Czechia

Tourism in Czech Republic Inching Back to Pre-Pandemic Level

Around 3.8 million tourists stayed in the Czech Republic in the first quarter (Q1) of this year, a third more than in 2022, the Czech Statistical Office (CSU) said on Friday. Of them, 1.7 million tourists arrived from abroad, an almost 90 percent increase year-on-year, the CSU said, noting that, as in previous years, most of them came from Germany. The number of tourist overnight stays in collective accommodation establishments in the Czech Republic was 9.9 million in Q1 2023, up 26.4 percent year-on-year. “After the COVID-19 crisis, the number of guests was gradually increasing. However, it was still not at the same level compared to the year 2019. Operators of accommodation establishments were still missing a fifth of their clientele from abroad, who were coming to the Czech Republic before the crisis,” Pavel Vancura, head of the CSU’s Tourism and Environmental Statistics Unit, said in a statement. In Q1 2019, four million tourists stayed in the Czech Republic, the majority of whom were foreign visitors. According to fresh figures published on Tuesday by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), an estimated 235 million tourists traveled internationally in the first three months of this year, more than double the...

 by Prague Morning May 12, 2023

Czech Man Electrocuted with Pingpong Ball Up Butt During Botched Masturbation

It was a zappy ending. A Czech man has died — and there’s no way to put this delicately — with a pingpong ball up his bum, after electrocuting himself during a self-pleasuring session gone horribly awry. The shocking incident was detailed in the journal Legal Medicine by doctors from the University Hospital Hradec Králové where the autopsy was performed. Authors said the 30-year-old man was trying to simultaneously satisfy multiple atypical fetishes — a practice known as autoerotic paraphilia. His unorthodox self-stimulation methods involved “body wrapping, cross-dressing, anal masochism, self-fetishism, and lower abdomen stimulation with an electric mechanical massage device.” According to the case report, the singleton’s parents realized something was amiss after their son, who lived in the same apartment, didn’t open his locked door despite them knocking multiple times. They called the fire department, who pried open the door with a lever, whereupon they saw their son’s lifeless body lying on the floor. He was wearing a “one-piece women’s swimsuit” while his lower limbs, trunk and neck were tightly bound with plastic and textile straps, per the case study. Next to his corpse was a one-handed electric massage device with signs of “wear” that he’d purportedly used on...

 by Prague Morning May 12, 2023

Czech Government Introduces Higher Tax on Soft Drinks

Mineral water, cola, juices and energy drinks. The tax surprise caught beverage producers by surprise. One significant ambiguity has loomed since the remarkable unveiling of the consolidation package yesterday (May 11). Based on the government’s report and Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura’s (ODS) statement, looks like that beverages would be subject to the higher VAT rate. Regarding VAT rates, there will be a separation between food and soft drinks. With the exception of tap water (which falls under the 12 percent rate due to water and sewerage charges), soft drinks’ prices will increase by up to seven percentage points. Štefan Fous from the Ministry of Finance confirmed that the reasons for this adjustment include the growing consumption of energy and sweetened beverages, as well as the frequent sale and distribution of such products in disposable packaging, often made of plastic. Veronika Jakubcová, executive director of the Association of Soft Drink Producers, expressed her dismay, stating, “The beverage industry views this development very unfavorably. It is a significant disappointment for us, as it will inevitably lead to higher prices for the end consumer.” Jakubcová believes that the higher tax should also be applied to coffee. Conversely, milk and dairy products such as...

 by Prague Morning May 12, 2023

Czech Government Legally Defines Domestic Violence

A legal definition of domestic violence, missing in the national legislation so far, was introduced into law in the Czech Republic on Tuesday. Despite alarming numbers, Czech legislation had no domestic violence definition, which brought significant uncertainty into police conduct or judicial decision-making. Therefore, the Czech government office created an overarching definition of domestic violence in the Civil Code, which should be in force by the middle of next year. The proposal was presented by the Czech Government Commissioner for Human Rights Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková on Tuesday. Almost 30% of women and 12% of men in the Czech Republic have experienced domestic violence, according to data from 2022. In the majority of cases, the perpetrator is an intimate partner, while less than one-fifth of the victims report abuse by other family members. “The experience of organisations helping victims has long shown that our system of protection against domestic violence is not perfect,” she said to Czech journalists, adding that the problem could be even more than presented statistics say. “The published figures are just the tip of an imaginary iceberg. Only one in five cases of serious domestic violence is reported,” she said. According to Branislava Marvánová Vargová of the...

 by Prague Morning May 11, 2023

Meat Vending Machines Are Booming in the Czech Republic

In and around Prague, you can find vending machines that sell fresh eggs, while in Brno, you can stumble upon vending machines for fruits and vegetables. In the northern regions, they sell locally sourced meat. Ten years ago, Josef Dvořák traveled across Europe to learn about chicken farming practices abroad. During his travels, he found a vending machine where people could easily purchase eggs at any time, day or night. Inspired by this, he decided to introduce a similar concept in the Czech Republic. Today, after nine years, he operates sixteen vending machines in the country, offering fresh eggs directly from his hens. Dvořák has no plans to expand further. He initially wanted to place the vejcomat (eggcomat) in areas where fresh eggs are scarce, such as the center of Prague, but the conditions weren’t suitable at the moment. “I’m referring to the issue of rents, which vary. It’s more about financial constraints. Selling eggs is not the same as selling Red Bulls,” says Dvořák, mentioning that he hasn’t reached an agreement with the shopping center in Chodov. The farm supplies the egg machines approximately every two days. Although a single machine can hold six hundred eggs, Dvořák assures that they...

 by Prague Morning May 11, 2023

Orlando Bloom is the New Brand Ambassador for Prague Beer Staropramen

Orlando Bloom, the Hollywood star who lived in Prague for years during the filming of Amazon’s Carnival Row, apparently became a big fan of Czech beer in that time. Bloom has recently signed up to become the new brand ambassador for the Prague-based brewery, Staropramen. He will be the face of the new Staropramen TV commercial and social media campaign throughout Europe, set to launch later this year. “I’m happy to be representing such a quality product like Staropramen,” the actor states through a press release. “I think it’s important to partner with brands that practice what they preach. The team at Staropramen talk about quality and expertise a lot and, when it comes down to it, this is a great-tasting beer, brewed by some incredibly talented people.” The announcement of Bloom as its new ambassador comes after the expansion of the brand worldwide, including markets in Europe and Asia. Staropramen has been catering to a discerning audience for well over a century, which speaks to the high quality of their beer. The company also launched their zero-alcohol beer Staropramen 0.0 earlier this year in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other European markets. Parent company Molson Coors is seeking further...

 by Prague Morning May 11, 2023

Czechia Considers Removing ‘Barbaric’ Trans Sterilisation Law

Czech lawmakers have launched a proposal to remove the sterilisation requirement for legal gender transition, but progress to lift society-wide prejudices is slow. The Czech Republic is one of the few European Union countries to continue to require a sterilisation procedure before a trans person can legally change their gender. This, despite the European Court of Human Rights officially declaring such state-imposed requirements to be a form torture. Leaders of the country were largely undisturbed by this comment, believing that legalising registered partnerships – as well as an interrupted attempt to legalise same-sex marriage – were more important to the LGBT community. But with more and more European countries lifting the sterilisation requirement over the years, the Czech Republic remains the westernmost EU member state to still officially demand the procedure. A bill has now been proposed by the Ministry of Justice to change this, despite the government’s strong conservative leanings. The draft still needs to be passed by both houses of parliament and be signed by the president before it can be enforced. In the Czech Republic you have to go to a sexologist if you want to start transitioning. Kryštof Stupka, an activist and member of the government’s...

 by Prague Morning May 09, 2023

NASA Welcomes Czech Foreign Minister for Artemis Accords Signing

During a ceremony at NASA Headquarters in Washington Wednesday, the Czech Republic became the 24th country to sign the Artemis Accords. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson participated in the signing ceremony for the agency and Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the Czech Republic. The Artemis Accords establish a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations, including those participating in NASA’s Artemis program. “We are living through a golden age of exploration. Gone are the days of one nation exploring the cosmos alone,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Along with our fellow Artemis Accords signatories, the United States and Czech Republic are setting a standard for 21st century exploration and use of space. As we explore together, we will explore peacefully, safely, and transparently.” Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Jennifer R. Littlejohn and Czech Ambassador to the United States Miloslav Stašek also took part in the ceremony “I see it as a historic signature. We are joining our likeminded partners in advancing peaceful, cooperative, and sustainable exploration of space,” said Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. “Czechia’s space ecosystem has a lot to offer. We believe...

 by Prague Morning May 03, 2023

Czech DNA: What Is the Ethnic Makeup of Czechs?

Like most countries, the people of the Czech Republic descend from multiple genetic groups, and about 90% of Czechs can be traced to other ethnic groups that migrated into the country. Genomac, a Czech firm specializing in genetic analysis, found that their country was about “half Slavic”, otherwise the Czech genome was a very colourful mix of different genes. They found that 20% of people they tested had relatives in another country they had no idea existed, and that some common genetic traits were rooted beyond the middle ages. It’s believed that the people of the Czech Republic are made up of: -37% Slavic peoples -25% Western Europeans,  mostly French, German, and northern Italy. -9% Balkans -9% Semitic, (arabs and jews) -7% Germans and Scandinavians -3% from other random parts of the world -10% are “purebred” Czechs whose genetics are almost exclusively found in the northern Czech Basin (české kotlině.) The first known people in recorded history to inhabit the Czech Republic were in fact Celts, who have left behind a visible genetic legacy on the Czech people today. A genetic mutation called G551D which causes cystic fibrosis in Czechs and Austrians can be traced back to Celts. But the...

 by Prague Morning May 03, 2023

Czech Village Pubs Are Vanishing, 1,300 Closed in Four Years

The condition of pubs in Czech villages is incredibly alarming as more than 1,300 pubs have vanished in the last four years, which accounts for nearly 15 percent of the original number. In 2019 alone, over 250 rural pubs closed their doors, according to data provided by Plzeňský Prazdroj, which categorizes communities with less than 5,000 residents as rural. Although there were 8,929 pubs in March 2019, the number has decreased to 7,604 this year. These figures take into consideration only pubs and restaurants, excluding bistros and cafes. The reasons for the decline in rural pubs are diverse. The significant rise in input prices has adversely affected the gastronomy sector, especially the rural pubs have to decrease the customers” prices because they are open to any increase. Furthermore, many people in villages and smaller towns prefer drinking beer at home than go to the pubs, which has resulted in a difficulty attracting new customers for rural pub owners. Luboš Kastner reiterated that the revenues are increasing only for Prague’s restaurants and pubs, with a 36 percent revenue surge while there is a reduction in business profitability in rural areas. As many rural pubs are shutting down, people living in secluded...

 by Prague Morning May 02, 2023

Expat-Friendly Services in Prague: HoppyGo

Expat-friendly services in Prague: peer-to-peer carsharing company, HoppyGo, provides expats with effortless car rentals. Since 2017, the peer-to-peer car sharing platform, HoppyGo, has been providing expats in the Czech Republic with access to vehicles without the hassle typical of other car rental companies. Unlike the latter, HoppyGo connects those looking to rent a car directly with the owners, fostering a sense of community while promoting an environmentally friendly way to share unused vehicles. In 2022, HoppyGo was added to Deloitte Technology’s Fast 50 list as the 4th fastest growing tech company in the Czech Republic, and the 11th fastest growing tech company in all of Central Europe. “[We’re] pro-utilisation, pro-expat”, explained Brian Koslowski, HoppyGo’s Chief Operating Officer. “Our company represents true car-sharing. We encourage sharing vehicles that already exist, instead of offering a fleet”. The HoppyGo team presented its service to the expat community at this year’s Jobspin Job Fair, proving to be especially useful for them; providing the community with the convenience of driving, without the commitment or difficulties associated with car ownership. Whether needing a vehicle for moving flats, going on vacation, or simply to try a new type of car, HoppyGo makes life as an expat far...

 by Prague Morning May 02, 2023

Crime on the Rise Across the Czech Republic in Q1 of 2023

51,282 crimes were recorded across Czechia up to April, up considerably on the 46,940 registered in the same period last year. Crime across the Czech Republic increased by more than 9 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023, according to the latest police statistics. By March, a total of 51,282 crimes had been recorded across the country, up considerably on the 46,940 registered in the same period last year. While economic crimes such as fraud and drug-related crimes are down, violent crime including murder rose significantly. In the first quarter of the year, Czech police recorded 47 murders or attempted murders, 12 more than in the same period last year. Authorities confirmed the majority of incidents, some 28 of the cases, involved domestic relationships. The rise in reported murders and attempted murders is a concerning trend across Czechia. Last year, 150 cases were recorded in the country, up considerably on the 105 cases registered in 2021. In January, Czech Police President Martin Vondrášek attributed the increase to the noticeably higher social tension brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the difficult economic climate. Czech authorities also recorded a far higher number of property crimes in...

 by Prague Morning May 01, 2023

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