TCB Worldwide | TCB - Europe Report
 Antor Meeting very successful >
Last month Anne-Martin Uildriks from TCB Europe visited the Antor Press workshop. Antor is the “Association of National Tourist Office Representatives”. Every year the association invites all tourism corporations for a press workshop. During these workshops journalists and representatives of the tourism corporations meet and talk about the latest developments. Of course Bonaire had its own table. At this press meeting we managed to have a lot of useful conversation with several journalists. It was nice to talk to so many enthusiastic media partners. As TCB Europe is putting even more effort in organizing press trips of interesting media to Bonaire in 2009, it was great to see a lot of enthusiastic journalists visiting our table. The press toolkit we’ve made is now in the right hands.
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 < Bonaire Panoramika a great success!
The first week of Bonaire Panoramika turned out to be very successful! More than 8.000 players enjoyed the game. Many prizes have been won, but the trip to Bonaire is still in the game. So we expect a lot more players these coming weeks. The game again was one of the main items in the Dutch Bonaire newsletter which we’ve send out this month. We are very pleased that a lot of our partners are participating in the new Panoramika game (by donating prizes for the winners). They found the initiative very interesting and are looking forward to new kinds of marketing tools from TCB in the future.
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New specials online
Have you noticed that the Tour Operator specials from the old website of Bonaire are now integrated on www.tourismbonaire.com? ArkeFly and other tour operators send us their latest offers regularly. In this way visitors to our official website are able to take advantage of the most recent offers. They include trips to different resorts, flights with ArkeFly or KLM are often included. The specials are updated twice a month.
You can check out the specials by clicking here.
 
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New edition of E-newsletter in Dutch and English
Last week we sent the latest Bonaire e-letter for the Dutch market. The newsletter contained a lot of different subjects. Off course the game Bonaire Panoramika was one of them. Who doesn’t want to win a trip for two to Bonaire? Another subject was the article that showed up in the Dutch newsletter The Parool lately. This article encouraged the readers to go to Bonaire for a holiday this winter. Why wait in Holland for a white Christmas and be disappointed again? Just go to Bonaire: sunshine and cool trade winds guaranteed. Further more the e-zine was full of interesting articles about bird spotting, diving lessons and off course the anniversary of Sinterklaas. The Dutch Santa will visit Bonaire again December 5. Next week the new ENG E-zine will be send out.
 
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 < Ocean Movies on Bonaire for recordings dive video
The pristine waters surrounding Bonaire not only attract divers from all over the world. Recently the German Video specialist Ocean Movies traveled to Bonaire. Their goal? To make a spectacular dive video in the underwater world of Bonaire. This video is due to be launched in 2009. Online, so everybody will be able to see it. When we receive the date of the premiere, we’ll give you more information.
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 CTO get together >
Last week the annual C.T.O. Chapter Holland get-together took place in Amsterdam. It is a good time and a good place for some small talk with all partners and the people of the CTO. The get together turned out to be very valuable. CTO informed us about their plans for beginning of 2009. CTO also send out their e-newsletter last month with the main issue: Beaches. We found a way to include Bonaire in the e-newsletter by sending the input to CTO concerning Klein Bonaire and the sea-turtle conservation project.
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TCB Worldwide | New York Report
 < Inaugural JFK to Bonaire Delta Flight Set to Launch December 20, 2008!
It’s no secret that Delta is launching a weekly non-stop flight to Bonaire from New York/JFK commencing on Saturday, December 20, 2008.
In our continued efforts to support the flight out of this very important gateway and grow the O/D traffic in this key DMA, TCB teamed up with Caradonna Dive Adventures, produced a postcard with a special package offering, and coordinated a mega mailing to Bonaire’s database of consumers. The mailing was targeted to those living in the New York/Metro area, Nassau/Suffolk, Westchester counties in New York, plus all of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, due to the fact they all feed the JFK Delta flight. Click here or on the image at left to view the postcard life-sized.
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 Dive Retailer Mailing >
A second Delta Postcard Mailing was prepared and targeted to reach Dive Retailers in the New York/Metro area, Nassau/Suffolk, Westchester counties in New York, plus all of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Click here or on the image at right to view the postcard life-sized.
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 <Continental Airlines Mega Mailing
Joining efforts a second time, TCB and Caradonna Dive Adventures produced another postcard with a special package offering to support Continental, continuing to promote their flights from the Newark/NJ and Houston/TX gateways. The postcard was sent to Bonaire’s database of consumers who live in markets that feed EWR or HOU airports. Click here or on the image at left to view the postcard life-sized.
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Update On Advertising Buy From September’s Marketing Meeting
Finalization of the process that began in September with the presentations of their detailed proposals of target market information by Keith Philips, Scuba Diving, Jerry Beaty, Dive Training & Dive Center Business, David Benz, Sport Diver and Guy Britton, Caribbean Travel & Life, is at long last completed. There will be co-op opportunities in Scuba Diving, Sport Diver, Dive Training, Dive Center Business and Windsurfing. Any interested parties, please contact TCB-NYC and we will provide you with the contact information for each representative.
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 < Scuba Diving Magazine’s DepthFinder
Scuba Diving Magazine featured Bonaire in a November issue of its on-line newsletter, Depthfinder. Information was provided about Delta’s new non-stop weekly service from New York’s JFK Airport to Bonaire, as well as information about Buddy Dive Resort, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino, and Port Bonaire. Their on-line circulation is 75,000+ opt-in subscribers. Click here, or on the image at left, to view the issue in PDF format.
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 Bonaire EZ
News
One issue of Bonaire’s EZ News was distributed in November to our database of consumers and travel agents. The issue was distributed on November 24th and featured a listing of Bonaire properties and organizations which provide eco-friendly programs.
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 Dive Newswire
In November one press release was distributed on Dive Newswire. The release featured Bonaire’s new non-stop weekly service from New York’s JFK airport on Delta. Dive Newswire is distributed electronically to more than 8,000 dive shop owners, manufacturers as well as media outlets. Additionally the release was distributed on DiverWire, the consumer newsletter of Dive News Wire, that is emailed to a database of more than 1,500 subscribers.
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Press Releases
As part of the on-going press release program, Adams Unlimited researches, writes, and prepares a steady stream of release for mailings to the media for applicable editorial coverage based on editorial calendars and the need to disseminate timely news. In November, three two press releases were distributed to the media featuring the Flamingo Airport Upgrades and the initiation of their service charge, Delta’s new non-stop service from JFK which launches on December 20, 2008, and a listing of Bonaire properties and organizations which provide eco-friendly programs.
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Press Visits
Freelance travel writer Vern O’Reilly-Ramesar was on assignment for Fodor’s Travel Guides to update the section that will profile Bonaire, which will consist of new hotels, restaurants, and activities available on island. Vern was on Bonaire November 12-16, 2008 and conducted site inspections at a variety of hotels/restaurants; additionally, he did sightseeing of the north and south sides of the island, and conducted visits to Washington-Slagbaai National Park and JanArt Art Gallery.
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Editorial Highlights
The New York Times (1,100,000)
Bonaire was featured three times very prominently in the November 9th edition of The New York Times. Entitled “Winter In the Sun,” The New York Times entire travel section was dedicated to the Caribbean. The first article, “39 Reasons To Go To The Caribbean This Year,” journalist Austin Considine, highlights 39 reasons for vacationers to seek some solace in the sand and surf of the Caribbean this winter. Coral Paradise Resort is featured as reason number 26 to visit the Caribbean. Even though Coral Reef Paradise doesn’t fit the “big-resort” profile, the hotel is praised for its excellent service, offering 24-hour shore-dive access, daily boat dives and next-door proximity to the popular Captain Don’s Habitat diving center. A link to their website, rates and telephone number are also included in the write-up. This story is available at http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/travel/09carib.html?ref=travel.
The second article in The New York Times, entitled “Fewer Flights May Mean Higher Fares,” focuses on the fact that getting to the Caribbean this winter may be a little harder and a lot more expensive, as many airlines have cut back on flights. Due to this situation, carriers are looking to take advantage of major carrier cutbacks again, and have secured a number of new routes to the Caribbean for this coming season. Delta’s new non-stop flight from JFK to Bonaire is one of the new flights highlighted. To view this article, visit http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/travel/09heads.html?ref=travel.
The third article in the New York Times is featured in the “This Week Online” section under the subtitle “Interest Guides.” Bonaire is one of the two destinations highlighted for exploring the watery underworld in their Snorkeling and Diving Interest Guide. A picture of Bonaire, photographed by Alan Zane, accompanies the column. The article entitled “Underwater Adventure, Without Frills in Bonaire,” is archived from 2004 and was published again to endorse the diving in Bonaire and encourage travelers to visit Bonaire to experience the island’s underwater world that is offered to their tourists. It is an honor for Bonaire to be archived in The New York Times, as it solidifies that once again Bonaire is considered as a world-class diving and snorkeling destination in the Caribbean. To view this article, visit http://travel.nytimes.com/2004/10/31/travel/31bonaire.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1.
Caribbean Travel & Life (circulation 155,000)
As a direct result of Brooke Morton’s recent press visit, Bonaire is featured in the December 2008 edition of Caribbean Travel & Life. Entitled “Landsailing Bonaire: The Race Is On,” highlights landsailing in Bonaire with instructor David Slotem at Landsailing Bonaire. The article describes Brooke’s first experience landsailing and the thrills she encounters while whipping around the grounds of Bonaire. A photo of tourists landsailing accompanies this two-page story.
Globewriter’s Weblog (circulation – not available)
As a result of our work with journalist Vern O’Reily-Ramesar, Bonaire is featured on Globewriter’s Weblog throughout the duration of his time spent on island. Bonaire is the subject of 5 of Vern’s blogs entitled; Back to Bonaire, Bon Bon Bonaire, Beauty On Dusty Streets, The Great Outdoors, No Really, and Lap of Luxury. For each of his posts, Vern gives a full description of his days and the activities and site inspections in which he participated. Photos of the island accompany each of his write-ups. Vern refers to Bonaire as “beautiful/perfect little Bonaire.” To view this article, visit http://globewriter.wordpress.com:80/.
Caribbean Travel & Life (circulation 155,000)
As a direct result of our ongoing relationship with writer and former editor of Caribbean Travel & Life, Bob Friel, Bonaire is featured in the December 2008 issue of the publication. Entitled “The Top 10 Caribbean Snorkeling Parks,” Bonaire’s National Marine Park is highlighted for its commitment to the protection of its marine environment. Sorobon in Lac Bay, 1,000 Steps, Karpata, and Klein Bonaire are mentioned for some of the most standout locations for snorkeling. A photo of tourists snorkeling accompanies the story.
Los Angeles Chronicle (8 million viewers annually)
As a direct result of our press release regarding the upgrades at Bonaire International Airport, on November 25, 2008, the Los Angeles Chronicle posted an on-line article explaining the upgrades and the nominal service charge that went into effect December 1, 2008. The article can be viewed by visiting http://www.losangeleschronicle.com:80/articles/82837.
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TCB Worldwide | South America Report
May this Christmas
be the reason for much Happiness
and the New Year
be a Hope of Success and Prosperity
Brazilian Press Visit to Bonaire
It was nice to host once again Alcides Falanghe the editor of the diving magazine Mergulho from Brazil. He stayed in Bonaire from Nov 21 to Dec 01. During the visit, Alcides took the opportunity to meet with the different properties to talk about a marketing plan in the magazine and most important, to the next Bonaire press release to be published in Mergulho in its February edition 2009. Many underwater photographs were taken at the dive sites around Bonaire. Diving equipment and boats, courtesy of the different dive operators.
We want to thanks the properties in Bonaire for making possible the Brazilian press visit, especially SunRentals the host hotel, City Café for providing daily breakfast to the journalist and his crew, Buddy Dive for the double cabin pick up and Tiara Air, with complementary air tickets between Aruba and Bonaire. Tickets from Brasil, were courtesy of TCB.
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 I Encuentro de Mergulhadores Laguna Di Mare - Rio de Janeiro Nov 15 >
Saturday Nov 15th was the perfect occasion to promote Bonaire during the event " I Diving Meeting Laguna Di Mare ", organized by Tripping Viagens e Turismo.
The slide show about the island was presented by the wellknown underwater photographer Ary Amarante, highlighting how easy diving is in Bonaire. Among the prizes giving away (US$ 1,500), a ticket to Bonaire courtesy of Gafisa, a private Brazilian company co-sponsoring the event.
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Diving groups from South America
From Nov 15 to the 22, we welcomed on island the first group of 11 divers from Exploramar Diving, in the city of Quito. Michel Guerrero, owner of this diving school, is also Padi Course Director Ecuador.
The divers travelled to Bonaire with KLM group rate, thanks to the continued erfforts between TCB and the airline. This was great news for divers in Ecuador!.
Brazilian divers on Bonaire. All year long the dive operators Arribatur and Adventure Travel are bringing their diving groups, and now we notice with more frequency, divers from Vectra (Sao Paulo) and Tripping (Rio de Janeiro). Avianca is still the best option to travel to Bonaire but effective Dec 15th; Copa will start flying four times a week from Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte to Aruba, connecting Bonaire with DAE and Tiara Air.
Venezuela. We are also pleased to see Venezuelan divers at our diving spots. The latest groups organized by the diving schools La Tienda del Buceo (Valencia) and Divers Home (Caracas). Other visitors are coming for Christmas in family groups.
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 Closing Ceremony Bonaire Tennis Cup >
Enjoy images from the closing ceremony of the Tennis Tournament on Nov 02. A lunch with a Caribbean atmosphere and live music from a well known saxophone player, the winners were awarded with nice sea stars trophies, courtesy of Corporación Salta the tour operator co-sponsor of the event.
We are proud to have in Venezuela the Bonaire tournament for the third time. This year we counted 80 players in four different doubles categories, who played their best tennis to win the Cup. Thanks to the hotel La Pura Vista and Dutch Antilles Express for giving the complementary accommodation and air tickets raffled among the players. The lucky winner was Mrs Ida Fritz, a lady from Peru married with a German man, both frequent travellers to the island.
The IV Bonaire Tennis Cup, is being planned to take place during the second quarter of 2009.
 
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Upcoming events
Vitrina de Anato - Bogotá Feb 25th to the 27th http://vitrinaturistica.anato.org/
Sara Mendoza, one of our dive operators in Colombia, has reserved a booth and is inviting Bonaire to participate at the trade show. It is an excellent opportunity to meet with divers from Bogotá and other cities. We have great expectation for Colombia in 2009 due to the recent code-sharing agreement signed between DAE and the Colombian airline Aires. At the moment, both airlines are adjusting their routes to complement each other within Colombia and the Caribbean.
Rio Boat Show - Brazil May 14th to the 20th http://www.boatshow.com.br
SAVE THE DATE to meet with the Brazilian diving sector next May 2009. Bonaire has already its booth at the event and the Brazilian divers are anxiouis to meet with the hotels during the trade show. During the Rio Boat Show, Bonaire will have an official presentation and planning to have a cocktail for all the divers. Pls, contact Yasmin for more information at southamerica@tourismbonaire.com
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Bonaire news
Our monthly bulletin news highlights this month the latest on airlift and other events on island such as:
The new charge at the Flamingo Airport for departing passengers effective from Dec 01st
Coral Paradise Resort Bonaire highlighted at The New York Times in the tourism section.
The Bonaire Eco-Swin on Dec 06th Aquaspace back again in Bonaire for sailing Excursions.
Contact Yasmin for any information you may want to share with the trade partners of the region at southamerica@tourismbonaire.com
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COPING WITH GLOBAL ECONOMIC DOWNTURN 
