MONACO -- Monaco, long renowned as one of Europe’s most fascinating and glamorous countries, with a rich history of cultural contributions throughout the world, is continuing its strong ties to the United States with the appointment of Bob Dickinson as an Honorary Consul. Dickinson, president of Carnival Cruise Lines, was named to the position by His Serene Highness Prince Rainier III. He will serve as a liaison between The Principality of Monaco and the city of Miami with a special focus on the tourism and travel markets. Dickinson’s jurisdiction includes Florida, the third largest market in the United States for tourism to Monaco, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.

"We are very proud to welcome Mr. Dickinson as an Honorary Consul to Monaco," said Maguy Maccario-Doyle, General Consul to Monaco in New York. "His expertise will be valued as Monaco nears completion on a new breakwater being built in the Hercule Harbor to receive more yachts and luxury cruise ships, thus enabling it to become the key port in Mediterranean cruising. Also, because of Miami’s location at the ‘door’ of the Americas and Monaco’s long history as a prominent port on the Riviera, we would like to strengthen relations between these two maritime capitals."

Dickinson will serve as Honorary Consul to Monaco for three years. Along with his current position as President of Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest and most profitable cruise company, Dickinson serves on the board of parent company Carnival Corporation. In his new Honorary Consul position, he will play an active role in the development of the expanding cruise market in Monaco. Monaco's two harbors, the Port Hercule and Fontvieille Marina, are equipped to handle yachts of varying tonnages while intercontinental liners are able to anchor in the bay of Monaco.

While enhancing tourism activities, Dickinson will also help promote cultural exchanges between Monaco and South Florida. He is active in the arts, serving on the Board of Trustees of the Miami City Ballet and Board of Governors of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, and frequently works with charities including the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts. He will be instrumental as Monaco’s newest venue, Le Forum Grimaldi, to be completed in 2000, becomes a major center in Europe for the performing arts.

Dickinson is a member of ASTA and the Association of Travel Marketing Executives and is co-author of the book Selling the Sea, An Inside Look at the Cruise Industry. He is a Vice-Chair for the United States National Tourism Organization, a former Chairman of Cruise Lines International Association, a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Travel Agents, past Chairman of the Travel Industry Association and a former Chairman of the Miami Beach Visitor’s & Convention Authority and Miami’s Academy for Tourism.

Named Travel Trade’s "1998 Travel Person of the Year" and one of the 100 Best Marketers in the Nation by Advertising Age Magazine, Dickinson is a recipient of the ATME Atlas Award and the Travel Industry Association’s Hall of Leaders designation. Dickinson and his wife reside in Miami.

Monaco’s Honorary Consul positions are established to create synergistic initiatives between the United States and The Principality within the cultural, economic, business and political arenas. In Los Angeles, Dick Wolf, an entertainment industry veteran and Emmy-Award winning producer of NBC’s "Law & Order," was also recently named as an Honorary Consul. Monaco is currently reviewing additional opportunities to form relationships with other American heads of industry, thus establishing liaisons in more major American cities such as Chicago and Atlanta.