Update from the Desk - September 2013

Dear Colleague    We are delighted to advise that our client, Past and Present Journeys of Albania will be exhibiting at World Travel Market on Stand EM1160.    Past and Present is an innovative and creative Destination Management Company and the market leader in Albania, a country which is being discovered by those in the know. With daily BA flights from Gatwick to Tirana and the arrival of a new Hilton hotel later this year, to join the Sheraton already there, Albania is on the brink of becoming Europe's newest hotspot. Tirana is now beginning to feature as a city break destination with its excellent range of boutique hotels, outdoor cafés, bars and restaurants. Foodies will be surprised by the cuisine which is really coming into its own because it is fresh, organic and locally grown - 'we feast on fresh oysters caught hours before, in the Ionian Sea, washed down with white wine as crisp and clean as a green apple, from Albania's biggest vineyeard, Cobo, in Berat' - to quote a recent article. The coastline is only developed in parts with long sandy beaches and tiny Caribbean-style coves; some of the smaller beach resorts have friendly 3* and 4* family owned hotels, perfect for a good-value holiday. Visitors interested in a cultural programme can spend a week or more discovering the highlights of this emerging destination - the archaeological treasures at Butrint and Apollonia, the UNESCO World Heritage town of Gjirokaster with its Ottoman-style houses, Tirana's National Art Gallery stuffed with Socialist-Realist art and the frescoes in the 13th century monastery at Ardenice. But there is so much more - the north of the country is dominated by the dramatic, brooding Albanian Alps where trekking and horse riding are popular ways to explore the region. And if your clients want to understand the politics of this intriguing country, Past and Present can introduce them to former ministers and Balkan political analysts.    Dritan Xhengo, the MD would be pleased to have a meeting with you to tell you about his company and what they can do to enhance your programme, if you already operate in Albania, or to introduce you to this intriguing destination.  Don't get left behind - be a market leader. Please contact Dritan by email on dritan.xhengo@pastandpresent.al or get in touch with us at RP Marketing on rpmarketg@aol.com or Tel 01726 816400. We will be happy to talk to you. We look forward to seeing you in London. Richard Find us on Facebook: RP Marketing and 'click' the LIKE button to receive our fresh postings and news. On Twitter we are @RichardParks47 And LinkedIn: Richard Parks In the next few months we will be developing more ways of promoting and raising the awareness of our client businesses, so do please join us on this adventure. If you would like to speak to me on Skype, my contact is Richard J Parks. Please do contact us to discuss your requirements. Best regards RICHARD PARKS rpmarketg@aol.com

RP Marketing Associates This newsletter is written by Anita Sach of Travel Projects:anita@travelprojects.co.uk; www.travelprojects.co.uk. Travel Projects offer newsletter copywriting services, product development support for Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Albania and the writing, editing and proofreading of websites and travel brochures. If you wish to unsubscribe to this enewsletter please contact RP Marketing at rpmarketg@aol.com. Sincerely,    Richard Parks RP Marketing Something to make you think again about Albania 'Warm, toasted bread is served with a fresh tomato salsa (think bruschetta), and a mild, white cheese and yogurt spread with hints of mint that's so local we're unable to satisfy future cravings for it. Small fillets of tender white fish are delicately laced with lemon peel, and octopus carpaccio is drizzled in Albanian olive oil.  We could be anywhere in the Med, except we'd be paying at least twice as much.'   (courtesy of Lunch magazine)