The FINANCIAL — The period of New Year and Christmas is always a special one even for big businessmen and busy professionals. They also love to spend their free time in snowy places together with their closest friends and family members.
However some of them prefer to meet the New Year on sunny beaches. We asked a number of them about their plans for the upcoming holidays.
“It is the first time that I have lived in Georgia,” says Alexander Albin, Rompetrol. “I’ve heard much about the beauty of Georgia and know that the mountainous regions of Georgia are reportedly marvellous in winter, so I will spend my Christmas holidays learning more about the country’s beautiful landscapes and unique culture. I expect my family to arrive in Georgia soon, and together we will spend our first Christmas in Georgia,” says Albin, Rompetrol.
Albin arrived in Georgia 2 months ago.
“I will not have much free time for Christmas, but I will dedicate what free time I have to getting to know the country and local population. For this I think that exploring the beauty of Georgia is a good start,” he says.
As Rompetrol is a multinational company Albin travels a lot. But for now he says his main concern is Georgia. Albin has said that he likes to experience new things in life, and as over the last few years he worked in Bucharest his favourite activity over the summer holidays was to travel with his family by car across Europe.
“I like to travel a lot, mainly because I like to meet new people and new cultures,” he says.
“My work allows me 1 month of holiday time a year, but my tough work schedule does not allow me to take long vacations at a time. Usually I take 1-2 week holidays which I spend with my family,” Albin declares.
Evgeni Pichkhaia, the shareholder and General Director of JSC Populi never goes on holiday during the winter season.
“New Year’s Eve is especially active for our business. At this time of winter sales usually increase tenfold and so do my work requirements,” says Pichkhaia.
“As for my summer holidays I always choose France or Italy. I like the cuisine of those countries but also the stability of the climate. A stable climate is very important particularly when you have just a week to spend,” says Pichkhaia.
Michael Cowgill, President of GAU, plans to stay in Tbilisi to celebrate the holidays.
“We are being conservative regarding our funds,” Cowgill reveals.
“I usually go abroad an average four times a year, a minimum of once on holiday and up to three times for business trips,” Cowgill says.
Cowgill spent his summer 2009 holidays in Turkey. Cowgill says he is not planning to travel to Bakuriani or Gudauri.
“Both resorts have good skiing, there’s good accommodation available and the roads have been greatly improved. However, other than the ski slopes and the hotels themselves, there are limited other activities that could make these resorts more popular.”
“As for actual vacations, I usually take a maximum of two weeks in the summer and maybe a week over Christmas,” Cowgill says.
Natia Kopaliani, CEO of management company m|group, which includes cafes, restaurants and hotels around Georgia, plans to spend the holidays in Bakuriani.
“After the New Year parties being held in several restaurants of m|group, I will leave for Bakuriani. Last winter I also went to Bakuriani. I am very satisfied with the service and infrastructure in the region and feel very comfortable staying there. I also like skiing very much and so enjoy my time there,” Kopaliani tells.
Kopaliani says that she did not manage to get away for the last summer holidays because of her very busy schedule.
Stefan Schwarz, General Manager of Lufthansa in Georgia, says that he will spend his winter holidays in Germany.
“Christmas in Germany is something special: the Christmas markets, the atmosphere, the decoration, and the traditional pastries,” Schwarz says.
“Moreover I am looking forward to seeing my extended family there,” he adds.
Schwarz says that last year he also spent his New Year holidays in Germany.
“As the period over New Year and Christmas is an intense time for airlines, usually I do not leave my work to go on holiday until things settle down again in spring,” Yuri Miroshnikov, President of Ukraine International Airlines, told The FINANCIAL.
“Together with all our personnel I work doubly hard to assure the smooth-running of the airline,” Miroshnikov says.
Dachi Dvalishvili, General Director of supermarket chain Ulevi will leave for Gudauri for his winter vacation.
“I am very fond of skiing and prefer Gudauri to Bakuriani, because of the better facilities,” Dvalishvili notes.
Dvalishvili says that he spent his summer 2009 vacations in Turkey. “Because of the global recession and reduced profit I could not afford to travel somewhere further afield. If I had unlimited finances I would travel to Croatia with great pleasure.”
Discussion about this post