Craig Turp-Balazs

Since 2017 I have been the editor of Emerging Europe, a management consultancy, discussing serious issues such as the rule of law, human rights, and trade and investment across Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Additionally, I am a member of the advisory council of The Diaspora Initiative.

Previously, I was more frivolous. After leaving university (Romanian language and literature at the University of London’s School of Slavonic and East European Studies) in 1999 I spent the best part of the next two decades writing (and editing) travel guides for just about anyone willing to pay me: Dorling Kindersley (the guides with the lovely illustrations—no, I didn’t have to draw those), Rough Guides, Thomas Cook, APA/Insight, Berlitz, and several other publishers long since forgotten.

Mostly, however, I wrote and edited for In Your Pocket, which in pre-Covid days was the largest publisher of locally-produced city guides in Europe. I was its Europe-wide editor and co-owned the Romanian franchise.

Besides the obvious reason for hanging up my travel writing shoes (there wasn’t really a decent living to be made anymore, unless I fancied becoming a YouTuber/Instagrammer—I didn’t) I had reached the stage where there simply wasn’t anything new I had to say about Bucharest’s cafes or Warsaw’s restaurants.

That and the urge, as I approached 50, to do something with a bit more gravitas than telling people where they can get a good dinner in Tbilisi. (Not that such things are entirely without importance, and if you do want dinner recommendations for the Georgian capital, let me know).

Occasionally, I still write about my travels. You’ll find tales of my wanderings on a Substack I’ve called Backpacking at 50. (Latest writing: Around Sri Lanka in an Uber).

Happy to help

I am always ready and willing to speak about current affairs—politics, economics, business—in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Central Asia, as well as travel—particularly the changing travel media landscape and tourism promotion strategies.

Recent talks include The Romanian Revolution and Transition, and Why the Language We Use to Define CEE Must Change, both given for a private organisation on board the Orient Express; and No More Low Cost: Why CEE Destinations Must Stop Selling Themselves Cheap at the Batumi International Travel Forum.

I can also offer advice on how to promote travel and investment to your destination—be it a city, region or country—effectively. (Spoiler: unless you represent Estonia, Switzerland or a handful of other destinations your current promotion strategies are probably wrong).

If you want to get in touch you’ll find me at the following places: Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn, Substack, Threads, Twitter/X. Or simply send me an email.