New Bonaire Ambassador!

On Friday, March 28th, Tom received his bronze medal on the dock of Bon Bini Divers for ten consecutive years of visiting Bonaire.

When asked how it felt to receive the Bonaire Ambassador Medal, Tom replied, "I feel like I should be thanking the people of Bonaire for their hospitality - I feel honored that they actually recognized me for coming back. This is one of those special moments in my life.

"Bonaire continues to be special because of the efforts of the Bonaire people to protect their delicate coral ecology. I tell everyone that once you see what they are doing with the money - you won't mind paying the Marine Park Fee. This is the only place that I have been to year after year where the reefs are actually prettier every time that I see them. I also like the freedom - this is the perfect place for experienced divers. I can be on my own schedule - dive as often or as little as I like, where I like, and when I like. What more could I ask for in a totally relaxing vacation?"

Tom tells us that back in the spring of 1993 some friends from Germany asked he and his wife to pick a spot and set up a Caribbean vacation with them. Tom's wife did some research and they liked what Bonaire had to offer. The travel agent set it up - all worked out well and the Bonaire monkey has been on their backs since then. His wife would have been here to see Tom receive his award, except she couldn't come on this trip due to an illness.

When asked his impressions on Bonaire: "Wonderful and friendly people - pristine coral reefs - delicious restaurants - sun - sand - no traffic lights. Keep it up, you're the best."

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 Public Relations Council Meeting

Joining over 35 participants, including National Tourist Officers and Public Relations firms, Marie Rosa and Lisa Blau attended the April 9th PR Council Meeting hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization at USA Today's Board Room in New York. A variety of topics were discussed including the impact of the War in Iraq and SARS, possible cooperative efforts to promote the Caribbean region including hosting a media/travel agent event in New York, Caribbean Week June 1 - 6, Sustainable Tourism Conference, CTC-26 and ongoing projects with the New York Daily News, USA Today, and the New York Times.

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Keeping in line with the family travel trend, TCB will be sending out the fourth of four self-mailer brochures to its database in early May. It will be the perfect time to catch parents planning their summer vacations, thinking of where to go once the kids are out of school and ready for a fun-filled adventure. The Family Brochure, which focuses on activities offered in Bonaire for children and parents to share, also provides general information on the Island, and will be sent out to more than 14,000 people.

In addition, the online version of the Family Brochure, the Family E-Brochure, will be sent out to our email database of approximately 16,000 people in a special edition of Bonaire EZ News also in early May. The e-brochure will be uploaded shortly and notice of its availability will be distributed.

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On April 22 Bonaire released a press release on the Dive Festival on DiveNewswire (www.divenewswire.com). The release gave an overview of the event plus information on how to book a Dive Festival package. The release was also posted on the Dive Newswire website. Dive Newswire will be used in the weeks leading up to the Dive Festival to promote the event, as it reaches more than 4,000 dive stores, dive clubs, media outlets, travel agents, 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.

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TCB-SOUTH AMERICA REPORT

April 7th was the Flamingo Rep’s Birthday

Flamingo Rep has arrived at its 6th anniversary amid a very difficult social and political situation in the region (mainly in Venezuela). Nevertheless our expectations are tremendous and we are working hard for positive results. The improvements in the KLM airlift permit better air connections to Bonaire from Perú and Ecuador and through these cities, along with the other neighboring countries, it is a definite plus. Also in Venezuela the non-stop flights by Bon Air Exel that will definitively open the market and bring us closer to the Columbian visitors as well.

Even with the budget limitations, we keep moving ahead in our promotional events. Among others, from May 22nd to the 24th, the Bonaire Delegation will be present in SIT 2003 ( the biggest and most important trade show in Lima), during these days a special edition of our official seminars Discover Bonaire will be given to the staff of KLM (reservation and sales departments), and their official tour operators. This is to facilitate the prompt positioning of Bonaire in the Peruvian market. Meanwhile we are organizing the V Edition Discover Bonaire Venezuela, our annual event directed to the trade in co-op with the hotels of the island and the main dive and tour operators. This event is to be held in Caracas in July, the same week that Caribe 2003 trade show will take place at the Caracas Marriott Hotel.

During the past six years we have enjoyed wonderful experiences. We started in the aviation world and today are concentrated in the promotion of the dushi island of Bonaire, beginning in the Venezuelan market where we gained the confidence and warmth of our clients and are now extending ourselves to the region.

On our anniversary, we wish to thank those who have helped us to where we are today: Hotels, Diveshops, and different sectors of the Island, TCB colleagues whom all understood that working together with optimism makes it easier and fun to keep promoting an unspoiled island such as Bonaire.

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On the occasion of the Queen’s Birthday Celebration, our TCB representative Yasmin Pérez and her husband, were invited by the Ambassador of Holland in Venezuela, Mr. Dick Denhaas, to a reception that took place on April 30th in his residence Qta Reina Beatrix.

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As it has been one of our strongest promotion strategies, this year couldn’t have been different: We feel proud to present to you some of the 2003 Bonaire Images which were thought to be wonderful artwork. These images show a pristine destination highlighting the essence of the island: diving, nature, relaxation, adventure, harmony and beauty. Comments are welcome.

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Effective today, DCA and the Venezuelan Aserca Airlines have started a ticketing agreement. Now their authorized travel agencies can issue air tickets combining national and international routes served by both airlines.

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As an incentive for the trade to sell Bonaire, KLM is planning to have regular familiarization trips during the year. They have asked us to create a special program of 3 nights, 4 days with some specific activities and meals for groups of 10 to 12 people sharing double room (some will be travel agents and other directors of their own travel agencies).

Activities and dates suggested by KLM in its fam trip program:

• Trip to Klein Bonaire
• An activity to include a kayak tour or bicycle ride or windsurf experience
• Diving
• Any other lunch or dinner that a hotel or other establishment would be interested in offering
• Island Tour

To coordinate the KLM incentive program, please contact our TCB office at: flamingorep@telcel.net.ve

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NEWS FROM THE TOURISM SECTOR