Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

World

Disney Dream Sails Away With “Best New Ship”

Aleksandr Shatskih

In cruise news, Cruise Critic® has just named the 2011 Cruise Critic Editor’s Picks Awards to honor top cruise lines, ports of call, and other things nautical travel.

WTM Shines Brightest Shining On Sustainability

Phil Butler

One highlight of the World Travel Market (WTM) held last week in London, was Fiona Jeffery’s opening speech concerning the industry’s responsibilities. Jeffery’s Director of Reed Travel Exhibitions WTM, spoke before 500 plus travel decision makers about altruism, as well as corporate strategies going forward.

11.11.11 O’clock; Great Pyramid Closed

Aleksandr Shatskih

Egyptian authorities told the media that the Great Pyramid was closed for maintenance, after the large number of visitors during the Eid al-Adha holiday last week.

Hotelbeds Drives Revenue – Gets Rebrand

Aleksandr Shatskih

TUI Travel’s Hotelbeds wholesaler platform says sales may increase by as much as 25 percent this year. Expansion plans for the Americas and Asia were also announced as one of TUI’s most successful arms flexes its muscles.

Traveling by Sacred Cow

Aleksandr Shatskih

Talking to a friend from out of state recently, the subject came up about working at Walt Disney World. That’s a topic of great interest to non-Floridians; as if we are so very lucky to live in proximity to this wonderland and are able partake of some great dream. I worked in that theme park […]

As Travel Costs Go Up, So Shall Profits…

Phil Butler

So far this year, there have to have been 50,000 news reports suggesting profits and growth are headed upward for the travel industry. And on the other hand, many are asking, “How?” Hotels starting to charge for tidbits of service like the airlines, currencies and countries on the brink, and the other side of news suggesting growth is impossible, what are we to believe?

Billions in Airline Fees – No Laughing Matter

Phil Butler

An article by Hugo Martin in the Los Angeles Times yesterday reveals still more bad PR and just bad business for airlines. At a time when any industry can well afford negative news, over $1.5 billion in nickel – dime baggage charges and reservation fees makes America’s biggest air carriers seem anything but transparent.

Best Winter Trips 2011: Treehotel in Harads, Sweden

Mihaela Lica Butler

Treehotel is a step in a right direction – a sophisticated experience for discerning travelers, and obviously not something affordable for the budget conscious. The price for a tree house goes way above the 500 USD barrier, but the once-in-a-lifetime factor makes up for the spend.

Thailand Flooding Impact on Tourism

Aleksandr Shatskih

Thailand derives a significant portion of its revenue from tourism, and the floods are already affecting other areas of the economy as well. Farmland has been damaged, as well as exports from Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Ayutthaya where several industrial estates have been closed down.

Easter Island: The Essential Guide

Aleksandr Shatskih

The Easter Island Foundation has recently released Easter Island: The Essential Guide, a book by Kay Kenady Sanger. This is the most complete and up-to-date guidebook to Easter Island.

Fly Skycouch, Who Would You Cuddle?

Aleksandr Shatskih

Unless you want to cuddle sheep, a survey by Air New Zealand for their Skycouch cuddle class may give you some ideas into what (or who) is cool to cuddle.