Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

travel news

Record Number of Tourists to Visit Singapore in 2011

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Between 12 and 13 million tourists are expected to visit the city-state this year, bringing with them tourism receipts of around 23 billion SGD (Singapore dollars), according to the Trade, Industry and Education minister S Iswaran.

iBAHN Secures a $20 Million for Distribution of IPTV Platform

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iBAHN, the world’s leader in digital entertainment and Internet solutions for hospitality, has secured a $20 million credit facility with JP Morgan Chase & Co. The new multi-year credit allows for continued growth and installation of iBAHN’s IPTV platform throughout premium hotels around the world.

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.

Cyber Booking Travel Deals to Die For

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If you thought Cyber Monday deals were just for online retails shops you were wrong. The online travel industry has hopped on the Cyber Monday bandwagon big time this year. Early bookings and other special arrangements equal huge savings for the cyber savvy traveler.

Fear Google – Trust Expedia

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Google’s detractors huddle in Phoenix at this year’s PhoCusWright Conference to try an lobby allies. Fearing Google’s ITA acquisition will forever change the online travel game, some top travel execs seem willing to do anything to block the Internet’s biggest player.

The Decaying Orbit of Orbitz Online

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With the holiday travel season upon us, and Google pushing online travel giants around, the best Orbitz can come up with is a mobile application and a drug store marketing deal. American Airlines is about to pull one of Orbitz’s biggest calling cards and the company is doing research about holiday airport traffic? Just what is up with this online travel giant leaves room for much speculation.

Anime Festival Asia 2010 Kicks Off in Singapore

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Anime fans traveling to Singapore get a double treat this weekend as Anime Festival Asia 2010 kicks off today in the nation’s capital. J-Pop celebs to screaming animation fans, this year’s event has brought over 70,000 enthusiasts

Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina Get Free Visa Privileges

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The EU has now granted fee visa privileges to Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina in an effort to spur democratic reforms and progress. These two Balkan republics’ citizens can now travel freely within the Schengen area, basically all of the EU. Officials warn of a withdrawal of privileges should serious problems with immigration ensue.

Hungary Convention Tourism Booming This Year

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Hungary is emerging as something of a conference tourism hub for Easter Europe. So far this year, the country’s conference attendees are up 76 percent, and growth in the segment is actually better than before the recession. Hungary tourism appears about ready to take off as maybe the first boom tourism economy out of the economic chaos.

Dopplr – Almost Off the Radar Now

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Dopplr was one of the world’s most innovative and useful online travel tools. Since the Nokia acquisition however, a lot has changed apparently. The site has seen very few noticeable updates, and the user base seems to have fallen off drastically in the last few months. Can Dopplr achieve its former glossy appearance, or is it destined for the “dead pool”?

Where to Find the Best Travel Deals – Whodathunkit?

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Argophilia takes a look at the cutting edge of online travel platforms. Today Besttraveldeals comes into view with a community determined to find the best travel prices and value. Despite the site’s community nature, the model does have its drawbacks.

Welcome to Russia Joins Forces With ASTA

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Welcome to Russia joins the elite list of travel companies belonging to the ASTA. According to this latest news, Russia’s leading conduit for travel support joins the world’s largest travel agent association. Russia is set to engage travel and tourism on an unprecedented level.

Easy Does It, Easy Voyage Gains Traction

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Jean-Pierre Nadir is CEO of one of Europe’s fastest growing online travel startups. With billions at stake in online travel revenues, Nadir is rapidly closing ground between his closest competitors TripAdvisor and Zoover. With acquisitions in the air, can Nadir overtake those beleaguered giants with a few swift buyouts?

Morten Lund to Kick Off WITovation Entrepreneur Bootcamp

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Innovation in online travel is powered by ideas and technology. Key investor Morten Lund is scheduled to kick off the inaugural WITovation Entrepreneur Bootcamp in Singapore on October 18th. The much anticipated camp will serve as a springboard for technology innovators, as well as a think thank for the WIT conference.

Croatia’s PM On the Trail of Tourism Success

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Croatia’s Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor speaks before the country’s hotel owners. The county’s travel industry is looking better than ever, but there is still so much more to do. Kosor met with US businesses in New York in other efforts to spur growth in one of Eastern Europe’s most important sectors, travel.