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June was airline appreciation month in Bonaire

June 2002 was filled with a number of airline milestones. On June 2nd KLM began non-stop service from Amsterdam to Bonaire. To commemorate this milestone, a reception was held at the Flamingo Airport where the whole community of Bonaire was invited. June 2nd was also the one year anniversary of American Eagle's service to Bonaire.. so this was double celebration on June 2nd.

Additionally, the month closed out with equal fanfare on June 26th, when Air Jamaica celebrated its three-year anniversary of service to Bonaire. To celebrate this other airline milestone, a dinner was hosted by the Government of Bonaire and a reception at the Flamingo Airport.

Thank you Air Jamaica, American Airlines/American Eagle and KLM for your continued support of Bonaire.

New Web Site Allows People To “Search Bonaire”

BONAIRE, N.A. – June 21, 2002 – NetTech N.V., Bonaire’s official Web site developer, today announced it has launched a new Web site dedicated to searching out key information about Bonaire on the Internet. The site, appropriately located at http://www.searchbonaire.com/, uses a very fast search engine, and features weighted results, which means that Web pages which match the search for terms are ranked on how well they match.

The Search Bonaire search database is recreated nightly as the search engine retrieves and analyzes every Web page and PDF file from nearly 90 Bonaire-related Web sites, including InfoBonaire – Bonaire’s Official Web site; BonaireTalk – the popular Bonaire on-line discussion group; as well as the popular Bonaire WebCams site. A full list of all the sites indexed can be found on the Search Bonaire Web site.

These sites were selected based on the performance requirements of the Search Bonaire search engine, which requires unrestricted access to Web sites, at speeds of 10-30 megabits (millions of bits) per second. For comparison's sake, a typical Internet dial-up connection is only 30-50 kilobits (thousands of bits) per second. Furthermore, indexed Web sites must meet certain other quality and content requirements. Presently, only sites hosted by NetTech N.V. and Amaranth Networks have met all the requirements for inclusion in the Search Bonaire search index.

“We plan on ensuring that Search Bonaire ranks very high in the major search engines, and has high visibility in the most common places where one would look for Bonaire on the Internet, as this will ensure that Bonaire information is properly represented and readily available to everyone who needs it, including tourists, locals, and even Bonaireans abroad. The latter group will find Search Bonaire particularly useful, as the on-line version of the Bonaire section of the Extra newspaper is included as part of the Search Bonaire index,” stated Jake Richter, Managing Director of NetTech N.V.

NetTech also announced that companies which are included in the Search Bonaire index can have a custom search engine put on their Web sites for a nominal fee. The custom search engine would use the Search Bonaire search engine to retrieve results which apply only to that site. Such an implementation has already been put in place for InfoBonaire, where an InfoBonaire-specific search box is now featured on every page of the site.

NetTech N.V. provides a variety of Internet and marketing related services to businesses and individuals, including Web site hosting, Internet consulting and training, and marketing consulting. NetTech also manages the popular BonaireTalk (http://www.bonairetalk.com/) and InfoBonaire Web sites (http://www.InfoBonaire.com), which both provide thousands of people daily with valuable tourism information about Bonaire. NetTech is located at Kaya Rotterdam 2, Bonaire. Phone: 717-6773, FAX: 717-7854, E-mail: info@nettech.an, Web: http://www.nettech.an/.

article courtesy of NetTech N.V

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LOCAL Report

2002 1st Annual Maduro & Curiels King of the Caribbean Freestyle Pro AM (final stop on the PWA Tour)

DIVISIONS: Pro Men, Pro Women, Amateur Men, Amateur Men Masters (35+),Amateur Women, Novice, and Juniors.

SPONSORED BY: Maduro & Curiels Banks, Heineken, Air Jamaica, Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association/members (BONHATA), Tourism Corporation of Bonaire (TCB), Jibe City, Divi Flamingo, Hertz Bonaire, Cellularone, Da Kine, Curtis Fins, Uzzi Amphibious Gear, Venus Swimwear, Dagger Optics, Caribbean Wind and Sun Vacations and more TBA.

WWW: http:www.kingofthecaribbean.com (under construction)

The Bonaire Sailing Federation (BSaf) is proud to announce the 2002 Maduro & Curiels King of the Caribbean Windsurfing Freestyle Pro-Am, to be held Dec. 11-15 at windy Lac Bay on the island of Bonaire.

As with the sister event, The King of the Cape, many TOP pros are expected to descend upon this windy paradise, the home of the Bonaire Sailing Team. Come see the playground and the place where up and coming Pros Keke Dammers and Tonky and Tati Frans learned their fast and crazy maneuvers.

Bonaire has one of the gentlest climates in the Caribbean. There is very little rainfall (less than 22 inches annually) and a prevailing easterly trade wind that provides a consistent breeze making perfect conditions for free styling in Lac Bay. Windsurfers could not ask for a better spot than Lac Bay on Bonaire's east coast. There is 90% chance of favorable winds in this sheltered, shallow bay allowing a challenge for the expert sailor as well as allowing the novice to advance to the next level. The bay protected, by the Bonaire Marine Park rules and regulations, has the most beautiful turquoise water and balmy breezes. It is approximately 8 square kilometers and free from boat traffic. Shallow water and onshore wind is perfect for the beginner free styler/windsurfer. More experienced sailors head out to Kai
where the swells and waves are perfect for an aerial freestyle
extravaganza. This is where Tonky Frans, NB7, learned do his double forwards.

Bonaire as a country and community embraces the entire sport of windsurfing and celebrates the achievements of their windsurfing athletes. They now welcome you to their island home. There will be island-wide parties, activities and events for the entire WEEK (Dec. 7-15). Come dance to the island's local music in a town block party like no other. Immerse yourself in a myriad of outdoor activities such as sea adventures (Bonaire is one of THE best dive destinations in the WORLD). Come kayak in the mangroves, snorkel the reefs, hike the hills and trails, explore Washington National Park full of iguanas and goats, swimming and dive spots and MORE. Mountain bike, bird watch, allow your family to enjoy specialty children's sea and dive programs. Come dine in one of Bonaire's MANY ethnic and local eateries. If you love to fish, several charter boats can take you for sport fishing in the waters teeming with fish. Bonaire is home to the famous pink flamingos and the friendly and docile wild donkeys. It is also home to the most hospitable and friendly group of diverse individuals representing cultures including Holland, South American and the Caribbean to name a few.

Discounted air and accommodations will be available and will be announced soon.

For further information contact Ann Phelan, KOTC PR and Event Director,
at: ann@bonairewindsurfing.com, or call: 011-599-791-5682 (July 1-Aug. 19)

Press release courtesy of Ann Phalen

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Hello Tourist

Since 1994, the Tourism Corporation Bonaire started with the project Hello Tourist that strives to make kids of elementary school age aware of the tourism industry on Bonaire. This year the Hello Tourist project was under guidance of two employees of TCB, Desiree Roberts and Evelain Marchena. The managed 234 kids and guided them through this year’s Hello Tourist program. Definitely, such an event cannot be achieved without the help of our industry partners such as hotels, dive operations, windsurf centers and restaurants. At the end of the project all the 234 kids were able to feel like a tourist by spending a night at Caribbean Club.

Bonaire Windsurf Kids demonstrating their abilities

In June 11, 2002, the windsurf event King of the Cape was a success for many and especially for the Bonaire Sailing Team. King of the Cape had this six windsurfing categories of which the Bonaire Sailing Team has participated into five. The Bonaire Kids put forth their maximum performance in order to win a prize in all the five categories that they were participating in. After giving a excellent performance at West Dennis Beach, Boston, three of the members of the Bonaire Sailing Team, Tonky Frans, Tati Frans, Christiaan Dammers, has continued their journey to Europe to participate in other windsurfing competitions in Barcelona. In Costa Brava, Barcelona, Tati Frans has become the winner of the PWA Freestyle competition while Tonky Frans has won the second place. The Bonaire community is very enthusiastic with the ultimate performance of the Bonaire Sailing Team and are waiting anxiously to close the PWA "World Tour" competition here on Bonaire with the King of the Caribbean in December.

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Brazilian visitor coming to Bonaire for 12 years..

In 2001, Bonaire received a total of 241 Brazilian visitors which accounted for0.47% of the total visitors to Bonaire. With such a small number of Brazilian visitors a year it was great to hear that Edgar Ribiero from Rio Janeiro, Brazil, has visited Bonaire for 12 yrs. Edgar Ribiero has first visited Bonaire in 1991 (he became a certified

diver during his first trip). The year there after, 1992, Edgar Ribiero visited Bonaire twice that year together with his family members. Since then, he has continued to visit Bonaire regularly. He has visited other islands including Cayman Islands, Cuba, Saba, St. Maarten, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Coco's Islands, and Costa Rica but Bonaire is the island were he always returns to enjoy the tranquility, its diving resources and its friendly people especially the staff at Bon Bini Divers. As part of the Bonaire Ambassador Program that TCB initiated this year, Edgar Ribiero has received a bronze medal as recognition for visiting Bonaire for 12 yrs.

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TCB-NYC Report

Dive Festival Wrap Up...

What a great week! June 15 - 22, 2002 Bonaire hosted the 6th Annual Dive Festival. The week was highlighted by presentations by Ned DeLoach, Kalli de Meyer, Carl Safina, Jack and Sue Drafahl and Rod Fujita Dee Scarr and a Taste of Bonaire which kicked the week into full swing with a bang. Other highlights included Dee Scarr's Clean-Up Dive during which about 25 people participated and collected 17 tires, 50 bottles, 600 feet of fishing line, 75 feet of rope, 17 cans and other assorted items of trash. There were demo days with Sea & Sea and ScubaPro, and dives with local naturalists and presenters. A special thanks to everyone who made this event a success including TCB, CORAL, Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine, Air Jamaica, Dive Festival host hotels: Captain Don's Habitat, Buddy Dive Resort and Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, the local volunteers, and everyone else who made this event possible.

AND the dates have already been set for next year's Festival. The 7th
Annual Bonaire Dive Festival will take place June 14 - 21, 2003, so mark your calendars. If you'd like check out the highlights of this year's
Festival or get information on next year's check out
www.scubadiving.com/bonairefest.

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Bonaire is the hottest destination on TV in the USA!

April and May were great months for Bonaire, which has been featured in a number of TV shows. The first which began airing in early April is the
Diving Today series on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN). Footage for the
shows was shot back in March 2002 when a crew visited the island to capture the best of Bonaire. There have been four episodes in total that have aired and credited Bonaire, with three (episodes 1, 2 and 4) featuring our island.

In addition to Bonaire being featured on Diving Today, the island is also being featured on OLN's most popular TV show here in the states, Adventure Crusoe, which airs in primetime. An interesting point is that deciding to come to Bonaire to shoot Adventure Crusoe was based on Diving Today's interest in the island, so another TV crew visited the Island in early March. The episode of Adventure Crusoe featuring Bonaire aired on May 29th and online clues about Bonaire can now be viewed at http://www.olntv.com/ (click on Adventure Crusoe and then Episode 8, the episode on Bonaire). Adventure Crusoe is an interactive television series that travels to exotic locations around the world and through discoveries of natural history, including geology, geography, flora and fauna challenges the TV viewers to guess where they are in the world. Locations have included Rarotanga, in the Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Gibraltar ... and now Bonaire.

If you want to check out the Adventure Crusoe Show and see Bonaire online to look at the clues about the island, video and text, just log onto
http://www.olntv.com/ and click on Adventure Crusoe.

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Caribbean week in New York - May 29 - 31, 2002

May 29 - 31 the tourism industry celebrated Caribbean Week in New York City. To kick off the week on May 29th Bonaire participated in the 3rd Annual Media Marketplace. Held at The Roosevelt Hotel in New York City from 4:30 - 8:00 PM, the trade show type event for the press was attended by more than 100 media from both print, TV and online media outlets. Both Captain Don and Governor Richard Hart were on hand along with Candice Kimmel, Marie Rosa and Lisa Blau to talk one-on-one with the media, and the newest press releases, flyers and brochures were distributed at the Bonaire booth.

The week was capped off with the 29th Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball on May 31st at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. At this event Captain Don was one of 50 people honored for their contributions to Caribbean tourism. This is a fitting honor for Captain Don who in addition to his many contributions to Bonaire's tourism is celebrating his 40th year in Bonaire in 2002.

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Editorial Placements

New York Daily News (circulation 790,911)

The June 2, 2002 travel section of the New York Daily News contained a
placement for Buddy Dive Resort in the Deals of the Week section. Focusing on the resort's Spring Special package the information was obtained directly from the Bonaire Briefs press release that was written and distributed to the media in May 2002.

Sport Diver (circulation 100,000)

The June 2002 issue of Sport Diver contained a feature article on Bonaire.
Written by Brian Courtney who visited Bonaire in February 2002, the six-page article included information on diving at Salt Pier, Small Wall and the ease of diving on the island in general. With 12 four-color photos the article also includes information on the National Park and Buddy Dive Resort.

Dive Report (circulation 10,000)

Dive Report's May/June 2002 issue contained a placement on the renovations of several of Bonaire's hotels including Buddy Dive Resort (acquisition of new dive boat), Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino (refurbishment of resort) and Plaza Resort Bonaire (reopening of casino).

The Evening News (circulation 8,500)

The April 6, 2002 travel section of The Evening News contained a featured
article titled "Beautiful Bountiful Bonaire". The article, written by Dave
Lowery, focused on the island's history and natural attractions.
Accompanying the article were three four-color photos and a sidebar, which included Bonaire's website address. This article has also appeared in the April 13th travel sections of The Now newspapers in Canada.

Associated Press (newswire service)

The Associated Press syndicated article written by Rick Sammon that has
already been featured in over 60 newspapers, recently appeared in another 4 newspapers including the April 21, 2002 travel sections of Times Herald
Record (circulation 100,001), Chicago Times (circulation 95,340) and
Valparaiso Vidette Times (circulation 15,205), as well as the April 14, 2002
travel section of the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (circulation 389,568).
These 4 newspapers have a combined circulation of 600,114.

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Travel Weekly (circulation 53,941)

The Spring/Summer Caribbean Planner for 2002 titled "Fun, Family Style & Special Events" included a full page section on Bonaire. Included in the
section was information on a number of events including the Dive Festival,
St. John's and St. Peter's Days, Bonaire Day and the Regatta, facts about
Bonaire as well as packages at Sand Dollar, Buddy Dive Resort and Lagoen
Hill. In addition the Carnival Planner section contained information on
Bonaire's Carnival.

Modern Bride (circulation 377,912)

Bonaire was featured in an article for the June/July 2002 issue of Modern
Bride. Information on some of Bonaire's activities along with Bonaire's 800
number and website address were included.

Caribbean Travel & Life (circulation 143,341)

The July 2002 issue of Caribbean Travel & Life featured Bonaire as one of
"30 Great Places to Get in Over Your Head." The placement focused on
exploring Bonaire's reefs at sites like 1000 Steps, No Name and Leonora's
Reef. The Bonaire Dive Festival was also included in this issue of the
magazine.

Jax Fax Travel Marketing (circulation 28,000)

The June 2002 issue of the travel trade magazine Jax Fax Travel Marketing included a full page article on Bonaire, focusing on the island's three new eco-adventure events the Digital Shootout, Eco-Swim and King of the Caribbean, and hotel information. Information on the events was obtained by editor, Theresa Scanlon, who attended our March press conference in New York City to announce these events. Hotel information was obtained from the Bonaire Briefs release.

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Courier Lifestyles Newspapers (circulation 1,100,000)

The May 6, 2002 travel section of this newspaper group included an article
on the Dive Festival. Information on event sponsors, presenters, the week's
schedule and packages were included. Courier Lifestyles Newspapers is a
group of 18 newspapers distributed in Brooklyn, New York.

Skywritings (in-flight magazine)

The June 2002 issue of Air Jamaica's in-flight magazine Skywritings featured a placement in the Events section on the Bonaire Dive Festival. The placement featured a four color underwater photo as well as information on the goal of the Festival and where to call for more information. Air Jamaica is the official airline of the Dive Festival.

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	Issue # 30 01 July 2002
	Entre Nous Bonaire's Monthly Newsletter