Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

Eastern Europe

Turkey Tourism at WTM #takemetoturkey

Aleksandr Shatskih

At the World Travel Market (WTM) in London this week, the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s exhibit at stand EM1000-1050 reveals the ever increasing diversity of tourism experiences in Turkey.

Romania tourism figures up over 2013

Aleksandr Shatskih

According to figures from the Romanian National Institute of Statistics (Institutul National de Statistica) arrivals and overnight stays increased by 6.1 % and by 5.7 %, respectively over the last year.

AEGEAN Airlines revisits Cairo connection

Aleksandr Shatskih

Friday, AEGEAN announced their winter flight schedule beginning with further international flight growth. According to the news from the Greek airline direct flights from Athens to Cairo will be re instituted.

Russian Railways denies any restrictions on employee travel

Aleksandr Shatskih

News sources this week suggest Russian Railways and some other Russian state run companies may have imposed bans on foreign travel. According to the news, companies in Russia hit by western sanctions allegedly dissuaded employees from visiting countries outside Russia.

The World Chess Championship in Sochi

Aleksandr Shatskih

Coming to Sochi next month, the World Chess Championship Match between Magnus Carlsen and challenger Viswanathan Anand takes place the 7th through the 28th at the Olympic Media Center, 11 Nesebrskaya St, Sochi, Russia.

Crimea entices vast investor potential

Phil Butler

In September RIA Novosti announced a possible China investment in the Crimea via the head of the Chamber of Commerce of Simferopol, Alexander Basov.

Macedonia ski season underway

Phil Butler

Ski season is officially underway in Macedonia. The news services there report the country’s mountains covered totally after a heavy snowfall last night. According to the reports Kozuv revived half a meter overnight.

Moscow’s Lotte Hotel named best in Europe

Phil Butler

Winning the 2014 Prix Villégiature award as the best hotel in Europe, Lotte Hotel in Moscow took home the French awards’ biggest prize this week. Can this fabulous accommodation really be considered a business hotel?

Belarus and Slovenia talk closer economic ties

Phil Butler

Belarus and Slovenia have begun talks to establish a Minsk-Ljubljana air service. The topic, raised in the 4th session of the Belarusian-Slovenian intergovernmental commission on trade, economic and sci-tech cooperation, could mean a bilateral agreement soon.

Sabre and Azerbaijan Airlines pen new deal

Aleksandr Shatskih

Travel agents in Azerbaijan now get the benefit of more efficient booking Azerbaijan Airlines via the Sabre global distribution system.