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.
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Tourist Corporation Bonaire
wishes you a wonderful holiday season and a happy and
prosperous 2005! |
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
TCB
BONAIRE
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LOCAL
REPORT
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NEW
BONAIRE AMBASSADORS
AWARDED
GOLD:
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Thomas & Phyllis
Jones, New York |
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Thomas & Phyllis
Jones from New York are truly golden
ambassadors, having come each year
to Bonaire since 1987! They stay at Sorobon
Beach Resort , who is celebrating
their 20th anniversary. We are very
proud to have such faithful repeat
guests! |
AWARDED
SILVER: |
Cor & Gerry
Huisman, The Netherlands |
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Cor
and Gerry Huisman from Holland have
been coming to Sorobon
Beach Resort for fifteen years
already, and they still love it! They
used to go to Curacao also, but this
year they have chosen to stay on Bonaire
only. Cor is also the oldest guest
of Sorobon, and is 81 years young! |
AWARDED
BRONZE: |
John & Betty
Marlow, Texas, USA |
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John
and Betty Marlow visit Bonaire and Sorobon
Beach Resort twice each year and
have been coming since 1995. They live
in Texas, but they say the trip, which
is not always easy, is always worth
it! One year they have even rented
a private plane to come to Bonaire
from Aruba because ALM was not flying,
and they didn't want to spend the night
on Aruba! That is loyalty! |
AWARDED
BRONZE: |
Wayne & Ray
Faddis, Virginia, USA |
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Wayne
and Ray Faddis have earned their Bronze
medals as Wayne has 12 consecutive
annual visits, and Ray has attained
10 consecutive annual visits. They
are going for the silver next! |
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TRAVEL
TRADE AT WTM 2004
 WTM
London is Europe’s second largest
trade show and took place several weeks
ago. Bonaire was represented by TCB Europe
and by members of the private sector who
were there to contact and contract new
wholesalers. Since European tourists still
tend to book a package at wholesalers (instead
of ticket only like US-tourists), it is
very important for Bonaire’s private
sector to contract European tour operators.
WTM is, next to ITB Berlin (March) a very
good show to do this. Once again this went
well this year for, e.g., Plaza, Harbour
Village Buddy Dive, Lagoen Hill and Habitat.
Back to the top
KLM
MEETS PRIVATE SECTOR BONAIRE AT WTM
KLM
UK’s UG showed up at the
Bonaire-booth at this year’s WTM
to discuss ongoing business with TCB
and members of the private sector. Among
others, they discussed the trouble small
tour operators have to go through in
order to book their tickets. To be continued.
TCB’s new staff member Rob Al will
stay close to KLM UK on this one.
Back to the top
TCB
EUROPE STARTS MOBILE MARKETING
TCB Europe
continues implementing new marketing
techniques. This winter, Mobile Marketing
was introduced. Bonaire-fans and members
of the trade receive little secrets
on the mobile phone via SMS. At this
stage it is only available in the Netherlands
and, when successfu,l we will roll
it out in other countries. In the Netherlands
one can subscribe by sending an sms
with the text BONAIRE AAN to 5454. Max.
two messages a month at 40 eurocents
per message.
Back to the top
WINTER
CAMPAIGN TRAVEL TRADE
This winter TCB Europe’s
guerilla marketing targeting the trade
kicks off with at first the Dutch
travel trade, soon to be followed by
the European segment. The winter is not
only the most important time of the year
to generate bookings, it is also the
period tour operators reconsider their
programs and can add extra Bonaire properties
to their brochures.
Back to the top
FOCUS
WINTER 2004-2005: MARKETING ON DIVERS
This
winter TCB Europe’s marketing
focus will once again be on Bonaire’s
premier market: the divers. After a seasonal
marketing where also other target groups
like windsurfers and birdwatchers were
marketed, this winter marketing focus
is on Bonaire’s core market.
Of course, secondary target groups will
be marketed once again next fall.
Next to the virtual dive brochures, also
special promotion, competitions, and
other marketing techniques will be used.
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BONAIRE'S
UNDERWATER ART EXHIBIT PROMOTION IS A BIG HIT
The promotion kicked off on
September 27, 2004 with the official press
release and photo sent to over 1,000 media
outlets which outlined specific details of
this unique tourist attraction including
details about the sunken art works, the artist
Fred Ros, the dive site, and cost. The results
of the promotion started pouring in November
1, 2004 and to date the story has been picked
up by 15 media outlets including some of
the most prestigious newspapers in the United
States, such as USA Today, The Wall Street
Journal, New York Daily News, The Miami Herald,
The Dallas Morning News and The Detroit Free
Press. The entire list of publications where
articles appeared is included under Editorial
Placements at the end of this section.
Back to the top
NOVEMBER
2004 MARKS ALL TIME HIGH IN ARTICLES
ABOUT BONAIRE
Starting with a front page
article about Bonaire in the New York Times
Sunday Travel section, followed by a Newsweek
Magazine article which appeared in both
the National and International Editions,
November 2004 became a record month for
Bonaire placements in print publications
in North America. Bonaire was covered in
articles in 5 of the top 10 largest newspapers
in the country. Articles covered a variety
of topics but all centered on Bonaire’s
amazing clear blue water making the destination
perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving.
While the final statistics are not in yet,
to-date total combined circulation is
in excess of 10 million.
Back to the top
MORE
TOOLS FOR DIVE RETAILERS
 On
December 1, 2004 a password protected section
was launched on http://www.bonairedivingpro.com,
Bonaire’s website designed specifically
for dive professionals. The highlight of this
new section is an online brochure shell intended
to be used by retailers to advertise or market
a dive trip they are offering to Bonaire. Already
formatted with photos of Bonaire and ready
to be downloaded, the brochure contains a printable
front and back page and can be customized
by each retailer to include their specific
information. The new Toolbox also features
five copyright-free photos that can be downloaded
and used by retailers to create their own Bonaire
flyers. To access the new Retailers' Toolbox,
retailers will need to register by visiting www.bonairedivingpro.com/register.html,
and filling in the online registration form.
They will immediately receive the link and
access information for the Retailers' Toolbox.
BONAIRE
TO SPONSOR THE DEMA SCUBA POOL TOUR IN 2005
Throughout the entire calendar
year 2005, Bonaire will participate in the
most effective consumer program that DEMA has
ever launched to introduce people to scuba
diving, The Scuba Pool Tour. Making 20 – 30
stops annually at Adventure, Outdoor and Dive
Shows, the Scuba Tour, working with local dive
retailers, introduces approximately 12,000
people annually to the fun of Scuba Diving.
Show attendees are invited to get suited up
in a full gear set, under the supervision of
professional dive instructors, and get in the
water in the non-threatening environment
of a swimming pool.
Back to the top
BONAIRE
EZ NEWS FOR NOVEMBER
During November two issues of
Bonaire EZ News were written and distributed
to our database of more than 25,000
consumers and travel agents. The November
10th issue of Bonaire EZ News focused
on Bonaire's cuisine and dining
options. The November 18th
issue of EZ News focused on topside
touring and adventure opportunities,
and carried a Thanksgiving greeting
for the US readers.
ONE-ON-ONE
PRESS VISITS
We continued working with
well known travel writer, Candyce Stapen,
on a press visit December 21 - 26. Candyce
writes about family travel and will
be visiting the island to update her
guidebook National
Geographic Guide to Caribbean Family Vacations,
which "offers detailed profiles of the
best family-oriented tours, activities, and
programs at one hundred vacation destinations
throughout the Caribbean. She also
writes for several travel publications and
websites and will be gathering information
for future articles.
EDITORIAL
HIGHLIGHTS
USA Today
(circulation 2,309,853): On
October 29, 2004, Bonaire
was featured in the travel section
of USA Today. The upcoming
underwater art exhibit was highlighted
as a low-cost perk for scuba divers off
the shore of Bongos Beach. Divers in the
clear waters of Bonaire will be able to
view more than two dozen photographic works
by Dutch artist Fred Ros.
New York Times
(circulation 1,121,057): Bonaire
was featured in the Sunday edition
on the New York Times on October
31, 2004. With a teaser on the
front page that read “On Bonaire
It’s Live and Let Dive,” readers
were drawn to the article that focused
on the marine park and its accompanying
86 dive sites including Klein Bonaire.
Brilliant photographs of blue tangs and
flamingos added visuals for readers who
haven’t yet experienced the island
of Bonaire. Rincon, Washington Slagbaai
National Park, Captain Don’s, and
many others were highlighted in this nearly
two-page article that will definitely draw
plenty of tourism to Bonaire in the very
near future.
Newsweek Magazine
(circulation 3,138,460): In
the November 1, 2004 edition
of Newsweek magazine,
Bonaire was featured in an article about
Caribbean hideaways. The article emphasized
that smaller is better, in regards to island
size, that is, especially with the over
300 different species of fish and 84 varieties
of coral that lie just an arms length from
shore. The story lead off with a half-page
photo of Bonaire’s underwater world
(credited to Bonaire’s own Suzy Swyggert),
and ended with the listing of Bonaire’s
official website www.InfoBonaire.com.
Bridal Guide
(circulation 223,333): In
the November/December 2004
issue of Bridal Guide, Bonaire
was highlighted as a Dutch treat and an
unspoiled delight. The article differentiates
Bonaire from Aruba and Curacao by focusing
on Bonaire’s remarkable wildlife
features and abundance of adventure sports.
Travelers who aren’t the outdoors
type can find comfort in Bonaire’s
two casinos, go shopping in Kralendijk,
or enjoy a nice meal at any of the downtown
restaurants.
Wall Street Journal
(circulation 2,106,774): In
the Takeoffs and Landings section of
the November 5, 2004 issue
of the Wall Street Journal, Bonaire’s
upcoming underwater art exhibit is mentioned
and highlighted as an exhibit that travelers
won’t
want to miss.
Islands (circulation
220,283): Bonaire’s
night diving was named one of the top
four underwater adventures in the world
in the November 2004 issue
of Islands Magazine. Bonaire
was noted for being the “perfect
island for snorkeling and scuba diving…the
visibility is exceptional.” Bonaire’s
marine park was featured as being more
like a playground with 85 sites for snorkelers
and divers marked by yellow rocks. Buddy
Dive Resort’s toll-free number and
website were listed.
Chicago Sun-Times
(circulation 491,795): Fantasy Islands was
the title of the November 7, 2004
edition of the Chicago Sun-Times article
that featured Bonaire as a scuba diver’s
paradise and a vacationer’s dream.
Steve and Ebi – no last names needed,
from Toucan Diving are mentioned as being
a legendary pair on the island. Nick Davies
of Harbour Village was mentioned as a general
manager who personally sees to it that
no one’s glass is ever empty. This
article also notes recent guests of the
island have been Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz,
Gene Hackman, and Kathleen Turner.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
(circulation 248,176): In
the November 7, 2004 edition
of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,
diving is noted as being Bonaire’s
main attraction, but duly noted that it
would be a mistake not to explore the island
and miss the surrealistic landscaping that
was formed 65 million years ago by volcanic
action. Upcoming events, places of interest,
accommodations, shopping and dining were
all highlighted in this lengthy article.
Bonaire’s toll-free number and website
were given.
Travel Weekly
(circulation 50,000): In
the November 8, 2004 edition
of Travel Weekly, Bonaire’s
upcoming underwater art exhibit was highlighted
in an article about Caribbean events staying
on schedule, despite Hurricane Ivan’s
visit to the region. The art exhibit’s
cost, location, description, and website
were given.
Caribbean Travel
News (online circulation 258,045): On
November 12, 2004,
the Caribbean Travel News website
posted an article about InfoBonaire’s
new edition to its website on the Rincon
village, designed by Caribbean Design & Marketing.
The new site can be found by visiting www.infobonaire.com/rincon, where
guests will find all the tools to
learn about, explore, and enjoy Rincon’s
different cultural events, marketplaces,
shops, restaurants, and historic tours.
The website currently has 20 participating
businesses and includes photos and maps
identifying where each participating business
can be located on island.
New York Daily
News (circulation 715,052): In
the November 21, 2004 issue
of the New York Daily News,
Bonaire’s upcoming underwater art
exhibit is complimented by the writer,
Julian Kesner, as she states that with
wet suits and oxygen tanks aside, Bonaire’s
upcoming art exhibit is just as good as
a stroll through the Met. Bonaire’s
toll-free number and website are listed.
Total Underwater Art Exhibit
Placements:
Timeshare Beat Inc. (
Sep. 23, 2004)
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Caribbean Travel
News ( Sep. 28, 2004)
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Caribbean Travel
News ( Oct. 1, 2004)
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SheldonLandwehr.com
( Oct. 6, 2004)
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Dallas Morning Newspaper
( Oct. 10, 2004)
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About.com ( Oct.
11, 2004)
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USA Today ( Oct.
29, 2004)
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Desert Sun ( Oct.
31, 2004)
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Norwich Bulletin
( Nov. 1, 2004)
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Tucson Citizen (
Nov. 2, 2004)
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Wall Street Journal
( Nov. 5, 2004)
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Travel Weekly ( Nov.
8, 2004)
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Detroit News & Free
Press ( Nov. 14, 2004)
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New York Daily News
( Nov. 21, 2004)
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| The Miami Herald ( Nov. 21, 2004) |
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ASERCA
AIRLINES FLYING FROM CARACAS TO CURACAO
Presently Aserca is flying from Caracas four
(4) times a week to Curacao on Monday, Wednesday,
Friday and Sunday. This is in addition to the
Aeropostal daily flight. Aserca website: www.asercaairlines.com.
In the meantime, TCB South America has sent
a press release to the Diving and Tourism sector
about BonairExel and its procedure for reservation
and tickets purchase for traveling from Curacao
or Aruba to the dushi Bonaire.
Back to the top
BONAIRE
WELL PROMOTED BY MERIDIANO TV
The Odyssey “Reto a Mar Abierto”,
undertaken by the Venezuelan windsurfer Juan
Marino during the regatta, received excellent
coverage in the TV, Radio, and press especially
at the Valle Arriba Athletic Center, one
of the most prestigious gym clubs in Venezuela.
The windsurfer was accompanied
by a group of journalists (TV, magazines,
press), traveling in the Venezuelan navy ship,
who escorted him on his journey from
Morrocoy National Park in Falcon State to Bonaire.
Sadly Juan arrived just 20 nautical miles from
Bonaire ….
The Venezuelan navy ship couldn’t enter
the Bonaire waters because of a permit problem ….
(Looks like the navy didn’t verify
the documents required).
The sport channel Meridiano
TV, highlighted the odyssey of Juan Marino
to the Island of Bonaire. Juan, along with
his co-sponsors, is working now to conclude
his Reto
a Mar Abierto, getting to Bonaire during
the 2005 King of the Caribbean.
Back to the top
BONAIRE
DELEGATION AT AVAVIT TRADE SHOW
 On November 8th and for two
consecutive days our delegation was in contact
with the tourism sector, providing
the the new Spanish Bonaire brochure and
the 2005 Hotel packages, at the Bonaire booth.
The hotels present at the event were Hamlet,
Windsock (Dorothy Duque), Harbour Village
(Taddy Arvelo) and the BHG group (Jossie & Muys).
The Bonaire delegation arrived
in Caracas on the flight from Jasta Travel,
who is announcing an air operation on Monday,
Wednesday, Friday and Sunday on the route Bonaire – Valencia – Caracas
and return. More information about
Jasta Travel flights in our next Entre Nous.
Back to the top
BONAIRE'S
PROMOTION IN ECUADOR NOVEMBER 22-26
With much enthusiasm and
expectations about this market, the Bonaire
delegation came back from Ecuador after
a week of promotion in the cities of Guayaquil
and Quito, a beautiful country with friendly
people that boast KLM direct flights to
Bonaire.
In Guayaquil the Bonaire
presentation took place on November 23rd
at the Hotel Oro Verde with an attendance
of 110 travel agents who asked a lot of
questions about how to sell Bonaire. They
showed much interest and collected brochures
and info packages from the hotel promotional
tables.
The Bonaire presentation
in Quito were at the Swiss hotel on November
24th, which also had 100 travel agents
attending the event and, as in Guayaquil,
they were very interested about the Caribbean
destination served by KLM.
The two official presentations
organized by TCB were in cooperation with
KLM and counted upon the participation
of Divi Flamingo (Selimath), Harbour Village
(Nick & Taddy),
Bellafonte (Sjoerd), BHG group (Muys & Jossie)
and Yasmin from TCB.
During the week, the delegation
was busy meeting with the main tour operators
at their offices and also had strategic
meeting with the new Commercial KLM Manager
from Holland, Mr. Axel Metselaar. More
information about these meetings in the
next Entre Nous.
Back to the top
KLM
BONAIRE FLYER PROMOTION
With
a full color flyer made by KLM Lima, the
airline is promoting Bonaire in the Peruvian
market showcasing the different options
for accommodations which the island offers.
Back to the top
BONAIRE
PROMOTIONAL CDS BY ARY AMARANTE
In his recent visit to Bonaire
on November 13th to the 20th, the Brazilian
phographer met with Yasmín on the
island and gave her copies of his promotional
Bonaire CD with beautiful underwater pictures
taken during his last trip, which also were
used in the Sao Paulo Boat Show to promote
Bonaire among the diving sector.
Ary has become one of our “Buddies
of Bonaire” in Brazil. Thanks to Captain
Don's Habitat (host hotel) and Budget Car
Rental, who made his stay possible on the
island so he could take new pictures and
prepare press releases for 2005.
Back to the top
2005
SOUTH AMERICAN EVENTS
Following you will find the calendar of
the 2005 events in the South American
markets. We
really appreciate that you consider them
in your marketing plan and budget for next
year.
PERU:
* TRADE SHOW
The SIT trade show to take place in Lima, in
the month of May.
ECUADOR:
* OFFICIAL PROMOTIONAL VISIT
Due to the lack of an international tourism
trade show, KLM suggests to set our promotional
visit to the cities of Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca in
the month of May.
BRASIL:
* TRADE SHOWS (diving pavilion)
The Rio Boat Show is to take place in the month
of April.
The Sao Paulo Boat Show is to take
place in the month of October.
VENEZUELA:
* TRADE SHOWS
Caribe 2005 is to take place in Caracas
at the end of June or beginning of July.
Avavit Trade show is to take place in Caracas
in the month of November.
Back to the top
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NEWS
FROM THE TOURISM SECTOR
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| Carnival Events are listed in Red |
Carnival
Adult Parade Dates:
2005 - 2011 |
December
2004
Dec 1 - Bari
Festival Period
Dec 3 - Jan 27, 2005 First ever exhibition of artwork underwater “40
Feet Underwater": Moving Light into an Unlimited Territory,” Dutch
artist Fred Ros. At the dive site Front Porch, which is located at Bongos Beach
at Eden Beach Resort. Entrance Fee $5
Dec 4 - Rincon Market Day
Dec 5 - Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) Birthday Celebration
Dec 25 - Christmas Day (Holiday). Banks/stores closed
Dec 26 - Boxing Day (Holiday). Banks/stores closed
Dec 31 - 5k San Silvester Run
Dec 31 - Fireworks all over Bonaire! - stores close early
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2005
- Feb 6
2006 - Feb 27
2007 - Feb 18
2008 - Feb 3
2009 - Feb 22
2010 - Feb 14
2011 - Mar 6 |
January
2005
TBA - Maskarada
Jan 1 - Rincon Market Day
Jan 23 - Annual Special Olympics
Walk-A-Thon 30 KM
TBA - Rincon Market Day
TBA - Jump-up Rincon
TBA - Jump-up Kralendijk
TBA - Tumba Festival Contest, Kralendijk
TBA - 10th
Sand Dollar Dive & Photo Sailing
Competition
TBA - Tumba
Alisio Festival
TBA - Youth Tumba Festival Contest, Kralendijk
TBA - Teener Parade
Jan 29 - Youth Parade Rincon
Jan 30 - Youth Parade Kralendijk
February
2005
TBA - International Fishing Tournament
Feb 5 - Rincon Market Day
Feb
5 - Adult Parade, Rincon
Feb 6 - Adult Parade, Kralendijk
Feb 7- Youth Farewell Parade
Feb 8 - Grand Farewell Parade with the burning of King Momo
Feb 9 -
Ash Wednesday
Every Tuesday Night
@ 6:30pm -
BonaireTalker Dinner/Gathering,
call Jake at 717-6773 or email jake@bonairetalk.com for
more details.
Click here for a detailed CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
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