PGD International Blog

Last year was a record breaking year for Berlin's tourism industry. 10.8 million arrivals and 24.9 million overnights were counted in the city’s hotels and guest houses in 2012, a 10 percent increase from the previous year. With the double-digit increase in overnights, Berlin is the fastest growing international metropolis and could defend and even strengthen its position as Europe’s third most popular destination.

The day of the 33rd Berlin Half Marathon 2013 was a sunny day and quite warm. But the days and weeks before that were freezing cold and nasty and did not invite to train for a half marathon at all. Additionally I got a cold, that took me out for ten days. Nevertheless I decided to take part in the half marathon and give my very best. I was flabbergasted when I saw my results.

The fun in running is not the running itself but crossing the finishing line. Not necessarily the finishing line of a competition but the finishing line you set yourself. Sometimes that just can be going out to run at all or take a little detour to extend the run or not shorten your run at all. Even in a race like the 33. Berlin Half Marathon there is only one competition: the one against yourself. Meaning? To reach the finishing line even if you have to walk.

For five days once again this year the Berlin exhibition halls were the center of the international tourism world. PGD International took the opportunity to present itself at ITB Berlin the world's leading travel trade show and is very pleased about all the talks and feedbacks on its offers in the area of medical treatment.

Medical tourism is one of the most promising and fastest growing industries, therefore, appropriate fairs are becoming increasingly attractive. For the first time PGD International presented itself in Kiev on the "International Conference on Medical Tourism", which was organized by the Ukrainian journal "Medical Tourism". 40 exhibitors from nine countries, including Israel, India, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Slovenia and Poland met potentially new partners, including Ukrainian tour operators.

Medical Dramas are among the most popular television shows – although it seems this has come to an end. Shows like award-winning “Grey's Anatomy” or – when it was still aired - “House M.D.” have enormous ratings. But why is that so? And do people learn something about the work of a doctor or the daily routine in a hospital from TV shows?

Although in most parts of Europe it is still winter and the most imperative concern for most people is not to catch a cold or the flu or to get rid of it as soon as possible, days are getting longer and it is time to think about fitness again. Sure, most people do not pause even during winter. They either go to the gym or go skiing. Other are fortunate and live in a warmer or moderate climate which allows outdoor activities even in winter. But somehow when the end of winter is coming closer it is time to give exercise some new thoughts.

On 6 December 2012, exactly 100 years to the day after the discovery of the Nefertiti bust in Tell-el Amarna, the exhibition 'In the Light of Amarna - 100 Years of the Nefertiti Discovery' was officially opened at the Neues Museum on the Museumsinsel Berlin.

So what is it with all this bohay about New Year's Resolutions? For giving up a bad habit or taking on a good one one does not need the change of year. One can do it anytime. Sure it is easier to do it on a certain date but wouldn't be ones birthday, the first day of spring or ones respective National's Day as good as New Year's Day?!

An article with the title “Too tough to get sick: Why won't men go to the doctor?” left me pondering. I am also one of the guys who do not go to see a doctor. One, I feel myself very healthy and although I know a medical check up every other year is a good idea I do not do it. Why?