The year 2024 was marked by major investments, international events and strategic advances in key sectors.
Through its actions, Team Nice Côte d’Azur contributed to promoting the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis on the global stage, showcasing the many assets of the territory.
Team Nice Côte d’Azur: contributing to the international attractiveness of the territory
In 2024, Team Nice Côte d’Azur deployed its strategy to strengthen the economic attractiveness of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis:
- Participation in global trade shows such as WAICF, Arab Health, MWC, Vivatech, highlighting strategic sectors such as healthcare, artificial intelligence and the blue economy.
- Targeted international missions, notably in North America with projects around cultural and creative industries (CCI) and the blue economy presented in Quebec.
- Local promotion through events such as the Urban Projects Forum, Les Estivales de l’Éco and the Nice Climate Summit.
- Commitment in strategic sectors: signing of a cooperation agreement with Novation City and strengthened collaborations with the Studios de la Victorine to boost audiovisual attractiveness.
Industry and technological innovation
Nice Côte d’Azur strengthened its role as an industrial hub with large-scale projects:
- Virbac, one of the world leaders in animal health, announced several investments: €30 million in a logistics center in Carros and a global €100 million plan including a pet food plant and the acquisition of new land in the territory.
- “Territoire d’industrie”: strategic recognition for Nice Côte d’Azur, focusing on innovation, ecological transition and digitalization.
- Fast-growing startups: Firecell raised €6.6 million for industrial 5G in Europe and Inalve, €4.7 million to develop sustainable microalgae production.
- 3IA Côte d’Azur Institute: certified under the France 2030 plan with €20 million to double training of artificial intelligence talent.
Mobility and international connectivity
A region connected to global flows
- Nice Côte d’Azur Airport experienced an exceptional summer season: a 3.7% increase in traffic with 3.46 million passengers in July and August.
- Strong growth with the United States (+44.1%) thanks to Atlanta (Delta Airlines) and Philadelphia (American Airlines) connections, and with Saudi Arabia (+120.2%).
- The new “espresso riviera” rail line linking Nice to Milan every weekend in August also gave fresh momentum to cross-border tourism.
Hospitality and tourism: an enriched and high-performing offer
The hotel sector continued its expansion with major openings:
- (June 2024) Opening of Mama Shelter Nice and Hôtel du Couvent, combining luxury and sustainability.
- (November 2024) Launch of Maison Albar – Le Victoria, 5 stars.
- Hotel occupancy reached 98% during the summer, confirming Nice as a top destination.
Major sporting and cultural events
Nice, a global stage
- Olympic torch relay: (June 2024) Nice welcomed the Paris 2024 Olympic flame before hosting six Olympic football matches at the Allianz Riviera.
- 2030 Winter Olympics: (July 2024) Nice was designated to host ice events and the closing ceremony.
- Women’s Ironman World Championship: (September 2024) Nice reinforced its role as the global capital of triathlon with this prestigious event.
Recognitions and awards for Nice
Nice stood out with several international distinctions:
- 4th best European city to invest in, according to Forbes USA.
- Most coveted destination in the world on social networks, surpassing London and Paris.
- First French city for quality of life, according to JDD.
- 2nd French metropolis for economic vitality, according to the Arthur Loyd barometer.
Education and academic excellence
Nice, a hub of academic and scientific excellence.
- EDHEC Business School: international recognition (December 2024). Ranked 4th worldwide for its Masters in Management and 7th among European schools, EDHEC strengthens Nice’s international reach.
- Iconic: an urban campus in the heart of Nice (November 2024). With the inauguration of schools such as Sup’de Com and IDRAC Business School, Nice surpassed 50,000 students, doubling its numbers in 15 years.
- Aivancity: (November 2024) The arrival of Aivancity, a Grande École specializing in artificial intelligence and data science, marks a key step in the region’s academic development.
Ecological transition and infrastructure: a vision for the future
Major initiatives shaped the year 2024:
- Studios de la Victorine: a major transformation was launched, aiming to strengthen their role in the international audiovisual industry.
- New green spaces were inaugurated to reinforce the title of Nice Green City.
- CJD Nice Meetings: (April 2024) This event highlighted the implications of artificial intelligence in the ecological transition.
- Nice Côte d’Azur Airport : €8.7 million in funding to electrify ground operations, saving 6,700 tons of CO2 per year.
- Convention center: unveiled in October, this flagship project will open in 2025 to host UNOC-3 and other international events.
Towards 2025: Nice, capital of the ocean
UNOC-3, scheduled for June 2025, will place Nice at the center of global efforts to preserve the ocean. The adoption of the Nice Agreements will mark a major step forward for marine governance and the global ecological transition.
2024 confirmed the role of Nice Côte d’Azur as a model of innovation, international attractiveness and sustainability. The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis is moving forward to meet tomorrow’s global challenges.
