Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

Eastern Europe

Greece’s Zakynthos and Navagio Welcome Visitor Boom

Aleksandr Shatskih

From Travel Daily News we learned today of impressive July numbers for tourists headed top the island of Zakynthos. According to the Hotel Chamber of Greece, arrivals at Zakynthos airport for the month increased by some 18,09%.

Bulgaria Tourism Up First Half of 2014

Aleksandr Shatskih

News from Bulgaria’s Economy Ministry says International tourism revenues are on the up in the first half of 2014. The tally shows a 5.3% increase year on year over 2o13. The World Tourism Organization shows the tourism sector of Bulgaria reached 1.3 billion BGN (€670 million Euro) or about 13.6% of the country’s GDP.

Top 15 Things to Do in Tirana

Mihaela Lica Butler

For many travelers, Tirana may not be the first destination of choice, but the Albanian capital has a lot to offer, for a very small budget.

EU Sanctions On Russia Provoke Airline Economics War

Phil Butler

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.

Cyprus Tourism Revamps Island’s Culinary Legacy

Aleksandr Shatskih

A study of touristic trends by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) has prompted the launch of a campaign, the Cypriot Breakfast, aimed at showcasing local cuisine. The project, in collaboration with the Travel Foundation in the UK, focuses on tradition rather than diversified Cyprus touristic offerings.

Greece Loses Russia Travelers to Agency Flop

Phil Butler

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.

Cyprus Fast Tracks New Grand Casino Bids

Aleksandr Shatskih

Cyprus has just announced plans for creating the first integrated casino resort to meet all international standards. Government spokesperson, Nicos Christodoulides, told reporters last week that the cabinet is in the process of granting for the operation of the casino complex.

UK Warns of Bulgaria Beach “Don’ts”

Aleksandr Shatskih

A new warning for British tourists visiting the Bulgarian resort of Sunny Beach was issued late last week. The FCO announced and increase in the number of muggings and other crimes along the coastal resort area on the Black Sea.

Russia’s Dobrolet Airlines in Holding Pattern Over Europe

Phil Butler

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.