Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

The Truth of Knossos: Discovering What the Eteocretans Knew

by

Entering the site at Knossos for the first time, I was immediately captivated by an unexpected experience. The 70s-ish architecture in the welcome area outside the palace, these too spoke to me from a special place. Knossos, you see, it’s one of those sites one cannot forget, but for mysterious reasons. Let me show you a bit of one of Greece and Crete’s most underestimated treasures, the lost and found Palace of the Minoan civilization.

EU Sanctions On Russia Provoke Airline Economics War

by

This morning business daily Vedomosti has reported, Russia may begin restricting European airlines from flying over Siberia on Asian routes. The move, if enacted, would imposed crippling costs on some European carriers. To make matters worse, the underlying business infrastructure of all countries will certainly be negatively affected.

eDigitalResearch Numbers Show Expedia Social Prowess

by

With over 4 million “likes” on its Facebook profile, Expedia is now in second place among travel brands just beneath KLM. Expedia’s expanded benchmark numbers in results from eDigitalResearch, show the travel giant topping the Google+ league table to gain in excess of 2.5 million news followers in half a year.

hotelBrain and Other Smart Ideas to Transform Greek Hospitality

by

hotelBrain, Greece’s largest hotel management company, has taken aim on ramping up the branding and management of existing hotels. With Greek tourism revenues and economies at the forefront of the resurfacing economy there, the marketing company with gray matter shows promise in a land of largely unwired hotels. With some additives, this management firm could […]

Greece Loses Russia Travelers to Agency Flop

by

For the Greece tourism sector sanctions against Russia may have already spoiled the end of an otherwise record summer touristic season. At least this is partially true for customers of one of Russia’s largest Greek focused tourism agencies, Labirint. The company, the third to fail in Russia ins the last few months, has put Russian travelers at a disadvantage even though officials say current trips are secure.

Russia’s Dobrolet Airlines in Holding Pattern Over Europe

by

The “boomerang effect” of US and EU sanctions Russian President Vladimir Putin foretold of may be about to hit Europe travel businesses hard. The newly launched Russian low-cost Russian airline, has been forced to suspend its operations after the European Union (EU) sanctioned the airline over the Ukraine crisis.

Priceline Says Aloha! to OpenTable and Sayonara! to Competition

by

Priceline buying restaurant reservation website OpenTable for $2.6 billion shows the expansion of the hospitality space growing ever more competitive. It was only a matter of time until restaurants became a bigger part of the tourism mix. If ever there were an “all in one” travel company emerging, Priceline may have just bid Sayonara! to its competition.

Crete’s Famous But Remote Treasures: Elafonisi Beach

by

For those out there headed to Crete, driving the countryside is one of the great treats of this marvelous island destination. What’s more, navigating the well maintained Crete roads is a welcome adventure with mountain goats and sheep a plenty to keep visitors company. One such “discovery path”, the road to famous Elaphonisi Beach, is the spotlight of Argo today.

Q & A With Sion Rapson of the World Travel Awards

by

Recently I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Sion Rapson (at left), and industry expert of merit who has helped the world recognize excellence in the travel industry immeasurably. Rapson, Director of Global Business for the distinguished World Travel Awards, spoke candidly before and after a Q & A for Eye for Travel. The full interview and some added takeaways are cited below, followed by a brief summary.

The Destiny of Desti – Nokia Win or Loss?

by

Nokia has just acquired Desti, supposedly the “smartest travel guide” among all the travel guides in the digital world. The US based, Siri-like trip planning startup, is the Finnish company’s tech ace in the hole, some say, one that will boost that brand’s mobile market. Here’s two sides to the same story.