PR CAMPAIGN FOR DIVE FESTIVAL 2004 IS LAUNCHED

Following the TCB Board of Directors’ approval of the changes in the format for the Dive Festival 2004 and dissemination of the news on island, the official PR Campaign was launched on November 28, 2003. The announcement release will appear in an article as part of an upcoming Dutch Caribbean section in Travel Weekly magazine. Under the headline "More Diving, More Fun and No Fees," the article outlines the expansion of the festival to two weeks, the addition of many topside activities to the scheduled diving and conservation awareness activities, the freedom to stay at any hotel on island and book through any tour operator, highlights the opportunity to paint with well known marine artist Wyland, and all for NO additional fees. This will be the first of many releases and articles that are designed to compliment the advertising and promotion campaign for the Dive Festival.

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Rusty Clark, the most prolific Bonairetalker with a record of more than 10,000 postings, was honored Sunday, November 2, in Worcester, Mass. At a gathering of approximately a dozen other Bonaire fans, she was given a t-shirt signed by dozens of BonaireTalkers from around the world. The t-shirt originated in Bonaire in June, and from there made it to BoniareTalkers in California, England, Belgium, Holland, Alaska, and a variety of U.S. states before being given to Rusty. In addition to the shirt, Plaza Resort Bonaire donated a discounted stay to help celebrate Rusty’s devotion to talking about the island. The shirt distribution was the brainchild of Bonaire’s own Linda Richter and was organized by BonaireTalk co- moderator Cynde Lee, of California.

Some of this month’s placements may look repetitive, and they are--somewhat. We have been extremely fortunate in placing Bonaire stories with wire services which mean the same stories get picked up by multiple numbers of media outlets (same story different newspaper or web site), thus increasing the reach and the impact of Bonaire’s message.

Travel Weekly (circulation 47,784)
The October 13 issue of Travel Weekly describes Bonaire as one of the world’s most popular scuba diving destinations which offers great rewards for visitors looking for a tranquil escape amid natural splendor. It mentions such events as Carnival, the International Sailing Regatta and the Annual Bonaire Dive Festival.

Washington D.C. Post (circulation 1,049,322)
The October 19 travel section lists Bonaire as the best known premier dive and snorkel destination and rainbow beaches in the "The Islands Less Trammeled" story. Other Caribbean Islands that made the list were Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenadines, Nevis and Tobago. The tourist office contact information is listed along with the official Bonaire website.

Arizona Daily Star (circulation 178,113)
On September 28 in a round up of the Dutch Caribbean Islands, Bonaire’s website was listed for travelers to be introduced to the destination and to find out about what Bonaire offers its visitors.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution (circulation 658,581)
The October 12 travel section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution included the syndicated article by Rachel Beck on Bonaire and its famous flamingos. To date this article has appeared in more than 90 newspapers throughout the US.

Caribbean Travel & Life (circulation 166,620)
The October issue of Caribbean Travel & Life highlighted the Harbour Village Beach Resort Bonaire in their Values section. The placement highlights the Family Reunion vacation special offered until December 19, 2003.

Chicago Tribune (circulation 1,016,471)
The October 5 travel section of the Chicago Tribune included an article by David Swanson, a long time friend of Bonaire about why Bonaire is the "Diving Island" and hard to top. Consistent calm water conditions, shore accessibility to dozens of sites, and easy diving are some of the reasons Bonaire is not just one the Caribbean’s best dive destinations, but one of the world’s. The placement includes a map of the Caribbean, Bonaire’s website and 800 number.

Chicago Tribune (circulation 1,016,471)
The October 5 travel section of the Chicago Tribune included a story on finding a villa in the Caribbean and Bonaire was once again a destination that was referred to as having the product. Sun Rentals was mentioned as a rental agency offering excellent value for people traveling in large groups, available rates and options and some of the benefits of renting a villa through them. Sun Rentals was one of 10 agencies listed. This information was obtained from the press release that was distributed to the media in mid-August.

The New York Post (588,499)

The October 7 travel section of the New York Post includes Bonaire as one of the ideal islands in the Caribbean to spend a honeymoon in due to its proximity to the Northeast, its unspoiled, uncrowded beaches, powdery white sand and turquoise waters. Jamaica, Aruba, Nassau, Bahamas, St. Thomas and Barbados are all highlighted and Harbour Village is mentioned as an exclusive beach resort on Bonaire.

ISLANDS (circulation 237,803)
The November Issue of ISLANDS Magazine in their "Discovering the Caribbean" segment highlight the latest attractions on Bonaire, Rooi Lamoenchi Kunuku, Rincon and the new Mangrove Info & Kayak Center are mentioned. The tourist office’s contact numbers and website are also listed.

Detroit MI Free Press (circulation 719,885)
The October 19 online travel section introduces the Netherlands Antilles and suggests that readers refer to guide books and websites to research the destinations. The tourist office contact information was listed along Bonaire’s official website and the Bonaire Travel Guide, www.bonaire-travelguide.com is also mentioned. This article was picked up by the Associated Press.

Travel Weekly (online)
On October 9 in the Travel Weekly’s Caribbean E-Letter, among five other properties, the Deep Blue View B&B’s dive package was listed including their website www.deepblueview.com. Information was obtained from a press release distributed to the media in mid-August.

Kiplinger.com (online)
The October 19 online travel section introduces the Netherlands Antilles and suggests that readers refer to guide books and websites to research the destinations. The tourist office contact information was listed along Bonaire’s official website and the Bonaire Travel Guide, www.bonaire-travelguide.com is also mentioned. This article was picked up by the Associated Press.

MEETING WITH DIVE OPERATORS

It has become an annual tradition that on the last day of Avavit, in the evening, there is a chance to get together with the main dive operators who bring groups of divers to Bonaire.

This congenial meeting is organized by TCB and took place this year in the private residence of Fernando Di Gerónimo, owner of Caracas Scuba Center and Director of FVAS (Venezuelan Underwater Federation). A delicious BBQ was enjoyed by all and the Bonaire delegation found an atmosphere of happiness and friendship wishing for a prompt recovery of the Venezuelan market.

BONAIRE IN SALTA AVENTURA 2003

Corporation Salta is one of the most creative Venezuelan tour operators who has shown great potential. Last Saturday November 1st, they celebrated their year-end event with the concept of a Mega Rally called "Salta Aventura 2003" where almost 300 travel agents from the cities of Caracas, Maracay, Valencia and Barquisimeto wore t-shirts and formed teams identified as the different destinations promoted by Salta such as Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, Dominican Republic, etc. The rally started at Melia Hotel and ended in the well-known shopping mall San Ignacio. The event was co-sponsored by the Caribbean islands and very well promoted with banners in the starting and ending points of the rally. To our surprise 2nd place was won by the Bonaire team.

CONTINUING KING OF THE CARIBBEAN PROMOTION

Freestyle windsurfing is centered mainly in Playa el Yaque, where six windsurf centers operate (one beside the other) on this beach on the island of Margarita.

Yasmin Pérez visited them recently on October 25th and 26th to extend an invitation to attend the 2nd edition of King of the Caribbean. She met with Mr. Victor Martins, owner of the Hotel Coche Paradise and key person among the windsurfing centers. Once again the event will count Venezuelans among the strongest windsurfers ranked at the PWA.

BONAIRE AGAIN IN EL NACIONAL NEWSPAPER

As a result of the recent visit to the island, Carolina Ledezma, tourism chief of the prestigious El Nacional, published a second article titled "Cuerpo y espíritu se ejercitan bajo el sol eterno de Bonaire." It was reported how the island of Bonaire has created an alliance with nature to assure their future. The article had two pages with excellent images of the island regarding the flights, the excellent option of using BonairExel coming from Aruba and Curaçao; also accommodations in the island such as Harbour Village, Plaza Resort, Habitat, Buddy Dive, Bellafonte Chateau de la Mer, Sun Rentals and Sand Dollar. At the end, the article invites the readers to contact TCB Venezuela for more information about the island.

FAM TRIP LIMA NOVEMBER 22ND TO 25TH

From November 22nd to the 25th the Plaza Resort Bonaire was the host hotel of the fam trip from the tour operator Camino Real and KLM Lima. The itinerary was very tightly scheduled with different visits to the BHG and Bonhata properties. A market place was held at Divi Flamingo so all the other properties of the island could meet with the Peruvians who were very enthusiastic to promote Bonaire as the best destination in the Caribbean for their clients looking for diving, a relaxing atmosphere, and peace.

BONAIRE PRESENT IN THE SKAL CLUB EVENT IN ECUADOR NOVEMER 7TH

Thanks to the continuous presence of KLM, Bonaire was promoted in Ecuador at a Bingo Hall! The event brought together top executives of the tourism industry and the members of the QuitoSkal Club.

It was a successful gathering of more than 480 people. Bonaire was well promoted with beautiful posters exhibited in the main entrance. A raffle was held for the guests and sponsored by Plaza Resort Bonaire and KLM.

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