 |
|
 |
|
| Issue #5 7 April 2000 |
|
| Entre Nous Bonaire's Bi-weekly Newsletter |
|
Entre Nous is the bi-weekly newsletter from the Tourism Corporation Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. In this newsletter you will find the accomplishments of TCB in Bonaire, North America, South America and Europe. 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 8408 or email to: tcb@bonairelive.com. Topics: |
|
LOCAL REPORT |
|
By Jerry Ligon It was once customary in scientific circles to back up a claim of discovery of a new or rare species by acquiring a specimen of the bird or mammal with the aid of a gun or by trapping and insects and fish with collecting nets. Verification could then be made without any doubt. Fortunately, we have progressed into a new era with photography and binoculars, relying on the skills of field naturalists with the aid of field guides, and, it is a great deal friendlier toward our natural world. Sipke
Stapert is one such modern documenter of species and with his trusty
Nikon RS he has photographed and identified over 200 species of fish
here in the waters of Bonaire.
His list continues to grow weekly as he eagerly pursues his
subjects.
I am often at a loss at identification of his "finds"
and that is what I do full time as a naturalist, identification of fish.
He humbles me.
His slide presentations, on Monday evenings at Sand Dollar Dive
and Photo, will attest to the skill that he has acquired.
Many of his slides are "Island Firsts", i.e., species
never before reported to be photographed or found on fish surveys that I
am actively involved in through the organization REEF, whose
headquarters are located in Key Largo, Florida.
Just a few of the species that I have yet to see that he has
photographed, for example, are Longhorn Blenny, Short-nosed Batfish,
Bigtooth Cardinal Fish, Red Clingfish, and, most recently, a juvenile
Flying Gunard. I figure I have the easy part, not having to contend with
the vagaries of light, aperture settings, depth of focus, etc., plus the
nuances of the skittish fish itself, and I am content to deal with the
"biological" aspects of the chase in their identification, as
long as Sipke is around to "collect" the species on film. Newly Discovered Native mammals on Bonaire BY JERRY C. LIGON O n an island whose wildlife is awaiting discovery, Bonaire may have at least two new species of mammals. First, over a year ago, I observed an arboreal (tree-dwelling) rat near Put Mangle in Washington/Slagbaai Park. It had built a nest in a termitary (termite nest) in a mesquite tree, and as my group of nature enthusiasts watched, one ran out, and quickly scampered across the upper branches and disappeared in the adjoining trees. It was light gray in color and I did find some loose gray hairs sticking to the trunk of the mesquite tree when I examined its possible "run" on the main limb to and from the termitary.On Sunday, 2 April, as I was showing my biologist friends the site for the newly rediscovered Crimson-patched Longwing butterfly, Enit Schulten sighted an identical mammal jumping from a candelabra cactus. In the scientific listing of mammals for Bonaire, there is no report of native mammals except for possibly as many as 25 species of bats. The common Norway Rat and the house mouse are not native to Bonaire but have escaped from ships as they anchored along Bonaire’s coasts centuries ago. Their origins were most likely from European ports, which these sailing ships departed. To
add to this bolt of excitement in the biological community, I also
discovered a type of small mammal running through the lush grass atop a
dam of a fresh-water lake near the Park entrance.
It reminded me of a genus of vole, Microtus
sp. that I was familiar with back in Colorado.
We most likely will have to trap, alive, each of these two
mammals in order to confirm their identity.
My conjecture on their origins is the possibility that they
arrived here on floating vegetation coming from riverbanks along the
Venezuelan coast during times of heavy rains in years past.
We have evidence of this phenomenon by checking out the huge
species of trees that get washed up on Bonaire's east coast, even large
sections of bamboo. Then, after arriving here, they made themselves new
homes, and remained in low numbers until Bonaire received large amounts
of rain, as in the fall of 1999, and, with this environmental stimulus
causing lush vegetation to grow here, they reproduced in larger than
normal numbers. As I have
testified many times before, Bonaire is a haven of undiscovered
biological treasures: we continue to document new species of fish,
birds, mammals, insects, butterflies, and plants, and that is why I find
my home here.
There
has been many occasions when Rolando has been called upon to
escort VIPs around the Island of Bonaire, but none more important
then Her Royal Highness, the Queen of Holland during her visit
last November.
Rolando
has been important member of the TCB team since November,
1994. He is a graduate of Bonaire SGB (high school) and the
"Middelbare Technische School" in Curacao. He has
always worked in the tourism sector and especially in positions
that have been in direct contact with our island's visitors. He
is the proud father of three children, ranging in ages for one up
to 8. When not busy helping visitors and dignitaries find
their way around the island, (which is most of the time) he enjoys
SCUBA diving and spending time at home. Chances are you will
see have a chance to meet Rolando when you visit Bonaire.
He is always ready to help answer questions or lend a hand. DEE SCARR OF TOUCH THE SEA, HONORED FOR THE WOMEN DIVERS HALL OF FAME One
of Bonaire's most renowned figures, Dee Scarr of Touch the Sea,
was recently honored
for her contributions to the scuba diving industry at one
of the industry's largest annual gatherings, Beneath the Sea, March
24 - 26, 2000. This annual event is held at the Meadowlands Exposition
Center in New Jersey with an attendance of over 15,000 during the
3 day show.
WORLD'S
FIRST UNDERWATER REEF "WEBCAM" INSTALLED
ON BONAIRE
BONAIRE, N.A.
-- April 6, 2000 -- Caribbean
WebCams, LLC (Norfolk, VA), in partnership with NetTech N.V.
(Bonaire) announced today that it has successfully installed the
world’s first permanent underwater Reef WebCam (or ReefCamTM)
at the Small Wall dive site of Bonaire, giving Internet users
around the world a real-time view of what’s happening underwater
on Bonaire’s treasured and protected reefs. A “WebCam”,
short for “Web Camera”, is a term applied to any camera whose
video images can be viewed via a Web page on the Internet. In addition to the
underwater ReefCam, Caribbean WebCams and NetTech have installed
several above-water WebCams in order to give Bonaire fans around
the world the opportunity to see what’s happening here, 24 hours
a day, seven days a week. One above water camera shows a view of
the Small Wall dive site mooring with Mount Brandaris rising in
the distance behind it, while another shows the Bay of Kralendijk.
The third and final, for now, land-based camera provides a street
view from NetTech’s offices. “Until now, no other
company has managed to successfully install a permanent reef
WebCam because of the many technical hurdles involved as part of
the installation and on-going maintenance of such a device. After
months of hard work, however, we’ve come up with a solution that
works, but we don’t plan to rest on our laurels, and will keep
researching ways to improve our product,” said Caribbean WebCams
Chief Technical Officer Dan Senie. “We selected
Bonaire as the world’s first site for an underwater ReefCam
installation because we admire and appreciate the efforts of the
Bonaire Marine National Park to preserve Bonaire’s reefs and
marine environment, and felt that this effort needed to be shared
with the rest of the world through the wonder of the Internet.
Now, with the blessing of the Marine Park and Bonaire’s
government, that goal has been achieved.”, added Jake Richter,
NetTech’s managing director and co-founder of Caribbean WebCams. The WebCam images,
refreshed every five minutes, around the clock, can be found on
the Internet at http://www.BonaireWebCams.com.
This Web site is currently under development, with an official
launch scheduled for May 2000. While the sole page on the current
site shows only the latest images, the official site, when
launched, will feature the ability for recent visitors to the
Small Wall dive site and the underwater ReefCam to look up
archived images from prior weeks which feature them - basically
offering, via the Internet, a souvenir and fond memory from a
recent dive trip to Bonaire. Caribbean WebCams has
also installed a remote weather station as well as a proprietary
underwater temperature sensor so that BonaireWebCams visitors can
get a reading on the current warmth of Bonaire’s waters, as well
as the current above-water temperature, humidity, wind speed, and
wind direction. The official Web site, when formally launched next
month, will offer all of these readings in its archives, providing
accurate historical information for those seeking information on
weather trends throughout the year. Even though the present
site is a just a simple preview of what’s to come, it has
already captured the imagination of Bonaire lovers around the
world. In a discussion of the preview site on the popular
InfoBonaireTM
Newsgroup (http://www.InfoBonaire.com/newsgroup),
participant Frank Reiss stated “Thanks for letting me
enjoy a daily visit to Bonaire ... now if I set up a sun lamp and
a fan ... place some sand on the floor ... get a few plastic pink
flamingos ...”, and people sending in comments to the companies
have humorously complained that the WebCams are robbing them of
productivity at work - they keep getting distracted by live images
from Bonaire on their computer and start daydreaming. The new Web site
being launched next month is expected to only add to the volume of
daydreaming. Caribbean
WebCams, LLC, found earlier this year, specializes in all aspects
of commercial WebCam set-up and installation for resorts and
travel destinations. Company headquarters are located in Norfolk,
Virginia in the U.S.A. Caribbean WebCams information can be found
at http://www.CaribbeanWebCams.com,
and can be contacted info@CaribbeanWebCams.com
or by phone at +1-703-783-8370 or by FAX at +1-703-783-8371. NetTech
N.V., Bonaire’s Official Web Site DeveloperTM, was
founded in 1997 in order to help Bonaire take advantage of the
Internet as a marketing tool. Since its inception, NetTech has
helped develop and host scores of successful Web sites for
Bonairean companies and organizations, and will be responsible for
maintenance of WebCams installed on Bonaire by CaribbeanWebCams.
For more information on NetTech, visit http://www.NetTech.an,
e-mail info@NetTech.an,
call +599-717-6773, or FAX +599-717-7854. |
|
|
|
Last week in New York City was CTO Week (March 27-31, 2000). Commissioner of Finance Mr. Norwin Willem and Director of Tourism Ms. Elsmarie Beukenboom were among the many ministers and directors of tourism who were in New York for the week attending meetings, events and the week's grand finale the Governments of the Caribbean State Ball. On Tuesday March 28, 2000 Mr. Willem and Ms. Beukenboom along with Candice Kimmel and Lisa Blau from Adams Unlimited, attended the very successful CTO - SATW (Society of American Travel Writers) Marketplace. Over 125 writers attended this travel marketplace where tourist offices, hotels and airlines were on hand to meet with and disseminate press materials and information. A great opportunity to meet the people who write about the Caribbean, Mr. Willem and Ms. Beukenboom got a chance to talk one-on-one with a number of writers. Story lines (short paragraphs containing the most pertinent information) outlining the many milestones that have taken place in Bonaire in the past few months (purchase of Klein Bonaire, Bonaire Marine Park receiving National Park status, the Fourth Annual Dive Festival, etc.) and the advancements and improvements that are taking place with the hotel infrastructure (Sunset Beach Resort, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, Esmeralda Project) were written and distributed to the media. The new vacation planner was also displayed and given out to the writers along with Bonaire press kits.
The
March 20, 200 issue of Travel Agent Magazine (circulation
53,500) featured a page and a half article on Bonaire. The
article was written by the magazine's new Caribbean Editor, Erin
Frances, and included information taken from at least four press
releases that have been sent out since January 2000.
Information on the purchase of Klein Bonaire, the Bonaire
Marine Park receiving National Park status and the Fourth
Annual Dive Festival, plus details of new offerings and programs
at Caribbean Court, Sand
Dollar Condominium Resort and Bon
Bini Divers, and hotel developments at Buddy
Dive Resort, Divi Flamingo
Beach Resort and Harbour
Village Beach Resort were included in this feature article.
Two four-color photos (one with a caption about the Dive
Festival) and Bonaire's 800 number and website address were
included as well.
The
March 5, 2000 travel section of the Long Island and Queens editions
of New York Newsday (circulations
660,104 and 113,177, respectively) featured a section called
"Quick Takes" which included a short placement on the
purchase of Klein Bonaire and the Bonaire
Marine Park receiving National Park status. The
information included in the placement was taken directly from two
press releases that were sent out in January 2000 on the two
important milestones in Bonaire's history. The
March 2000 issue of WWWiz,
featured an full page article on Bonaire. The article focuses
on the island as whole, including information on its history, the Bonaire
Marine Park, the many activities available on island and
information on two resorts, Harbour
Village Beach Resort and Buddy
Dive Resort. The writer, Rita Cook, participated last year
in the Air Jamaica inaugural flight press trip. The
April 4, 2000 travel section of the New York Post featured
an article on Bonaire written by Brenda Fine, a travel writer who
participated in the Third Annual Dive Festival press trip to
Bonaire. The article which includes information on the various
activities available in Bonaire, focuses on the Dive
Festival including information Bonaire's continuing efforts
to protect the marine environment. Two photos taken by
Burt Fine, who also participated in the press trip, plus Bonaire's
800 number and website address are included in the article as well.
Bonaire
was represented by TCB-New York in Detroit, Michigan on March, 29,
2000. Bonaire hosted a CTO Greater Detroit Chapter dinner
and presentation. There were 80 agents in attendance and while
most of them were familiar with the Caribbean, they gave us their
undivided attention because this was the first time Bonaire had
visited their area in a number of years. As with other
presentations the new Bonaire video was shown and a short
presentation was made following it. Brochures and materials
distributed were the new Vacation Planner and Travel Guide,
Bonaire maps, and airline schedule flyers
|
|
|
|
NEWS
BITS
Bonaire and TCB Europe are coordinating the organization of the ABC Martinair Mobile promotion. Martinair has a motor coach that is used for consumer promotions. We will be using the Airmobile to 'travel' around the Netherlands. The bus is placed in front of a Travel Agency in the Netherlands that has been strategically selected. The travel agencies generally have a clientele, which are traveling long haul. The agency is also selected by an ABC selling Tour Operator for their potential. The location of the agency is chosen if there is to be a 'local’ happening in that particular city. For instance a 'braderie'', a cultural event for the population, etc. On the bus the ABC islands will display their promotional material. The bus is decorated with local art and, a power point presentation is given in the morning for the trade. In the afternoon, consumers are invited to come aboard the bus to view the promotional materials. The ABC island atmosphere is being created and enhanced by music with a band playing local music of the islands. A couple of days have already been blocked throughout the year for the Airmobile promotion. The interest of the Tour Operators wanting to participate in this program has been rewarding.
KLM announced
that they would resume flights to Bonaire on Sunday, April 23, 2000.
This is very good news for our island. The route will be
Amsterdam - Bonaire - Curaçao - Amsterdam. Flight number KL 789. The
new schedule communicated to the trade include the flight up until
June 18, 2000 when further information will follow.
Sobelair flies twice a week now from Brussels: The Van der Valk Family has signed up for the second flight out of Brussels. A lot of activities are now being undertaken to promote the availability of these additional seats. Soon the flight will be available for everyone to be booked through travel agency computers as well. This means that the flight will benefit the entire island since Tour Operators, travel agencies will be free to promote the island and select any hotel /accommodation for their guests. The hotels will befit greatly from this additional airlift and are being encourage to contact the Tour Operating and setting up packages. While dark clouds were first seen on our island as far as lack of airlift from Europe is concerned, it seems that the switch has been turned and access has been made possible. In light of these new developments, promotions have been started to assist in filling the seats and the hotel rooms on island.
Mr.
Guido Derksen:
Mr. Guido Derksen visited our island last week to gather information for 3 publications. The "Vitamine V guide of Kosmos", "Sportduikersgids Nederlandse Antillen/Aruba" and "Domenicus gids Nederlandse Antillen/Aruba. Plaza Resort Bonaire hosted him. According to Mr. Rolando Marin from TCB he left our island very happy and satisfied .We want to thank everyone who made his visit successful Meridian: In light of our media plan, negotiations have been undertaken with the up market consumer travel publication for added value. This appeared in the latest issue of Meridian. 2 pages on the island of Bonaire with a prize that was sponsored by the Tour Operator and Plaza Resort Bonaire. Bruid & Bruidegom: The same type of promotion was done with the publication Bruid & Bruidegom where another Tour Operator has been selected to participate and this time it is Buddy Dive Resort sponsoring the room and the promotion. This will be a 2 page special on Bonaire on weddings and honeymoons. In general the wedding promotion and interest is growing especially from the Dutch market. We are getting quite a large number calls from people who want to get married in Bonaire.
|
|
|
|
VENEZUELA TCB
VENEZUELA WITH NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS: Please take note of our new e-mail address, flamingorep@telcel.net.ve APR
19 / 23 LONG WEEK END
For the
past two weeks, the Tour Operators and their travel agencies have
been very busy with booking for the upcoming long Easter weekend.
The hottest destinations are the ABC islands, Santo Domingo, Sint
Maarten, and Miami/Orlando. For
the island of Bonaire, besides the scheduled flights of Air ALM there
will be additional flights from AVIOR and some charter
flights with Aerotuy and Falcon Royal.
This Easter weekend on Bonaire will again see the presence of an
unusual amount of Venzuelan tourists. AVIOR
NOW IN THE SYSTEM OF THREE LOCAL TRAVEL AGENTS Last
Wednesday, April 5th, Ms. Francis Scollieri, Commercial Director of
AVIOR, was in Bonaire where she met with the three travel agencies on
the island; Bonaire Aviation Services, Maduro Travel and Bonaire Travel
and Tours. Avior authorized
the issuing of tickets to these agents.
From now on those wishing to travel to Venezuela on Avior can
purchase their ticket at any of the three travel agencies.. AVOIR
airlines uses Beechcraft and flies on Friday’s and
Sunday’s. The price of a round trip ticket is $120. Statistics
do not yet show a tourism growth from the Colombian market. We are continually
seeking coverage in the press. With the help and support of
our friends in the travel agencies not only in Bogota but also in the
other cities like with the new operator MUNDITUR of the city of
Baranquilla to attract attention and convert some new clients. MAGAZINE
“ SEMANA ” The
issue of March 27 of the prestigious magazine SEMANA of Bogota published
an Easter weekend special on Bonaire.
This full page special with beautiful color photographs of the
island was titled “The Eden”. To
quote the article: “Bonaire is today one of the most important
destinations of the Caribbean for ecotourism with nature to its maximum
splendor”. Furthermore the
article says “regardless of where you come from, in Bonaire you will
always find someone that speaks your language”
|
|
|
|
Bon
Bini Divers is
pleased to announce the opening of its Drive-Through Tank Service
available at its Lions Dive Bonaire location.
"This
new service will make shore diving much easier for our diving guests.
Now all you need do is pull right into the parking lot, pull up to the
Drive-Through, and we load the tanks in your vehicle. Pull right out
directly onto the street and you are on your way. It just couldn’t
be any easier now," says Susan Davis, Manager. For
further information or reservations, contact Bon
Bini Divers’ inhouse island reservation service at: Bon Bini Divers Bonaire, N.V. Phone:
(599) 717-5425/ Fax: (599) 717-4425 E-mail: mailto:info@bonbinidivers.com
Located
next door to Dive Inn on the waterfront at Playa Chachacha,
the newly renovated Dive Inn (formerly the Sunset Inn)
has been tastefully remodeled in an Apartment Complex with 3 seaview
studios and 4 Rooms for a total of seven accommodations
Each is air-conditioned and supplied with brand new furniture
including a kitchenette! Reasonable prices!! Walking
distance from town, restaurants and shops. This is the perfect INN for
divers and non-divers and divegroups. For
more info and reservations: fax 717-8513 or mailto: info@diveinn-bonaire.com
|
|
|
| APRIL- HARVEST 'SIMANDAN' FESTIVAL PERIOD | |
| 1 | Traditional "Kanto Krioyo" festival |
| * | Simadan (Harvest ) Festival in Rincon |
| 6-9 | ASTA Cruisefest, Miami |
| 9 | Road Race 40 km and 70 km (Bonaire Cycling) |
| 12-14 | 4th Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conf. (CTO) Barbados |
| 21 | Good Friday (holiday) |
| 23 | Easter Sunday (holiday) |
| 30 | Dia di Rincon (holiday) |
| 30 | Queen's Birthday Race, Cas di Regatta |
| 30 | 17 Km run (organized by KONKABON) |
| * | 5 Km MCB run |
| * | To be announced |
May 2000 |
|
| 1 | Labor Day |
| 4 | Ascension Day |
| 20 | 4th Bonaire Mountain Bike Challenge Race |
| 21 | Road Race 80km |
| 22 | Road Race 80km (Bonaire Cycling) |
| 28 | 5 km Fun Run (organized by Comcabon |
June 2000 |
|
| 3 | Cycle Tour Kralendijk - Lac Bay |
| 10 - 17 | 4th Annual Dive Festival |
| 19-25 | Siman di Kultura (Cultural Week) |
| 24 | St. John's Day |
| 29 | St. Peter's Day |
| * | 5 km Run (organized by Comcabon) |
| * | 4th Angola Construction Sailing Competition at Kas di Regatta |
|
July 2000
|
|
| 2 - 4 | Dia di Art (Art Day) |
| 2 | 5 km Fun Run (organized by KONKABON) |
| 22 | Time Cycle Trial 10k and Circuit 50k (Bonaire Cycling) |
| 23 | Road Bike Race 60k |
| * | Lac Bay Mini Regatta |
| * | 14th Copa Cultimara Sailing Race at Lac Bai-Cai |
| * to be announced | |
|
For a complete calender of events visit our website at http://www.infobonaire.com/ Note: Dates are subject to change. A full cruise ship schedule is available upon request at the TCB Office. If you have any additions, changes or corrections to this planner please send these to S. Pourier via fax (8408) or e-mail: statistics@tourismbonaire.com - thank you. *To unsubscribe or subscribe send an e-mail to: tcb@bonairelive.com ********************************************* Tourism Corporation Bonaire Kaya S. Bolivar 12 Bonaire Dutch Caribbean Tel: 599-7-8322/ 8649 Fax: 599-7-8408 E-mail: tcb@tourismbonaire.com Website address: http://www.infobonaire.com/ **************************************************** |
|
Bonaire's Bi-weekly Newsletter Tourism Corporation Bonaire E-mail: tcb@tourismbonaire.com |
 |
Internet presence, production and
hosting Copyright © 1997-2000 theWebster P O Box 553, Baldwin City, KS 66006 785 / 594-2194 |