TRAVELLER MAGAZIN NO.83 (FEBRUARY 2011)
HOLIDAY MARKET – the second fair of ANAT
Holiday Market 2011
The International Conference Centre in the Palace of Parliament will receive over 20.000 visitors between March 17- 20. This is the prognosis of The National Association of Travel Agencies in Romania (ANAT), the organizer of the International Tourism Fair “Holiday Market”. ANAT and its partner Ralcom Exhibitions have organized last year, in the same location, the first editions of the Holiday Market and Winter Holiday fairs.
The interest shown by the specialists and public indicate an increasing holiday potential for 2011. There will be over 110 companies on a commercial surface of 3.000 square meters. “During the fair we will promote again special packages like <Holidays in my country -2011> and Early Booking for other destinations. The exhibitors will give holidays as prizes too” – said Corina Martin, president of ANAT.
New up to date information you can find on: www.targuri-anat.ro. Traveller Magazin is one of the media partners of this event.
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Blue Air – new summer ways
The first smart flying company in Romania – Blue Air – opened three new destinations, from Bacău airport: Barcelona, Larnaca and Bruxelles. Starting April 15, each Friday and Tuesday, passengers may choose a flight Bacău-Larnaca-Bacău. June 3rd Bacău-Barcelona will run each Monday and Friday. May 30 the Bacău-Bruxelles will start running each Monday and Friday too. Blue Air also announced that, due to the travel market demand, the company will fly again Bucharest-Lisbon, between June 14 and September 17.
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Hotel Intercontinental is… the best
According to worldtravelawards.com the best hotel in Romania is considered to be Intercontinental in Bucharest. The complex is classified 5 stars and this year it accomplishes 40 since opening. It is 90 meters high and has 283 rooms disposed on 22 floors. It has been modernized various times: in 1996, 2006 and last time in 2009. Today it offers comfort and facilities at the level of its international standard.
Together with Intercontinental other 5 stars hotels in the Capital where mentioned, such as: Palace Hilton, Carol Parc, Howard Johnson and JW Marriott. According to the same source, the voters choose Gstaad Palace (Switzerland) as the world best ski resort. The best business-hotel is Pan Pacific in Singapore, the most romantic resort is Sandals Grande Resort&Spa (Antigua), and the best honey moon destination is the island of St. Lucia (Caribbean)
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Henri Coandă raised 10%
The two aerial gates administrated by National Airport Company Bucharest (CNAB) – International Airport Henri Coandă Bucharest and International Airport Bucharest-Băneasa-Aurel Vlaicu – registered a total traffic of 7.036.102 passengers and 106.685 aircraft take offs and landings.
International Airport Henri Coandă (AIHCB) traffic was 10% higher than in 2009, reaching 4.917.952 passengers; meanwhile International Airport Bucharest-Băneasa-Aurel Vlaicu (AIBB-AV) registered 7.5 % more than in 2009 (meaning 2.118.150 passengers). “In 2010, 41% of the total number of passengers that used the International Airport Henri Coandă had as destinations the Schengen member states” – said Tudor Jidav, general director of CNAB.
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Bucharest is in Michelin
The 2011 green French Michelin travel guide rated the capital of Romania 2 out of the 3 possible stars! The criteria that led to this rating where the following: the increased number of foreign visitors, high lodging capacity of the hotels, the presence of the destination in the European City Break offers, the finalization of several infrastructure projects.
The authors of the guidebook describe Bucharest a crowded though fascinating city, that might finally win your heart. They indicate as hot spots: “quality museums, fine churches and neoclassic palaces, which are to satisfy art lovers”.
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Rezidor comes with Park Inn
Two events announced by the international Rezidor Group open a new connection in the Romanian hotel market. The first is the contract with Bucureşti Turism. It states that Rezidor will overtake the administration of the 294 rooms in Centre Ville Aparthotel Complex, presently operated by Radisson Blu. After this action Rezidor will administrate 718 rooms in the capital city.
On the other hand Philippe Bijaoui, international development vicepresident of Rezidor, said that the group will promote the Park Inn brand on the Romanian mark. According to the project almost 7 new hotels will come in the next three years, the evaluated locations being in Bucharest, Timişoara, Sibiu and Braşov.
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3 novelties for ski
The national program „Ski in România”, dedicated to the development of mountain resorts, has three new projects co-financed by The Minister of Regional Development and Tourism, in a partnership with local or regional administration.
Sinaia welcomed snow lovers with its new attractions in Valea Soarelui. Two large slopes where opened here: Valea Soarelui 2 (with a total length of 1.200 meters) and Lăptici (1.900 meters). Also on Prahova Valley, in Buşteni resort, opened the Fun Park. It offers a climbing panel, a ski slope, a baby ski for beginners, etc.
A bit further west in the Carpathians, in Hunedoara County, at Vulcan, a part of the works at the gondola transportation system is ready (between 770 and 1310 meters). Once all the works done, the gondola will assure connections for three ski slopes.
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In Taiwan without visa
Starting this year Romanian citizens may travel, for leisure, in Taiwan, without needing a visa, as decided in Taipei. The agreed period, according to EU official journal, is of maximum 90 days. The new 1211/2010 improves the rules of 539/2001 issue. The agreement states 90 days in Taiwan, no visa requirement, for all Schengen member states, as well as for Romanians, Bulgarians and citizens of Cyprus.
