Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

Getting There and Carried Away Airlines

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The recent war between online travel agents and major airlines heats up still more. But for the travel consumer, how will all this soap opera posturing effect prices and value? The answer is fairly simple, prices will go up, and services will go down. The trend to cut everything from jet fuel to aspirin is in place, and only a paradigm shift can alter that. Comparison pricing is the only consumer weapon for value. Expedia, Google, American Airlines, the customer, what is best for business only the customer can say.

Russia Ready For Tourists – Bureaucrats Are Not

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The Russian Federation faces some big challenges ahead. Not the least of these is transforming the country’s travel and tourism industry to be on a par with other developed nations. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and some of his deputies seem tasked more with spurring an inept bureaucracy than tackling infrastructure problems. Roads can be built, but incompetence seems to last forever.

Georgia’s Mysterious Wonder – Svaneti Unveiled

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President Mikheil Saaklashvili of Georgia as proclaimed that Svaneti resort will rival the world’s great ski destinations, and why not. High atop the world, unaccessible except to the adventurer, this majestic place already rivals any on Earth for sheer beauty and mysticism. One people can visit here conveniently, millions will yearn to see this jewel of the Caucasus.

The Gift of Art from Romania’s Eugen Mihai

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Argophilia is proud to announce another great gift of love from one of the world’s great photographic artists, Eugen Mihai. In keeping with Argophilia Travel’s vision to show the world the best of Eastern Europe, still another extraordinary talent has contributed inestimable worth to our project. We hope you enjoy today, and in the months to come, the award winning images of on Romania’s and Europe’s great photographers.

Changing Times, Changing Lanes – Spotlight Montenegro

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Montenegro proclaimed itself the world’s first “ecological state” back in the 90’s, but only now has the message and initiative reached into the countryside and wilderness areas. A former hazardous waste dump in the country’s wildest and most beautiful area is turning over a new ecological leaf finally. Mojkovac, Montenegro wants to be an Eco-tourism hub for the region.

Is American Airlines Spinning Out of Control?

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The shakeup for air travel bookings online continues today with American Airlines’ contention that their ticket sales have never been better – even without Orbitz and Expedia. The airline neglects to point out an email marketing initiative instigated simultaneously with dumping Orbitz, and the fact that ticket sales for every airline have risen these last few days. What is the customer to make of supposedly trusted travel partners when low blows are the trend?

Ski Deals 2011 – Choosing Your Booking Agent Online

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With dozens of online booking solutions available who can you truly trust to offer you the best value? Expedia? Kayak? Today’s report on Bulgarian ski getaways reveals a little bit about how you should book your next trip. Seeing the forest for the trees is not as easy as you think.

Bulgaria-Macedonia Rail Line Closer to Reality

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A long awaited rail link between Bulgaria and Macedonia is finally on the table as the two countries evaluate the feasibility of the project. Not only will the primary countries gain valuable trade and tourism connectivity, the entire region with benefit from increased transportation and infrastructure enhancements.

JCDecaux Engages Passengers at Paris Airports

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JCDecaux and Aéroports de Paris team up to leverage advertising mediums at Paris airports. The two entities just announced a nine and a half year collaboration aimed at maximizing airport-passenger information and connectedness. Both Jean-Charles Decaux and Pierre Graff commented on the highly visible joint venture.

Are Airlines Unringing the Online Travel Bell?

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The war between online travel companies and airlines is heating up. Expedia counters American Airline’s move to dump Orbitz, as Delta begins its abandonment of smaller OTA’s. Can online travel giants win out over the service providers they actually depend on? Much depends on the customer in the end.

Eastern Europe Digital Engagement 2010 – Armenia

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From Ararat to Ani, surrounded by the Caucasus, Armenia holds touristic secrets so many will never learn of. A place of ancient and recent wonder, from her ruined Hittite archeology to post Soviet modernization, the country has so much to offer. Unfortunately the Welcome to Armenia website conveys very little of that country, and that people’s nature. Digital brands are as important as conventional ones where travel is concerned.

SnowTrax Compares Beyond Compare

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There’s a new ski trip search dynamo out there, and SnowTrax is the name it goes by. For refined ski vacation search, there may not be a better example on Earth. But, and there are always “but’s”, corporate lip service social engagement will never do for any new tech startup. On the consumer Web, there is no room for slip ups when professing social media kinship. Aside this flaw, SnowTrax has a foot in their skis for flawless ski vacations.

Eastern Europe Digital Engagement 2010 – Montenegro

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Montenegro has been selected as a finalist for their stewardship in sustainable tourism by the WTTC. But as far as digital engagement and branding, their online presence is scarely even felt. A wonderfully simple and useful tourism website goes almost to waste without social media or continual outreach of any kind. What is the Ministry of Tourism thinking?

Coming Attraction – The Real Online Travel

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2010 has been a big year for online and mobile travel innovation and initiative. Argophilia Travel News takes a look at advanced user technology and value their Argophilia Travel portal may or may not deploy. For the digital empowered traveler, the new year will bring out the best in products and services.

Unspoiled Beach Getaway – Pulai Desaru

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Most people never think of Malaysia as the perfect spot for a romantic seaside getaway, but most people are often wrong about such things. After all, Malaysia is almost all coast. Argophilia Travel News introduces Desaru Beach, one of the most pristine and secluded stretches of beach in Asia. Jungle meets the sea here, but that does not mean couples will have to sleep in a dugout or tent. Luxury accommodations are just a stone’s throw away.

Russia – Finland Visa Free Travel a Step Closer

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The door for visa-free travel between Russia and Finland was opened on Sunday as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Finnish President Tarja Halonen officially opened a high speed rail service between St. Petersburg and Helsinki. The two leaders seemed positive about at least limited free-visa travel between the two countries. A positive outcome for rail between the two could well speed EU and Russian Federation talks to open up travel to Russia.

East Europe Wonders – The Baltic Sea

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Argophilia Travel News brings the Baltic Sea closer to home with a view of some of the most wonderful Flickr images. For Eastern Europe travel, the Baltic Sea represents a treasure of immeasurable value for potential visitors. Not many people outside Europe are familiar with this fantastic wonderland of watery wildness.

Estonia’s Unique Tour Industry Imbalance

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A recent report shows Estonian tour companies hiring more out of country drivers because of cost variables. With qualified Estonian bus drivers have to look for work in Scandinavia, how long will it be before the government there imposes wage standardization to free up jobs?