The first hotel of an international chain opened after 1990 in Romania, - Sofitel, currently Pullmann -, will be vended in January 2014. The hotel, part of Accor group, is a four-star hotel, it has 188 rooms and 15 apartments. Market sources announced that the sale of it was evaluated at 20 million EUR, amount which could cover part of the debts of World Trade Centre Bucharest (WTCB), the owner of the hotel, in insolvency. Remus Borza, manager of Euro Insol, judicial manager of World Trade Centre, declared that this was a possibility to consider. According to the same source, the value of World Trade Centre’s debts raises to 90 million EUR, the largest creditors being Fondul Proprietatea (with 85% of the amount) and Capital Town Hall.

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<strong>Alexander Shtifanov is the leader of Champions Flair Crash </strong>

Champions Sports Bar &amp; Restaurant in partnership with Exquisite Bar Solutions has organised the 12th edition of Champions Flair Crash, one of the most famous competition of flair bartending in the world. Some of the most talented barmen gathered at J.W. Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, within an absolutely inedited show. Some of the most important names were: Rodrigo Delpech from USA, 17 times world champion, Denny Bakiev from Ukraine, winner of the 11th edition of Champions Flair Crash, Tomek Malek from Poland, triple world champion etc.
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The winner of the 12th edition of Champions Flair Crash was declared Alexander Shtifanov from Russia. He was seconded by the Polish Posluszny Marek and the British Tom Dyer. The current edition has promoted a recompense budget in quantum of EUR 5.800.

<strong>THE ROYAL TRAIN is being valued</strong>

The Royal Train has been reintroduced in the offers of Romanian travel agencies. After all, who does not want to relive for at least few moments the atmosphere of saloons where King Mihai, president Gerald Ford, European leaders such as Nicolae Ceauşescu, Leonid Brejnev, Teodor Jivkov, Erik Honecker used to travel? History of 24 karats.
The special manager of the Railway Company of Tourism, Octavian Covali, declared that the valuation of the royal train “could bring income of around EUR 150.000 per year and could contribute to the restoration of the company. The royal train may be used for different kinds of tourist events, and for actions of promotion of products, operating as a train on command”. The operation of it has started in September 2012. The lease costs are set forth for each trip separately depending on the route and services required by clients. For instance, for one-day trip to Sinaia, the rates reach 11.000 EUR plus VAT.

<strong>IULIA SCAVO in European Top 3 </strong>

The Romanian Iulia Scavo (former Goșea) occupied the third place in the final stage of the Competition Best Sommelier of Europe. The 14th edition of the competition was organised under aegis of ASI (International Association of Sommelier) in San Remo and Monte Carlo and gathered participants from 38 countries. The first place was adjudicated by Arvid Rosengren (Sweden), followed by David Biraud (France).
Member of Romanian Association of Sommelier Iulia Scavo is one of the most titled sommelier in our country. Among her performances, we mention the 5th place in the world (Japan 2012), the title of the Best Sommelier of Central Europe (Hungary 2012) and the Best Sommelier in the world in spark water (Chile 2010).

<strong>MAÎTRE D'HOTEL Competition</strong>
<strong>Ovidiu Olteanu won the big prize
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25 participants from the entire country gathered, on November 30th, at Romanian Olympic Committee from Izvorani Complex to the 11th edition of the National Competition Maître D'Hotel -2013. In front of a select audience, formed of leaders of tourism organizations, specialists in Horeca field and specialised media, the jury formed of experts of reference in the field appreciated the best evolutions. The trophy "Marian Bugan" (bearing the name of the founder of the first superior school of private tourist education in Romania, after 1990), was adjudicated by Ovidiu Olteanu (Welness Cuisine restaurant) from Bucharest. He was seconded by three young men from Cluj. The 1st place was awarded to Ilie Drăgan, followed on 2nd place by Tudor Harmath (both from Marty restaurant). The third place was occupied by Laura Stanciu (independent participant) - stated Niculae Pupăză, president of the National Association of Maître D'Hotel.

<strong>HAGI has launched a new concept - H10 SPORT</strong>

Four Romanian businessmen together with the former football player Gheorghe Hagi intend to develop a chain of bars under the brand of H10 Sport Lounge. The first was opened in Constanța and needed an investment of EUR 400.000. According to the shareholders, it is not intended to develop an operational franchise, but a network of partners with independent management locally. The project involves the opening of 10 new spaces up to the end of the year 2014 in Brașov, Iași, Timișoara, Cluj, Craiova, Galați, Ploiești, Sibiu, Arad, Bacău, Oradea and Suceava.