The Vienna Ball of Bucharest
At the beginning of March took place, in the Palace of Parliament, the 8th edition of the Viennese Ball. The event, organized by JW Marriott, had as a patron Dr. Michael Häupl, the mayor of Vienna. The ball has been once again a charitable action for the benefit of United Way Romania.
XXX Porecki, general director of JW Marriott said: “Vienna Ball, organized by Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, is an event that honors us and represents us in the same time. It is a pleasure to bring the elegance of famous Viennese balls in Bucharest, Vienna Ball being the only event in Romania that reconstructs this atmosphere. As in previous years we had about 950 guests that have enjoyed this unique evening.” The Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra, led by Russel McGregor, opened the evening. One of the exquisite moments was marked by the elegant presentation of the 80 beginners dace couples. They were followed by young dancers of The Ballet School of the Romanian State Opera, coordinated by Magda Rovinescu. The Austrians Elisabeth Bauer and Sebastian Huppmann enchanted with opera interpretations, while Horia Brenciu and his jazz band added some modern rhythms to the floor.
Băneasa Airport is historical monument
The main building of the International “Aurel Vlaicu” Airport in Bucharest was declared
historical monument of national interest. The place had been built between 1947 – 1952, having an airscrew shape, by the architects Cleopatra Alifanti, Mircea Alifanti, N. Bădescu, Ascanio Damian, T. Iconomu, Pompiliu Macovei and Al. Şerbescu.
The first stories about the place appear in 1910, when, on the “Băneasa fields” the pioneer of Romanian aviation, Aurel Vlaicu, was making demonstrations with a plane that he had conceived. The first flights in the area where carried by Louis Bleriot, in 1909, using for landing and takeoff lands belonging to the domains of the Montesquieu countess. November 12, 1922, the first intercontinental flight, Europe-Asia, was operated, having stops in Paris – Strasbourg – Prague -Vienna – Bucharest (Băneasa) – Constantinople. Baneasa has been the first and only international airport in Romania until the opening, in 1970, of the Otopeni Airport in Bucharest.
ANBCT is 40 years old!
The oldest professional association in Romania – ANBCT – celebrated four decades of existence.
ABC, the Association of Chefs and Confectioners in Romania, was born in 1971, having Berbece Constantin as president, Burtea Dumitru, Cotan Vasilica and Mihai Constantin as vice-presidents and Ceară Cornelia as secretary. The goal of the association was contributing to the development of jobs in the gastronomy field, participating at international events, etc. The same year ABC adhered to the international organization that will become WACS (World Association of Chefs Societies).
After 1995 ABC reorganized as ANBCT – The National Association of Chefs and Confectioners of Tourism in Romania.
„Romania has been participating in various contests and international exhibitions, in all the 10 Gastronomy Olympics and 12 World Congresses, receiving over 50 trophies, medals and diplomas” – said Dumitru Burtea, Honorific member of WACS, president of Euro-Toques Romania and Honorific president of ANBCT.
Romania in „Business Airport World Expo 2012”
The Bucharest Airports National Company participated in the international exhibition „Business Airport World Expo” in Cannes. Over 150 aviation companies, regular or 
business, from all over the world, have presented their offers. The main goal of the participation of B.A.N.C was promoting the new business terminal, opened last year, of the International Airport Bucharest Băneasa Aurel Vlaicu.
The concept of the Romanian exhibit had a historical 20es touch. It focused on underlining the 100 years old story of this airport, one of the first gates of business flights of the world.
Christian Tour launched Senior Voyage
Christian Tour, the largest Romanian charter tour operator created Senior Voyage. This is the first Romanian brand dedicated to passengers over 55, which wish to spend their holiday time in Europe. Cristian Pandel, manager of the agency, considers that the expansion on the external markets is firstly supporting its position in Romania: „We have developed following the principle: a large volume of tourists brings after it an even larger one. You buy more and more rooms, tickets; you get greater discounts from hotels, carriers, local suppliers, etc. Last year we have registered a total of 100.000 tourists and a sales volume of 30.000.000 euro. We can offer great prices on all destinations that we operate and we were determined to expand our agency in Europe, through Pegas Holidays. In 2011 we have opened four new offices, in Bulgaria and Turkey.”
RTF – an exhibition record
The 27th edition of the Romanian Tourism Fair (March 15-18th), hosted by Romexpo Exhibition Center in Bucharest, gathered over 200 participants from 25 countries. Comparing with last year (110 participants from 19 countries exhibiting on 8.500 sqm) it seems that the interest of the tourism business holders went up. „RTF, organized by Romexpo in a partnership with various organizations, presented destinations, products, and hotel investments, internal and international offers, in six pavilions, on a total surface of 15.000 sqm” said Mariana Suciu, general director of Romexpo.
Change for Lufthansa in Romania
The Belgian Patrick Artiel is the new manager for Romania and Moldova of the Lufthansa carrier. Last month he replaced the German Stefan Versemann, which led the company in the last four years. Patrick comes from Holland where he has been the general director of Lufthansa for about two years. In his portfolio one can see he occupied similar positions for Swiss Airlines in Holland and Belgium. As the regional office announced, Lufthansa reached a 23% market share in Romania.
Braşovul and Linz in brotherhood
The city of Braşov, one of the capitals of Romanian tourism, is now one of the 17 „brother” cities of Linz (Austria). The decizion came due to the fact that „the two cities are very much alike, modern, facing an interesting economic and cultural development” – said vicemayor of Linz, Christiana Dolezal. He also commented to have noticed, during his visits, several common aspects such as industry, cultural, educational and social projects. The partnership will make the two cities collaborate in sectors such as tourism, sports, university. Brasov has other 10 “brother” cities in the whole world, and also seven other similar collaboration projects.
