a love marriage. My husband and I have always liked unusual arts - very loud and eye catching. We particularly like Salavdore Dalli. Over the years we collected a lot of Indian and European contemporary art. Art has always been a part of our beautiful home. Art keeps us together. Do you enjoy cars?

Frankly, I am not particularly fond of cars. I drive a Porsche. But I am also partial to driving my husband’s Bentle y, which I steal in his absence.

Tell us about your fashion fetish.

I have a huge fetish for a big cocktail bracelet. Any man out there who wants to woo me can send me one. I never buy anything readymade and always spend some time choosing my collection. My favourite pieces are the gold Mogul coins, mounted on a spectacular gold necklace, which I got when I was married. What does luxury mean to you?

Luxury to me is time. It is a perfection of simplicity. It is about being completely confident and complete with what one has. Luxury is being chic in my bed when tea is served when I wake up. It is what I appreciate in life and it is not what I show to others. It is a selfish luxury in a funny way and what goes on in the privacy of my home. I don’t see anything expensive as necessarily luxury. I feel

anything,

which

is

limited,

exclusive

and

unavailable

is

luxury.

Which city according to you is the fashion capital of the world?

Without a doubt, Paris. I have an affinity to Paris. I studied there; my son studied Page 38


there. There is something fashionable about putting your foot in the Parisian soil and it makes you feel fashionable and like a woman 24X 7. Do you think India has a potential for luxury retail market?

I think the market in India is always going to be there. Luxury existed with our maharajas and revival came with the international fashion brands coming in. There is lot of impulse buying and sisterhood buying which goes on. If I wore a pair of designer shoe and my friend sees it, she would want to pop in at any store either in Delhi or Mumbai and buy it. What is going to be a problem is the seasonal impact.

In European countries, spring summer deliveries happen in February-March while in India everything shuts in April and people migrate towards west when the schools close. So spring summer collections don’t have a fullest potential in India. Leiber and lingerie is non seasonal. India has a good mix of domestic and international designers, which is not the case in other countries. A combination of Indian couture and European accessory is a great thing. Are you also a connoisseur of food?

I am not a foodie. I love sushi and could live on it. Fortunately on the day I got married and was leaving my mother’s home, she blessed me with a thousand

servants. So I never had to cook.

Do you look up to someone as a style icon?

Sophia Loren without a doubt a complete woman and I would love to be like her when I grow old.

BY MANISH MISHRA

These texts are taken from the internet link mentioned above.

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http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/sunday-et/indulge/Weddingwanderlust-The-big-fat-Indian-wedding-moveoffshores/articleshow/6922446.cms

Wedding wanderlust: The big fat Indian wedding move offshores Read more on »wedding wanderlust|offshores|indian wedding

Gaurav Assomull, CEO of Delhi-based luxury company Marigold Group and his fiancée Kajal Fabiani are busy working out the nitty-gritties of their dream wedding in March next year. The destination of their choice: Monaco in Europe. Ask Assomull the reason for choosing this destination for his wedding and he says, "We wanted a very small wedding with few people. There will be around 500 people. Monaco is a place which my fiancée and I have been visiting for many years. It's wonderful and very exotic... that's why it appealed to us." The Jindals too chose Florence for their younger daughter Tanvi Jindal when they flew down 300 guests to the venue earlier this year. While destination weddings have always been extremely popular with the well-heeled , there are now more exotic locations that are being sought after by Indians. Locations such as Indonesia , Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Greece and Morocco are scaling up in popularity. So Indians are not restricting themselves to nearby locales such as Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong anymore. "A French Riviera wedding is quite popular. Penang and Langkawi in Malaysia are being looked at as well. Monte Carlo, Nice and Mauritius are other unconventional destinations that are picking up," says wedding planner Swati Pandya Sood. Sood, currently, has her hands full for the wedding season. She has two destination weddings coming up in Langkawi in Malaysia and Koh Samui in Thailand. The fascination of making the wedding ceremony a much remembered affair makes these destinations quite attractive. "Everyone wants to be different. Ceremonies in exotic locations abroad no doubt add a distinct signature style to the wedding," adds Sood. The ceremonies held here are no less extravagant. Right from a creative decor theme such as Arabic, Victorian, Crystal, Oriental, Moroccan to lavish entertainment functions spread over 4-5 days make it an indulgent occasion. And if you want to make your guests feel special, you can ensure that they are driven to the venue in a limousine! The cost dynamics and other logistics in these locations work out effectively. Usually the wedding extravaganza in international destinations is limited to around 200 people. Costs would vary depending on the type of accommodation, entertainment and decor options and of course the flight tickets. If you want to wander off to European destinations such as Greece and Morocco for your wedding, costs can easily go in the range of 5 crore and above. But in locations such as Langkawi, it could work out even in the range of 70 lakh1 crore. Says wedding industry consultant Meher Sarid, "Cost mechanics work Page 40


out almost equivalent to a wedding in India and sometimes it's even more economical as there are limited number of people in ceremonies abroad." Sarid recently was approached by representatives of Tourism Boards from Singapore, Mauritius, Malaysia and Thailand as well as by many luxury hotel chains such as The Venetian-Macau , Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit-Bangkok and The Marina Bay Sands-Singapore . "I was approached by these tourism boards as they are aggressively looking at tapping the lavish Indian wedding market. Globally, the focus is on India. These kind of weddings are targeted at 10 per cent of the niche market who have the spending capability and the understanding of such top-end services," she adds. Wedding planner Neeta Raheja who just returned from an Indian destination wedding in Banff, Canada says that the super rich want something extraordinary. "Of course, it is a symbol of status and prestige too to organise a wedding in such mesmerising locations. Moreover, it helps you to interact with a close-knit group. It stays in the minds of people for a long time to come." So if you want to exchange your nuptial vows in a way that will be unforgettable, choose a unique destination and capture the memories forever.


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http://www.allvoices.com/s/event5446829/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5kbmFpbmRpYS5jb20vbGlmZXN0eWxlL3Jlc G9ydF9pdGFsaWFuLXJlc3RvLWxvdW5nZS1vcGVucy1pbi1jb2xhYmEtb XVtYmFpLXRoaXMtd2Vla18xMzYxNTMz

Italian resto-lounge opens in Colaba, Mumbai this week Published: Sunday, Mar 21, 2010, 10:43 I ST

By Farhad J Dadyburjor | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

It all started with a simple grouse. “I’m

a complete foodie, I love going out and having a good all-rounded meal,” says 25-year-old Kajal Fabiani. “But when my friends and I would go out at night, we always had a problem choosing a fun restaurant - either the place was too boring, packed with kids or the music was some weird Oriental stuff. The vibe was just not right! And everywhere you go in the world whether it’s Madri d, New York, London or Rome - you find fun, trendy restaurants that are not necessarily stuffy.” Having grown up in Madrid, investment czar Kamal Fabiani’s daughter jet setted across the globe and has been a regular fixture on Mumbai’s social circuit. Ask her about her guilty pleasures, and she squeals, “Chocolates and rose champagne. But it’s really fattening!” That apart, Kajal enjoys a passion for retail therapy. “In India, JJ Valaya is my absolute favourite designer - he’ll definitely make my wedding outfit,” she laughs. “Also, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla and Sherina Dalamal, who I grew up with in London. She has some really chilled dresses. In Europe, it’s

definitely Chanel for handbags, Hermes for their accessories, a lot of DVF (Diane Von Furstenberg) and Marc Jacobs. I like a lot of wearable clothes that you can just dress up and dress down. So yes, Dolce (and Gabbana) for sure, I love Dolce…and Miu Miu for s hoes.”

With plans of setting up a branch in Bandra next and Bangalore soon, ask her lastly if she’s a good cook herself? “Oh God, I’m really bad - I can barely cook eggs without shells in them,” laughs K ajal.

These texts are taken from the internet link mentioned above. Photos on this fact sheet should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high- definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter).

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http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_gaurav-and-vickram-assomullbring-international-art-to-indian-shores_1341201

Gaurav and Vickram Assomull bring international art to Indian shores Published: Saturday, Jan 30, 2010, 23:59 IST By Rashmi Hemarajani | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA It is not often that we get to see a 24-year-old standing tall at an art gallery.Gaurav and Vickram Assomull are here to bust the myth with the two brothers now having ventured into art. Gaurav says, “Among many re asons, I saw there was a huge gap in the market. Not a lot of people were selling international art. I have grown up with art around me and it has always been a great influence in my life.”

Gaurav has acquired double honours in International Business from the British Institute in Paris. With a keen interest in art, he expanded his knowledge at the Bel Air Fine Art Gallery in Geneva and St Tropez. On the hand, Vickram has worked with an art gallery in London for over two years. Vickram says, “We wanted pra ctical knowledge about how to run a gallery. Thus, working with an art gallery was very helpful.” The brothers

started their venture in November 2008 and which has since scaled heights. Gaurav explains, “I think what has made us click is that we understand and value our customer. My brother Vickram and I personally hand-deliver the pieces; so whether it is Vikrohli or Chembur at 8:30am, we have gone and delivered the artwork.”

Vickram is of the opinion that art can be for young people too. Gaurav agrees, “There are a lot of people who go abroad to study and then come back home and start up their lives; the very basic is to get a pad and do it up. They value international art as they know its worth.” The brothers, however, do not have plans to start with In dian art yet. They explain, “There is already huge competition in that area.”

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http://www.livemint.com/2008/11/28233836/Luxury-Notes--Dali-inDelhi.html

Luxury Notes | Dali in Delhi A new gallery will be the first in India to deal exclusively in European art

When it opened its doors at The Claridges, New Delhi, last week, Marigold Fine Art Gallery became the first gallery in India dedicated exclusively to European contemporary and modern art. Its inaugural show included three signed lithographs by Pablo Picasso and three sculptures by Salvador Dali, along with paintings and sculptures by contemporary European artists such as Stéphane Cipre and Jörg Döring. Surreal: Profile of Time by Salvador Dali.

Gaurav Assomull, CEO, Marigold Fine Arts (MFA), says the fact that the Indian art buyer is ready to look beyond works by Indian artists became apparent after the success of Vadehra Art gallery’s Picasso exhibition in

New Delhi in 2006.

Admittedly, the economic scenario has altered vastly since they came up with a business model nine months ago but Assomull remains hopeful, pointing out the stability of European art pricing. “Picassos and Dalis increase (in value) annually at 6-8%,” he says. “They are not affected by the market’s ups and downs.”

The Picasso lithographs, signed and dated, are priced at an “affordable” Rs7-10 lakh and the Dali sculptures at Rs15-25 lakh. Some of the more contemporary names, such as Cipre, Armand Pierre Fernandez and Franck Tordjmann, have established themselves in the European market, says Assomull, and are also good buys at prices ranging from Rs5 lakh-Rs30 lakh. “We have the first mover advantage in European art,” he says. “So far, we have purchased 30-35 pieces to exhibit and sell.” By February -March, MFA will

increase its collection to 150 pieces for travelling shows in Delhi and Mumbai, with original artworks by Fernando Botero, Claude Monet and Georges Braque in addition to Picasso and Dali. Assomull hopes to target a clientele of 300-500 people in India. “It might take a little time to tap the Indian market but then European art is in a league of its own,” he says.


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http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/24709/In+the+city.html?complete=1

INDIAN ART MARKET IS BOOMING Heir to the Marigold Group, Gaurav Assomull, 23, has set up an art gallery that exhibits European art, at the Claridges Hotel. A first of its kind in India, the gallery’s inaugural exhibits comprise works of Picasso and Dali. He reveals his plans for the gallery in a chat with Shruti Chauhan.

Q. What’s the idea behind this gallery?

A. The

art market in India is booming. The quality of art collectors in India has matured over the years. I realised that the Indian art market will not be conducive to paintings priced at millions. But I did want to showcase the affordable works of some European painters to the Indian collectors. Q. Any prior training in the field? A. I’m a graduate in fine arts and business and I worked for a couple of years in

art galleries in Geneva and Southern France to figure out the dynamics. I have studied the Indian market and know what kind of art will be appreciated here. Q. What makes this gallery stand out? How will you ensure its success? A. The

gallery promises collectors authentic and affordable pieces of art. I am introducing fresh and different works to Indian clients. They are neither steeply priced nor overexposed. While a Picasso attracts clients, a Dali is what I get them acquainted with here. I believe in educating the collectors. Q. What next? A. I

am planning to exhibit a new collection, handpicked by me, from Geneva, later this month. I am also planning to set up branches of Marigold Art Gallery in Mumbai and Bangalore by March next year.

These texts are taken from the internet link mentioned above. Photos on this fact sheet should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high- definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter).

Page 45


Articles about the business / tourism aspect of this wedding and the benefits Monaco will reap

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http://www.travtalkindia.com/pdfs/june1st09.pdf

TRAVTALK: South Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Fortnightly

Monaco tourism aims to triple the tourist arrivals from India By Luvleena Walia MONACO TOURISM aims to increase tourist arrivals from India this year. Michel Bouquier, president, Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority (MGTCA) while speaking to TRAVTALK, shares the future plans of the tourism board for India

With around 1,000 Indian tourists visiting Monaco in 2008 and notching up approximately 2,929 overnight stays, the MGTCA hopes that the number will triple in the next two years. Speaking on the trend of the Indian traffic, Bouquier said, “The 1,000 Indians who visited

Monaco were those Indians who have stayed overnight in Monaco. The present trend is that Indian travellers prefer a day’s excursion to Monaco,

which means that a large number of tourists visit Monaco, however, do not stay overnight.”

Monaco tourism plans to focus more on high net individuals and upscale incentive groups only. This is because the tourismboard aims to set its approach on high quality travellers. “We plan to launch an attractive promotional strategy in the

Indianmarket and position Monaco as a key quality and upscale destination for sophisticated international Indian travellers, both individual leisure and incentive groups. Individual leisure is the only segment that can be accounted for from India so far and this leisure segment represents 78 per cent of the total hotel room nights of the principality,” he said. Whatever the impact of the meltdown might be, the tourism board didn’t register any cancellations from India. “Thanks

to our continuous efforts,Monaco has become a global brand with leisure visitors coming from different countries, including India. However, the MICE segment with

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only 22 per cent of total hotel stays is the segment which is most affected by global recession,” he said.

The main focus for Indian market would be to increase the overnight stays in Monaco, target the MICE market and position Monaco as a luxury travel destination. “Currently, Monaco mainly gets FIT and leisure traffic from India and our goal is to get other segments to visit and stay in Monaco,” he added.

At present, the tourism board is also finalizing the setting up of its website and will launch a link to all special offers and packages available in the principality. With majority of hotels either being new or completely refurbished, the tourism board is optimistic about tourist arrivals because Monaco is a real ‘spa destination’ with three major centres where luxury travellers can spend a full week of spa treatments and well-being.


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http://www.indianshowbusiness.com/?p=9251

Monaco Tourism and Convention Authority aims to tap India market Michel Bouquier, President, Monaco Tourism and Convention Authority, was in India to assist and support the Indian travel. Sector to understand the potential of Monaco tourism. Monaco Tourism and Convention Authority along with Monte Carlo – S.B.M Hotels and Casinos, organized a four-day road show in December in New Delhi and Mumbai to sho wcase ‘Destination Monaco’.

Showcasing Monaco, as one of the leading travel and leisure destinations in the world, Indian tour operators were informed about various experiences, products and itineraries related to Monaco. Michel Bouquier, President, Monaco Tourism and Convention Authority, is currently in India to assist and support the Indian travel fraternity in selling Monaco to Indian travelers. Speaking on the purpose of Destination Monaco, Bouquier said, “The goal for

Destination Monaco is, to develop a multi-faceted strategy in trying to spread the tourist flow year-round. The main focus is to develop the conference and incentive market while also targeting the international independent travelers. The aim is to remain competitive through a targeted and segmented sales and marketing strategy, while being creative in meeting the demands of today’s

traveler. Our main focus is on the synergy of all partners, and professional bodies to develop strong and long term strategic alliances.” Nestled on the Riviera between France and Italy, the sovereign city-state of Monaco currently has nearly five million visitors every year. Every year, thousands of tourists visit Monaco’s major attractions, such as the Prince’s

Palace, the Oceanographic Museum and the Monaco Cathedral. One of the major attractions includes the Construction of the large dam at Port Hercule in 2002, bringing a significant boost to Cruise Tourism in Monaco. Monaco also focuses on Business Tourism, with a number of facilities used to host international congresses and meetings. Monaco is home to a number of high-profile international events including –The Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Monte Carlo Rally, the Monte Carlo Masters Tennis Tournament and the Hercules Athletics Meeting. The cultural calendar features performances by the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, Ballet and Opera, the latter of which performs in Salle Garnier, built in 1879 and considered one of the finest examples of Monaco’s architectural heritage. In January each year, Monaco becomes the world’s circus capital when the International Circus Festival comes to town.


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http://www.cfm.mc/C12576DB004DA33E/lkpResources/MonacoFT/$file/M onacoFT09-29-10.pdf

FINANCIAL TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

Principality seeks fresh sources of paying guests Conferences and emerging markets are target areas, writes Roger Blitz

One big society wedding in Monaco is definitely on next year’s social calendar – but there may be another. The world knows about Prince Albert’s nuptials. In July, the ruler of the

principality is marrying Charlene Wittstock, a South African swimmer. Less well known is a ceremony pencilled in for March.

As he sips coffee on a glorious September afternoon, Michel Bouquier, president of Monaco’s tourism and convention authority, reveals a conversation he has had that morning with an influential Indian citizen. “A friend of his is planning an Indian wedding in Monaco,” says Mr Bouquier. “That will be the first of its kind.” The guest list will number 1,000. “We’re talking high, high, high end. We’re talking the highest quality possible.” Mr Bouquier’s problem – how to accommodate them –

is a familiar one in Monaco, which has 11 hotels providing 2,600 four and five-star rooms, and no land for more. The Indian wedding will fill up three hotels on its own. At the Grimaldi Forum, Monaco’s convention -cumcultural centre, Sylvie Biancheri, its president, is not short of funds to invest. The Grimaldi Forum has €50m for redesigning the hall and public access. But she says: If she could ask Prince Albert for one wish, it would be for an extra hotel. “If you want to target the very big conventions, you need to be sure the availability of all the hotels is good,” she says. The forum makes the most of space – twothirds of its 7,500 sq m is underground – but its convention capacity is limited to

3,000. Monaco has taken its share of recession pain. Hotel revenues fell 11 per cent last year, but this year is better, up 28 per cent on business tourism and conventions, says Mr Bouquier – though 80 per cent of hotel activity comes from leisure visitors. The Monaco Yacht Show, the Monte Carlo International Television Festival, and leading conventions on anti-ageing, insurance and luxury packaging are mainstays, some of them regulars for more than 50 years, even if some have cut back on their duration. But Monaco is in competition with other destinations – with Singapore, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the luxury resort market, Barcelona, Berlin and several other European cities for business tourism – and the recession has the principality looking for new markets. That means challenging the perception that it is too expensive, something that puts off convention organisers in particular. “That’s the impression that we’re fighting against,” Mr Bouquier says. “They think they know Monaco, but actually they don’t know Monaco.” He reels off a story of how he persuaded one skeptical

conference organiser to make Monaco her first choice.

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Under the slogan “Enchante -moi Monaco”, the tourism authority has since the downturn sought to woo leisure visitors with price-conscious packages – spas,

helicopter tours, cooking demos, wine tasting, and the like. Attracting more priceconscious tourists is one of the targets Monaco hopes to have achieved by 2013. It also wants to set standards in eco-tourism, make more out of big cultural and sporting events and centres, such as its spring arts festival and Oceanographic Museum, and to improve the quality of its welcome. One tourism strength is the geographical spread of visitors. For example, its hotels pull in twice as many Japanese and Australians as does the average four- or five-star hotel on the French Riviera. It has 11 offices abroad, including in Sydney, Tokyo, Moscow, New Delhi and New York. A Sao Paulo office opens in January. It is also small enough to offer convention organizers banner promotions on public lamp posts. “We’ve got many taglines,” says Mr Bouquier: “Need a venue? We offer you a country.”

Ms Biancheri says because all the key individuals involved in hospitality and conventions are in such close contact, arranging a convention programme is easy, a factor becoming more important now that the lead time for conferences has come down so sharply. “It is more and more last minute,” she says. Tourism in Monaco is a fine balance, says Mr Bouquier. “We cannot focus only on one segment; that could be for nostalgic-only deluxe tourism for a few people,” he

says. That is why the Oceanographic Museum has staged an exhibition of the contemporary British artist Damien Hirst, while the Nouveau Museum de Monaco has just opened. Day visitors number up to 5m a year, but the big growth is in cruise passenger numbers, expected to rise this year by 40 per cent to about 400,000. At the same time, tapping the emerging travel markets such as China and India involves extolling what Monaco is all about . “Our job in China as well as in India is to position Monaco as the deluxe destination, the most sophisticated destination they can dream of,” says Mr Bouquier. “So we’re not talking about packages and rates, we’re talking about experience, high quality experience, about sophistication. “We’re talking about really the highest you could find.” If Monaco does get to host that prospective Indian

wedding party, those wedding guests should be in for the full deluxe treatment.


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http://www.expresstravelworld.com/201012/edge01.shtml

We think it is a good moment for us to debut in the Indian market’ Monaco is not just a hot spot for the uber rich, it also offers many options to the price-conscious upper middle class Indian traveller. Guillaume Rose, deputy general manager, Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority talks about their focussed approach to adapt to new markets like India. By Sudipta Dev

What is your perception of the Indian market? How has been the inflow of Indian tourists in the recent past?

We are two countries who have a common point in our way of thinking, in particular the cultural factor. We want to experience fun Guillaume and culture both at the same time. Monaco has been more or less Rose created at the end of the 19th century as a place where people can gamble and be entertained at the same time. We have a lot of expectations from the Indian market; in the last 10 years we saw an emerging India with an increasing spending power. So we think it is a good moment for us to debut in the Indian market. Last year there have been little below a thousand Indians who have stayed in Monaco. 2010 has seen the figure register an increase of 44 per cent. What we intend to target in 2011 is to double these figures. On an average how many days does an Indian tourist stay in Monaco? We are aware that a lot of people visit Monaco for one-day trips.

The average stay of Indian tourists is 3.2 days. It is a good average for us because usually it is 2.5 days for others. Indian tourists are staying in Monaco longer than those from other countries. Many people visit Monaco for one-day trips as it is very strategically located within the Riviera. If you are in Monaco you have the French and Italian Riviera on the left and the right. In fact, we are only 15 kms from Italy and 20 kms from Nice. Between Monaco and Nice, you have beautiful cities and little villages. There is Grasse, the perfume capital of the world. Do you have any statics on the average spend by Indians in Monaco?

We do not have any precise data on that but we know that they spend because they gamble and buy luxury products. They shop a lot. Monte Carlo is a big shopping destination for luxury products. What is your strategy for tapping the Indian market?

We started with a roadshow last year and this year we are continuing with a series of roadshows in New Delhi and Mumbai that will feature Destination Monaco. While we are attracting tourists, we are also engaging our trade partners in India so that with the increase in demand, there are also people to service them. Apart from that we also intend to take some fam trips and other regular interactions with media and trade. It is basically a two pronged strategy - where on one side we attract the consumers, simultaneously we are also also educating the trade. Page 52


Monaco is known to be a playground of the rich, so are you just focusing on the very high-end segment/the upper middle class?

Of course, Monaco in general is dedicated to high-end tourists, still it is a base for upper middle class because there is a lot of entertainment, nothing is expensive as far as cultural activities are concerned - concerts, opera, ballet and museums. We've got enough offerings which is wide ranging and reasonably priced. Let us say Monaco is not a cheap place but it could be definitely a reasonable place. Can you tell us more about the events and other attractions that will appeal to Indian tourists?

We have many events all around the year - from Jan 1 to December 31. In fact, we have 700 events in a year. Sporting events include Formula 1, tennis, athletics meet, football season, etc. Then there are the festivals like the TV festival and cinema festival. There is no week without one or two major events and several hundred events in a year. Monaco primarily attracts people who are interested in casinos, do you think that is a key attraction for Indian tourists?

In Monaco you can choose between going to a casino or a spa or wide ranging events. There are a lot of choices. Our main asset is that we are very small and very effectively organise a lot of things at the same time and at same place. So you just walk between an event to another, it is like a continuous party. Indians like to go to a destination that has a lot of offerings, Monaco despite its small size gives a wide array of options for the Indian tourist to choose from. He is not just limited to casinos, he has the option of discovering the local cuisine, shopping, culture, hire yachts. Monaco has been a spa destination from the beginning of the 19th century. So the high-end and upper class have a lot to indulge in. We know that Indian people love to travel with children, this year we opened a big complex for children where they can have fun, play, do skating, etc. We know that we have to adapt to new markets, specially India. Are you also targeting MICE clientele from India?

Of course we are. Monaco is a MICE country, 20 per cent of our market is MICE. We have a lot to offer particularly in terms of the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco and the Congress Centre. We have had some people coming from the MICE market last week. It is just the beginning. Monaco is a place for celebrations so we also want to attract the wedding segment from India. Whether it is a wedding or an event - we can give tailormade arrangements. Next year there are two key weddings in Monaco - one of the king and the other an Indian wedding. We will be very happy to see Indian people in Monaco. These texts are taken from the internet link mentioned above. Photos on this fact sheet should not be reproduced. An extensive array of high-definition photos covering all aspects of the 4-day wedding as well as Monte-Carlo Weddings, Monaco Tourism office and Monte Carlo SBM promotional photos will be made available free of charge to accredited members of the press (see cover letter).

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http://www.tourism-review.com/monaco-targets-indian-tourists-news2530

MONACO TARGETS INDIAN TOURISTS Date 13.12.2010

Monaco is renowned as a glamorous destination ideal for rich, luxury-seeking visitors. However, change is at hand as the Principality targets Indian cost-conscious travellers.

Monaco is a glamorous high-end destination where the richest like to ‘come and play’. Decades of luxury tourism have polished its reputation and today, visitors from all over the world come there to experience it, even if just for one day. Home to royalty, some of the world’s finest chefs or the F1 Grand Prix, Monaco welcomes some 4.5 million tourists annually. Year on year, the numbers of Indians coming there

increase, and nowadays they have reached a significant height local authorities can no longer overlook. The Monaco Government Tourist Office and Convention Authority (MGTOCA) has started a campaign to promote Monaco to Indian tourists who like to travel on a budget. At the end of November, the MGTOCA participated in organizing road shows in Mumbai and New Delhi; these focused on presenting appealing hospitality and tourism products. In short, the Indians were lured to visit Monaco to explore its culture and many entertaining events, come for a fantastic spa holiday, shopping tour, discover the gastronomic genius of local culinary talents, and experience a night at the casino. MGTOCA primarily targets India in terms of leisure holiday, honeymoons and weddings. In fact, a major wedding featuring hundreds of guests will take place there next year. Inviting representatives of Indian travel trade for FAM trips is a clear priority and organizing events of international exposure are likewise proving very effective. Monaco has seen James Bond or Alfred Hitchcock, but perhaps sometime soon, Bollywood movies might be made there too, which is part of a recent initiative as well. The goal is not only to invite visitors for longer stays but also to raise the current 17% of annual revenue from tourism in Monaco to 25% by 2015. The challenge is on.


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http://www.expresstravelworld.com/201101/management02.shtml

I do’ on distant shores As Indian weddings get bigger and fatter, destination weddings have become an aspiration for the new generation of millionaires in the country. Though an emerging segment, the high returns is

leading international tourism boards, airlines and hotels to concentrate on targeting this niche market. By Sudipta Dev

For an industry that is estimated to An Indian Wedding at Indigo Pearl, be worth `1,90,000 crore and growing at an aggressive rate of Phuket, Thailand 25 per cent per annum, Indian weddings is a behemoth market segment that has been spurred by the spending powers of high net worth individuals who are growing in numbers by the day. As Indian weddings get fatter and bigger, the aspirational values also reach a highpoint – in the last five years, or so, the craze for having elaborate destination weddings overseas has led to a lot of activity in wedding travel front. Considered as a high-end tourism product, international tourism boards, airlines and hotels are proactively wooing this segment and laying out the Apoorv Kalra Jai Raj Gupta red carpet to get a share of the pie. From locations that span across nearby Thailand and Sri Lanka to the French Riviera and Morocco, Indian weddings are literally going places, and how. Interestingly, destination weddings organised overseas is not just a trend of displaying opulence and reaffirmation of status, but as many industry experts argue, actually a value for money proposition – as the guest lists gets smaller and more exclusive, the cost of organising a wedding at a five-star hotel in Thailand or Malaysia might actually prove to be more cost-effective than holding it in India. Acknowledging that couples have actually managed to reduce their wedding budgets by going to Thailand or Langkawi, instead of Udaipur and Jaipur, Apoorv Kalra, executive director, Red Hot Web Gems India, who runs a resource portal for weddings says that today these 'dream weddings' are no longer an indulgence of the über rich, but something an upper middle class families can aspire for and afford. Jai Raj Gupta, CEO of Shaadionline, who has been organising weddings at Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore for the last several years, points out the five key factors for deciding a destination location, exclusivity, food, banquet facilities and cost.

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The aspirational element that has fanned the snob value attached to destination weddings, has taken the cycle from South East Asian locations to the west. Speaking on behalf of Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority, Rajeev Nangia, associate director of TRAC Representations India, says, “Our location is very niche, we want to attract discerning travellers.” Next year there are two key weddings to be held in Monaco – that of Prince

Albert II and the other a high-end Indian wedding. The USP of Monaco, according to Nangia, is the fact that being a small destination, the whole location is at disposal and special needs of Indian weddings can be catered to. Ranjeev Nangia

Destination weddings is a new and emerging segment, but is being taken seriously by international tourism boards who operate in the Indian market, and is considered no less significant than MICE. “When corporates plan a MICE event they have a particular budget, but in weddings you don't want to cut corners. The budget is more flexible and 10-25 per cent overspend is acceptable,” points out Nangia.

(artic le continues, but not about Monaco)…


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Indian Wedding in Monaco

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