NEWS FROM THE TOURISM SECTOR

From the Director's Desk This past week, TCB signed an agreement with Continental Airlines for its second direct, non-stop flight from the US to Bonaire! The aircraft is a Boeing 737 with 124 seats and will leave Newark on Dec.16th at 11 :55 pm and arrive on Bonaire on the 17th at 5 :40 am giving folks plenty of time for a cat nap before orientation and a first dive! We are very happy to have been able to partner with Continental Airlines. Based on past performance, we expect to see positive results from the Newark Flight. Our thanks to all of those who have worked so hard to make it all happen. Also on the airlift front we are happy to report that Arkefly will begin weekly service from Amsterdam to the island on Nov 1. They will be using an aircraft that will accommodate 200 plus passengers. Along with the resumption of Martinair flights to Curacao, we anticipate being able to better capture our European markets. We have also been receiving more flights from South America as well. Along with DAE’s improved schedules and performance, it is becoming easier for passengers arriving on our sister islands to easily make the short hop to Bonaire. Another new development that I think needs a brief mention is our Web presence. As you may have heard, TCB and NetTech have decided to go our separate ways. Over the years we have grown and shared a good relationship with NetTech and jointly developed a popular and well managed site, but as part of our new branding and product identification strategy, we have decided to take the next step in our growth and will develop our own TCB website to promote Bonaire. Stay tuned! The next big event on Bonaire is Regatta. This year it will be dedicated to Mr. Thomas Pollehne, a Venezuelan who has participated in the event since 1980. He considers Bonaire as his second home. We look forward to welcoming him again and our South American office is working towards enticing and making it easier for other Venezuelan sailors to join Mr. Pollehne on his next trip to Bonaire. Preparations for the Sept 13th to 15th TCB marketing meeting are underway. It promises to be very informative and will focus on obtaining valuable feedback from our different partners and on sharing information. It is important for us to realize that together we have to market and develop the island. By combining our forces and creating synergy we will get the best results and position Bonaire more effectively and efficiently in the market which is composed of numerous and big players. Results of the primary research conducted by TCB will be shared during the meeting. Marketing plans and internet strategies will also be shared as will the new branding for Bonaire. As we embark on a fresh / renewed marketing approach, TCB will also be incorporating different workshops during this meeting to obtain feedback, but most importantly to enrich each participant's knowledge. TCB will report more specific details soon. I would like to pay special attention to the cleanliness on island. In my opinion and in the opinion of many visitors who visit me at the office, it is another precious asset that we have and that is truly valued by our locals and visitors! Let's keep it like this. "Fundashon Tene Boneiru Limpi" has a new President, Mr. Rico Martis, whose dynamism will help us keep Bonaire clean and healthy. I'm sure that we will hear more about projects of "Fundashon Tene Boneiru Limpi." Back to the top New Bonaire Ambassadors AWARDED GOLD, SILVER, & BRONZE:  Ken & Edna Brubaker, Sandy, Jack and Daren Daniels, Marueen Lynch, Jim Lynch, Diane Schmitt, Gordon & Barbara Parker, Bob, Diane, and Bethany Clifford, Barbara Pfaff, Nicole and Paula Sheppard, Ralph & Judy Kiracofe, Alice Jackson   AWARDED BRONZE:  Rosie & Dennis Jarboe Congratulations to Dennis and Rosie Jarboe with their bronze medal!! This is their 11th consecutive year visiting our island and, according to them, there will be many more. Dennis and Rosie have continued and will continue to visit Bonaire for the wonderful diving, beautiful reefs and friendly atmosphere. While Bonaire is not the easiest place to get to, it is worth the effort. They have seen many changes over the years and they hope that all the new constructions don’t result in damage towards the reef environment. “Coming to Bonaire and staying at Happy Holiday Homes is like visiting our extended family” according to the couple. Thank you for being part of Bonaire. AWARDED BRONZE:  The Lesser Family The Lesser Family is a heavy-set cliff on Bonaire because they’ve been visiting Bonaire and staying at Habitat for 12 years now and we are sure there will be 12 times 12 more years of visit to come. This is their story and own thoughts about Bonaire: “My first trip to Bonaire was for business, and since my wife previously had been frightened on a SCUBA dive in the Pacific she reluctantly agreed to make at least one dive with me on the trip. After that first one, however, she was also hooked, and for the rest of the trip we spent more time underwater than on land. While the diving is fantastic, what keeps us coming back every year is the people; we have met many people here on the island we now consider to be good friends, and almost everyone we meet has a kind word. We look forward to sharing your beautiful island with you many years into the future.” - Rick Lesser “I can stare at our pictures of Bonaire and feel a relaxing warm feeling. My family and I are so very fortunate to have traveled to Bonaire and have very special friendships with many people who live there. The kindness everyone has shown us is like nothing else, and every time we go there we feel like we are at home. I am big on our family bonding, as my kids are 22 years old, 20 years old, and 16 years old, I fear the time when I don't see them very often. So in Bonaire we are always bonding with dinners out at the great restaurants and have made great friends with a lot of people, great food, great wine, and great scuba diving experiences.” - Jan Lesser “My first trip to Bonaire I, unfortunately, only remember bits and pieces, but as the years went by, the people and Habitat and the town have become engraved in my memory. Bonaire is my second home almost. Even though we only spent about a week out of the year there, each week has had such a strong and positive impact. We were very fortunate to be able to come back every year we did, and hopefully we will returnfor many more to come. Bonaire isn't just a place we go, it has become part of us and our lives, and we will never forget it.” - Alese Lesser “On one of the first visits I had to Bonaire, I remember playing polly pockets with Jack and Karen's daughter Tracy. That was about ten years ago, and for some reason that memory sticks with me today. Not only was the ocean gorgeous with flourishing coral everywhere you would look, it was the memory of jumping off of baby dock with my brother and sister that I also remember so vividly. Unfortunately, one year in the late 90s there was a hurricane that hit the reefs and shores of Bonaire on the west side, but that wasn't going to stop us from going each year. This way it made it more exciting to see the growth of the coral each year. The people that our family has come across in Bonaire also made a big difference in our lives. I have to admit that despite how amazing the water is, the friends we have made over the years, new and old, continue to light up our lives, and for that we are so fortunate and thankful. One year I remember the biggest volleyball team that we put together by the pool... we kept adding more to each side that if the players didn't announce that the ball was theirs, then four people would be going after the same ball. Good times...Good friends...Good family... I couldn't ask for more.” - Kathleen Lesser Bonaire has been like a second home to me and my family for quite sometime now. The diving is exceptional; the weather is great but most importantly the people are wonderful. If it were not for the people who have been so welcoming, I sincerely doubt we would have returned. Bonaire has now claimed a special place in my heart and I can't wait to go back. –Ricky Lesser   To see more of Bonaire's Bronze, Silver, or Gold Ambassadors, visit http://www.bonaireambassador.com! Back to the top