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Goldman Sachs uinit takes stake in Robinson’s Altana Hedge Fund  bloomberg.com 01 Feb 12 A Goldman Sachs Group Inc. unit will take a stake in Lee Robinson’s (pic) Altana Wealth Ltd. after holding an earlier investment in his previous hedge fund. Goldman’s Petershill fund has exercised its right to invest in Monaco-based Altana, which Robinson started last year after leaving Trafalgar Asset Managers. Petershill was given the right to invest in any new venture set up by Robinson, 42, when it bought a 20 percent stake in Trafalgar in 2008. Trafalgar, which Robinson founded with former Deutsche Bank AG executive Theo Phanos, oversaw about $2.8 billion at its peak. Jesse Westbrook.

New services to Barcelona, Venice and Bucharest from Nice  tourmag.com 31 Jan 12 While Easyjet and Air France share the lion's share of the market at Nice-Côte d'Azur airport, from March 2012, four European companies will launch flights to Barcelona, Venice and Bucharest. On the Nice-Barcelona route, where Air France and Easyjet are preparing to do battle, but with only a few flights a week, Vueling is taking the lead by operating 11 flights a week from March 2012. The company will increase to two daily flights in June 2012. On the Nice-Venice route Darwin Airline will operate a weekly (Sat) flight from 07 Apr 12. Finally, Bucharest,  where Air France and EasyJet are just in the planning stages, two airlines Tarom and Blue Air will offer five flights a week.

11 million tourists visited the Riviera last year  metrofrance.com 30 Jan 12 The French Riviera surpassed the eleven million visitors mark last year (+9% in two years) spending nearly €5 billion, an increase of 19%. For the commercial sector (hotels), this record represents an increase of 6%. In 4 and 5 star hotels, 3.3 million overnight stays were recorded, an increase of 15%. 2.7 million (+17%) arrived by air. The number of visitors from emerging markets grew 25% to 430,000 trips. And for the first time, the satisfaction rate rose to 90% against 85% a year earlier. There were over 150 nationalities with foreign visitors up 8% (5.2 million). Foreign overnight stays in hotels and homes were up 13% and foreign trips by air increased by 16%. The average expenditure also increased to $ 75 per tourist against €63 a year earlier.

PACA: 150,000 jobs are directly related to tourism  tourmag.com 30 Jan 12 The tourism sector accounts for nearly 150,000 jobs in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region, according to figures released by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE). More than half are concentrated in the field of hotels and restaurants. The Alpes-Maritimes accounts for nearly 50,000 of those jobs making it the leading department in the region for the number of employees involved in tourism. The Var is the department with the most pronounced seasonal variation in tourist related employment, whilst the Hautes-Alpes has the highest ratio with 15.6% against the regional average of 7.5%. Michel Bovas.

Henry Kravis draws large attendance at MVCA  monacolife.net 26 Jan 12 American equity guru Henry Kravis (pic right) was in Monaco Wed 25 Jan 12 as a guest of the Monaco Venture Capital Association (MVCA), meeting Prince Albert and later addressing a well-attended event. Kravis said that the area of biggest concern to the financial sector was Europe’s failure so far to deal with the sovereign debt crisis. Kravis said that it would now fall on private equity companies to step in where banks are reluctant to provide finance to commercial entities. The company that Kravis heads – KKR – owns hundreds of firms across the world with a total of more than one million employees. It has been reported that he earns more than $50,000 an hour. Ian Brodie.

For millennia, fresh olive oil has been one of life's necessities-not just as food but also as medicine, a beauty aid, and a vital element of religious ritual. But what if this symbol of purity has become deeply corrupt? Starting with an explosive article in The New Yorker, Tom Mueller has become the world's expert on olive oil and olive oil fraud. A story of globalisation, deception, and crime in the food industry from ancient times to the present. Extra Virginity is also an inspiring account of the artisanal producers, chemical analysts, chefs, and food activists who are defending the extraordinary oils that truly deserve the name "extra-virgin."

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Mobile technology can be APPfab for business

The plethora of smart communication devices on the market and in our pockets today represent a seismic shift in the way information is consumed. The critical component in Marketing is about more than creating compelling content but also about distributing it through a variety of online channels. Content marketers and business owners should be looking at all available channels to engage with customers – in print, in-person, and online (including mobile.) Cathy Gubin reports on App guru Mike Hardaker's recent presentation at a Riviera Business Club business seminar.

Taylor of Old Bond Street coming to the Riviera

The latest Business News and Business video reports from the Cote d'Azur and Monaco. Taylor of Old Bond Street, London’s long-established provider of luxury male grooming products, has chosen Monaco, Nice & Cannes as the locations for its first outlets outside of the UK. Franchise rights for Taylor of Old Bond Street are now being made available for the first time in Europe - and Monte Carlo, Nice & Cannes is where this exciting and lucrative new initiative begins. Find out more about this unique business opportunity in a special advertorial feature.