Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

If Sochi Were Disney World Headlines Would Read: “Mickey Wacked by Russian Mob”

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On Monday the WTM Vision Conference in Moscow kicked off and already tourism figures for Russia emerge as a big topic. According to new research, Russia’s poor image in the western world drastically affects inbound tourism form American and western Europe as well. If Sochi were Disney World Mickey would have already been whacked by the mob.

Scorecard: Winners in the UK Online Hotel Game

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According to a report (PDF) from greenlight recently TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and Laterooms now dominate the three most crucial search and social sectors of online visibility in the UK. Greenlight’s analysis of the top 15 brands across the online billboard showed not only each’s relative position to competitors, but just how seriously businesses engage via PPC, SEO, and social media means.

Britons On Exodus from Cold – Toward Spring

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We’ve all heard the news from the UK, mountains of snow and unseasonable weather of record breaking proportions. Fortunately for TUI Thomson there is an up side to bad weather – people on an exodus to better weather. A report from Thomson and First Choice the other day speaks of 30 something thousand headed out of bad weather and into good this Easter weekend.

Amazing Greece and Travelers There Too

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The other day I decided to use a favorite PR and publishing tool of ours, Help A Reporter Out (HARO) to gets some faves in Greece for our readers. As it turns out, even despite Greece’s economic woes, the love tourists feel for that place is stronger than ever. How can I know without a PhoCusWright study? The fastest and most enthusiastic HARO responses ever, that’s how.

Danube-Black Sea Canal Sees Tourist Cruises

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A bit of interesting and very positive news form Romania today tells of the Danube-Black Sea canal finally being put to the use for which it was designed some decades ago. A collaboration between the National Office of Navigation Canals, the Council of Constanta judet (jurisdiction), Constanta’s City Hall and the Association for the Promotion and Development of Tourism on the Danube Delta Coast, have collectively organized touristic cruises to take advantage of this fascinating waterway.

Harvest Time at Entre Cielos with the Andes Out Your Window

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I was just speaking via Facebook IM with Cécile Adam, one of the owners of Mendoza, Argentina luxury resort Entre Cielos, which we covered in this article last year. News today from there speaks of what Cécile says may be a record grape harvest for their wine operations, and the hotel being picked a favorite by Travel & Leisure recently.

Trustedhousesitters.com – Well Deserving of Your Attention

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If you ever dreamed of visiting far off places, and staying in a home away from home, Trustedhousesitters is just the ticket. Likewise, if you need someone you can trust to take care of your house while you are away, and maybe even your pets, then this service makes all the sense in the world.

Russian President Putin’s BRICS Policy Concept Approved

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According to news from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s office the highly publicized foreign policy engagement by his administration with other BRICS took another step today. The official policy concept now approved by the Russian President, the federation has now outlined very specific objectives of cooperation between the association’s members.

Londoners Are Invited to Celebrate Nervuz March 27th

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100 musicians and dancers from 13 different Turkic nations will be in London for a debut concert Nevruz, presented by TURKSOY. In celebration of the coming Spring Vestival (Nervuz) this wonderful event delivers the music, song, dance and amazing costumes of all Central Asia to London’s from all over Central Asia Westminster Central Hall March 27th.

President Putin Pays Visit to Kazan Sports Tourism Venues

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Yesterday Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin inspected preparations for the XXVII Summer World University Games to come to the Kazan in the Republic of Tatarstan. According to news from the president’s office, Kazan Arena and the Water Sports Palace there will soon become the latest focal points of a Russian surge to regain a sort of sports dominance.

BBC Abandons Lonely Planet, Or Is It the Other Way Round?

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Lonely Planet, one of the world’s most recognized names in digital travel, will now be owned by Nashville billionaire Brad Kelley’s NC2Media. BBC reported the deal for some $77.3 million, about half of what the British broadcasting giant paid for the business back in 2007. Despite the reported £80 million loss BBC will take, some say there are lessons worth learning still.

IAVRA: Putting Tech With Travel Agents for Value

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Today I revisited an exclusive villa rental player IAVRA, which I covered initially back in 2011. Back then my review was mega-positive, and I only have more positives to add today about the International Association of Villa Rental Agents (IAVRA) mode and method for renting us all fantastic getaways. Let’s take a look at how far these travel entrepreneurs have come.

Vacation Rentals Move In On Hotels – Some More

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Every Baby Boomer contemporary I know remembers the family beach vacation rental. Sure, we stayed at the Holiday Inn or Thunderbird Inn every now and then, but back when the best value was just a house or condo rental. And guess what? For the most part, renting a vacation flat, villa, home, or even houseboat beats forking over ten times as much for a hotel room.

Tunisia: A Vacation Land You Won’t Believe

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If you are in the mood to explore some fabulous attractions a scant few have ever seen by comparison, Tunisia is one place to investigate. Despite the negative reports, even Thomas Cook has rated the country one of the biggest coming trends for UK travelers. Based on the numbers of searches people make online, Tunisia is a lot more interesting than many have considered for travel.

Sochi Mayor Plans on Freezing Transportation Fares for 2014 Games

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Sochi’s Mayor, Anatoliy Pakhomov, submitted a proposal recently to freeze all air and rail ticket prices to Sochi until after the Olympics. Fearing the negative impact of potentially skyrocketed prices for the games, the freeze is suggested simply for the times surrounding the 2014 Olympics.