NEW BONAIRE AMBASSADORS!

Heather Sellick receives a gold medal for her 21st year of visiting Bonaire, while Bud Uren receives the gold for his 28th year of visiting Bonaire!

Charles received his bronze medal on the anniversary of his fourteenth year of visiting the island.

 

 

 

The entire Graham Family received bronze medals to commemorate their tenth anniversary of visiting Bonaire!

 

 

Eleven years ago, Chris and Richard discovered Bonaire and the Carib Inn Hotel (which feels like their second home), and since then they have been to Bonaire every year without ever missing a year!

Chris and Richard told us that they love the diving here, and especially shore diving. In addition of the fabulous diving, it is a small friendly island, populated by warm and gracious people who show respect for the natural wonders of the island.

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

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BONAIRE DIVE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES PARTICIPATION OF WELL KNOWN MARINE ARTIST WYLAND & NED DELOACH FROM REEF

The Seventh Annual Bonaire Dive Festival, which will take place June 14 thorugh 21, 2003, has confirmed the participation of well known marine artist Wyland and Ned DeLoach from REEF.

One of the most influential marine artists of our time, Wyland’s work as a celebrated painter, sculptor, writer, underwater photographer, and muralist is seen by an estimated one billion people throughout the world every year. Founder of the Wyland Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the world's oceans, Wyland is committed to bridging the worlds of marine science and art.

Co-author with Paul Humann of numerous marine life identification books including the recently enlarged three-volume Caribbean Reef Set: Reef Fish Identification, Reef Creature Identification, and Reef Coral Identification, Ned DeLoach is a veteran of 35 years of underwater adventure. Also the author of Reef Fish Behavior and the recently published 10th edition of his Diving Guide to Underwater Florida, Ned DeLoach co-founded the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), the largest marine life monitoring organization in the world.

Sponsored by the Tourism Corporation Bonaire, Rodale’s Scuba Diving Magazine, and CORAL, The Coral Reef Alliance, this week-long event will focus on educating divers and snorkelers about what they can do to protect marine ecosystems and coral reefs.

This year’s Bonaire Dive Festival will feature A Taste of Bonaire food and cultural festival, dives with local naturalists, underwater photography workshops, a photo contest, equipment demos, parties and evening seminars lead by marine experts like Wyland, Ned DeLoach as well as Steve McCulloch, Director of the Division of Dolphin Research and Conservation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, and Ed Clark, Jr., President of The Wildlife Center of Virginia and the host of Wildlife Emergency on Animal Planet.

The Dive Festival is also sponsored by Air Jamaica, the Official Airline of the Bonaire Dive Festival, Sea & Sea , Scubapro and Kodak.

The Host Hotels for the Festival are Captain Don’s Habitat, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino, Sand Dollar Condominium Resort.

Local Divers or Snorkelers (with a valid ID/ Cedula) are also welcome to participate in The Dive Festival and registration fee is 125 Antillean Guilders per person and you can register at The Tourism Corporation Bonaire located at Kaya Grandi 2.

For more information on the Festival or a free downloadable Dive Festival brochure visit the Dive Festival’s official website at www.scubadiving.com/bonairefest.

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TCB-NEW YORK REPORT

BONAIRE PARTICIPATES IN CARIBBEAN WEEK, JUNE 1 - 6, IN NEW YORK CITY

CTO Caribbean Fair to Remember

On June 2, 2003 Bonaire participated in CTO's Caribbean Fair to Remember in New York City's Bowling Green Park. The Caribbean culinary and cultural event lasted from 11:00 a.m until sundown (approximately 8:00 p.m.) and featured food cooked by chefs from around the Caribbean, live entertainment as well as tables with information on CTO Member countries, including Bonaire. Marie Rosa from Adams Unlimited was on hand to distribute information/brochures as well as answer any questions. The event attracted hundreds of consumers interested in learning about the Caribbean.

CTO Caribbean Marketplace for Journalists

Bonaire was one of approximately 40 CTO member countries, hotels and airlines to participate in the Media Marketplace press event on Wednesday June 4, 2003 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. More than 100 media from the top newspapers and bridal and travel trade magazines, as well as freelance travel writers attended the event that took place from 4:30 - 8:00 p.m. The event consisted of a trade show followed by a networking cocktail party. Bonaire was represented by Adams Unlimited (Marie Rosa and Lisa Blau) and press kits and releases were distributed to attending media

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Final preparations are being made for the Seventh Annual Bonaire Dive Festival, June 14 - 21, 2003 with Adams Unlimited continuing to work closely with TCB-Bonaire and Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine to tie up all loose ends. Flights and accommodations for all Dive Festival presenters have been arranged and all Festival participants have been contacted via email regarding the Festival. A thank you in advance to each of the on-island Dive Festival coordinators who have been making all of the arrangements for this event as well as the Dive Festival Host Hotels for all of their hard work.

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Caribbean Travel & Life (circulation 115,000)

The July issue of Caribbean Travel & Life included a feature article on Bonaire. With a mention on the magazine's cover the 10-page article, written by Bob Friel, the magazine's editor, showcased 13 photos including ones of Captain Don's Habitat, windsurfing, mountain biking, marine life and kayaking. The article focused on the ease of diving, windsurfing, etc. in Bonaire as well as Captain Don's Habitat, where Mr. Friel stayed while on island. The article also profiled Captain Don and included information on airlines, currency, etc., where to stay (BelMar Oceanfront Apartments, Buddy Dive Resort, Captain Don's Habitat, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, Plaza Resort Bonaire, Plaza Villas and Sand Dollar Condominium Resort), where to eat (Blue Moon, Lions Den, Coco's Beach Cafe and Rendez-Vous) and what to do (kayaking with Mangrove Info & Kayak Center, windsurf with Bonaire Windsurf Place and fishing).

This issue of Caribbean Travel & Life also featured Bonaire in a section on top snorkeling destinations. The one-page section on Bonaire included four four-color photos along with information on the Bonaire Marine Park.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution (circulation 660,445)

The May 11, 2003 travel section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution included an article featuring deals at hotels around the Caribbean. Included in the section on Bonaire were hotel deals at Bellafonte Chateau de la Mer, Buddy Dive Resort, Captain Don's Habitat and Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino. Package information was obtained from the Bonaire Briefs press release that was distributed to top media outlets earlier this year.

Dive Training (circulation 90,000)

The June 2003 issue of of Dive Training magazine included two placements on Bonaire. The first focused on the Seventh Annual Bonaire Dive Festival. The column included information on the various activities and presenters. The second placement focused on the 3-D package at Plaza Villas.

Associated Press

The syndicated feature article written by Rachel Beck for the Associated Press on Bonaire's flamingos which had appeared in more than 60 newspapers throughout the US, has also appeared in the April 13, 2003 travel sections of the Woodland Hills Daily News (circulation 134,246), San Gabriel Valley Daily Tribune (circulation 51,816), Pasadena Star-News (circulation 36,519), Whittier News (circulation 17,869). The article included a four-color image of the flamingos as well as information on where to see them while on island. Additionally information on hotels - Plaza Resort Bonaire, Buddy Dive Resort and Hamlet Oasis - was included.

For use in a repeat visitor mailing, the E & D cards for 2002 have yielded 26,025 total usable records for the U.S. market. There were 9,157 records with correctly formatted email addresses, and 16,868 with deliverable post mail addresses.

The first communication to the email database, a customized version of the most recent Bonaire EZ News, was sent June 5, 2003. In addition to the option to continue receiving Bonaire EZ News, repeat visitors will receive special mailings on a quarterly basis.

Following DEMA Show 2003, in Miami Beach October 8 - 11, BHG and BONHATA will host 20 top Scuba Retailers in Bonaire. After four busy days on the show floor, invited retailers will have a chance to decompress in Bonaire and experience the best diving in the Caribbean. Bonaire is one of many destinations offering post-conference trips, but one of the first to get the invitations out and publicize them.

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TCB-SOUTH AMERICA REPORT

SIT TRADE SHOW--MAY 22nd to the 24th

From May 22nd to the 24th, the SIT trade show took place in Lima. Bonaire was present with a 30mts booth beautifully decorated with in Dutch motif and with the slogan "Bonaire descubre el Nuevo Caribe" attracting many visitors from this important tourist market whose economic activity is centered in Lima. Among the visitors to the booth, we received the visit of the distinguished Ambassador from Holland, Mr. Paul W.A. Schellekens.

The Bonaire delegation was represented by the Divi Flamingo, Plaza Resort Bonaire, Sun Rental Apartments, Sand Dollar Condominium Resort, Captain Don’s Habitat, Buddy Dive, Kontiki Beach Club, Bonaire Tours and Tropical Travel, AB Car Rental and the TCB representatives Yasmin Pérez & Roland Marin.

The group promoted not only their properties but also the island supplementing the little information there has been available in the market and also the tendency to compare Bonaire with Aruba. These were 3 days with a lot of activities in the booth which was decorated with Bonaire flavor; long tables dressed with multicolor fish table cloths highlighting the brochures of the different properties; the Bonaire official Spanish video playing constantly in a 28" monitor; Some additional tables were available where the delegation met with tour operators and conducted interviews with the press, both of whom enjoyed island punch and little cubes of Gouda cheese which had mini Bonaire flags on them.

There were a lot of expectations about the island, since Bonaire is the new KLM Caribbean destination, which operates non-stop daily flights. With the Bonaire booth in the SIT trade show, KLM was pleased with the interest shown by the large number of participants from Bonaire.

TCB would like to thank BHG and Bonhata members for all their support in making this event possible.

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With this interesting slogan, the airline has introduced a special promotion: With the purchase of a full fair business class air ticket, KLM Lima gives away a "Gift Certificate" consisting in a round trip ticket to Bonaire in economy class with a one year validation. The KLM flight is operated by an MD-11 with a capacity of 282 seats on a non-stop daily which departs Lima at 21:35 and arrives in Bonaire at 01:30; with the return that leaves Bonaire at 17:15 and arrives in Lima at 20:05.

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A special edition of the "Discover Bonaire" official seminars was organized to train the reservation, ticketing and sales staff of KLM in Lima. It took place in their offices on Thursday May 22nd at 18:00 hours.

The group was very enthusiastic and interested with the presentation which combined images of Bonaire in flash and also video which permitted our colleague Yasmin Perez to exchange general information of Bonaire, the profile of our visitors, the different activities done on the island, and especially the quality of the diving which makes Bonaire stand out as Divers Paradise. Also covered were entertainment, events calendar, dining, weddings, and the different accommodations offered in Bonaire from deluxe hotels to small properties ideal for families or just for long stays.

At the end of the presentation, all the participants felt familiarized with Bonaire and hope to visit the island soon to experience it personally.

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BHG and Bonhata along with TCB approved the KLM request of six (6) Fam Trips from Lima to Bonaire in months of May and June. More information on these promotional activities in our next Entre Nous.

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Today, TCB is able to offer the official Spanish Bonaire video not only in VHS format but also on CD. This makes it easier to promote the island among the travel agencies. They will be able to show the CD to their clients through their computers.

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NEWS FROM THE TOURISM SECTOR