TCB Worldwide | TCB - Europe Report
 < Presentation for Globe travel agents
The more you know about Bonaire, the better you can tell others about our Island. That's why TCB Europe teaches Dutch travel agents about the island. How? By giving presentations. On the 17th of September Robbert Uges will visit the travel agents from Globe Reisbureau for an inspiring presentation. Of course the travel agents will be given general information besides the interactive parts of the presentation. Luckily Robbert can speak from his own experience. In 2007 he stayed 5 months on Bonaire for his internship at TCB.
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 Bonaire ad in Salsarevue >
In the previous Entre Nous we told you about the 25.7% growth in Dutch tourists visiting Bonaire. A milestone of which we are very proud! Off course we couldn't have done it alone. That's one of the reasons why the Tourism Corporation Bonaire and Bonhata will publish an ad in Salsarevue. Salsarevue is a part of Reisrevue, Holland's leading travel trade magazine. Salsarevue will be published with a large Caribbean editorial content. The ad features one of our image builders.
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 <Big thank you to KLM and Arke
A growth of 25.7% in Dutch tourists deserves a big thank you to our partners. What better way is there than to thank them in person! So that's exactly what Anne-Martin Uildriks and Robbert Uges from TCB Europe did. Armed with a tasteful 'thank you cake' they visited our partners. At the end of July they finished their visits at KLM and ArkeFly. Both airlines have had a huge part in the success. The airlines arranged a warm welcome for Robbert and Anne-Martin. ArkeFly informed TCB about the details of the extra flight to Bonaire starting the 18th of December this season. The airline will be flying two days a weak tp Flamingo Airport. They are expecting a significant growth in arrivals to Bonaire from the Dutch market. The cake - made in the branding of Bonaire - tasted pretty good!
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 E-mail marketing campaign ready for kick off >
This coming week the Dutch e-newsletter will be sent. TCB's database of Dutch subscribers contains over 30,000 e-mail addresses. What's in it? This month's newsletter features five items. Attention will be given on items like the return of the sailboat Aquaspace to Bonaire and the renovation at Captain Don's. But also the "Save our Planet Week" and the celebration of 'Dag van de vlag' in The Hague will be mentioned. The English newsletter will also be sent coming week.
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 <Bonaire big item in Felderhof magazine
Have you ever heard of Rik Felderhof? He's a very popular TV host in Holland who started his own magazine in 2006 called 'Felderhof'. It's a Home and Travel magazine for the Dutch upscale market. And guess who's in this month's edition? Designer Piet Boon who built his own beach house on Bonaire. The article is 8 pages long and has some beautiful pictures of the house and Bonaire itself. Boon explains why he built his house and what he loves about Bonaire. "It's so tranquil and relaxed. No traffic lights and only one roundabout. Kitesurfing with my thirteen-year-old son Koen. I can really relax here."
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 TCB present at CTO meeting >
The biannual meeting for CTO members will take place the end of September. Of course TCB Europe will be present as will lots of tour operators and press. That makes this event a good place for a 'get together' with the trade. There will be plenty of time for answering questions or exchange of thoughts. In the October edition of the Entre Nous we'll give you a report about this inspiring day.
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TCB Worldwide | New York Report
Love Our Planet Week Program Finalized; Flyer Now Available
The program for Love Our Planet Week, taking place in Bonaire September 20-27 and hosted by Captain Don's Habitat, has been finalized and the flyer is now available online in both color (www.bonairedivingpro.com/lopw_flyers/bdis_flyer_lopw_2_x4_color.pdf) and in black and white (www.bonairedivingpro.com/lopw_flyers/bdis_flyer_lopw_2_black_white.pdf). The week features daily boat dives and interactive seminars led by Rick MacPherson of the Coral Reef Alliance, Ed Clark of the Wildlife Center of Virginia and Stephen McCulloch of the Marine Mammal Research & Conservation Center. For more information, please visit www.bonairediveintosummer.com.
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Bonaire Makes A Splash at Two Be A Diver Pool Stops in July
The Bonaire sponsored Be A Diver Pool made two stops in July. The first was at the Detroit APBA Gold Cup powerboat racing event, which took place July 11-13. The second stop was at the Denver, Colorado Downtown Aquarium July 26-27. In Denver, everyone who tried diving in the pool receive free admission to the aquarium. The next Be A Diver Pool stop will be at the Houston, Texas Aquarium August 2-3.
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Sponsors Needed for Wounded Warrior Visit
Bonaire is pleased to welcome a group of Wounded Warriors from the USA for the third year-in-a-row, September 28-October 4, when they visit Bonaire to obtain their open water dive certifications. The Warriors will once again be hosted by Captain Don's Habitat and their gracious staff who will provide complimentary accommodations and diving, however, we are still seeking restaurants to donate meals. If you'd like to make a donation to cover any of the Wounded Warriors meals or other expenses (marine park tags, departure tax, etc.) while they're on-island this Fall, please contact Sarah Biggerstaff at sarah@adams-pr.com. Masha Danki Bonaire for your continued support of the Wounded Warriors!
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Bonaire EZ
News
 One issue of Bonaire EZ News was distributed in August to our database of consumers and travel agents. The issue was distributed on the 1st and announced Delta Air Lines new non-stop flight from New York JFK to Bonaire beginning December 20, 2008.
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Press Visits
Freelance journalist Chris Cox will be visiting Bonaire September 13-15 to gather information for Concierge.com and on assignment for Caribbean Travel & Life (circulation 155,000) to write an article about mountain biking in Bonaire.
Denise Mattia, the Caribbean Editor of JAXFAX Travel Marketing Magazine, will be visiting Bonaire on an escorted press trip September 21-28 to attend Love Our Planet Week. In addition to attending all of the scheduled LOPW activities, Denise will also try landsailing, cave snorkeling and tour Washington Slagbaai National Park.
Freelance journalist Lorry Heverly will be visiting Bonaire September 23-28 to gather information for an article for the Miami Herald during Love Our Planet Week. In addition to attending all of the scheduled LOPW activities, Lorry will also do hotel site inspections and tour Washington Slagbaai National Park.
Michael Bradbury, the Marine Life Editor of About.com, will be visiting Bonaire on an escorted press trip September 21-28 to attend Love Our Planet Week. In addition to attending all of the scheduled LOPW activities, Michael will also interview Marine Park officials, try cave snorkeling and tour Washington Slagbaai National Park.
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Editorial Highlights
Flipside Magazine (circulation 50,000)
As a result of Gerry Wingenbach’s recent press visit to Bonaire for IYOR Week in June, Bonaire was featured in the August 14, 2008 issue of Flipside Magazine. The article highlighted Gerry’s journey of becoming a certified scuba diver and touts Bonaire’s recognition of having the Caribbean’s healthiest coral reef environment. In the article, Gerry writes “but I will say this about Bonaire: never has so little effort been accompanied by such visual beauty.” This article is not available online. For your convenience, the complete article is attached.
Jazz & Blues Report (online circulation)
As a result of Bill Wahl’s recent press visit to Bonaire to attend the Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival in May, Bonaire was featured in Jazz & Blues Report, an online magazine. The eight-page article overviews the Festival day-by-day, and is accented with beautiful color photos. In addition to the Festival, the article notes Bonaire’s top dive destination rating by Scuba Diving magazine and highlights several of the activities the Island has to offer. This article is available online at www.jazz-blues.com/issues.cfm. For your convenience, the complete article is attached.
RocknWorld.com (online circulation)
As a result of Kevin Wierzbicki’s recent press trip to Bonaire to attend the Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival in May, Bonaire was featured on the RocknWorld.com website. The article highlights the activities of the Festival as well as some of the attractions around the Island. In the article Kevin states “the whole aura of the event was very friendly, much like a family picnic since most of the people in the crowd knew each other as is typical of the population of the entire island. That feeling is part of what makes a visit to Bonaire so unique and appealing; it's everything you want from a Caribbean experience without the hustle-bustle.” This article is available online at www.rocknworld.com/roadtrip/08/bonaire/index.shtml.
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TCB Worldwide | South America Report
First quarter 2008, Brazil reflects an important growth!
After ending 2007 with impressive statistics, the market shows an important increase of 37.65% in the first quarter of 2008, compared to the same period last year. The latter attributable to the Carnival and Easter holidays, generating many diving groups. Brazil has the largest diving population in South America. They travel many hours (almost a day), to arrive to the island staying a week to enjoy our amazing Bonaire Marine Park.
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Bonaire shipwrecks at the Brazilian DecoStop magazine
Year after year, DecoStop is more and more interested in Bonaire. Their readers always want to know about the island of Bonaire. In its trimester edition (May, June, July), it published a special 4 page report about shipwrecks. With amazing pictures, Rodrigo Collucini (editor/owner), describes in details the Windjammer located 60 mts, the Hilma Hooker 24 mts and Our Confidence 14 mts deep. All the information needed to explore the shipwrecks, is given in detail as you may see clicking at www.decostop.com.br
  
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Airline News...
Insel Air from Venezuela
Valencia - Curacao Bonaire - Curacao
DI X 6,7 07:40/08:10 7 16:00/16:30
Curacao - Bonaire Curacao Valencia
DI X,7 13:00/13:30 7 22:40/23:00
inselairvenezuela@cantv.net - www.fly-inselair.com
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 OD Viajes from Venezuela >
In its summer vacation edition, this prestigious magazine highlighted Bonaire in its Premium Club section. With a beautiful picture of the Salt mounds, the article mentions Bonaire as the ideal place for diving, windsurfing and nature lovers. A paradise destination to visit!
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Bonaire at turismomaso.com
During the month of July, the tourism online site turismomaso.com, reported on the 10 best accommodations in Latin American and the Caribbean region, ranking the "Deep Blue View Intimate Resort & Villa" in Bonaire as the number 6 in the region. For more information, please click at www.deepblueview.com
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Bonaire News
Our monthly bulletin directed to our trade partners and consumers, in general highlights this month:
Insel Air flights between Bonaire and Valencia, Pro Kids free style final results, Wiske Bonaire's first tracked turtle in 2008 nears Nicaragua, Available new on-line source for Caribbean Coral Identification, Waterlands Village a new Bonaire property, Dive Friends Bonaire offers guided night dives for Bonaire's Coral Spawning season, Next mountain bike race, 41st Bonaire International Sailing Regatta.
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Upcoming events
Brazil
Sao Paulo Boat Show – 26 Sep – Oct 01
A great opportunity to meet with the diving industry and its key people.
For more information pls contact Yasmin at southamerica@tourismbonaire.com
Website: www.boatshow.com.br
Venezuela
Avavit – October 14th to the 17th
It represents the opportunity to contact the tourism and diving sector in Venezuela. Bonaire will reserve soon a small booth.
For more information pls contact Yasmin at southamerica@tourismbonaire.com
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It used to be that when September rolled around, things in the Tourism sector slowed down. That is not always the case. To kick off the month we celebrate Bonaire Day and Bike Week when literally a few hundred bikes visit the island to enjoy our fine weather and hospitality. Aside for a bit of noise it is a fun event for locals, participants and observers alike. Furthermore, in September we host our annual Marketing Meeting, and for a few years now; “Love Our Planet Week”, our well known “Taste of Bonaire” and a project we very much value “Wounded Warriors Project”. Additionally this year, we have added a series of Cultural Nights as part of our national Tourism Awareness Program, in the month of September. So, it sure is not a slow month for us! It's great way to give attention to tourism and celebrate World Tourism Day in the month of September – September 27th 2008. 
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