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European tour operators highly rated Croatia
Recently, the Association of European Tour Operators (ETOA) conducted a survey that identified the most popular holiday countries in Europe in various categories. Croatia became the best holiday destination in Europe, receiving the maximum number of votes (23%) in the categories "most delightful holiday" and "financially most advantageous holiday" (19%).
This is explained quite easily: Croatia is perceived by everyone as a European country, but it is not a member of the European Union and is therefore free from many of its obligations. For instance, Croatia does not have a mandatory 19% value-added tax, which gives it a notable financial advantage compared to its closest neighbors, primarily Italy and Greece.
Economically advantageous holidays were also recognized in Spain (19%) and the Czech Republic (13%), reports RATA-News. More than half of the operators named Great Britain (57%) as the most expensive country in Europe. Germany turned out to be the country with the best service (32%), Italy was almost unanimously recognized as the best cultural tourism destination - 94% of operators called it ideal for getting acquainted with art.
As the survey showed, in their attitude to the main European capitals, professionals differ little from ordinary tourists. For example, as expected, they consider Paris the best place for lovers (71%), and London for shopping (35%). True, if Paris has no competitors, then London is literally breathing down its neck. When it comes to shopping, Paris (32%) and Milan (23%) also had good chances. According to operators, the cheapest food is in Prague (37%), but the most delicious food is in France (58%).
The Association has existed since 1989 and includes 400 different companies and organizations, of which more than 100 are the largest European inbound tourism operators. Their total annual turnover is about €6 billion. The composition of survey participants is also impressive - these are leading European operators Contiki, Cendant TDS, Gate 1, Travel, GTA, JTB, Kuoni, Lastminute.com, Laterooms.com, Octopus, Trafalgar tours and others.
Israel and Egypt have changed requirements for the validity period of tourists' passports
Egypt and Israel have changed the requirements for passports of those wishing to visit these countries, reports Travel.ru.
Thus, for a trip to Israel, it is now required to have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of the intended end of the trip. Let us recall that previously entry was allowed for holders of passports valid for at least six months at the time of applying for a visa.
From now on, when going to Egypt, one should have a passport valid for two months after the end of the visit. Previously, Egypt was one of the few countries where one could travel with a passport whose validity expires almost in the coming days.
State Department will teach Americans how to behave abroad
The US State Department has joined a program of a number of American companies and will publish a special reference book for American tourists with recommendations on how to behave properly in foreign countries so as not to damage the image of the United States.
As The Telegraph writes, the government is seriously concerned about the negative attitude towards its citizens abroad. The publication is called "Citizen's World Guide", it will contain 16 recommendations concerning ethical and everyday principles of communication in an unfamiliar environment. As Lenta.ru reports, the State Department intends to supply all American tourists with the manual.
The goal of the program, according to officials, is to create an army of civilian ambassadors of the United States who will form a positive image of the country in their places of stay. Research shows that American tourists are commonly considered arrogant and insensitive, focused on material values and unfamiliar with the culture of foreign countries. The recommendations of the "Guide" should teach Americans to be more tactful, not to discuss US politics and their religious preferences, and to try to learn the national mentality of the countries.
In the future, the reference books will be adapted, including for children and student groups traveling abroad. The first editions of the reference book were produced for employees of foreign representative offices of American companies. The action was held under the slogan: "Help your country's image by traveling in the interests of your company".
Sea excursions in Dubai again allowed for tourists
In Dubai, an emergency meeting was held on ensuring cruise safety. The meeting was convened after the sea tragedy off the coast of Bahrain in early April, when 58 people died as a result of the crash of an overloaded vessel. Following that, sea excursions were banned in Dubai.
Participants of the meeting discussed tasks to strengthen safety measures on cruise ships, reports IS "Russian Emirates". Overloading of boats is a common occurrence on the two dozen vessels used in Dubai Creek. Not all vessels that have been plying the water channel for about 20 years are equipped with a sufficient number of lifebuoys. Not all boats have reliable rescue equipment. Smoking shisha and cooking shashlik also create danger for passengers' lives.
A decision that will please guests of the emirate was the result of the meeting. Tourists will not be deprived of attractive cruises along the creek, which is especially beautiful in the evening: the ban on sea excursions along Dubai Creek on cruise boats has been lifted. All vessels working in this field are allowed to organize trips to explore the sights of Dubai.
At the same time, the emirate's port authority issued a statement in which it obliged all companies to strictly adhere to the rules of maritime passenger transportation. The authority banned the use of the upper decks of boats for tourist entertainment. Operators are required to place passengers in strictly designated places and only on the lower deck.
"Disaster for the weekend" – a new tour of Budapest
One of the Hungarian travel agencies decided to use the flood that has engulfed the country to attract tourists. It organized a sightseeing tour of Budapest called "Disaster for the weekend", reports Echo of Moscow. At the agency's request, city maps were printed showing the places most affected by the flood.
The offer is valid for a limited time because the flood is receding. Company representatives note that the new service is in high demand.
It should be recalled that US travel agencies have also taken up a similar business. Some companies in Florida, Texas and Oklahoma have organized "hurricane tours" – a customer pays from $1,500, and the company notifies the customer 48 hours in advance about the impending cataclysm and provides transportation to the scene. The client gets the opportunity to see with their own eyes the effects of nature's destructive forces and assess the consequences of the disaster.
In Rio de Janeiro, many want to leave the city
More than half of Rio de Janeiro residents have expressed a desire to change their place of residence and move to other cities because of rising crime. This is evidenced by a public opinion poll conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Social Research.
The poll involved 2,482 Rio de Janeiro residents. The margin of error is 2%. Only 2% of respondents found it difficult to answer whether they would change their place of residence, and 1% said they did not know the answer.
According to RIA Novosti, sad statistics show that five robberies occur in Rio de Janeiro every minute. Over the past 30 days, 483,000 thefts, robberies and armed attacks were committed, of which 203,000 were street thefts. 34% of Rio residents never leave their homes after dark. 26% of respondents said they go out with caution, and 16% have become less likely to leave their homes at night and in the evening.
The majority of respondents (69.13%) believe that the crime situation in Rio de Janeiro has deteriorated sharply over the past six months and support the participation of the army in restoring law and order in the once "Marvelous City".