Hounslow chiefs have defended a £13,000 'junket' to Cannes, insisting it is the best way to kickstart regeneration in Hounslow and Brentford.
Council leader Peter Thompson flew to the glamorous seaside resort with Tory colleague Barbara Reid and planning officer Lee Dawson last Tuesday for a three-day property conference.
He described the trip as a vital opportunity to network with developers from across the world and sell Hounslow as a place to invest.
But deputy Labour leader Ruth Cadbury accused the trio of 'enjoying themselves in the sunshine while council tax payers are fearing for their jobs'.
"Perhaps the Tories should worry about things a little closer to home," she said.
"They have failed to improve either Hounslow or Brentford town centre in three years and now Chiswick is suffering.
"Residents will want to know why they are enjoying themselves in the sunshine whilst council tax payers are fearing for their jobs.
"As well as conferences on property, there are parties, including an opening cocktail party at the famous Carlton Hotel, where delegates are told to 'expect glamour and professional networking opportunities galore'."
Organisers of the Mipim conference describe it as 'the world's premier real estate summit', attracting 6,800 investors from across the globe.
London Mayor Boris Johnson was among those attending, along with representatives from Hounslow's neighbouring boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham and Hillingdon.
Cannes' Mediterranean climate, glitzy casinos and annual film festival draw hundreds of thousands of tourists to the city every year, but temperatures reached a far-from-scorching 17C on Tuesday.
Cllr Thompson said the trip cost £13,000, including flights, accommodation, entrance fees and publicity, and described it as 'excellent value for money'.
"We thought about this trip very seriously because we're not into wasting public money but we decided that if we're serious about regenerating Hounslow, Brentford and the rest of it, this is the place to be," he added.
"All the major players from across the world are here and if the conference was in Birmingham or Bradford, we'd be there.
"It's naive of the Labour party to think that in times of recession you can just wait for developers to come knocking on your door.
