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: tcb@bonairelive.com.
Herbert
and Zalla Hoffman, Canada: Vacationing
at Bel
Air Apartments, Herbert and Zalla received
their gold award for 25 years of consecutive visits
to Bonaire!
Herb
& Zella were quite surprised when we showed
up at their door at Bel - Air. She had no clue
what was going on and soon she called her husband,
Herb, to come see what I wanted. Suddenly, a surprise
visit from a friend of theirs, (who had set up
the award), saved the day by explaining!
When they first visited Bonaire, twenty-five years
ago, they were struck by the beauty of the island,
the turquoise waters, the tropical fish, and the
friendly people. After hundreds of dives on Bonaire
over these years, they never get tired of the
beautiful reefs, and the ease of the shore diving.
"The best in the world!", according
to Zella.
Zella told us that "After the first visit
to Bonaire, so many years ago - we were simply
hooked." We refer to Bonaire as our "Home
away from Home." It 's been a long love affair.
Merci, Bonaire.
Jack
& Phyllis Reinke, Oregon, USA: 26
Years, Carib
Inn When asked what it felt like to receive
this award, Jack and Phyllis said how nice it was
that returning guests are appreciated.
Even
after 26 years, the things that make Bonaire so
special, the things that matter (the fish, the
water, the people) haven't changed at all.
Jack
and Phyllis first came to Bonaire after reading
an article in Skin Diver Magazine. Now they return
year after year because, as they say, "We
have gone to the rest and have found Bonaire to
be the best!"
John
& Kris Pavlak, Piscataway, USA: 22
Years, Bel-Mar
John and Kris tell us, "It's gratifying to
know that the island appreciates her visitors
and guests. First of all, we were surprised, now
we are very proud, yet feel humble, because we
love Bonaire and get an award for something we
love to do.
"We
see the progress that has come to Bonaire. It
is slow, but steady, and almost always for the
better. Also, the people have not changed. They
are friendly and good natured. Of course, the
sea and its creatures are a never-ending source
of joy for us.
When
asked how they first learned about Bonaire, John
and Kris tell us they read about the great diving
in a scuba diving magazine, and so decided to
give Bonaire a try.
"We
have visited many islands; but this is the one
we chose as our second home. The land, the sea,
and the people are number one in the Caribbean."
James
& Harriet Koch Massachusetts, USA:
25 Years,
Carib Inn
"It
feels great to receive this award. We have loved
Bonaire all these years, and it's nice to be back
every year. We keep coming back to Bonaire for
the wonderfully friendly Bonaireans and the snorkeling
and diving."
Bud
Griswold & Mary Gessner, Virginia, USA:
21 Years: Carib
Inn
Allen
and Barbara Sullivan,
Tennessee, USA, Enjoying their vacation
at Sand
Dollar Condominiums, Allen and Barbara received
their silver medals acknowledging 20 years of
consecutive visits to Bonaire.
Bruce
& JoAnn Farmer,
Columbia, Maryland, USA On February
17th, 2003 at Captain
Don's Habitat Hotel during their weekly Managers
Cocktail Party, Bruce and JoAnn Farmer from Columbia,
Maryland USA were awarded with The Bonaire Ambassador
Silver Medals. Bruce and JoAnn Farmer has been
coming to Bonaire for 17 years now, and they are
the owners of Columbia Scuba Store.
Marion
Harrison and Mimi Wallace, Tennessee, USA
Marion and Mimi were enjoying another vacation
on Bonaire and were staying at Sand
Dollar Condominiums when they received their
bronze medals acknowledging 15 years of consecutive
visits to Bonaire!
Steve
& Jimmy Jones, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
10 Years, Carib
Inn: "We were very pleased to be recognized
for doing something that we enjoy so much--visiting
Bonaire!
"The
friendly people, the wonderful weather, and the
great diving all are reasons why Bonaire continues
to be so special. We have visited several other
islands and decided to try Bonaire based on magazine
articles. Once we came to Bonaire, we have never
gone elsewhere!"
Steve
and Jimmy offer this advice to Bonaire: "Please
do not over-develop Bonaire--it is great as is!"
Mark
& Pat Crawford, Nebraska , USA
11 Years, Carib
Inn: "This was special, and fun, too!
"In
1969, we read in the Frommer's Guide that Bonaire
was a great spot for diving, and we made our first
trip that year. We started coming back the very
next year, and the next year, and the next year.............
We have now visited Bonaire 16 times!"
Rich
& Betty Dzuirsynsky (Jones), Georgia, USA
10 Years, Carib
Inn: "Hospitality is a wonderful thing!
This program shows that the island of Bonaire
welcomes and appreciates the loyalty of the tourists.
"We
first came to Bonaire for the diving, which is
wonderful, but now return because of the people
who we've grown to love. Delno is a great ambassador
for the island. We'll see each other again real
soon!"
Keith
Priest & Kathy Maxwell,
Nebraska, USA 10 Years, Carib
Inn, Keith and Kathy tell us that it's very
special and nice to be honored by the people of
Bonaire. The many reasons why they keep returning
are the people, the climate, the clear water,
and the relaxed lifestyle.
Keith
and Kathy first came to Bonaire when friends asked
them to come along on a trip. They will definitely
be back for another visit soon!
Jerry
& Jane Goldberg, Massachusetts, USA
14 Years, Carib
Inn: Jerry and Jane tell us, "It feels
like someone appreciates the fact that we continue
to return. We also think the Ambassador Program
is a wonderful PR tool on the part of the Tourism
Bureau (TCB)."
When
asked what makes Bonaire special after so many
years, Jerry and Jane report that it is the weather,
the water, the snorkeling, the relaxed atmosphere,
the friendliness of the people, the good food,
and the friends that they've made and continue
to make.
Although
Jerry and Jane had, in the past, visited many
Caribbean islands, after seeing Bonaire advertised
in a magazine, they decided to try it. They've
never gone to another Caribbean island since!
"See
you next year-and the year after-and the year
after, etc!"
Andy
Uhr and Lee Bray, Nebraska, USA 14
Years, Carib
Inn: Andy and Lee tell us how gratifying it
is to know that the island appreciates her visitors
and guests. The People, the Sea, and the Sun are
the main reasons they keep returning, although
it was the lure of great diving which first brought
them to Bonaire.
Andy
and Lee offer this: "Change is inevitable,
but we hope the people of Bonaire will never lose
sight of the things that make the island so special."
"This was true surprise - a very special
way to make us feel special!
"What makes Bonaire so special for us are
the people, the people, the people and, of course,
the spectacular diving, the unique topography
and the beautiful environment.
"The dignity of the Bonairean people, the
warm hospitality, the natural beauty of the island
and the strong emphasis on preserving the ecology
makes Bonaire the perfect paradise vacation."
Jim
Nuckolls, Georgia , USA Jim Nuckolls
was just added to our long list of Bonaire Ambassadors,
after being awarded the Bronze Medal. He started
to coming to Bonaire back in 1992 and, since then,
has returned every year, at least two times or
more. Jim first came to Bonaire because he heard
of the fantastic diving and wanted to check it
out for himself. Now he returns because the original
claim was definitely true, and because of all
the friends he has made on-island.
He always stays at Captain
Don's Habitat because he feels very welcome
there and is always greeted by friendly faces.
Jim told us that he even has purchased his own
car here now, due to the fact that he visits so
often.
Alan
Berne, Ellicott City, Maryland , USA
On February 17th, 2003 at Captain
Don's Habitat Hotel, during their weekly Managers
Cocktail Party, Alan Berne from Ellicott City,
Maryland USA was awarded with the Bronze Bonaire
Ambassador Medal. Mr. Berne has been coming to
Bonaire for 15 years in a row.
Dennis
McDermott,
Maryland, USA 12 Years: Captain
Don's Habitat Hotel: "This feels great!
It is nice to know the people of Bonaire care
so much about my being here year after year."
Although Dennis first came to Bonaire for the
great diving, now he returns for the great diving
and the great people! Dennis continues, "
I hope to be able to come back to Bonaire for
many years in the future."
Mary
Petty & Cindy Patton, Vancouver, Canada
11 Years: Carib
Inn
Bob
& Lisa Yarusso, New York, USA 13
Years: Carib
Inn
Bill
& Susan Tinsley, Ohio, USA
15 Years: Carib
Inn
John
van het Veld, Ontario, Canada 13 Years,
Carib Inn:
It must be pointed out that John van het Veld
lived on Bonaire for two years as a child (back
in the late 50's), when his father was a teacher
at the Technical School.
For two weeks in a row, Holland’s largest
newspaper, Telegraaf, published a full page
on Bonaire. At first they zeroed in on the
various possibilities for the well-healed
tourist wishing to spend a quiet and informal
vacation below, on, or next to the water’s
surface. The second week, 'sustainable tourism',
was the subject of the article. Telegraaf
was pleased by the way Bonaire manages to
conserve local nature and culture and still
be able to offer tourists a wonderful nature-experience.
Total PR-value: 250.000 euro.
ITB Berlin is the largest trade show in
Europe. To promote the new 14 weekly non-stop
flights out of Amsterdam with wonderful
connections out of all major airports in
Europe, TCB Europe and KLM jointly will
host three meetings in the Bonaire booth
at ITB. At 9.45 AM the Germans are invited,
12.30 PM the Dutch and 2 PM the English
speaking tour operators along with the Scandinavians.
Once again Bonaire proved to be 'hot' in
Holland. At DuikVaker, the largest Dive
Show in Holland, visitors ranked Bonaire
as their number 1 destination for a future
holiday. The Iraq-war threat makes the traditional
competing destination, the Red Sea, a place
most tourists wish to avoid.
Together with CTO Holland, Bonaire managed
to get a lot of attention on Dutch Radio.
During a week, listeners could answer various
questions and after a few days one of them
won the Bonaire-prize: a trip to our island.
There were even more viewers then expected
with over 5.500.000 million euros of free
publicity generated by the TV broadcasts
the Netherlands. From Dec 28, 2002 up to
Feb. 11, 2003, Bonaire was televized every
day for at least 5 minutes.
The connections to Peru and Ecuador made
a lot of new tour operators became interested
in Bonaire. These South America-specialists,
from every corner of Europe, now want to
add a couple of days in Bonaire to their
product. We wholeheartedly agree!
Bonaire
was represented at a cocktail reception hosted
by the Chairman of Air Jamaica, The Hon. Gordon
"Butch" Stewart, in New York City a
few weeks ago. The event was well attended by
top producing travel agents, tourism offices,
and all travel partners that have been "friends"
of Air Jamaica over the years. Marie Rosa attended
on behalf of the Tourism Corportion Bonaire. Mr.
Stewart thanked everyone for their support through
not only the good times, but throughout the challenges
that everyone in the travel industry has been
faced since 911. He spoke highly of the personnel
and service of Air Jamaica and promised to keep
the "prettiest planes in the sky" flying
for years to come. There were over 200 people
in attendance.
Rodale's Scuba Diving (circulation 185,000):
The March 2003 issue of Rodale's Scuba Diving
contained a cover story on diving in Bonaire.
The article, which also featured information
on Curacao and Aruba, contained two pages on
Bonaire. Stating that Bonaire offered "crowd-free
sites" and "classic dives" the
article mentioned a number of dive sites including
Hilma Hooker, Forest, Salt Pier, Town Pier,
Karpata, 1,000 Steps, Margate Bay, Willemstoren
Lighthouse and La Machaca. The article also
contained a section with basic information on
Bonaire.
Also included in the March issue of Rodale's
was information on the Bonaire Dive Festival
including packages, host hotels and tour operators,
as well as a package at Yacht Club Apartments.
Reading Eagle (circulation 93,776)
The December 29, 2002 travel section of the
Reading Eagle, a newspaper in Pennsylvania,
included a feature article written by Rick and
Susan Sammon. This syndicated article is from
The Associated Press and during winter/spring
2002 was featured in more than 60 newspapers
throughout the US. The article, which calls
Bonaire the "Fish Capital of the Caribbean",
focuses on the many species of fish that can
be found in the waters around the island and
why this makes Bonaire not only ideal diving
but also for photographing fish. The article
includes many photos which were taken by the
Sammons and also appeared on the newspaper's
website.
Hartford Courant (circulation 288,814)
The January 12th travel section of the Hartford
Courant included the syndicated Caribbean round-up
article written by David Swanson who visited
Bonaire in 2002 on a one-on-one press visit.
In the article David calls Bonaire a "sleeper"
island because it is "blissfully under
the tourist radar" and offers a "quieter,
more authentic Caribbean experience." To
date the article has been included in more than
10 top daily newspapers. This article also appeared
on the newspaper's website.
Over the next few weeks, Bonaire will
be visited by a number of high level travel writers:
March 1 - 7 Bob Friel, the Editor of Caribbean
Travel & Life, will be visiting Bonaire. He
will be on-island to gather information and take
photos for a feature article focusing on the ease
of doing things like diving, snorkeling, kayaking,
fishing and mountain biking in Bonaire.
March 29 - April 5 travel writer Bob Bishop will
be in Bonaire. Mr. Bishop is at Sorobon and will
be writing two feature articles on the resort
and island for Travel Naturally, a quarterly glossy
magazine with a circulation of 40,000 & Going
Natural, the official quarterly publication of
the Federation of Canadian Naturists.
March 20th well known travel writer Ian Keown
will be in Bonaire for the day to update his guidebook
Caribbean Hideaways. Now in it's 11th Edition,
this Frommer's Book includes information on the
top hotels throughout the Caribbean, including
ones in Bonaire.
February 22 - 25 travel writer Karen Bartlett
was in Bonaire researching articles for Bonaire
Nights 2004. While on island she met with some
local artists and gathered information on Rincon's
history and local food for articles she's doing
on culture in Rincon, local artists and artisans
and a food feature, all of which will involve
photos. Thanks to Captain Don's which hosted her.
The statistics have shown an interesting
increase in the number of South American visitors
for January. Last year, Bonaire received 5,017
tourists from South America.
Thanks to the laudable efforts of tour operators,
even through difficult circumstances, who were
able to redouble their efforts to keep improving
the markets. We’re sure to continue counting on
their energy to face new grey clouds forecast
due to the exchange control in Venezuela, which
is still confusing, and it could affect the upcoming
seasons. Nevertheless, tour operators are working
with strategies to get business to the island;
examples are the operators Corp. Salta and All
Ways Tours, who opened the market by accepting
Bolivars as payment in their Caribbean packages.
We extended an invitation to our hotels to maintain
close contact with them, working as a team, to
keep affluent Venezuelans coming to Bonaire.
We feel very pleased with the active participation
of the Peruvian market, which is generating quite
a few tourists to the island, thanks to the FAM
trips, press FAM, and marketing strategies permitting
our positioning in the market.
The routes of KLM to Bonaire from Lima, Quito
and Guyaguil opened new marketing possibilities
in South America. Our database is constantly increasing
and being used to seek out new tourism business
opportunities to the island in all Latin America.
The prestigious newspaper El Nacional started
again to publish its Sunday tourism edition and
inside it the ad campaigns from the main tours
operators. They are busy promoting packages to
attract travelers to the Caribbean islands for
the upcoming seasons of carnival holidays and
Easter week.
STAND UP 2003 by Corporación Salta
On February 19th the first event of the year
(organized by Corporación Salta), one of
the strongest wholesalers in Venezuela, took place.
Stand up 2003, co-sponsored by the tourism offices
of Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and Dominican Republic,
was a total success with two well known speakers
who promoted the main objective of the event:
To join forces and keep a positive attitude among
the travel agents and obtain maximum efforts from
them in the upcoming seasons.
It was a strategic event due to the difficulties
facing Venezuela; the priority must be to double
efforts in promotions and sales, putting aside
the political issue as the main focus attention.
GAM Magazine and its February edition
With the title "Windsurf in Bonaire"
and pictures of the champion Tonki Frans and the
Venezuelan Douglas Diaz, this monthly tourism
magazine published a page devoted to the event
"King of the Caribbean", highlighting
windsurfing as another prestigious activity in
Bonaire.
The article also included two more news stories,
Bonaire 2003 World Top Dive Destination, certified
by Rodale’s Scuba Diving magazine in its Jan /Feb
edition, due largely to Bonaire’s placing so high
in many categories. The other news was Summer
Camp at Sand Dollar, an attractive marketing program
directed to children from 5 to 12, to be conducted
during the month of July. The participants will
have a unique opportunity to have contact with
the nature of Bonaire through guided activities.
Gaceta Aerea Travel Agencies Magazine
In its February/March edition, this well known
monthly magazine ran a half page informing travel
agencies about the international event "King
of the Caribbean" that took place recently
in Bonaire and the importance of hosting the event,
since it closed the 2002 circuit of the Professional
Windsurfing Association (PWA).
The event was a total success with 44 professional
windsurfers coming from all over the world. The
article highlighted the performance of the Venezuelan
delegation, which trains on Margarita Island,
and also the winner of the championship, Tonki
Frans from Bonaire, which brought a lot of happiness
to the island.
Dutch Caribbean news
Since February 14th all the reservations to Bonaire
with DCA are being done on-line via Internet through
their web site, instead of the regular reservation
system of the airlines. It’s important to note
that this form of reservation applies only for
the island of Bonaire at this moment.
Round trip ticket to Bonaire: US$ 165.00
Scheduled flights to Bonaire: Once a day (via
Curacao), leaving at 11:25 and arriving in Bonaire
at 13:25 (DCA 6024/1007).
(Special r/t ticket to Curacao: US$ 80.00 (until
Feb 28th).
Beginning March 1st travel agencies in Colombia
will be able to use the premier services of UGA
(Unidad de Gestion Antillas LTDA), a company created
by the fusion of Turismo ABC, Asturismo, Escaribe,
Munditur and Travel Market; tour operators well
known in the market. They have joined the experience,
confidence and professionalism together to become
the Top Tour Operator leader in group tourism
offering packages offering competitive prices
to reach the consumers.
It’s important to note UGA specializes in the
ABC islands and its marketing manager, Arturo
Vargas (Turismo ABC), is a good friend of Bonaire.
He recently told our office in Venezuela that
UGA would intensify their marketing strategies
in the Caribbean, especially Bonaire. Thanks in
advance to the Hotels for contacting UGA.
Calle 77 No. 11-19 Oficina 303
Tel 57-1-313 05 00
Fax 57-1-313 35 58
Email: ugacolombia@colomsat.net.co
This tourism magazine in Ecuador will publish
an article about Bonaire as a new KLM destination
in the Caribbean. Recently Mr. Cevallos contacted
our office to obtain some specific information
needed to complete the article.
Revista TransPort - Sucre 2204 y Tungurahua -
Guyaguil, Ecuador
Tel. +593 4 236-3848
Fax +593 4 237-2993
On January 24th to the 28th, Plaza
Resort hosted its first incentive group from
the Peruvian market. The company, Aventis Pharma,
selected Bonaire to develop a work program with
its sales force of top executives.
Costamar’s Travel Agencies
in FAM trip
As a result of the recent visit
of Sand Dollar representatives to Lima, the
Hotel hosted, in February, its first group of
travel agents from the operator Costamar Lima
on a FAM trip. They had a very busy schedule
visiting properties and enjoying the different
activities that the island offers to visitors.
The travel agents were very enthusiastic
to be in Bonaire and now some of them are already
sending tourists to Sand Dollar, a property
that again is being well promoted in the markets.
Newspaper El Comercio.
Dec 16th
As I commented briefly in the
last Entre Nous, the main newspapers from Peru
had very interesting articles about Bonaire,
the new destination promoted by tour operators
and serviced by KLM.
The journalist combined two stories
in different sections titled "Bonaire El
Paraiso del Buceo" and "Maravilloso
Mundo Marino", both of them having six
beautiful pictures inviting the visitor to enjoy
the beauty of the nature, the outdoor activities
with its calm and pristine water where a wonderful
and preserved marine park awaits hem. A helpful
travel guide was included as well.
Sit Trade Show -- May
22nd to 24th
SIT (International Tourism Salon)
promotes a mega tourism event that gathers the
biggest and most important local and international
operators in the sector. Last year it was considered
the main trade show in Peru by important TV
channels such as: Channel 5, C 2, 9 and the
media press "El Comercio" and "La
Republica" newspapers and the magazines
"Caretas" and "Semana Económica".
SIT -- interesting facts
2001 ---- 11,377 visitors / 128 Tour operators
/ 89 Booths.
2002 --- 18,236 visitors / 187 Tour operators
/ 118 Booths.
SIT 2003 will take place in the
Convention Center of the Hotel Maria Angola.
The organizers are offering a special accommodation
rate of US$ 30 daily plus tax (breakfast is
included). Discounted air tickets are available
from KLM. Please contact Mrs. Elizabeth Hakim,
KLM Marketing Manager.
Barefoot
Internet Service comes to Bonaire
with Chat 'n' Browse
Located
next to Lovers Ice Cream and the
Sand Dollar Grocery, Chat 'n'
Browse has opened its doors! Wander
in (barefoot is fine!) to use
the center's fast internet connections,
rent cell phones, cameras or binoculars,
or browse the wonderful collection
of local and indian artwork. Fast
becoming the place to keep in
touch, it's a welcome addition
for internet connections on the
north hotel row.
A brand new website
is under construction, so keep
watching www.chatnbrowse.com
for more details. Open daily from
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, straight through.
Phone/Fax: (599) 717-2281, email:
info@chatnbrowse.com
.
Calendar
of Events
(Carnival
Events are listed in Red)
Carnival Adult
Parade Dates: 2003
- 2011
2003
- Mar 2
2004 - Feb 22
2005 - Feb 6
2006 - Feb 27
2007 - Feb 18
2008 - Feb 3
2009 - Feb 22
2010 - Feb 14
2011 - Mar 6
March 2003
Mar
1 - Adult Parade, Rincon
Mar 1 - Rincon Market Day
Mar 2 - Free REEF Fish Survey boat
dive tel. 717-3460
Mar 2 - Adult Parade, Kralendijk
Mar 2 - cruiseship in port
- Arts and Crafts fair at Wilhemina
Plaza
Mar 3 - Youth Farewell Parade
Mar 4 - Grand Farewell Parade with
the burning of King Momo
Mar 5 - Ash Wednesday
Mar 9 - Free REEF Fish Survey boat
dive tel. 717-3460
Mar 8 - Underwater cleanup and potluck
BBQ with Green Submarine at 1pm
tel. 717-2929
Mar 11 - cruiseship in port - Arts
and Crafts Fair in Wilhelmina Plaza
Mar 16 - Free REEF Fish Survey boat
dive tel. 717-3460
Mar 23 - 5km Fun Run time 8am at
stadium
April
2003
Apr
1 - Simadan (Harvest) Festival in
Rincon
Apr 5 - Rincon Market Day
Apr
12 - Underwater cleanup and potluck
BBQ with Green Submarine at 1pm
tel. 717-2929
Apr 15 - 15th Karels Beach Bar Sailing
Competition
Apr 18 - Good Friday
Apr 20 - Easter Sunday
Apr 21 - Easter Monday. Banks and
shops closed.
Apr 30 - Rincon Day
Apr 30 - Queen Birthday
Apr 30 - Windsurfing Race
Apr 30 - 5 km / 17 km MCB Run
Apr 30 - Road Race 70km Bonaire
Cycle Club
May
2003
May
1 - Labor Day
May 1 - Dutch Antilles Windsurfing
Challenge
May 3 - Rincon Market Day
May 4 - Cycling Tour Lagun
May 11 - Mother's Day
May 17 - 7th Bonaire Mountain Bike
Challenge Race
May 18 - Road Race 90km
May 18 - 5km Fun Run race
May 29 - Ascension Day
Herbert
and Zalla Hoffman, Canada: Vacationing
at 
Jack
& Phyllis Reinke, Oregon, USA: 26
Years, 
John
& Kris Pavlak, Piscataway, USA: 22
Years, 
James
& Harriet Koch Massachusetts, USA:
25 Years,
Bud
Griswold & Mary Gessner, Virginia, USA:
21 Years: 
Allen
and Barbara Sullivan,
Tennessee, USA, Enjoying their vacation
at 
Bruce
& JoAnn Farmer,
Columbia, Maryland, USA On February
17th, 2003 at 
Marion
Harrison and Mimi Wallace, Tennessee, USA
Marion and Mimi were enjoying another vacation
on Bonaire and were staying at 
Steve
& Jimmy Jones, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
10 Years, 
Mark
& Pat Crawford, Nebraska , USA
11 Years, 
Rich
& Betty Dzuirsynsky (Jones), Georgia, USA
10 Years, 
Keith
Priest & Kathy Maxwell,
Nebraska, USA 10 Years, 
Jerry
& Jane Goldberg, Massachusetts, USA
14 Years, 
Andy
Uhr and Lee Bray, Nebraska, USA 14
Years, 
Edward
& Cathleen Goetz, Connecticut , USA
11 Years, staying
at 
Jim
Nuckolls, Georgia , USA Jim Nuckolls
was just added to our long list of Bonaire Ambassadors,
after being awarded the Bronze Medal. He started
to coming to Bonaire back in 1992 and, since then,
has returned every year, at least two times or
more. Jim first came to Bonaire because he heard
of the fantastic diving and wanted to check it
out for himself. Now he returns because the original
claim was definitely true, and because of all
the friends he has made on-island. 
Alan
Berne, Ellicott City, Maryland , USA
On February 17th, 2003 at 
Joel
Simon, California, USA 15 Years: 
Dennis
McDermott,
Maryland, USA 12 Years: 
Mary
Petty & Cindy Patton, Vancouver, Canada
11 Years: 
Bob
& Lisa Yarusso, New York, USA 13
Years: 
Bill
& Susan Tinsley, Ohio, USA
15 Years: 
John
van het Veld, Ontario, Canada 13 Years,
Bonaire
was represented at a cocktail reception hosted
by the Chairman of Air Jamaica, The Hon. Gordon
"Butch" Stewart, in New York City a
few weeks ago. The event was well attended by
top producing travel agents, tourism offices,
and all travel partners that have been "friends"
of Air Jamaica over the years. Marie Rosa attended
on behalf of the Tourism Corportion Bonaire. Mr.
Stewart thanked everyone for their support through
not only the good times, but throughout the challenges
that everyone in the travel industry has been
faced since 911. He spoke highly of the personnel
and service of Air Jamaica and promised to keep
the "prettiest planes in the sky" flying
for years to come. There were over 200 people
in attendance.
Located
next to Lovers Ice Cream and the
Sand Dollar Grocery, Chat 'n'
Browse has opened its doors! Wander
in (barefoot is fine!) to use
the center's fast internet connections,
rent cell phones, cameras or binoculars,
or browse the wonderful collection
of local and indian artwork. Fast
becoming the place to keep in
touch, it's a welcome addition
for internet connections on the
north hotel row.