Stag Republic Demands Investigation into Illegal Budapest Stag Companies

There are strict controls on tour operators in the UK. Most people assume this applies across the EU but weekenders from Britain should be aware of the risks of booking a weekend in Budapest through a company without a license to operate.

With thousands of young men coming to Eastern Europe on stag weekends to sample the cheap booze and buzzing nightlife of cities like Budapest, Bratislava and Warsaw, organising stag and hen weekends is a lucrative business. The Wall Street Journal estimates the market is worth a �60 million a year, so it's no wonder new companies are popping up every day.

Unfortunately, only a handful of those in Budapest are licensed, and some are not even legitimate concerns. So what does this mean for the customer?

Most tour operators in Britain are members of an association like ABTA or ATOL, which means they have to follow a strict code of conduct. These associations also give holidaymakers an option when their trip abroad fails to live up to expectations. For this reason, visitors are strongly advised to book a weekend in Budapest through a locally run company like Stag Republic.

Stag Republic was the first stag weekend organiser in Hungary, so when we set up the company, we wanted to do everything by the book. We filled out all the necessary paperwork and continue to pay an annual membership fee to MUISZ, the Hungarian Association of Tour Operators and Travel Agencies. Since then, several companies have started up, and not a single one has gone down this route. What this means for weekenders is that if they are taken for a ride or do not receive the expected level of service, they have nowhere to turn. This is a big risk to take when you are leaving a hefty deposit and handing over credit card details or hundreds of pounds in cash.

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But not only are many companies not affiliated to MUISZ, some of them are not even operating legally or paying taxes. Many of our competitors are based wherever it suits them at any time. For tax purposes in the UK, they are Hungarian, but at the same time, they do not have a registered company in Hungary. We have done a lot of research into this - they are acting entirely illegally and are accountable to no one, in some cases not even the tax authorities. This puts our business at a huge disadvantage.

Because of the lack of official licensing for our competitors, we took the step of requesting an official enquiry into local organisers and already, the National Association for Consumer Protection has found the following:

� Hungary for Fun is a "local program organiser", which means it does not require a permit to operate. However, the company can only officially offer a maximum of one activity per group. By offering packages on their website, they are breaking the law.

� Budapest Piss-up is registered as an English-language online information portal that does not offer services. One glance at the site reveals this to be untrue.

� Budapest Madness is yet to respond the official inquiry and is currently under investigation.

Where this leaves stag weekenders is not clear. The majority have a great time - it's hard not to in Eastern Europe - but if that hotel booking goes wrong, the airport transfer fails to arrive or the activities aren't up to scratch, there's no one to turn to and the best man gets the blame.

Is that a risk worth taking to save a couple of quid?

--

Josey Walker � Managing Director of Stag Republic & Hen Nation � two Budapest-based companies that have been organising made-to-measure stag and hen weekends in Eastern Europe since 2000. Together, they hosted more than 6,000 people in 2005 alone and recently expanded into Poland (Warsaw, Lodz and Krakow) and Slovakia (Bratislava). Stag Republic and Hen Nation employ a team of English native-speakers in each of its destinations, and they all know how to party.

jwalker@budapestweekends.co.uk

http://www.stagrepublic.co.uk

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_210290_29.html

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Manchester Stag Nights - What to Consider

Manchester is set in the borough of Greater Manchester and is the "Capital of the North" in many peoples' eyes. The town is full of culture, arts, fun in the form of music, film and of course theatre and is possibly one of the most thrilling cities in Europe. There are hundreds of nightclubs and bars and several places in which bar and club communities have been formed. The Triangle, Northern Quarter, Deansgate and Deansgate Locks are but a couple of of the main bar and club areas.


Entertainment in Manchester is not hard to find so if you're looking for party time entertainments for your stag night in Manchester then you will not be short of experiences to do. There is lots of night-life fun as well as day time exercises and exercises which can be enjoyed by minor or large groups of people.


Things to do in Manchester
There are lots of experiences to do in Manchester and if you sign up to one of the many exercises for groups or parties then you're sure to have a stellar stag night in Manchester. You can select from a variety of exercises including paintball, clay pigeon shooting and quad bicycle trekking. There are lots of outdoors exercises which can be enjoyed by you and your buddies and most of them are good value for money.


You can also do some indoor exercises if you prefer; the Uk's weather is not always ideal for an outdoor activity. Some of the most popular indoor exercises are cheaper so if you fancy a bit of go kart racing then you're in luck. You can also take advantage of the various night-life exercises and exercises which are usually indoors.
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Nightlife in Manchester
Some of the more thrilling night-life entertainments include greyhound racing, 5 a side football and even a party bus evening and meal. You can unquestionably appreciate a fantastic evening out on the town in Manchester. There is so much to do that you will likely find it hard to decide which activity you wish to take part in.


You can also select from Spanish meal parties, comedy club entry and even a party bus evening club tour which will allow you to see Manchester's finest evening clubs. All in all, the fun and night-life in Manchester is not the finest in the world but it is not far off being the finest in the UK. If you and your buddies what to get down to Manchester for your stag night then you will surely have a good evening.


If you're a little stuck when it comes to choosing what you wish to do then why not take advantage of the many packages that you can buy. The packages available range from £92 - £195 per person and can include a momentous variety of exercises to keep you entertained for your whole trip.


Overall, Manchester is one of the finest destinations for a stag night and if you and your buddies are dead set on having a weekend to remember before the big day then Manchester is unquestionably a destination to bear in mind going.


At Manchesterstag.co.uk all our fun packed Manchester stag night packages include a enormous range of hotels, events like rally driving, quad biking, rafting, meals, club entry and transport.


Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_814898_29.html

Author: BrianSmall




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York Stag Nights - Ideas for a Fun Stag Party

You will not find out Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, strolling through city, but you will find out masses of ladies worthy of her title. York is famous for its luscious, northern ladies, and you will get the chance to find out many of them on your stag night in York.


With a population of almost 200,000 people, York is minor by comparison to some of the bigger stag night destinations in England, but has nearly as much to offer. There is masses of pubs, masses of great food, and the activities in this part of the country are second to none.
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During your stag night in York, you may select to spend your days in any number of activities, depending on what type of fellas you are. If you are adventurous, take a swing on the high ropes course, or tackle the mountain man challenge.


If you are sporty, you can spend a luscious afternoon playing golf on a 12-hole (for beginners) or 18-hole course. Or, try your hand at clay pigeon shooting, or 5-a-side football.


For boys who like toys, York provides both indoor and outdoor pro kart racing, quad bike trekking, dune buggy racing, or a complete multi activity day. Treasure hunts, paint ball, stag and hen massages are aimed at the more low-key stag parties. Better yet, spend the day at the races and try and win a little money to spend in the evening's activities.


York has some of the best cuisine in northern England. In addition to the usual English fare, there is a wide range of European cuisines - Italian, Spanish, French - as well as Indian, Chinese, and Mexican. But save a little room for the drinks, because there are plenty to come.


If you know lager, you know York. And, while you are in York, you will be drinking heaps of it. Try all the local brands and if you get a chance, get to the York Brewery for some free samples. While doing the traditional pub crawl, you mustn't forget to save time for the lap dance club. A stag night in York simply wouldn't be complete without a lap dance - or two, or three. After all, that's what stag parties are about, right?


A stag night in York offers a range of great activities, great food, masses of lager, and luscious ladies - the key ingredients for a satisfied stag.


At Yorkstagdo.co.uk all our organised York stag do packages comprise a wide variety of accommodation, events like rally driving, pistol shooting, buggies, restaurants, nightclub tickets and transfers.


Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_808342_29.html

Author: BrianSmall