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Issue # 66
July 4, 2005

Entre Nous
Bonaire's Monthly Newsletter

(Click here to subscribe or unsubscribe)

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.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

TCB BONAIRE

  Local Report
   

TCB WORLDWIDE

   

TCB - Europe Report

   
  TCB - New York Report
   
  TCB - South America Report
   

NEWS FROM THE TOURISM SECTOR

   

 

TCB BONAIRE

 

LOCAL REPORT

Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) Begins Satellite Tracking Of Turtles

In an effort to protect sea turtles, the Bonaire-based Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) launched a satellite tracking program. The program kicked off on June 8, 2005 when the first male hawksbill turtle was fitted with a transmitter and released. To learn more about the turtles' migratory patterns, their behavior at sea, and where their marine habitats are located STCB plans to place up to four transmitters on turtles this year.

Turtle tracking works through signals sent out by the transmitter, which is switched on whenever the turtle comes to the surface to breathe. Transmissions are collected by receivers onboard weather satellites, yielding location data for each turtle. This data is emailed daily to STCB.

For more information on this program and the organization visit http://www.bonaireturtles.org.

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2004 Dia di Arte Awards Presented

On Saturday, 11 June, 2005, the Foundation for Art & Culture presented the awards for the 2004 Dia di Arte (Day of Art) (see www.bonaireart.org/2004_awards.html).  First, second, and third place were given in categories which included painting and handicrafts.  The presentation, given in both Papiamentu and English, was presented at the Cinnamon Art Gallery by Mrs. Emma Sint Jago and Mr. Peter Silberie, both board members of the foundation.The winners of Dia di Arte Awards 2004

In the painting category, Linda Richter, Jake Richter, and Avy Benhamron of the Cinnamon Art Gallery received first place, Manuela Winklaar received second place, and Rosalba Figaroa received third place.

In the handicrafts category, Carmen Thode received first place, Diana Winklaar received second place, and Thelma De Palm received third place.

To view some of the works of art which won the 2004 awards, visit www.cinnamonartgallery.org.

This year, the 13th Annual Dia di Arte took place from 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM on 3 July, 2005 in Wilhelmina Park, and featured the youth of Bonaire.  Children had the opportunity to come and paint, make handicrafts, sing, or dance together with Bonaire's unique artists.
 
For a small island, Bonaire can boast of having an active artist community with many diverse and distinctive styles.  All day, many people wandered among the various booths to see one-of-a-kind handicrafts and paintings, which were available for sale.  Kuminda krioyo (local food) and beverages were available and in the evening, "Showtime" played, with winners of the Caribbean Gospel Festival, Tio Roly, Pamela, Raul, and many other artists.  This was truly a day dedicated to Bonaire's art and culture!

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Projections Show Cruise Tourism to Bonaire Will Increase by About 75% For the Upcoming Season

TCB expects the 2006-7 arrivals for cruise ships to include the Sea Princess and the Crown Princess from the Princess Cruise Lines to call at our port.  With these two ships, it is estimated that our arrivals will increase by 75%!  The projected total will be approximately 53,950 passengers. 

In addition to the Princess ships, the Arcadia , The Rinjdam and The Prinsendam will make their debut during the next season.  Contact TCB for the complete schedule of arrivals or visit www.infobonaire.com/cruises.html.

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TCB WORLDWIDE

 

TCB-EUROPE REPORT

Travel Trade Promotion Netherlands Launched

Travel Trade Promotion is Launched!It has become a tradition in marketing--every summer TCB-Europe launches a special promotion for its Dutch trade professionals. Both agents at tour operators and at travel agencies can enter a special competition. This year the travel trade promotion is combined with the launch of the special trade-section of the new web site with Bonaire-videos. TCB Europe opened www.infobonaire.tv/trade. This is a special web site only for the trade. It can be entered with a login and password. These are handed out exclusively by TCB Europe. This summer’s launch is celebrated with a travel trade promotion via email as well as post mail.  TCB Europe received the attention of the Dutch travel trade with this promotion. They were invited to surf the web site and enter the competition. One of them will win the trip to Bonaire! TCB Europe likes to thank KLM, Plaza Resort and Kiteboarding Bonaire for their kind corporation.

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Pan-European Online Imagebank to be Launched

Online ImagebankTCB Europe is further improving its digital support program for the European travel trade and the press. Within a few weeks an online image bank is to be launched. This will give the travel trade the opportunity to download generic Bonaire pictures for their web sites as well as for their new brochures. Of course this new service is "members only." It is a restricted area only to be entered via a login and password. The travel trade can list themselves for free by sending an email to Europe@tourismbonaire.com. The visits of Rob Al in the so called secondary markets brought to out attention that the travel trade is really in need of the generic Bonaire material. Instead of sending out CD-roms and other expensive tools, TCB Europe decided to launch this new supportive online tool: the Bonaire Imagebank.

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Clipping Report 2005, Ranked Top: 3.2 Million Euros

 TCB Europe made its clipping report for the first half of 2005. The total value exceeds 3 million euros. The counter stopped at 3.279.634 euros. This as not an all-time high (5 million in 2003) but this clipping report is ranked in the top-3 over the period 2000-2005. Next to several TV-broadcasts, we also saw the return on PR-investment made this winter. While mountain bikers and other people were on Bonaire to shoot their videos for Bonaire-in-Motion, a reporter/photographer was joining them. These articles were published this spring.


New Ads in Duiken

 In the second half of 2005 TCB Europe will start its new advertising campaign in Holland’s leading dive magazine, DUIKEN. Brand new ads will illustrate the so-called Antillean News. This is a special editorial initiated by TCB and DUIKEN in 2001. Every month DUIKEN will publish the latest on diving and TCB Europe is the only one to advertise on this page. Over the years it has appeared highly effective.

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First Narrow Casting Campaign

The new online tools will enable TCB Europe to really further improve narrow casting and the so-called targeted marketing. One of the first narrow casting campaigns throughout Europe will involve kiting. At this moment TCB Europe already pre-launched a new streaming video on Bonaire-in-Motion where kite lessons are explained to the viewers. In short, TCB Europe starts it online guerilla marketing campaign aimed at the Dutch schools and shops to promote this unknown side of Bonaire. The rest of Europe is to follow after the summer. The other narrow casting campaigns include mountain biking. Over the last few months, TCB Europe managed to update and enlarge its databases.

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TCB-NEW YORK REPORT

Airline News

In less than one month after a Bonaire delegation consisting of Ramonsito Booi, Burney El Hage, Ronella Croes, Larry Gerharts, and Candice Adams Kimmel first met with Continental Airlines in their corporate headquarters in Houston, TX, an agreement between the airline and the island of Bonaire was signed on June 23rd. Beginning December 16th, Continental will launch a weekly, non-stop flight from its Houston hub to/from Bonaire.


More Good Airline News 

On Friday, June 24, Air Jamaica announced that effective September 3, 2005, they would reinstate their Saturday flight to Bonaire, thus causing no disruption in service for the Saturday flight.

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Bonaire Voted Best Shore Diving Destination in the World...Again!

For the 12th consecutive year Bonaire has been voted by the readers of Scuba Diving Magazine as the best shore diving destination in the world.  According to the July 2005 issue of the magazine, which reported the results of  Scuba Diving's Top 100 Readers' Choice Awards, "Bonaire has toped the shore-diving category in our annual 'Top 100 Readers' Choice Awards' - an unbroken string of No. 1 titles that started in 1994."  This year Bonaire received a score of 96.9, topping the runner-up in this category by more than four points.  As part of the write-up on Bonaire, the magazine included beautiful photography and cited "abundant grunts" and "dense corals" as just two examples of the marine life that divers will find at any of the island's dive sites.  Scuba Diving magazine has a monthly circulation of 196,370.


Caribbean Travel & Life Bonaire Online Sweepstakes Launches in June!

Bonaire will be a featured destination in a six-month Caribbean Travel & Life on-line contest which launched on June 22nd in the publication’s e-newsletter reaching over 30,000 consumers. Readers will be asked to respond to a short survey and will then be entered to win one of six trips to Bonaire and will also be automatically included in the drawing for the Grand Prize. The survey is designed to provide information on how their readers make their vacation choices, particularly for the summer, and includes a ranking of the types of themed events that would interest travelers and motivate them to plan their summer vacations around them. The prize of a one week stay (land only) will be given away each month of the contest and the Grand Prize includes complimentary air transportation for two. Only nine days after the newsletter was distributed, over 5,800 responses flooded Caribbean Travel & Life’s web site!

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Bonaire Diving ProDive Retailers' Web Site Continues to Grow in Popularity

The Bonaire Web site for retailers, www.bonairedivingpro.com, which premiered less than one year ago, continues to grow in popularity. Geared towards dive stores with special online tools to assist them in selling, this web site now averages nearly 1500 individual visits each month providing about 24,000 hits per month. Major search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and MSN regularly refer viewers to the site.


Keeping in Touch with Past Visitors to Bonaire

In May, Bonaire’s Dive Brochure was distributed to the entire 2003 Past Visitor’s Database. Responses via email and telephone calls to the 1-800-BONAIRE line have been coming into TCB-NYC with very favorable results. Most recipients were glad to receive the self-mailer and said it reminded them of how much they love the island and were planning to return. One recipient said she is pasting it on her refrigerator as a “sweet” reminder of where she is going on her next vacation!


CTO Caribbean Week - Media Marketplace

Lisa Blau & Ronella Croes

 

On Wednesday evening, June 1st, Bonaire was represented at the Media Marketplace which was held at the Hilton Hotel in mid-town Manhattan. In the Bonaire booth were Ronella Croes, Candice Adams Kimmel, and Lisa Blau, speaking with journalists one-on-one about the destination, talking to the friends of Bonaire, and making new ones. Press information and a sign-up sheet for media who attended and wished to receive future press releases and other information that Adams Unlimited distributes about Bonaire were readily available. Approximately 122 journalists were in attendance.


Bonaire EZ News for June

During June two issues of Bonaire EZ News were written and distributed to our database of more than 35,000 consumers and travel agents. (With the addition of the 2003’s past visitors’ database our reach has been extended and we look forward to receiving 2004’s database in the very near future.) The June 1st issue of Bonaire EZ News focused on airline news and hotel packages for summer and fall. The June 17th issue of EZ News focused on island news. 


Press Releases for June

As part of the ongoing press release program, Adams Unlimited researches, writes and prepares a steady stream of releases for mailings to the media for applicable editorial coverage based on editorial calendars and the need to disseminate timely news. In June, Adams Unlimited began gathering information for the second edition of the Bonaire Briefs press release, which will be written in late June and distributed in early July 2005.  This press release, which updates the media on what is new in Bonaire, includes news from hotels, restaurants, dive shops, car rental companies and other tourist attractions and businesses in Bonaire.  The first edition of Bonaire Briefs was distributed to the media in January 2005.  Also in June a press release announcing that Bonaire was voted the top shore diving destination in the world in Scuba Diving magazine's Top 100 Readers' Choice Awards was written and distributed. Upon receiving the confirmation and details of the Continental Airlines agreement, a second press release was written to announce the launch of the new weekly flight and was also distributed to appropriate media outlets. And finally, upon the confirmation that Air Jamaica had re-instated Saturday flights, a third press release was distributed.


Dive Newswire for June

In June two press releases were distributed on Dive Newswire.  The press release, which was distributed on June 20th on the wire announced that Bonaire was voted the top shore diving destination in the world in Scuba Diving magazine’s Top 100 Readers Choice Awards. On June 28th the press release which announced the launch of Continental Airline’s weekly flight to Bonaire was distributed. Dive Newswire is distributed electronically to more than 6,000 dive shop owners, manufacturers as well as media outlets.


Editorial Highlights

Men’s Journal (circulation 620,614): Once again Bonaire has been recognized by the USA’s leading men’s sports magazine Men’s Journal. The July 2005 issue lists the world’s best beaches for nine different sporting categories. Coming in at number one for the world’s best windsurfing beach is Bonaire’s own Lac Bay, noted for having unyielding 20-knot onshore winds that attract windsurfers from around the world and wide-open lanes for those with sails due to the lack of boat traffic. Plaza Resort is listed as a nearby place to stay and contact information for Jibe City where surfers can rent their gear is listed. This article is not available online, however, other information from Men’s Journal is available at www.mensjournal.com.

Mens Journal
Mens Journal

New York Daily News (circulation 381,486): Bonaire was featured in the May 22, 2005 issue of the New York Daily News along with 5 other Caribbean destinations in a story about eco-tourism. Bonaire was not only noted for being spectacular underwater, but also on the water’s surface where activities such as windsurfing and kayaking take place. The Bonaire Marine Park was recognized as being a major supporter of the programs that keep Bonaire’s waters free from exploitation, poaching and pollution, and of the island’s environmentally conscientious dive industry that ensures that Bonaire’s waters stay free from harm. A color photo and Bonaire’s contact information are given with the article. This article is not available online, however, other articles featuring Bonaire can be found at www.nydailynews.com.

Scuba Diving Magazine (circulation 196,370): In response to Adams Unlimited’s latest edition of Bonaire’s EZ News featuring hotel packages, the June 2005 issue of Scuba Diving Magazine listed three of Bonaire’s packages in their monthly countdown of the top 12 travel packages. Coming in at number nine was Bonaire Inn’s bed and breakfast special; Captain Don’s came in at number six with their kids dive free package; and coming in at number one was Bonaire’s own Deep Blue View with their all-inclusive package for two. A photo from Deep Blue View accompanies the article. This article is not available online, however, other articles featuring Bonaire can be found online at www.scubadiving.com.

Albany Times Union (circulation 146,121): The May 8, 2005 issue of the Albany Times Union newspaper featured an article about Kristine Frederick, a 56 year old avid scuba diver. She was interviewed about her latest scuba diving adventure, which was diving in Bonaire and she said that she enjoyed “watching the beauty of underwater life as it unfolds in front of you.” A picture of Kristine diving in Bonaire accompanies the article. This article is available online by searching the archives at www.timesunion.com. A $2 fee is required to read the article. 

Sport Diver Magazine (circulation 100,000): In the June 2005 issue of Sport Diver magazine, Kitty and Linda from Bruce Bowker’s Carib Inn give details about a few of their favorite dive sites in Bonaire. The first is the Something Special dive site. The ladies explain that even though this site is a sandy patch filled with garden eels, some of the rarest species of fish have been seen at this dive site. The divers also discuss Vista Blue, Tori’s Reef, Town Pier, Klein Bonaire, and the Hilma Hooker. Contact information for Bruce Bowker’s Carib Inn is listed and a full page color photo of a yellowprow hiding in a stovepipe sponge accompanies the article. This article is not available online, however, you can find other information from Sport Diver magazine at www.sportdiver.com.

Travel Weekly (circulation 44,425): Bonaire’s marriage requirements are explained in the June 6, 2005 special edition of Travel Weekly. An island-by-island guide to Caribbean weddings lists specific requirements and costs involved in arranging a special wedding. This article is not available online, however, other article featuring Bonaire are available at www.travelweekly.com.

Culpeper (VA) Star-Exponent (circulation 8,000): The May 29, 2005 issue of the Culpepper Star-Exponent lists Bonaire as an outstanding ecotourist destination. The article credits the internationally recognized Bonaire Marine Park for sustaining one of the world’s leading underwater eco-sites. This article can be found online at www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/

TCB-SOUTH AMERICA REPORT

Caribbean Trade Show - May 24th and 25th

A new edition of this tourism event in Caracas was carried out in the Quinta La Esmeralda. Bonaire had a beautiful booth which was well located to promote the tourism sector along with other Caribbean destinations. This was also a great opportunity to promote the small air operation of PAS from Bonaire to Caracas and Valencia because of the lack of information existing among the travel agents on how to get to Bonaire.

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May 26th Bonaire Seminars in its VII Edition

With the co-sponsorship of SunRentals and the wholesalers and its potential travel agencies, TCB arrived at the VII edition of their seminars Discover Bonaire. This was an attractive event that combined the promotion of the island and its properties with the activity "Discovery Scuba" done in a swimming pool, and which permitted travel agents to become familiar with the main activitiy on island--its pristine diving. In charge of the Discovery Scuba were ChiDivers and Epsilon Dive, two dive operators from Venezuela bringing groups to Bonaire. The event, which took place on Thursday, May 26th in the prestigious Izcaragua Country Club of Caracas, had a participation of 70 travel agents.

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Tripping from Rio de Janeiro in Bonaire

This important dive operator is planning to visit the island in the month of June. Bellafonte, SunRentals, Hamlet and Lagoen Hill will host the small group from Tripping that will visit Bonaire to be familiarized and updated with our top dive destination in order to launch their promotional campaign among the diving schools, the Mergulho Magazine, and in their diving sales manual. Also a new underwater video will be filmed by this group during their stay on island.

Brazil Requesting Better Airlift

Due to the operational difficulties of connecting flights from Aruba to Bonaire, which are not on the same day and for which wholesalers cannot issue the air tickets to the island, they are requesting TCB to intermediate with BonairExpress to look for a prompt solution in this market where Bonaire packages are in demand. Yasmin from TCB SA after coming back from Brazil and meeting with these tour operators is in contact with BonairExpress looking for alternatives for the operational difficulties.

Bonaire Winners with Visa Peru

On June 9th in Lima, a drawing took place for a complementary stay in Bellafonte and Hamlet for two persons, during the promotion on Mother’s Day of the Visa credit card in Peru. A productive promotional brochure showing sunny and beautiful full color pictures of Bonaire was inserted in the May statement of the Visa credit card holders. The winners were awarded with a 3 nights stay in Bonaire and also with complimentary airline tickets from KLM.

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Juan Marino’s Odyssey Promoting Bonaire

New interviews in press, radio and TV continue promoting the island thanks to this windsurfer, who last May 14th, sailed on a windsurf board from the Venezuelan coast to Bonaire. Recently Juan Marino gathered with his business sponsors and close friends to thank the valuable support given to him. In his emotional speech, the windsurfer had many compliments for Bonaire and its people.

Bonaire Enérgica by El Nacional

With this alluring title, the tourism edition on Sunday May 29th dedicated almost 3 pages to Bonaire, including its cover, and delighted its readers through the press release reporting that in this Caribbean island, sports fuses with the splendor of nature. The journalist, Carla Candy, who visited Bonaire to cover the event King of the Caribbean, did an excellent job covering the activities developed on island, the accomodations in Bonaire (emphasizing Plaza Resort as one of the best option for those who seek the comfort and exclusive service in a resort), and also mentioned the airlift service to Bonaire via Caracas and Valencia with PAS/Transaven and via Aruba or Curacao with BonairExpress. This was a positive press release that still generates many phone calls asking for more information about Bonaire.

Guia Aèrea Bonaire Marine Park News

The magazine, belonging to the peruvian tourism sector, highlighted the new fee of the Bonaire Marine Park in its February edition.

Upcoming Events

 FITCAR–Venezuela October 5th to the 8th

Bonaire has been invited to participate in the I International Tourism Trade Show organized by the Department of Tourism of Venezuela (MINTUR), that will take place in Caracas from October 5th to the 8th with the participation of national and international destinations, and will have the opportunity to be promoted in the tourism sector and general public attending the event. All the exhibitors will have complimentary booths as an incentive for participating. FITCAR will be held in the area of La Carlota Airport. For more information, contact Yasmin at flamingorep@cantv.net.

Sao Paulo Boat Show October 27th to Nov 5th

This show is a tremendous opportunity to contact the diving industry in Brazil, a growing market in the diving sector. At this event, generally the large diveshops and some dive operators have their own boothes; Bonaire will have its own and is coordinating an official Bonaire presentation during the trade show, along with some others at the headquarters of the main dive schools of Sao Paulo. For more information, visit www.boatshow.com.br or contact Yasmin at flamingorep@cantv.net


NEWS FROM THE TOURISM SECTOR

Save 30% on all ornaments in JulyChristmas in July Sale at Island Fashions & Gifts

Don’t miss the celebration of “Christmas in July” at www.islandfashionsandgifts.com! Save 30% on all our whimsical Christmas ornaments--there’s Margarita, Madame Rouge, Felipe Flamingo, Dick and Muffy the divers, Chloe the clownfish, not to mention the snorkeling and diving kitties! They’re all there and they’re all 30% off for the month of July.


Golden Reef Inn Celebrates First Anniversary

Golden Reef Inn is celebrating its first anniverary, and plans to celebrate all year long! Join in the fun with their First Anniversary Special--a 7 night, 8 day package, starting from $595.00 per person! Good for travel September 1, 2005 through April 31, 2006. The package includes:

7 Nights Accommodations, available at either the the Inn or Villas
Tourist Room Tax
Six Days Unlimited Shore Diving, with Tanks, Air, Weights, Belts, and Taxes
Six Boat Dives (one each day)
4-Door Pickup, Suitable for Shore Diving, Including Taxes and Insurance
Monday Evening "Krioyo" Dinner with a Mariachi Band
Free Continental Breakfast Each Morning
   
Please note Bonaire Nature Fee and Airport Departure Taxes are not included

For more information, visit www.goldenreefinn.com/specials.html or email info@goldenreefinn.com.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
 

Carnival Adult Parade Dates:
2006 - 2011

July 2005
Jul 2 - Rincon Market Day
Jul 3- 13th Annual Bonaire Arts Day (Dia di Art) at Plaza Wilhelmina, Kralendjik 10am-10pm art, crafts, music, dance
Jul 4 - July 4th fireworks at some resorts (American holiday)
Jul 17-25 Women's Windsurf Week in Bonaire
Jul 23 -30 Digital Shootout on Bonaire
TBA - Lac Bay Mini Regatta

2006 - Feb 26
2007 - Feb 18
2008 - Feb 3
2009 - Feb 22
2010 - Feb 14
2011 - Mar 6

Dia di Arte, held each JulyAugust 2005
Aug 6 - Rincon Market Day
TBA - 18th Copa Cultimara at Sorobon
TBA - 8th Captain Don's Habitat race
TBA - 5 km run Preparation Fun Run

September 2005
Sep 3 - Rincon Market Day
TBA - Duofest International
TBA - Bonaire Bikers MC Flag Day Weekend 2005
Sep 6 - "Dia di Bonaire" Bonaire Day (Rincon)
Sep 6 - 5 km Bonaire Day Fun Run 8am
Sep 6 - Sailing Race "Dia di Bonaire " at Kas di Regatta
Sep 28-29 Bonaire Investment Conference

Every Tuesday Night @ 6:30pm - BonaireTalker Dinner/Gathering at Gibi's, known for great local food. Call Gibi at 567-0655 for details, or visit www.BonaireTalk.com, and search for "Gibi."

Click here for a detailed CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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*********************************************
Tourism Corporation Bonaire
Kaya Grandi #2
Bonaire
Dutch Caribbean
Tel: 599-7-8322/ 8649
Fax: 599-7-8408
E-mail: info@tourismbonaire.com
Web site address: www.InfoBonaire.com