NEWS FROM THE TOURISM SECTOR

From the Director's Desk While Bonaire is being promoted at different trade/consumer shows and many of you are traveling, I am happy to report that the Continental Flights show strong results and continued growth. It looks like we have a winner and the possibilities of more cooperation appear to be on the horizon. By using Houston as a gateway, we have opened a whole new market for Bonaire. TCB has committed itself to strengthening Bonaire's position in our tested markets as well and we are continuously striving to do that. The Scuba Tour Gold sponsorship 2006, whereby Bonaire is the exclusive destination being promoted, and the Washington Times 8 page Bonaire supplement, are recent promotional steps where we create opportunities to promote your product while also promoting the destination! Grab these opportunities that are presented to you. On the other side of the Americas, our South American Market shows a positive year start with a group of approximately 150 guests from Venezuela, but mainly from Brazil, visiting at the beginning of this month. This visit is a result of efforts and investments in these markets by TCB South America together with various island properties. On the other side of the world, our European market continues to consolidate Bonaire's position in the Netherlands and expand through among other intensified promotion in our secondary markets; Germany, England, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Top of the line promotion through modern tools such as www.visitbonaire.tv, are proving to be successful in attracting visitors. As far as the final figures for 05, we will show a positive increase in arrivals. 05 figures should be ready for release in a few weeks, while 2006 figures are up to date and also ready for release in a few weeks from now. As anticipated, this year has started with a decrease in arrivals in January 2006. A regional slowdown and a more difficult airlift situation from the US market need to be taken into consideration. On a positive note, we have been in positive territory for the past 5 years (including 05)! Bonaire Dive Into Adventure is also on track and we are putting the final touches on our plans. The participating partners are taking bookings and we will keep you informed as to our progress. Lastly, I would like to elaborate a bit more on the new tax being introduced in Bonaire that will be called the "Island" tax. The Tourism Corporation Bonaire has been working closely with key partners to obtain the necessary information for implementation and communication. This as part of the communication plan developed by TCB, whereby key partners are informed and consulted on this matter. We are happy with the input and thank our partners for this. While, some details are being finalized, the following provides some key information on the tax to be paid upon departure from the island by "residents" and on the "Island Tax", the tax to be paid by non residents. Together with our overseas offices we will do our utmost, and are ready and well prepared to do so, to support this new tax structure through proper communication! This is essential for the implementation being carried out, and essential for our island as a whole. The new tax to be paid upon departure by "residents" and the new "Island Tax" in a snapshot: In late December 2005 the Island Council of Bonaire passed a law changing its tax structure and put in place a new, simplified one. The new tax structure will divide visitors into two main categories; residents and non-residents. The applicable Island Tax is determined based on where the person was born, their age and then whether the person is traveling within the Netherlands Antilles (N.A.) and Aruba or outside of the N.A. and Aruba after departing Bonaire. Under the new, simplified tax structure visitors (identified as "non residents") will no longer pay a hotel room tax, car rental tax, nor airport departure tax, but instead will pay just one "Island Tax" of $75.00 per adult and $37.50 for children 12 and under. The following provides an overview of taxes to be paid by residents as well as non residents under various circumstances: Residents: Residents of Bonaire and those people born in the N.A. and Aruba   Traveling within N.A. and Aruba Traveling outside N.A. and Aruba Children (ages 0-12) Naf 5.00 = US$2.86 Naf 18.00 = US$10 People between the ages of 13 and 64 Naf 10.00 = US$5.71 Naf 36.00 = US$20 Those 65 years of age and over Naf 5.00 = US$2.86 Naf 18.00 = US$10 Non-Residents: Those people born outside of the N.A. and Aruba   Traveling within N.A. and Aruba Traveling outside N.A. and Aruba Children (ages 0-12) Naf 13.50 = US$7.50 Naf 67.50 = US$37.50 Adults (13 years and older) Naf 27.00 = US$15 Naf 135.00 = US$75 The Tourism Corporation Bonaire will keep you informed of developments with regards to the new Island Tax for Bonaire. The above is a snapshot and some factual information that we wanted to share with you at this stage. The tax has not been implemented yet and TCB keep you up to date you as to the introduction of the tax. Back to the top New Bonaire Ambassadors AWARDED GOLD:  David Morgan David Morgan has been traveling to Bonaire for the past 27 years and has recently received the golden medal for his visits to our island during the last 27 years. David has traveled to almost every island in the Caribbean over the last three decades - Bonaire has always been his favorite. He suspects that he has visited Bonaire more than 60 times during that time period. While he appreciates being formally acknowledged as a Bonaire Ambassador, informally he has been an ambassador ever since his very first visit. Whenever they asked him which island he would recommend in the Caribbean, he consistently told folks to visit Bonaire. When asked why he recommends Bonaire, besides going into details about the fun loving, warm, friendly people, the laid back atmosphere and, of course, the world class diving, his snapshot answer was “there is no traffic light on the island.” For Tourism Corporation Bonaire it is a great pleasure to have David as a Gold Bonaire Ambassador. “We thank Mr. Morgan for his numerous visits, the positive word of mouth he has helped spread and will continue to spread, a true Bonaire Ambassador” according to Ronella Croes, Director of Tourism Corporation Bonaire.     AWARDED SILVER:  The Slavin Family This is our 19th consecutive January in Bonaire. We fell in love with the island, its underwater beauty, and the warm friendly people. We started bringing our children15 years ago, and now we also come with our grandchildren. We have also spent several summer weeks here. We really feel that Bonaire is like a second home for us. Although it can be challenging to get here from U.S., it’s definitely worth it! Good luck for a bright future!!   AWARDED BRONZE:  Rudy van Geldere Rudy van Geldere, our recent ambassador, is a fanatic and experienced underwater photographer. Rudy has been taking underwater pictures for 31 years now! Upon his 4th dive he already had his underwater camera with him. He advises though, to start with underwater photography after approximately 100 dives. Rudy first visited the island 15 years ago upon invitation from Pascal and Kali de Meyer, and, since then, he’s been visiting on a yearly basis where he stays for a period of 2 months on island. Rudy says that Bonaire is a marvelous nature island, both on-land and below the water. The underwater nature belongs to one of the best and most beautiful in the Caribbean. Rudy has produced two underwater photography books, from which his last one includes many of the underwater scenery of Bonaire. The book is titled “4000 Duiken in Beeld” and is for sale at different dive shops on island, among them Divi Dive shop. Rudy has won different underwater photography competitions worldwide, his first one in 1988, and he instructs people also on how to take underwater pictures. Rudy highlights that something he does not want to leave out of this piece, is the People of Bonaire, friendly people with good heart! Rudy’s wife is also in love with Bonaire and they both share this passion. For Tourism Corporation Bonaire it is a great pleasure to have Rudy as a Bonaire Ambassador. “We thank Mr. van Geldere and his wife for their numerous visits, and are delighted with their decision to return year after year to our beautiful, tranquil and friendly island. We are confident that Rudy can find plenty of material in Bonaire, for his passion which is underwater photography” according to Ronella Croes, Director of Tourism Corporation Bonaire. AWARDED BRONZE:  Peter and Sigrid Assor, Sweden Peter and Sigrid Assor from Sweden have been visiting Bonaire for 15 years, with a total of 16 visits. They had heard about Bonaire through a cousin living in Caracas, Venezuela. Since being introduced to the island, they always wanted to return, and, in fact, kept coming back all the time. Why? Because of the quietness and nice people. One of their first friends in Bonaire was Pascal de Meyer. Receiving awards as Bonaire ambassadors is a real honor, but they have been promoting the island since they first visited. Many of their friends have followed their advice to visit. They have made quite some friends through their visits, whom they meet year after year during the same time on Bonaire. They have made about 800 dives in Bonaire and feel a bit sorry that the Windjammer is closed now. As long as their health permits, Peter and Sigrid will be back again and again! For Tourism Corporation Bonaire it is a great pleasure to have Peter and Sigrid as Bonaire Ambassadors. “We thank Mr. and Mrs. Assor for their numerous visits, and are delighted with thier decision to return year after year to our beautiful, tranquil and friendly island” according to Ronella Croes, Director of Tourism Corporation Bonaire. To see more of Bonaire's Bronze, Silver, or Gold Ambassadors, visit http://www.bonaireambassador.com! Back to the top