Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

Cease Fire Called In Online Travel Wars

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The ceasefire between American Airlines and GDS giant Sabre signals an “all quiet” moment on the front lines of the online travel wars we have been covering. The announcement that the two companies would attempt to resolve their differences out of court, at least until June 1st, calmed the churning business cauldron for online travel for some.

New Year’s Spring Festival Singapore

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Right now in Singapore visitors have a special treat as the Lunar New Year Spring Festival takes place from January 15th through February 28th in Chinatown. This occasion marks the importance of family, and celebrates happiness.

The Places of the East: Alexander Spendiaryan

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The Alexander Spendiaryan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater is located in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. It takes its name in honor of Alexander Spendiaryan, an Armenian composer who wrote the opera Almast. This opera was the first one that was performed at the complex. The facility did not take on this name until 1938, five years following its official opening.

Northern Cyprus: An Emerging Paradise

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The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus stands to gain much from the forward thinking and engaging tourism industry efforts Turkey has initiated these last couple of years. Investment in Northern Cyprus tourism will eneviatbly pay off not only for the investment concerns, but for the people of the Republic as well. While many countries in Europe have suffered from losses in tourism dollars these last couple of years, Turkey and brother states have done exceedingly well, holding their own against all rivals.

Valentine’s Room Service Eastern Europe Style

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This Valentine’s take that special someone to a love nest never before experienced, Eastern Europe for example. Prague and Malta make for unforgettable romantic getaway spots. And the room service is incomparable.

Fabulous Trekking Ops – the Ladajh Himalayas

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For the adventurous of the world, trekking the Indian Himalayas is certainly a dream come true. Himalayan Frontiers Cultural and Adventure Tours announces their offerings for 2011, for the stout hearted who have what it takes to visit the legendary land of Kashmir and Ladakh. From high desert plateau to river valley village, this trekking series is a cultural adventure as much as a physical one. Experience life as it has been for a dozen or more centuries.

Happy Birthday to Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park

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Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year with special prices and gifts for guests. The largest bird park in the world, Jurong is home to thousands of rare birds, and some of the world’s most fascinating exhibitions. Visitors this year are in for a rare treat indeed.

E-Tourism for Southern Europe on Tap in Athens

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At the end of this month Eyefor Travel and TMA will host the E-Tourism and Travel Distribution for Southern Europe and Mediterranean in Athens, Greece. Industry experts, travel companies, and key investors are scheduled to attend this show focused on emerging technologies and strategies for the industry for 2011 and the years to come.

Ticket Prices Skyrocket – Google Shrugs

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The online travel war between OTA’s, airlines, and other interested parties has grown into an industry damaging PR nightmare. American Airlines, Google, Expedia, all the major players may not realize how frustrating their power moves are for the little people. These companies are jeopardizing their own future, and that of developers all over the world.

Portugal’s Travel Agents Sinking Fast

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Portugal’s travel sector is in grave trouble, perhaps far more serious than previous reports have suggested. The industry that represents 11 percent of the country’s GDP has lost fully one third of its travel agents to insolvency. The economic times and pressure from online travel agents have made the situation there untenable. But a double sided government effort has not helped either.

A Savory Set of Travel Startups: Book One

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Some really great online travel sites never even get mentioned. What with all the stories about American Airlines, Google, Expedia, Orbitz, Microsoft, even Bing, how is the consumer ever to know who the best is. What we often see is not innovation or anything approaching the best, it’s marketing and big business.

Availpro Expands Adding Horsepower for Hotels

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France’s Availpro promises to add horsepower for small and medium sized hotel bookings. A recent expansion into the online travel market in Spain signals the company’s popularity with hoteliers in Europe. Just how many horses the company can provide depends a great deal on the end user as usual.

Treat Yourself to Prague’s Bohemian Carnival

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Visitors to Prague next month will be treated to a special treat. Europe’s most beautiful city puts on its mask and relives the customs of medieval times during the Bohemian Carnival. Experience the pageantry and excitement of taking part in one of Europe’s oldest festivals.

Vietnam’s Tet Holiday Bonanza Causes Chaos

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Travel agents and tour companies inside Vietnam are overwhelmed with clients who want to take advantage of the new Tet holiday. The government’s late announcement took the industry by surprise as government employees learned of additional time off for the New Year. A bookings bonanza there is turning into a booking nightmare.

Google’s Probability of Online Travel Success

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American Airlines and ITA penned a deal the other day which AA claims had nothing to do with Google’s acquisition of ITA technology. But the suggestion still remains as to what exactly Google is doing to fend off its opponents in the so called “Online Travel War.” Is Google silently orchestrating the downfall of Expedia and the others of FairSearch? Well, probably not anything so diabolical, but winning the ITA acquisition with underlying business relationships? This is not only possible, but probable.

Russia & EU Closer to Free Visa Agreement

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Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov offers a ray of sunshine for those who want a free-visa zone between the EU and Russia. At a press conference the Minister told reporters Russia and the EU are much closer to an agreement. So far the EU has stonewalled every attempt by the Kremlin to free up travel and tourism between Russia and the rest of Europe.

Swiss Franc Got You Down? Ski Eastern Europe

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Exchange rates can sometimes turn the best vacation deal into a nightmare. The recent Swiss Franc valuation caught ski vacationers by surprise. When expensive Alps ski resorts get even more expensive, many European skiers just stay home. Fortunately there is another solution. Skiing the Carpathians, Slovenian Alps, Caucasus, and other Eastern European resorts almost always costs half as much.

Online Travel Aerial Warfare Update: American Sues Sabre

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The online airfare wars escalate as American files suit against Sabre in an attempt to force American’s “direct connect” initiative. With battle lines clearly drawn, can American Airlines win the real or PR war where going back to a closed system is concerned? Not likely, but the story is never the less interesting. Who will take American’s side is the burning question of the day?

Amadeus Enters the American Airlines Ticket Wars

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American Airlines started an online ticket war late last year they may not be able to finish. Now Amadeus is firing warning shots across the cockpits of airlines poised to go it via “direct connect” rather than relying on OTA’s to sell seats. In a bold but quiet move, one of the world’s biggest travel players takes sides with Expedia and Orbitz.