TCB Worldwide | TCB - Europe Report
 < New Bonaire ad in ‘Divers Guide’
Have you ever read the ‘Divers Guide’? It’s an annual information guide which features the most beautiful and best dive sites in the world. As one of the most beautiful dive destinations in the world, this is the ideal opportunity for Bonaire to get in touch with our target groups. This year, for the first time, the design of the ad has been made in the new branding. As one of the top five dive destinations Bonaire naturally advertises in this guide.
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 Bonaire advertises in Dutch ‘Duikersgids’ >
Especially for the Dutch divers TCB also advertises in the ‘Duikersgids’. This is a diver’s guide with descriptions of the best dive spots, especially in Holland and Belgium. The guide is filled with pictures, underwater maps, and contact details of dive shops, diving schools and organisations. The Bonairean ad emphasizes the fact that digital dives can be made at the official Bonaire website. Short streaming videos will show the visitors the beautiful underwater world of Bonaire and attract Dutch and Belgium divers to visit our Island.
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 < Dominicus travel guide updated after visit Bonaire!
Anja Frenkel is an art-historian, travel journalist and editor from Amsterdam. Together with colleague Walter de Vries she travels the world in search off inspiring art and culture. Recently she visited Bonaire for the Dominicus Travel guide. Anja really loved the island! During her stay, TCB helped her with transportation around the Island, and gave her useful information about Bonaire. The Dominicus Travel Guide will be updated soon with a new and exciting story about Bonaire. Anja will also write an article about art on the Antilles. She told TCB that she was very inspired by the artists she met on Bonaire and the places she visited e.g. Magazine di Rei. She can’t wait to come back to Bonaire once again!
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 New travel specials on www.visitbonaire.tv >
It’s good to see that tour operators are developing interesting specials for Bonaire. We recently put a bunch of new specials on www.visitbonaire.tv. All very nicely priced, at some of the top locations on the Island. This time tour operator Holland International has sent us a couple of specials that include accommodations like Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, Hamlet Oases, Lagoen Hill and Bonaire Fun Apartments. Potential visitors looking for specials to Bonaire can choose from trips of 9, or 16 days. The prices of the trips start at 699 euros. That includes the flight from Amsterdam to Flamingo Airport with ArkeFly.
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 < Newsletter June focuses on Bonaire events
Have you read TCB Europe’s latest newsletter? In the June-edition our English readers were informed about almost all the Bonaire summer events: Dive into Summer, the International Year of the Reef and the Pro Kids Freestyle on Bonaire. The renovation of Captain Don’s Resort was also mentioned, as well as the new boat the National Marine Park got from STINAPA. TCB mails the e-letter frequently to a large database of e-mail dresses. Do you have a tip for the newsletter? Do you have an event, a news item or something else that could use some attention? Just send us an email at europe@tourismbonaire.com! You can also send us an e-mail if you want to subscribe for the newsletter.
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Marieke Raaff away for a few months
On July first Marieke Raaff will leave us for a few months. TCB Europe’s PR-Manager is about to give birth to her second child! She will be back at the office by the beginning of November. While away, her work will be covered by Anne-Martin Uildriks. TCB Europe’s e-mail address remains the same: europe@tourismbonaire.com.
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TCB Worldwide | New York Report
Bonaire Wins About.com’s Favorite Dive Destination Pol
 Last month Bonaire’s loyal visitors voted Bonaire their favorite dive destination in the Caribbean, and this month you came through and voted Bonaire as your favorite dive destination in the world! Bonaire won the poll by garnering an overwhelming 51% of the total votes, beating out other dive destinations including Cozumel, Egypt, Florida, Galapagos Islands, The Philippines, Fiji and Greece. View the results online at http://scuba.about.com/b/2008/06/30/and-the-winner-is.htm. Thank you to everyone who voted, we wouldn’t have won without your support!
About.com is a Top 10 web property used by one out of every five people on the Internet, so this story can potentially reach nearly 21 million unique visitors per month. About.com is also a part of the prestigious New York Times company.
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 <Bonaire Featured on IYOR.org Homepage
In the weeks leading up to International Year of the Reef Week in Bonaire, the event was featured on the IYOR08 homepage online at www.iyor.org. The website is the official information and resource center for the International Year of the Reef and receives hundreds of unique visitors each month. Additionally, the organization sends out a monthly e-newsletter with updates from member countries and organizations, which Bonaire’s IYOR Week was also featured in.
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International Year of the Reef Week Recap
Tourism Corporation Bonaire would like to thank all of those who made International Year of the Reef Week, which took place June 21-28, a huge success! Bryan Dias, Program Manager for the Coral Reef Alliance led multiple dives and gave two evening presentations during the week. Janice and Alexandra Cousteau, Co-Founders of EarthEcho International led two shore dives and spoke about the Cousteau Expedition to an attentive audience. Additionally, visitors during IYOR Week enjoyed local cuisine and music during A Taste of Bonaire, where STINAPA launched the Waste Reduction Campaign which encourages visitors to take home their used batteries and to fill reusable plastic bottles with Bonaire’s clean and refreshing tap water instead of purchasing and discarding bottled water. Visitors also received an update on Bonaire’s progress in becoming the Caribbean’s first self-sustainable island using wind and bio-diesel energy; and witnessed Lieutenant Governor Herbert Domacasse sign the International Declaration of Reef Rights. Other highlights of the week included fish count dives with Jerry Ligon and a Sunset Barbeque and Bonaire Night buffet at Eddy’s Restaurant.
During the closing ceremony, Bryan, Jan and Alexandra were awarded eco-friendly plaques made of 100% bamboo in appreciation of their contribution to IYOR week. Sand Dollar Condominium Resort’s General Manager, Mr. Junny Janga was also awarded one of the plaques for providing accommodations and meeting space for the International Year of the Reef Week, as well as 24 hour support leading up to and during the week to ensure smooth execution of the scheduled events and activities. TCB would also like to thank Bonaire Dive and Adventure, Captain Don’s Habitat, Budget Car Rental, Chat ‘n Browse, STINAPA and Eddy’s.
 
 
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International Year of the Reef Week Tops US Headlines
Tourism Corporation Bonaire would like to thank the three journalists from North America that attended International Year of the Reef Week in Bonaire, June 21-28. Rona Distenfeld from the San Antonio Express-News was on assignment to write an eco-adventure article for the newspaper’s quarterly insert family magazine, and also posted a photo to the newspaper’s website each day during IYOR Week, which is available online at http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/cards/playing_with_nature_in_bonaire/. Nathan Borchelt from The Away Network was on assignment to write a series of travel articles for the Network’s publications including Away.com (2 million unique users); GORP.com (750,000 unique users); Outside Online (450,000 unique users) and Orbitz Travel. One article by Nathan has already been posted and can be viewed online at http://blogs.away.com/beach_guide/2008/07/bonaire-the-div.html. Gerry Wingenbach is a freelance travel writer who will not only be documenting IYOR Week for a top circulation daily newspaper in the USA, but will also be writing an article about how he became a certified scuba diver and why he wants to share his story with the world!
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^ The Journalists with Sarah Biggerstaff, Bryan Dias and Jheison Mueses Enjoying Dinner at Cactus Blue”
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Bonaire Continues to Dominate Travel News Headlines in USA
Bonaire is pleased to be welcoming several top journalists from the USA this summer including:
Brooke Morton, Associate Editor of Sport Diver Magazine (monthly circulation 200,000) is on assignment to visit Bonaire July 17-22, 2008. Brooke will be gathering information for the magazine’s World Dive Guide which will be published in the Jan/Feb 2009 issue featuring a comprehensive guide to diving. Brooke will also be writing an item about landsailing which will run in an upcoming issue of Caribbean Travel & Life (circulation 155,000).
Nancy Spraker and Alexander Feshenko are on assignment from The AutoPILOT Magazine (circulation 95,000), a high-end lifestyle magazine for aviation enthusiasts that is distributed six times each year to pilots earning $100,000 or more a year, paid subscribers, corporate executives and CEOs of Fortune 1000 companies, charter companies, corporate flight departments, aviation catering companies and more. Nancy and Alexander will be visiting Bonaire July 21-26 and will be covering diving snorkeling, kiteboarding, landsailing, kayaking and touring Washington Slagbaai National Park. Additionally, Alexander is a photographer and frequent contributor to the Washington Post (circulation 700,000) and will be submitting an item to the paper as a result of his visit.
Nancy and Catherine Schretter, a mother/daughter writing team from the Family Travel Network (circulation 400,000), are on assignment to visit Bonaire July 26-August 1. Nancy and Catherine will be writing a feature article for the Network’s series of family magazines circulated in affluent neighborhoods on the West Coast of the USA. During their visit Nancy and Katie will snorkel, cave snorkel, landsail, windsurf and take an island tour in addition to obtaining coverage of the ProKids Windsurfing competition.
Susan Cocking, an Outdoors Writer at the Miami Herald (circulation 342,432) will visit Bonaire July 19-26, 2008. Sue will be traveling with her nephew Alex and will document their visit in a feature article in an upcoming issue of the newspaper. Sue and her nephew will be in Bonaire during Scuba Diving Magazine Week and in addition to diving, they will also kayak in the mangroves, go hiking and take an island tour.
Stay tuned for the next issue of Entre Nous to read who is visiting next! Summer’s hot and Bonaire is hotter than ever in the news!
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Scuba Diving Magazine Week Set To Make A Splash in Bonaire
 Scuba Diving Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Keith Phillips will make a splash in Bonaire this month during the second annual Scuba Diving Magazine Week, a part of the Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2008 program, hosted by Buddy Dive Resort. The week will feature photo workshops with famed photographer Steve Simonsen, equipment demonstrations, dive trivia quizzes and happy hours with games and prizes. Scuba Diving Magazine Week begins July 19 and will conclude on July 25 during A Taste of Bonaire in Wilhelmina Park. For the complete Scuba Diving Magazine Week schedule of events, visit http://bonairediveintosummer.com/scubaweek.html.
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Bonaire to Welcome Third Tour of Wounded Warriors This Fall
 Bonaire is pleased to welcome a group of Wounded Warriors from the USA for the third year-in-a-row, September 27-October 4, when they visit Bonaire to obtain their open water dive certifications. The Wounded Warriors will get introductions to the sport of scuba July 11-13 during the Adaptive Watersports Festival in Breezy Point, New York. The Warriors will then complete the classroom portion of the certification process in their hometowns before traveling to Bonaire to do their open water dives in the Island’s clear, calm and warm water. The Warriors will once again by hosted by Captain Don’s Habitat and their gracious staff who will provide complimentary accommodations and diving. If you’d like to make a donation to cover any of the Wounded Warriors meals and/or activities while they’re on-island this Fall, please contact Sarah Biggerstaff at sarah@adams-pr.com.
Masha Danki Bonaire for your continued support of the Wounded Warriors!
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Bonaire EZ
News
 One issue of Bonaire EZ News was distributed in June to our database of consumers and travel agents. The issue was distributed on the 5th and featured the program for Bonaire Dive Into Summer’s International Year of the Reef Week, which took place June 21-28, 2008 at Sand Dollar Condominium Resort.
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Dive Newswire
 In June two press releases were distributed on Dive Newswire. The first press release featured information about Bonaire receiving the Islands Magazine/Caribbean Tourism Organization 2008 Sustainable Tourism Award, and was posted to the site and distributed on June 3rd. The second press release featured the program for International Year of the Reef Week and was posted to the site and distributed on June 10th. Dive Newswire is distributed electronically to more than 8,000 dive shop owners, manufacturers as well as media outlets. Additionally, the releases were also distributed on DiverWire, the consumer newsletter of DiveNewswire that is emailed to a database of more than 1,500 subscribers.
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Press Releases
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 one press release was written and distributed to the media featuring the program for Bonaire Dive Into Summer’s International Year of the Reef Week.
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Editorial Highlights
New York Times (circulation 1,627,062)
Bonaire was featured on the front page of the travel section in the June 15 issue of the New York Times. The article, titled “Summer in the Caribbean,” highlights Bonaire Dive Into Summer as a summer-long water-oriented event. The article includes a link to the event’s official website and also notes that Bonaire is below the hurricane belt. The article is available online at http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/06/15/travel/15carib.html?scp=1&sq=bonaire&st=cse.
Caribbean Travel & Life (circulation 155,000)
Two of Bonaire’s properties were featured in the July 2008 issue of Caribbean Travel & Life in an article titled “A Room With a Reef” as a result of Tanya Burnett and Kevin Palmer’s visit to Bonaire last June. The first hotel featured is Buddy Dive Resort, which is featured for its weekly beach barbecues and live music in the evenings with a house reef just a few fins kicks from shore with chances to spot some 75 species of tropical fish plus Caribbean squid and resident tarpon. The second hotel is Plaza Resort Bonaire, which is highlighted for its beach, large pool, marina, restaurants, dive operation and the 18 Palms house reef with shallow water fish perfect for snorkelers. This article is available online at http://caribbeantravelmag.com/article.jsp?ID=1000062362&typeID=100&categoryID=69.
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TCB Worldwide | South America Report
Airlift news !!
Insel Air 3 daily flights to Bonaire from Valencia (via Curaçao)
Effective Sunday June 15th, Insel Air added three (3) daily flights to Bonaire from the city of Valencia, Venezuela. In the next entrenous, more information on flight schedules.
Insel Air Valencia Tel 0241-8240429/3342/4444, website www.fly-inselair.com
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Bonaire seminars in Rio by Tripping
On June 12th and 19th, Tripping organized two Bonaire presentations to the diving sector of Rio de Janeiro. As result, the tour operator is organizing two groups to Bonaire next November.
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The Brazilian Padi Festival ..
This annual event directed to Padi members, took place last June. On this occasion, a Bonaire sticker for the cars showing the Brazilian flag with the slogan “Be a happy diver, dive in Bonaire” was distributed among the diving schools visiting the trade show. During the event, a free stay at Sand Dollar was raffled by Vectra Travel. The winner was from Narwal dive shop.
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Gam from Venezuela
Bonaire was featured in the June edition of the monthly tourism magazine. The article titled “Bonaire Dive into Summer”, describes the event and the program on the island during the months from June to September. Dive into Summer’s official website was listed.
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International Regatta - flyer ready
The promotion of the Bonaire Regatta on October 5th – 11th has started in Venezuela. The flyers are being distributed at the sailing clubs as well as the shops. Last week, our office met with Mr Armando Mendoza in Caracas. He lives in Morrocoy (Falcon State, Venezuela) and has participated in the Regatta in the past. Armando, a key person among sailors, took the flyers to be exhibited in the region.
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June 24th to the 26th.. a huge diving group from Scubatec, Venezuela
We must keep on eye on this diving school. Ma Victoria, owner of Scubatec is in love with Bonaire. She is becoming an expert chartering planes to Bonaire for their groups. She has a nice dive shop well located in Caracas focused on the high end consumer.
During the Regatta 2006, Scubatec brought its first group (46 divers), chartering a flight with Aerotuy. In 2007 during Easter Week, a new charter operation with Aerotuy was contracted to the island with 53 divers. Now in 2008, a first group of 47 divers was on Bonaire during Carnival. It was a DAE charter flight, who for the first time flew directly to Bonaire for Scubatec. And a second group recently returned from Bonaire on June 20th to the 24th with 74 divers on a charter operation with Avior Airlines. For sure, Ma Victoria will be recognized as our “Buddy of Bonaire” for being the diving school bringing more divers to the island on charter flights.
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Julio 11th and 12th … Meeting in Caracas with the diving sector
As a tradition, our office meets annually with the main diving schools, to evaluate their experience sending groups to the island, the latest in air connections and the specials and availability in the Hotels. We look forward to welcoming in Caracas Bonaire Ocean Front, Buddy Dive and Habitat.
For more information, please contact Yasmin at southamerica@tourimbonaire.com.
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Bonaire official Spanish and Portuguese brochure
To support our 2008 image campaign in the South American markets, 10.000 Bonaire brochures are planed to be made in glossy paper, size 26.2 x 21.5 cms, and 12 full color pages and in Spanish and Portuguese.
The content of the bilingual official brochure will have general information on Bonaire (population, languages, currency, weather, airlift etc, etc), a Caribbean map highlighting Bonaire's location, outdoor activities, entertainment, gastronomy, accommodations and on central pages a diving map showing the different dive sites along the coast. The brochure will show though beautiful images of all that Bonaire offers its visitors. For those interested to advertise on it, please contact Yasmin at southamerica@tourimbonaire.com.
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Bonaire News
Our monthly bulletin directed to our trade partners and consumers, in general highlights the latest news on air connections with the new operation of Insel Air, 4th Starboard Pro Kids, Bonaire receives the prestigious Islands Magazine/Caribbean Tourism Organization, 2008 Sustainable Tourism Award; 2008 Bonaire Dive Into Summer Program.
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Upcoming events
Brazil
Sao Paulo Boat Show – 26 Sep – Oct 01 www.boatshow.com.br
Venezuela
Avavit trade Show - Nov (date to be announced)
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ANNUAL BONAIRE TOURISM STATISTICS REPORT 2007 NOW AVAILABLE
Kralendijk, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, June 12, 2008: NetTech, N.V. today announced the unveiling of a new Internet service, Paradise Rebates™, geared to the Caribbean or Pacific traveler.
The Richter Art Gallery, located in a new, specially constructed addition onto the Richter’s home in the Belnem area of Bonaire, features a variety of fine art and unique craft works, all created by the Richters. 
Other members of the Richter family are also involved. Krystyana Richter has developed graphite sketching into a new organic art form, and is also contributing her passion for hand-made jewelry and bead-men to the Richter Art Gallery, while Bas Richter has designed and developed special paper constructions which celebrate the fauna and aquatic world of Bonaire.