Bonaire presents special "KLM Windsurf Board" to KLM Crew!

Recently at Sorobon Beach, the first KLM-windsurfboard was presented to the KLM crew. To make sure KLMcrews on island really discover the beauty of Bonaire, they can come over to Elvis or Ernst and windsurf for free by showing their KLM ID. The more they experience the different sides of Bonaire, the better they can tell their friends and family to come over as well! Other initiatives are to follow.

Of course Bonaire is hereby saying "thank you" to KLM for giving us the opportunity to improve tourism both quantitative and qualitative.

New Ambassadors!

Patsy Sullivan, Abington, Pennsylvania, USA--Silver:

Visiting Carib Inn, Patsy says, "I feel very priviledged to be able to come to Bonaire so often.

"I first came to Bonaire on a dive trip, but now I return, even after so many years, not only for the diving, but because of the people." She feels Bonaire is a great place to visit, and she will be back next year.

Linda Householder, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA--Bronze

10 years of visits to Bonaire, this visit staying at Lighthouse Beach Resort.

"Bonaire is my favorite place on this planet, which is why I come twice or more a year to visit my special place."

Tony and Bobbi Kerridge, Riegilsville, Pennsylvania, USA--Bronze

Carib Inn

Bob and Mary Fakelmann, Califon, New Jersey, USA--Bronze

Carib Inn

Gene, Jennifer, and Maggie Gallagher, Mystic, Connecticutt, USA--Bronze

Carib Inn

To see more of Bonaire's Bronze, Silver, or Gold Ambassadors, visit http://www.bonaireambassador.com !

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TCB-NEW YORK REPORT

CTO Participation

Bonaire was represented by Marie Rosa and Lisa Blau at CTO’s EMERGENCY STRATEGY MEETING on February 13, 2003. Over 50 participants, including National Tourist Officers, public relations firms, advertising agencies, airlines and tour operators, convened for an extensive meeting held at the USA Today’s Board Room in New York to discuss the effects of the escalating situation with Iraq, and to begin to outline a "Recovery Plan" for the region and its members. All attendees were asked to share any procedures they had begun to take, or discuss as part of their preparations. Since this initial meeting attendees have been working closely with the CTO and communication has been ongoing among all members.

As a result of this meeting, Adams Unlimited deemed it necessary to draft a Contingency Plan for Bonaire. The plan, which was submitted to the TCB Board and distributed to hotels, dive operators, etc. on Island, outlines the recommended activities for TCB-Bonaire, the private sector and TCB-New York during the conflict with Iraq. The plan breaks the situation down into three distinct phases with recommended activities for each.

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As part of TCB-NYC's ongoing effort to keep Bonaire top-of-mind as the number one dive destination in the Caribbean, the trade version of the Bonaire destination mini-cd was mailed in early March to approximately 2400 dive shops and dive clubs in the USA. Since the mailing was dropped over 20% of recipients have contacted the TCB-NYC office with an interest in receiving additional CDs.

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An E-mail blast was sent out to TCB-NYC's database consisting of Bonaire hoteliers, dive shops and tour operators to invite them to capitalize on the impact of the destination mini cd mailing. It was suggested that they send any special promotions or offers to their own dive shop, dive club lists, etc.(via email or fax) in early March to coincide with the mini cd mailing.

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On March 18th Bonaire released a press release on DiveNewswire (www.divenewswire.com) announcing that its interactive mini-CD is now available to dive professionals in the U.S. by contacting TCB-NYC. Including a photo of the mini-CD, the announcement was distributed to more than 4,000 dive stores, dive clubs, travel agents and wholesalers, instructors, dive masters, manufacturers and other people involved in the dive industry. DiveNewswire is the industry's only press release distribution network reaching the dive community. Responses to the offer have been consistent and approximately 16 cds have been mailed out at the time of this report.

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The photos that headline Bonaire's twice-monthly email newspage have been updated. Showcasing more of the island's attributes, the four new photos feature a family walking on the beach, diving, a couple snorkeling and mountain biking. The latest issue of EZ News, which was distributed on March 14th and is designed to give people planning a trip to Bonaire useful information, included package information from many of Bonaire's tour operators.

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As this show is historically known as the largest consumer dive and travel exposition in the New York Metropolitan area, TCB-NYC will be on site in Secaucus, New Jersey over the weekend assisting our Bonaire exhibitors promoting the destination. Collateral will be shipped and distributed to everyone on the show floor including our tour operators. TCB-NYC will also be attending the Bonaire Dive Festival meeting scheduled for Saturday and a presentation to be given by Rodale's Scuba Diving that evening.

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Travel writer, Jean Weiss, who visited Bonaire on a group press trip in 1999, is writing a feature article on eco-travel to Bonaire for Delicious Living, a healthy lifestyle magazine with a circulation of 500,000. The article will feature a number of photos as well as information on the Island's conservation practices and sustainable tourism, geography, natural resources, wildlife, culture, history, activities like kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, mountain biking, bird watching and tips on where to stay. We will be working closely with Mrs. Weiss to provide her with information as well as photography for the article.

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Bruce Bishop, "Naturally and Going Natural": Over the past few weeks we have continued to work with travel writer Bruce Bishop who will be traveling to Bonaire March 29 - April 5 to gather information for two articles in Naturally (U.S. magazine) and Going Natural (Canadian magazine). Mr. Bishop will be staying at Sorobon Beach Resort and will be assisted by the TCB while on island.

Ian Keown, "Caribbean Hideaways": March 20th well known travel writer Ian Keown was in Bonaire for the day to update his guidebook Caribbean Hideaways. During his time on island Mr. Keown visited a number of hotels. Now in it's 11th Edition, this Frommer's Book includes information on the top hotels throughout the Caribbean, including ones in Bonaire.

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TCB-SOUTH AMERICA REPORT

A Message from Yasmin

Bolivia close to Lima
The fact that La Paz, Bolivia is only 90 minutes away by air from Lima was one of the main reasons for Yasmin Perez to meet recently with Mrs. Raquel Zegarra, Commercial Manager of the official airlines Lloyd Aereo Boliviano. The meeting served to underscore our interest in the Bolivian Market.

To gain position in this sector, airline agreements play an important role. Our networking with the official airlines, Lloyd Aereo, and focus on the enthusiasm shown by Mrs. Zegarra, as well as checking to see if some agreements exist between Lloyd and KLM, all help us to work on attracting air traffic from central and south America to Bonaire via Lima. While waiting for the information, we continue our marketing efforts to the markets of Chile and Costa Rica, which are also ideal connecting points to Bonaire via Lima.

Interesting Tips on Bolivia

Population: 8 million

Location: In the central part of South America, lying to the north and east of Brazil, to the south east with Paraguay, to the south with Argentina and the west with Chile and Perú.

Most important cities: La Paz, it’s the highest capital in the world at 3,658 meters above sea level with a population of 1,049,800; Santa Cruz is second in importance with a population of 529,242. It is an area of large oil reserves just recently discovered; Cochabamba is the third most important city with an altitude of 2,558 meters and a population of 403,600 and it has an oil refinery.

About Lloyd Aereo Boliviano:

77 Years serving Bolivia and South America. 17 international destinations, among then Sao Paulo and Rio in Brazil, Lima and Cuzco in Perú, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Asuncion in Paraguay etc.

2003 Press Activities:

In the month of June, Press Fam trips from Venezuela and Colombia will start visiting Bonaire for editorials in the main tourism newspapers. TCB extends its appreciations to all the hotels that will host these members of the press. For more information please contact Yasmin Pérez at flamingorep@telcel.net.ve.

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Venezuela

El Nacional newspaper: Bonaire Dos formas de disfrutar el Mar Total PR-value: US$ 23,433.00. Circulation 220,000

Dated March 2nd with the title "El Caribe, un sello indeleble en el pasaporte venezolano", the prestigious El Nacional published its first edition on tourism in which the journalist Carmen S. Alfonso comments that although there are many islands near Venezuela, today more than ever Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and Dominican Republic gain value as tourist destinations among all Venezuelans, regardless of the exchange control restrictions. They won’t abandon the idea of enjoying their vacations abroad, overcoming the stress motivated by the political difficulties.

The edition occupied almost two full color pages with images and well as detailed information about these islands. The press release on Bonaire titled "Dos formas de disfrutar el Mar" highlights the concern of the people about preserving the environment and its marine park where the policy to develop tourism has taken into consideration the damage that would be caused by an uncontrolled exploitation of the destination. By balancing tourism, Bonaire has been able to maintain an incomparable marine park with very healthy coral reefs and spectacular marine fauna. The policies have allowed the island to be one of the best diving destinations in all the Caribbean. Bonaire is also an ecotourism destination where other outdoor activities take place, such as windsurfing. At the end of 2002 Bonaire’s waters were the venue for international tournament "King of the Caribbean", one of the most important events in windsurfing in which professional competitors participated from more than 16 countries around the world.

Dutch Caribbean news:

A new city from Venezuela has joined the air routes to Curacao/Bonaire. In effect from March 25th, DCA started operating on a daily basis from Las Piedras to Curacao as follow:

LSP / CUR DCA 7652 08:20/09:00

CUR / LSP DCA 7657 18:45/19:25

Interesting tips:

US$ 135.00 + tax, air ticket promotional cost.
Las Piedras is where the airport is located and the city where the travel agencies are is Punto Fijo.
There are about five Travel Agencies. The biggest one is Judibana with a branch office in Coro. The majority of them are used by wholesalers in Caracas.

For more information about the travel agencies, please contact the TCB office at: flamingorep@telcel.net.ve.

New headquarter for Caracas Scuba Center:

With a cocktail party attended by friends, Fernando Di Gerónimo, Director of FVAS (Venezuelan Underwater Federation) and owner of Caracas Scuba Center, inaugurated a new office which started operating February 3rd.

Address: Colinas de Bello Monte, Calle Garcilazo con Chama, Centro Polo Planta principal, Local N° 18. Caracas, Venezuela. e-mail: nanadg@yahoo.com. TCB provided a gift of a beautiful poster of the island with a very nice frame to be exhibited in the dive shop.

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Colombia

Bonaire promoted in Anato: The new tour operator UGA with its head office in Bogotá, has sent us an image of their display in the recent trade show ANATO, which took place Feb 24th to the 26th, and where Bonaire was promoted along with its sister islands Aruba and Curacao.

Mr. Francisco Sanchez, UGA Manager Development Products, informed us that this year Anato was very successful, with more than 700 visitors their booth.

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Trans Port Magazine - "Bonaire Dentro y Fuera del Mar"

With a nationwide circulation directed at travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, consulates, and corporations, this monthly magazine, in its March edition, has published 5 pages dedicated to the island of Bonaire. The article was by the journalist Rich Rubin who on his visit to the island stayed at Ocean View Villas, his host hotel.

Rich enjoyed the walks around the island, buying fruits in the market, and a trip to the pastel colored slave huts, among other highlights. He reports that the main attraction in Bonaire is its pristine diving and snorkeling with beautiful coral reefs found a few feet from the shore. He also mentioned the yellow stones along the road which mark the dive sites and the outdoor activities, which are extraordinary, even though they’re not as well known as the diving.

In the article he describes the tour from Gotomeer Lake to Washington Park, driving through the hills full of cactus. He was impressed by the wildlife around Pos Mangel and the adorable town of Rincon, where he enjoyed the home-made ice cream, after which he finally discovered the beaches. In the mid-south another world can be discovered, dominated by enormous salt lagoons, the flamingos, Pink Beach, Lac Bay, all among other interesting places. He also remembers (on his way back to Kralendijk) a shop Marlis Sail & Canvas, and meeting Marlis Seelos, better known as the Bird Lady of Bonaire because she rescues and takes care of injured birds. All these details: the island, its people, the history and activities make Bonaire a special and unique, magical place.

Along with the report, the journalist gave general information about the island: geography, time, hotels, language, taxes, currency, places of interest, car rentals, island capital, weather, size and location, population, telephone services, seasons, events calendar and an excellent description of the different activities which attract visitors.

KLM staff in Bonaire - March 14th to the 16th:

To be familiarized with the island, our friends from KLM Quito, Maria Fernando Price and Tatiana Validities (commercial manager and marketing manager), programmed an incentive Fam Trip for their employees of the sales department, marketing, reservations, airport and administration areas.

The incentive group of 42 employees selected Plaza Resort as its host hotel with a activity-free program, which permitted them to relax and get to know the island on their own. Our friend Tatiana commented, "We all know Bonaire now and this is the best way to promote it when you know the product. We enjoyed our stay very much and everything came out well on our incentive trip".

Visa will be required soon:

KLM has informed us that as of June 1st, Ecuadorians need a visa to visit Bonaire. More Information in a future Entre Nous.

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NEWS FROM THE TOURISM SECTOR