JAXFAX Editorial Archives - JAXFAX Travel Marketing Magazine

CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE
occupies the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula and
boasts no les than nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, the
Rila Monastery and the Ivanovo Rock Churches are among
them. The mountain resort of Pamporovo is one of the
southernmost skiing resorts in Europe. Located in the magnificent
pine forests in the Rhodope Mountains, the resort is
situated 4,800 feet above sea level and boasts miles of
excellent ski runs and cross country skiing tracks still mostly
a secret to Westerners. The World Cup downhill runs are
enough to test any expert and “The Wall” remains one of
the most difficult ski piste in the world. If that is not enough
for the most extreme skier, there is excellent off-piste skiing
and snowboarding terrain to explore.
Contact the Bulgaria State Agency for Tourism, E-mail:
info@bulgariatravel.org; www.bulgariatravel.org
Croatia
Among the most popular countries
in Europe overall, Croatia’s
appeal and access is gaining
strength with air service and
cruise calls.
At presstime, Trade Winds
was still in negotiations regarding
what could be twice weekly service between New
York’s JFK, stop in Zagreb and finally land in Dubrovnik. The
historic service is significant as it is the first time the country
is being serviced with direct flights; similarly Skyservice Airlines
has been operating thrice weekly nonstop service
between Toronto and Zagreb for the past two years.
Although visitor arrivals to Croatia remain heavily European
who arrive in cars, and RVs, Americans are now making up
27% of the visitor arrivals for a total of 215,025 North American
visitors in 2007. Undoubtedly, Dubrovnik remains the
most popular destination for American travelers but Zagreb is
gaining a reputation as one of the Art Cities of Europe.
Coastal resort, Opatija will soon welcome several new four
and five-star properties and wellness centers, while overall,
Croatia has recently welcomed Westin, Hilton, Ugo, and Le
Meridien. Additionally, a new property on the island of Rab,
the Arbiana Rab, a member of Charming World Hotels has
just started marketing in the U.S. Adriatic Luxe Hotels, villas
and boutique properties and wellness centers, a specialty
Croatia has always been known for. Thalassotherapy has
arrived in Opatija as well as in wellness centers in the Kvarner
region in Crickvenica, Selce,Lovran, and the island of Losinj.
Croatia is also gaining visibility on the cruise front as Holland
America, Royal Caribbean, Radisson Seven Seas,
Celebrity and other cruise lines are dropping their anchors
on the Dalmatian coast in Dubrovnik, Korcula, Split, Zadar,
Sibenik, Opatija and Rijeka.
Contact the Croatian National Tourist Board, 212-279-8672;
E-mail: cntony@earthlink.net; www.croatia.hr
Czech Republic
The city is buzzing with news from the Hilton Prague Old
Town (www.HiltonPragueOldTown.com), which has officially
celebrated the opening of the hotel and restaurant,
MAZE, in Prague, Czech Republic. Centrally located in the
heart of downtown Prague, The Hilton Prague Old Town
recently underwent a complete refurbishment by noted
designers David Collins and Alexandra Champalimaud, who
found inspiration from the city’s great architectural landmarks
and artisan traditions with a subtle nod to Czech
Modernism and the Cubism
movement. The Hilton
Prague Old Town also is the
home of Gordon Ramsay’s
MAZE, his first restaurant in
Eastern Europe.
Recently, Czech Airlines
was selected the “Best Airline
in Eastern and Central
Europe” by Business Traveler
magazine based on the
results of an annual reader poll; the respondents rated the
airlines’ onboard service and their range of destinations.
“Czech Airlines again confirmed this a few days ago by
finishing first in the on-time rankings of the Association of
European Airlines,” said Czech Airlines’ Vice President for
Marketing and Product Development Petr Pi’tilak. Czech Airlines
has been a member of SkyTeam since 2001.
Contact Czech Tourism, 212-288-0830; E-mail: infousa@czechtourism.com;
www.czechtourism.com
www.intourist-usa.com • 800-556-5305
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26 MARCH 2008 WWW.JAXFAX.COM
Hungary
According to a recent report
that appeared in the January
issue of Jax Fax, 14 five-star
properties and 41 four-star
choices are involved in an
ongoing campaign that entitles clients booking three consecutive
nights, a fourth for free. Overall, occupancy rates
have increased at a 50% clip during recent years. The wide
Danube (Duna in local vernacular) determines location—
either in flat Pest’s commercial, cultural and government districts
on the east side or over in hilly west-side Buda,
dominated by Hungary’s Royal Castle and traversed by narrow
streets laid out in the Middle Ages
Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites augment the capital’s
prestige: the castle complex includes the Hungarian
National Gallery, Pest’s riverfront Parliament, and the onemile
stretch of thoroughly urbane Andrássy Avenue, lined
with mansions and monumental public buildings, restored to
their 19th-century opulence.
For Budapest at its cultural showiest, nothing beats each
year’s two-week Spring Festival, with #27 in the annual
series coming March 14-30. For tickets
www.festivalcity.hu.
Contact the Hungarian National Tourist Office, 212-695-
1221; E-mail: info@gotohungary.com; www.gotohungary.com
FREE GIFT
WITH
YOUR TOUR
PURCHASE
Orbis Polish Travel Bureau, Inc.
Please contact us via email at:
info@orbistravel.com • groups@orbistravel.com
hotels@orbistravel.com
WWW.JAXFAX.COM MARCH 2008 27