TRAVELLER MAGAZIN NO.90 ENGLISH VERSION
(SEPTEMBER 2011)
Best of Civil Aviation
On September 1st, in Bucharest, the authorities have signed the papers for the foundation of the best instruction center for civil aviation in South-Eastern Europe. The Regional Excellence Center in Civil Aviation is a result of the collaboration between ROMATSA, Bucharest Airports National Company, TAROM carrier, The Romanian Aviation Academy, Romania’s Aeroclub and the Astoria complex in Snagov. „Romania has been recognized as a country with great specialists in civil aviation. I trust that by bringing together all the experience in Romanian civil aviation we will create one of the best profile institutions in Europe. It is an ambitious project, one that surpasses border limits, one of great importance for the Romanian aviation school” – said the minister Anca Boagiu.
Bucharest has tourist busses
The Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism (MDRT) and Bucharest Transport (RATB) made a partnership and offered visitors four double deck busses. They work every day, from 10 to 22 on the following circular route: Free Press Square, Village Museum, Arch of Triumph, Victory Square, Victory Street, The Palace of Parliament, Union Square and then back to University Square, Roman Square, Victory Square, Charles de Gaulle Square, end in Free Press Square. One may hop off and visit the Herastrau Park, Antipa Museum, The Romanian Peasant Museum, The Romanian Athenaeum, The National Art Museum, and Creţulescu Church, CEC palace, National History Museum, Palace of Parliament and several other points on the way.
The tickets are valid one day and may be bought on board. They cost 25 ron (about 6 euro) for adults and 10 ron (2,5 euro) for kids aged 7 to 14.
This month’s transaction Eurolines shakes the hand with TUI
The Eurolines Romania Group made a strategic partnership with TUI Travel PLC, the 
tourism world leader. The transaction expands the Eurolines’ Group operations in Republic of Moldova and marks the beginning of the collaboration of the Germans on the Romanian and Moldavian markets. The 52 agencies in the distribution chain of Eurolines will start working under the TUI Travel Center. „We have been looking for several years now for the best solution in order to approach the tourism distribution market in Romania. We are happy to have found our long run collaboration partner in Eurolines.” – said dr. Klaus Pümpel, CEO TUI Austria Holding. At his turn Dragoş Anastasiu, Eurolines leader, said that “using TUI Travel Center the Romanian tourist will access first hand quality services, now including genuine TUI products”. Through this transaction Eurolines also overtook Danubius Travel in Constanţa, society owned by TUI in Romania.
Romanian tourism in figures
If we compare the first seven months of the year with the similar period of 2010 records show a slight revival of tourism in Romania. A report of the National Statistics Institute (INS) on accommodation shows a 14% increase in arrivals and a 9,9% increase in room occupancy.
The arrivals in accommodation structures totalized a bit more than 3,7 millions (out of which 77,8% being Romanians and, similar to last year, 22,2% foreigners). Arrivals in hotels represent 76,9% of the total, which means 15,4% more than in 2010. The number of nights went up 9,9%, slightly passing 9.1 million. The number of foreign tourists went up 1,1%, reaching 4.259 million visitors. Most of them (94,3%) come from Europe as the figures show: Hungary (35,8%), Bulgaria (17,9%), Germany (8,6), Italy (8,1%), Poland 5,7% and Austria (4,2%).
Plaza Executiv – a super design hotel
The building of a former two stars hotel, named Transilvania, located in Târgu Mureş (Mureş County) and last owned by Unita Turism, was bought by the business man Florin Vlas. After more than one year he built on the structure the first five stars hotel in Târgu Mureş. Regarding its functions and exceptional quality facilities the location became one of the most complete design-hotels in Transilvania.
Plaza Executiv hotel is a part of the local hotel chain that comprises Plaza Business & Spa (four stars), and Ciao hotel (three stars). Plaza Executiv offers 17 rooms, 4 apartments and one luxury penthouse suite.
The general director, Dacian Vlas said that “even if the hotel is recently opened it is highly appreciated by foreign tourists. They like and use the facilities offered by the Plaza Society Café, our restaurant, the multifunctional conference centre, the spa etc”.
OKTOBERFEST in Brasov
September 8-10 Oktoberfest found German traditions lovers in Brasov. The famous festival, born in Munchen, 201 years ago, has opened one of its “branches” in the Transylvanian city two years ago.
Thousands of beer mugs, traditional specialties, multicultural sausages created a unique atmosphere at the foot of Tâmpa hill, in the „Ion Ţiriac” Sportive Arenas in Brasov.
This year too the Oktoberfest was organized by the German Economic Club in Braşov, with the support of the City hall and the County Council. Several traditional German bands, the famous Wirbelvind, Bavarian games, a miss contest delighted the public. Traveller Magazin is one of the media partners of the event.
1st DOUBLETREE by HILTON opened
This month Bucharest saw the opening of the first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Romania. The DoubleTree by Hilton Bucharest-Unirii Square features 88 rooms, a fitness centre, sauna and a spa treatment room. A 24-hour business centre and 2,150 square feet (200m²) of flexible meeting and conference space including a beautiful arc-shaped ballroom to accommodate special business meetings, conferences, training seminars or social events of up to 100 guests.
Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said: “With this fantastic new addition, we are proud that our brand is now open in Romania, where guests can enjoy world renowned DoubleTree by Hilton hospitality. In the coming months we look forward to additional Romanian DoubleTree by Hilton openings in the cities of Ploiesti and Oradea.”
The DoubleTree by Hilton Bucharest-Unirii Square is operated under a franchise license agreement by VIS 7 Import Export SRL with a subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide.
Wine and cakes attack Constanţa
The companies Domeniile Ostrov, Dobrogea Grup and Groove Hour launched a new campaign to support the restoration of the mosaic in Constanta. The two promoted products are Labyrinthum wine and the ecologic pastry Augusta, which follow the success idea of the initial brand The Antique Roman Bread Labyrinthum. „Every month Domeniile Ostrov and Dobrogea Grup, after selling these products, will send a fix amount of money in order to restore, protect and promote, the mosaic in Constanţa” – said Dragoş Paiu, marketing director of Groove Hour.
The event was marked by the first modern visit of the Dacian and Roman soldiers at the Black Sea side city. United in the Terra Dacica Aeterna Association in Cluj they presented a thematic show. The soldiers wore the signs of XIII Gemina Legion, the most longevive legion in Roman Dacia, having its headquarters, 1900 years ago, in Apulum (today Alba Iulia, in Transylvania).
The soldiers became like brothers, tasting a dry, full of aroma Labyrinhtum wine, and feasted with the ecologic pastry Augusta, a desert prepared after an ancient recipe. Launched by Groove Hour the project brigs in a partnership The National History and Archeology Museum in Constanţa and The County Council. Traveller Magazin is one of the media partners
