 Entre Nous is the monthly newsletter from the Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB), Netherlands Antilles. In this newsletter you will find the accomplishments of TCB in Bonaire, North America, South America and Europe as well as the newest developments within the tourism industry. We hope that you will read it with pleasure and if you have something that you think is relevant for the tourism sector to know just fax it to 717-8408 or e-mail to: info@tourismbonaire.com.
Bonaire, for the 6th consecutive year has been recognized by Scuba Diving Magazine. We continue to place high in the reader’s choice awards. It is due in a large part to the continued efforts of STINAPA, the private sector and to you our travel partners and friends that we are consistently in the top of the choices for a dive destination. In the European market the annual Pink Egg award went to DuikeninBeeld.tv, and the yearly promotion prize which is given to a person or entity who has contributed positively to the island’s tourism over the year went to Coen de Rooij, Director of Bonaire Fun Travel. Masha Pabien! They have a long history of support for Bonaire. Closer to home, 95 members of Police, Customs and Immigration recently participated in an especially tailor-made Tourism Awareness Program and have obtained their certificates for following this program. The afore-mentioned are all indicative of the great energy and enthusiasm we once again will be devoting to developing Bonaire's tourism industry positively. This continuing effort should make 2008 another successful year!. Our preliminary arrival statistics up to November 2007 show a 17% increase year to date growth in tourism, and is equivalent to 67.000 visitors for Bonaire. This is an overall record for Bonaire and we are delighted to share this with you. Our next Entre Nous should contain more details, among other our final results for 2007. This year will be highlighted by several efforts including; continuous effort to support positive development on the island, more intense focus on E-marketing, implementation of a consistent and stronger branding, celebration of 10th Year Anniversary of International Year of the Reef with special highlights throughout the year, but also during our Dive Into Summer months June – September. Watch for more focus on airlift for the island and more positive events that are in the works! It may be a bit early but mark your agendas for our next annual Marketing Meeting, Sept 17-19 2008, where we will be delighted to share our progress throughout 2008 and our plans for 2009 with you. To check out new Bonaire Ambassadors. please visit: www.bonaireambassador.com
Of course TCB Europe also wants to whish everybody in our sector and on our Island all the best for 2008. We look forward to successful marketing activities, and keep investing in growth of the Tourism to Bonaire as we did in 2007. To start well in 2008, all our relations received a Christmas card with our best whishes. This is the first time an official mailing was made using the new “Kon ta Bai?” branding.
To keep tourists up-to-date about travel specials to our Island, we wrote some new offers and placed them on www.visitbonaire.tv/dutchspecials. Some new additions were placed for vacations including flights to and accommodations on Bonaire with Lagoen Hill and Hamlet Oasis as the destinations. Holland International is the provider of these specials. If you want to see all the other specials, please visit www.visitbonaire.tv and look under the Dutch travel specials.
With the biggest Dutch tourism fair, Vakantiebeurs 2008, starting next week in Utrecht, TCB Europe kicks off for the new season. Again this year we will participate in the most important venues in our industry across Europe. That means we will participate on Vakantiebeurs and Duikvaker in the Netherlands. Our secondary markets will be the 2 biggest international fairs in Europe: WTM London and ITB Berlin. Of course the new branding will be shown in our communications. For example: the famous vertical banners have been remade in the new branding. Bonaire’s moment on traditional “Trade Day” of Vakantiebeurs Each year the election of “The Pink Egg” and the “Bonaire Promotieprijs” takes place on the traditional “trade day” of the vakantiebeurs 2008. This year the trade day was Tuesday, January 8th. Again we recognized our partners in the Tourism Industry. The Pink Egg was awarded as an encouragement to one of our partners with high potential. The Bonaire Promotion Prize is given as an appreciation one of our partners who has done a great job promoting our Island last year. It’s a prize to encourage people in doing their best for Bonaire and its tourism. Online press coverage for Durable Bonaire The press releases about the durability of Bonaire were posted all over in the media. Not only in hardcopy but also online, the public attention was huge. These days’ durability and climate control are daily topics. When Bonaire is named as the Island that provides itself with total durable energy, all the papers and informative websites uses these messages in their communications. For example on www.energieportal.nl and on the biggest news website of the Netherlands: www.nu.nl.
TCB Europe is going to participate in cooperation with www.duikeninbeeld.tv. Duikeninbeeld.tv is organizing a reporters contest. Divers can post their photo, video and written material on the website. After a year a professional jury will select the best postings. The winner of the contest will be sent to Bonaire with one condition: He or she has to make complete report about our Island which will be used again on the website www.duikeninbeeld.tv. More info on this item in upcoming entre nous!
Adams Unlimited wishes all of our colleagues and friends a Happy New Year and warm regards for success and prosperity in 2008! Delta Ready to Launch February 9, 2008
Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2008 Planning Now in Final Stages Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2008 is well on its way to becoming one of the hottest summer events in the Caribbean. This year, TCB has partnered with Earth Eco, STINAPA and CORAL to create an event that celebrates everything visitors love about Bonaire, marine conservation, the environment, and much more! Here’s a look at the highlights of Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2008: International Year of the Reef Week – Taking place June 21-28, IYOR week will include activities coordinated by CORAL and STINAPA. We are happy to announce that guest speakers from Earth Eco, Jan and Alexandra Cousteau, will be giving seminars and leading dives during the week. Scuba Diving Magazine Week – Taking place July 19-26, Scuba Diving will host photography workshops, equipment demonstrations, dives with Scuba staffers, happy hour contests, and more. Pro Kids Freestyle Competition – Taking place at Lac Bay July 30-August 3, spectators will watch kids from around the world compete for the title of Pro Kid. Love Our Planet Week – Taking place September 20-27, the week will again feature workshops and dives hosted by environmentalists from the Coral Reef Alliance. Bonaire Sponsored Be A Diver Tour Kicks Off in New York City
As part of the ongoing press release program, Adams Unlimited researches, writes and prepares a steady stream of releases for mailings to the media for applicable editorial coverage based on editorial calendars and the need to disseminate timely news. In December two press releases were written and distributed to the media. The first release featured information about Henk Roozendaal’s art exhibit at the Broadway Gallery in New York City. The second press release announced Bonaire’s number one ratings in the 2008 Scuba Diving Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards. We followed up with Vernon O’Reilly-Ramesar, who was in Bonaire November 23-25 on assignment to update the Bonaire chapter of Fodor’s Guide to the Caribbean and Fodor’s Ports of Call. Islands (circulation 220,000) Three of Bonaire’s cutting edge sustainable tourism practices were recognized in Islands Magazine’s First Annual Global Sustainable Tourism Awards: the wind/bio-fuel energy project, for serving as the world-model in eco-friendly initiatives and practices; the Bonaire National Marine Park, for protecting and maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem; and Washington Slagbaai National Park, for establishing the Netherlands Antilles first nature sanctuary. The results of the First Annual Global Sustainable Tourism Awards are published in the December 2007 issue of Islandsmagazine. This article is not available online. Scuba Diving (circulation 185,000) Continuing its reign as one of the world’s top dive destinations, Bonaire has been voted for the sixth straight year-in-a-row, the #1 Top Dive Destination Overall (Caribbean/Atlantic) in the Scuba Diving Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards 2008. Bonaire also received the #1 rating in five other Caribbean/Atlantic categories: Top Destination for Beginners, Top Shore Diving Destination, Top Destination for Advanced Divers, Top Destination for Underwater Photography and Top Marine Life. For the Reader’s Choice awards thousands of Scuba Diving subscribers and web users rated their dive experiences on a scale of one to five. Results of the 2008 Awards are featured in the January 2008 issue of Scuba Diving magazine. This article is not available online. Caribbean Travel & Life (circulation 155,000) As a result of David Swanson’s press visit secured by Adams Unlimited in July 2007, Bonaire was featured in the December 2007 issue of Caribbean Travel & Life. The article, titled “Affordable Bonaire: It’s Not Just for Divers!” highlights activities including diving, snorkeling, hiking in Washington Slagbaai National Park, mountain biking, kayaking, windsurfing, kiteboarding, bird-watching and relaxing at Lac Bay. The Continental and Delta non-top flights from the Unites States are mentioned along with a hotel package from Divi Flamingo. In a separate article featured in the December 2007 issue of Caribbean Travel & Life, Bonaire is featured in an article titled “Local Flavor: Six Good Reasons to Eat Your Vegetables.” With the assistance of Hagen Wergerer, owner of Cactus Blue, Adams Unlimited submitted his recipe that uses the root vegetable dasheen as its main ingredient. These articles are not available online.
In its version online, the Brazilian DecoStop, invites its readers to the annual subscription of the magazine, showing the cover of one of its editions where Bonaire appears under the title in Portuguese " Bonaire de braços abertos para os brasileiros”("Bonaire with open arms for the Brazilians). DecoStop is a diving magazine well positioned at the moment. You can find it in many dive shops in Brazil. Akanan Travel working with Bonaire Akanan is a well known Venezuelan tour operator in eco tourism. After its recent visit to the island, they have already begun to promote Bonaire in its website as its international destiny of echo adventure. In a positive way, they tell their readers “Did you think Bonaire was only about diving? ..” imagine kayaking in beautiful mangroves, exploring caverns submerged in crystalline waters, mounting your bike along a coast that is many kilometers long, windsurfing, Kitesurfing ... tired ? .. relax looking at the flamingos while you enjoy the sunset. A new dive operator, this time from Guayaquil, positions itself by promoting Bonaire online. Enter the website and you will find all the general information about the promotional packages to the island for the coming months of February and March when the high season begins to lower.
Caribbean Wind & Sun Offers Special Weeks for Divers and Windsurfers on Bonaire Kralendijk, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, December 14, 2007- Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations is offering several specialized weeks for divers and windsurfers during the upcoming winter holiday season. Hosted by Ann Phelan, a Bonaire-based travel agent and tour operator, packages include airfare (from select cities), accommodations, gear and vehicle rentals, as well as complimentary island concierge service. There are also opportunities for eco-tours, including guided hikes, kayaking in the island’s mangroves, and much more. Singles Weeks on Bonaire: In the past, single divers or windsurfers wanted to head to Bonaire’s warmer water and climate during the winter, but lacked a traveling companion with which to enjoy the island experience. Now each year, singles meet up in Bonaire with other like-minded solo travelers to dive or windsurf each day and enjoy the island’s other activities with new friends. These special weeks for single travelers will be held from February 23, 2008 through March 15, 2008. During these weeks, single travelers will find their needs catered to during the fourth consecutive year of the program. Grandparent/Grandchild Dive and Windsurf Vacations to Bonaire: Grandparents are in the mainstream of life and often are very active compared to past generations. Their valuable role in the family system is recognized by celebrating Grandparent Days, and Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations celebrates by offering Grandparent and Grandchild Vacations to Bonaire. With some of the best diving conditions to be found in the Caribbean, either the newbie or the advanced diver will find conditions ideal year round. Certified grandparents can bring their grandchild down and try one of the many programs designed with kids in mind. One such program is Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth experiences. For those 8 or older, the PADI Bubble Maker Program can be either a stand-alone SCUBA experience or an introduction to diving for those children who look forward to getting certified.
Dive Friends Bonaire Renovates Boat Fleet Kralendijk, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, December 10, 2007- Dive Friends Bonaire is pleased to announce the renovation of its dive boat fleet. Over the past several months, two of their three boats have been out of the water for complete reconstruction and renovation. Grote sub, a 32-foot Venezuelan-made vessel, received all new fiber-glassing and structural re-supports. In order to make additional space and comfort for divers, the tank racks were moved to a location in the center of the boat, which also gives additional stability when moving at higher speeds. This boat is powered by two, new 150-horsepower Yamaha four-stroke engines, to conserve fuel consumption as much as possible. Grote sub carries a maximum of 16 divers, plus a crew of two.
Notes Jan-Apr = Harvest Period (C,E+T) Back to the top
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It seems just like it was just a few weeks ago that I was wishing everyone a happy new year! Once again, I would like to extend my wishes to all of you for great prosperity, heath and happiness for 2008. I also would like to thank you all for your good wishes re my recent marriage to Elvis Tjin Asjoe. I am looking forward to this next year with great energy and positive plans for our island!
Delta Air Lines will launch a weekly non-stop flight to Bonaire from Atlanta, GA on Saturday, February 9, 2008. Promotion of the flight has been so successful that a second flight for the “Spring break” season has been added. Some of the activities planned to further promote the flights include a TCB/Delta co-op advertising plan in Islands and Sport Diver; advertising in Delta terminals nationwide; advertising on in-flight seatback entertainment; and an email campaign to SkyMiles members. 
The Bonaire sponsored Be A Diver Tour (formerly known as the Scuba Tour) will kick-off the New Year in New York City at the Adventures in Travel Expo January 12-13 at Pier 94. Bonaire representatives Patricia Rowan and Marie Rosa will be on-site to host a private breakfast for dive retailers early Saturday morning and answer questions for consumers throughout the weekend. Of course, Marie and Patricia will also be promoting Bonaire as the perfect destination for beginner divers to those who try scuba diving in the Be A Diver pool at the show. 
December’s issue of Bonaire EZ News was distributed to our database of consumers and travel agents on the 18th of the month. The issue featured a holiday greeting and a look back at the fantastic year that Bonaire had in 2007. 
In December one press release was distributed on Dive Newswire featuring information about Bonaire’s number one ratings in the 2008 Scuba Diving Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards for the categories of Top Dive Destination Overall (Caribbean/Atlantic), Top Shore Diving, Top Destination for Beginners, Top Destination for Advanced Divers, Top Destination for Underwater Photography and Top Marine Life. The press release was posted to the site and distributed on December 19. Dive Newswire is distributed electronically to more than 6,000 dive shop owners, manufacturers as well as media outlets. 
Kleine Sub is a 27-foot transport boat, powered by a 165-horsepower Perkins diesel engine. This boat, too, has recently undergone a transformation with new fiber-glassing and structural improvements. The tank racks have also been moved to a center location to provide divers with more room in which to move. A large step-off swim platform with a slant ladder for easy boarding extends from the stern another three feet, making getting in and out of the water exceptionally easy on this boat. Kleine Sub carries up to 30 snorkelers or a maximum of ten divers, with either one or two crew.