Skovin's Wine popular in Japan

Macedonian winery Skovin, the only winery in Macedonia that exports wine to Japan, will strengthen its position on the Japanese market. The quality of Skovin’s wine was confirmed by experts from the largest Japanese winery, Santori.

The penetration of Macedonian wines in the Japanese market is even more significant if one takes into account that the Japanese market is very picky when it comes to quality. Export to Japan is expected to increase substantially in the coming period. Last year, 500,000 litres of wine was exported to Japan.Skovin has a good quality of wines and manages the quality control well. For this reason, it has been chosen by Japanese consumers.

Kon Tiki Sky to connect Skopje with 14 locations

Serbian airline Kon Tiki Sky, part of Travel company Kon Tiki Travel has announced beginning May 1st they will be flying out of Alexander the Great airport to 14 locations.

The first destination is Antwerp, Belgium twice weekly, while beginning June 18, Kon Tiki Sky will connect Skopje to Stuttgart, Hamburg, Berlin, Malmo and Istanbul. Three weekly flights will be scheduled to Ancona, Milan and Bologna, while four weekly flights are scheduled to Rome, Trieste, Bratislava and Dusseldorf. Basel, Switzerland will have 5 weekly flights.

The prices of the tickets will be around 50 EUR to the cities nearby and 70 to 90 EUR to the cities in northern Europe. These prices are one way.

Reconstruction of Katlanovo-Veles highway section resumes

Skopje, 12 March 2012 (MIA) - As of Monday, "Granit" construction company will continue activities to reconstruct the section of Katlanovo - Veles highway.

During the construction works in the period of 2 to 3 hours, the road will be fully closed, Auto Moto Association of Macedonia (AMSM) reports.

The construction works will be conducted every day from 7.30am to 15.30pm. sk/9:08

TraWell (Skopje) - Android App

TraWell is an application designed to be an intelligent and touristic guide which can provide you

simple but very fun navigation in the town of Skopje, the capital city of Macedonia.

This application is easy to use and it can provide complete and organized visit through all the places in
the old town: cafes, museums, galleries, churches, mosques, monuments, traditional Turkish Hamas,
restaurants, bars.. and many more places to see in this particular traditional old part of Skopje.

Once the user starts using this application, he can get full insight of a complete and fun visit which
includes gallery of pictures, maps, description of the places and rankings and comments from other
users. But what it makes this application even more interesting to use is its features such as:

-Reality +, a location based and augmented reality service that can provide you information of places
that are in your surroundings including distance and orientation.

-E-Card, service providing creating e-post cards and their sharing online vie social networks and mailing.
The pictures taken can also be saved in a personalized gallery.

-Tour Plan, a personalized catalogue of the placed the user wants to visit including map, orientation and
agenda (with time and dates) for the chosen places to visit.

This application can also be used offline. Once you download the application the user can get full guide
with pictures, maps and description of the places.

Download from: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.codewell.skctg

14.000 Dutch tourists to visit Macedonia this year

The first group of Dutch tourists will arrive to Ohrid on April 27, Economy Minister Valon Saraqini told reporters on Tuesday.

About 14.000 tourists only from the Netherlands are expected to visit Macedonia this year. Contacts have been also established with tour operators from Israel, Finland and countries form the region, he said.

"We wish for Macedonia to become an attractive tourist destination and have been working hard to that effect. A month ago we have promoted the new national strategy on rural tourism development," Saraqini said after opening the Skopje Travel Market 2012 fair.

The tourism, as fast-growing sector that creates new jobs, will also contribute substantially to the budget foreign currency inflow, he said.

International Tourism Fair opens

Travel agencies and hotel managers from Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Turkey will present their latest and most attractive arrangements at the International Tourism Fair in Skopje from Tuesday till Saturday.

Turkey and Greece are still one of the most popular destinations, while Northern Cyprus is the latest offer.

"Tourism, as a segment of economic development of a country, is a bridge between nations that we have to build to establish direct link between cultures and traditions. It lifts all obstacles, borders and visas," Economy Minister Valon Saraqini said opening the tourism fair.

Macedonia, he added, is increasingly promoted as an attractive tourist destination and is heightening its cooperation in the sphere with all other countries in the region.

"The objective is the Balkan region to be transformed into a global  destination that will welcome tourists over and over again every season. Similarities and differences are our trump card, an additional motivation to pay a visit and to enjoy in their natural and spiritual heritage," the minister stated.

He underlined that government's policies were yielding excellent results - the number of tourists has been increased by 25% in the first two months of 2012.

"The best results in the field of tourism in the past decade have been achieved in 2011 and 2012. The total number of tourists is increased by 10.5%, while accommodations rose by 7.6%. There is also an increase in the number of guests from abroad. Higher indicators are expected in 2012 provided that there is a growth in the overall turnover of tourism," Saraqini said.

The fair is visited by guests from the region, EU countries and representatives of top global manifestations and organisations.

"Guests from the region are verifying our common goal, which is strengthened regional cooperation in all economic aspects to provide sustainable development and high living standards. Guests from EU countries, on the other hand, prove that we are on our chosen path to EU membership," the minister noted.

Bulgaria is a partner country at the International Tourism Fair, which is going to present its famous tourist destinations.

Speaking at the event, Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Ivo Marinov said that Macedonia was an important tourist partner of Bulgaria.

Skopje hosts conference - Basic factors for receptive tourism development

Macedonia square in Skopje.

Economy Minister Valjon Saracini Wednesday will open conference on topic "Basic factors for receptive tourism development" which will be held in Skopje.

The Turkish actor Necati Sasmaz, who starred in the popular television series "Valley of the Wolves" as Polat Alemdar, will be a special guest at the 2nd International Tourism Fair.

Economic Chamber for Tourism of Macedonia organises the conference.

New highway for airport Alexander the Great put into use

"TAV Macedonia" has completed its EUR 100 million investment in Macedonia by putting into use a new interchange for airport "Alexander the Great" on Saturday, thus enabling easier access to the airport.

"We are encircling a significant project that is of enormous benefit for our citizens, since the airport's overhaul has resulted in interest by many low-cost airlines, whereas turnover has increased", said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski at the event.

Minister of Transport and Communications Mile Janakieski stressed the number of passengers at the Skopje-based airport vastly increased in 2011, whereas the trend has resumed this year.

"The number of passengers in the first quarter of 2012 has increased by 27 percent. I expect that subsidies for airlines will bring the number of passengers up to one million", said Janakieski.

The interchange investment was worth EUR 2,2 million, of which TAV provided EUR 1,5 million, whereas the remaining were allocated by the Government.

"TAV Macedonia" is the concessionaire of the Skopje and Ohrid airports for a period of 20 years

Imperial Tobacco Plans to Invest 23 Mln Euro in Macedonian Unit

Britain's Imperial Tobacco plans to invest 23 million euro ($30 million) in its Macedonian unit this year, the Skopje-based Economic Chamber said on Tuesday.

The investment is aimed at providing new manufacturing and packaging equipment that will increase the annual output of the Macedonian unit to 10 billion from six billion cigarettes, the Economic Chamber said in a statement quoting Richard Parratt, the general director of Skopje-based Imperial Tobacco TKS.

Miracle in Skopje church attracts thousands

Saint Demetrius church, Skopje.

Followers from all over Macedonia come to Skopje-based church "St. Dimitrija", waiting in lines to witness the phenomenon of fresco self-cleansing.

Church priests say this is a miracle, meaning people should turn towards God more often.

The cleansing phenomenon began at weekend's holiday Cvetnici (Palm Sunday) on the fresco at the church's entrance, followed by other frescoes inside.

According to clergymen, a similar phenomenon was registered only in Russia in the 1930s, when natural colors of frescoes and icons began to re-emerge in one church.

Natural colors of the frescoes in the Skopje church re-emerge at the aureoles of saints, but also on portion of their garments painted in gold.

Some of the icons in church "St. Dimitrija" are 100 years old, whereas others were painted after the 1963 Skopje earthquake.

100,000 passengers at Mak Airports in beginning of 2012

The number of transported passengers in airline traffic at Macedonian airports in the first two months in 2012 has increased by 20 percent compared to the same period in 2011, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said in a press release.
In January, the number of transported passengers at the Skopje and Ohrid airports amounted to 63,877 i.e. a 23.5 percent increase compared to 2011. In February, the number is 48,756, which is up by 21.2 percent compared to the same month last year.

"Following the completion of the project for modernization of Macedonia's airport system by way of concession, there has been a continual rise in the number of passengers and flights. A total of 834,273 were transported at both airports in the course of 2011, which is an increase by 15 percent compared to 2010. In addition, there has been a 9.8-percent rise in the cargo transport", reads the press release.

Four souvenir Shops open in Skopje

Four souvenir shops opened in downtown Skopje on Wednesday, first of the 20 unified tourism-cultural points in several Macedonian cities (Ohrid, Bitola, Struga, Berovo etc) and three border crossings (Tabanovce, Bogorodica and Deve Bair).
The shops sell replicas of displays in the Museum of Macedonia - items excavated at archaeological sites or applications of authentic jewelry, copies of the monuments throughout the country, puzzles, key chains, magnets etc.
Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska said souvenirs aim towards cultural and tourism promotion, but are also intended for Macedonian citizens.
"These shops are of enormous significance for Macedonia's tourism promotion. There is a large spectre of items, whereas prices are lower compared to other countries", added Kanceska-Milevska.

British Business Group Opens New Office in Skopje

The British Business Group (BBG), whose main objective is to facilitate trade links between businessmen from the United Kingdom and Macedonia, has opened Wednesday a new office in Skopje. The Prince Michael of Kent was also in attendance at the event.
"Up until now, it was difficult for us to make contacts and to be reached, but as of now we get new premises where Macedonian entrepreneurs can come and collect information on establishing business contacts in the UK as well as British businessmen who are interested to launch a business in Macedonia," the BBG's Chairman, Ray Power stated.
He said he was satisfied with the visit of the top business delegation, led by Prince Michael of Kent, which has been visiting Macedonia upon an invitation by the BBG in the past few days.
"The goal was the British delegation to learn about the investment opportunities in Macedonia and to establish business contacts with Macedonian businessmen. Time is needed a final decision to be reached when it comes to investments. However, it is necessary to underline that significant efforts were made last year in analysing the economic situation for this business visit. I hope that concrete results from this visit will be evident before the summer," Ray Power said.
The British Business Group has been functioning for six years in Macedonia mainly on voluntary basis. As of this year, BBG members will start paying membership fees. The office will cover Macedonia and similar offices will be opened in other countries in the region if it makes successful projects. Several activities will be conducted this year aimed at attracting fresh British investments in Macedonia and organising a visit to London for Macedonian businessmen.

Czech Airlines suspending Prague-Skopje flights

The Czech airline CSA will suspend its direct flights between Skopje and Prague and vice versa by the end of the 2011/2012 winter season i.e. on March 24, MIA reported from the Czech capital.
"Prague-Skopje direct flights are unfortunately not profitable. Moreover, the direct flights are not incorporated into the main model used by Czech Airlines, its spokesperson Hana Hejskova told local media.
The Skopje-Prague-Skopje direct flight was introduced on 17 May 2005. Prague was promoted as one of the most popular European destinations connecting passengers with several cities worldwide.
The Czech national airline ended 2011 with a decrease in the number of passengers by 7.5%, which is a result of company's efforts to cut down air-crafts and flights as a way to tackle the current crisis.

Orthodox believers celebrate Epiphany

Orthodox believers Thursday celebrate the great Christian holiday - Epiphany.

The holiday marks two events in Jesus Christ’s life, according to the Christian Bible. The first event was when the three wise men, or kings, visited infant Jesus. The second event was when St. John the Baptist baptized Jesus.

Epiphany liturgy will begin Thursday morning in “St. Dimitrija” church in Skopje. The Head of Macedonian Orthodox Church, Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia HH Stefan will perform the Great Theophany Blessing of Water, dipping the Holy Cross and blessing the water of the river Vardar after that 127 believers will jump into the river and will try to catch the Holy Cross. It is considered that the one who catches the cross will enjoy happiness, health and welfare all year long.

The traditional ceremony of throwing the Holy Cross will be held throughout Macedonia, with the largest event in Ohrid.

Nova Makedonija daily is the organiser of the event and this year’s godfather is Sasko Staninov.

The traditional ceremony of throwing the Holy Cross is also held throughout Macedonia, with the largest event in Ohrid.

According to the Law on Holidays, Epiphany is non-working for Orthodox believers.

The holiday marks two events in Jesus Christ’s life, according to the Christian Bible. The first event was when the three wise men, or kings, visited infant Jesus. The second event was when St. John the Baptist baptized Jesus. According to the Law on Holidays, Epiphany is non-working for Orthodox believers.

Daniel Doncevski catches the Holy Cross during Epiphany celebration in Skopje
Twenty-two year old Daniel Doncevski from Kratovo caught the Holy Cross that the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church HH Stefan threw in the waters of river Vardar on occasion of Epiphany in Skopje. He was the luckiest among the 127 believers that jumped into the waters of river Vardar. He caught the cross also in 2007.
It is considered that the one who catches the cross will enjoy happiness, health and welfare all year long.
Doncevski was given laptop from PM Nikola Gruevski, an icon from Centre municipality and golden coin from Skopje City.
The Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church HH Stefan sent traditional Epiphany message. Many believers attended the event as well as PM Nikola Gruevski.
Epiphany liturgy began Thursday morning in “St. Dimitrija” church in Skopje. The Head of Macedonian Orthodox Church, Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia HH Stefan performed the Great Theophany Blessing of Water, dipping the Holy Cross and blessing the water of the river Vardar.

Macedonia's airports welcome 6.000 passengers during New Year Holidays

During the New Year weekend Macedonia's airports welcomed 6.101 passengers, or 8 percent more in comparison to the same period last year, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said Tuesday in a press release.

The frequency of passengers reached its peak on the New Year's first day, when Skopje and Ohrid Airports handled 2,268 and 345 passengers respectively.

"Renovated airports in Skopje and Ohrid were opened last year. Skopje's Alexander the Great airport got a new passenger terminal, thus increasing its capacity to serving 4 million passengers per year," the press release reads.

Skopje more expensive than London, Moscow

Household appliances, clothing, footwear and many other products are cheaper in London, Moscow and Athens than in Skopje! Although hard to believe, since Macedonian standard and purchasing power of citizens is lower, our search for various offers on websites and looking at world-famous brands showed perhaps an expected conclusion - Macedonians pay the highest prices for the same products in comparison with neighbors and citizens of European countries.
For example, television brand "Sony", ready for viewing in 3D, with a 117 cm screen size, Macedonians paid 1,720 euros, while it is 1,666 euros for the Croats and in Serbia cost 1,500 euros. The Bulgarians in Sofia paid 950 euros for the same TV, almost half of what Macedonians pay.
The same television brand in European countries can be found on an average for 1,150 euros.
Another example is for a new model of child car seat ("Kiko" brand) in Macedonia is 178 euros, while the Brits and other European countries pay between 120-150 euros.
Set of kitchen cutlery from three pieces of Italian brand "Guzzini" in Macedonia cost 31 euro, while Guzzini's website sells them for 19.5 euros."Timberland" shoes in Skopje are selling between 7,000 and 11,000 denars ($140-$200), while simple visit to Timberland's website will see the same shoes ranging from $70 to $75 dollars.

Skopje and Zagreb become Sister Cities

Skopje mayor Koce Trajanovski and Zagreb mayor Milan Bandic signed a Charter of Friendship and Cooperation a few days ago. The goal of the document is to enable the two cities to have mutual goals and results, with a special focus on enhancement of economic and cultural connections.In this way, exchange of experience in the environmental protection, mutual learning about the culture, history and tradition, cooperation between museums and universities, cooperation in education, urban development and state-owned companies will be enabled.
Moreover, the two cities will cooperate within the framework of international organizations whose members they are. Trajanovski said that Zagreb’s experience in the European integration could significantly help Skopje.

Macedonia Blanketed by Snow

Snowboarder near the Stone Bridge in Skopje

Heavy snowfalls was registered across Macedonia today.
Skopje was covered 10 cm snow cover while eastern and southern Macedonia are expecting up to 30cm of snow.
The ski season is officially open!

Belgian JetAirFly to Connect Brussels and Skopje

New air connection will be established between Skopje and Brussels by Belgian airlinie JetAirFly.

The ticket cost is set at 79 euros. Flights are scheduled to start on May 11, 2012.

JetAirFly from Brussels will operate in a 'triangle' fashion in it that it is first going to land in Ohrid and then Skopje (Brussels - Ohrid- Skopje).