| Fall is always a busy season
of the year, due to the marketing and advertising
planning that takes place for the following year.
However, the selling highlight for the season
is the annual DEMA (Dive Equipment Marketing Association)
Show which took place in Miami this year. Due
to the fact that it is the largest DIVE trade
show in the world, it will be the only activity
covered for the US market in this issue of Entre
Nous.
BONAIRE
HAS HIGH PROFILE AT DEMA
 Fourteen
individual entities from the dive and hospitality
community from Bonaire traveled to Miami October
8-11, to attend the DEMA Show 2003, the largest
trade show in the world for companies doing business
in the scuba diving, water sports and adventure
travel industries. Bonaire’s hotels, apartments,
and dive shops carried the island’s message to
Miami and made their presence felt before the
show with the pre-show conferences, during the
show with unique and compelling activities on
the show floor and after the show with our post-show
familiarization trip to Bonaire. These individuals
spent a considerable amount of time and money
to carry Bonaire’s message and product to the
world-wide audience in Miami. To all of them who
worked so hard on our behalf, we say a heart felt
"thank you."
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BONHATA SPONSORS
THE 7th ANNUAL DIVE TRAVEL CONFERENCE
BONHATA launched Bonaire’s participation
in DEMA Show 2003, on October 7, the day before
the official opening of the Show, by sponsoring
the 7th Annual Dive Travel Conference. In a
room decorated by BONHATA’S customized version
of the Bonaire banners and replete with information
on diving in Bonaire, dive retailers and travel
agents listened to industry experts explaining
ways to tap into the vast potential of dive
travel. Following the Conference, BONHATA also
hosted the cocktail party where their members
had a chance to mingle with and talk to the
conference participants in a more relaxed manner.
The next day when the Show officially
opened, BONHATA commenced their largest organized
effort to date to draw attendees to the Dutch
Caribbean Aisle with their $10,000.00 prize
giveaway.
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BONAIRE
HOSPITALITY GROUP INTRODUCES BHG AWARDS AT DEMA
In a move designed to recognize and reward their
industry travel partners for their on-going support
and contribution to Bonaire tourism, this year
the Bonaire Hospitality Group initiated the first
annual BHG wards. Presented on October 11, the
closing day of the show at the BHG stand, the
awards were presented to Sport Diver Magazine,
Air Jamaica and Great Southern Adventures for
their overall support of the island. The award
ceremony drew DEMA Show attendees and members
of the media to the Dutch Caribbean Aisle where
buyers could have the all-important face-to-face
contact with the industry representatives from
Bonaire.
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution (circulation
658,581)
The October 12 travel section of the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution included the syndicated article
by Rachel Beck on Bonaire and its famous flamingos.
To date this article has appeared in more than
90 newspapers throughout the US.
Caribbean Travel & Life (circulation
166,620)
The November issue of Caribbean Travel &
Life highlighted the Plaza Resort Bonaire in their
CT&L Slept Here section. The placement gives
a description of the property and additional amenities
such as conference facilities, beauty salon, etc.
and rates for high and low season. This information
was obtained from the press release that was distributed
to the media in mid-August. Additionally Plaza
Resort Bonaire was nominated in the Large Hotel
(150 - 299 rooms) category for the 2004 Best of
Caribbean Awards that will out in March 2004
Chicago Tribune (circulation 1,016,471)
The October 5 travel section of the Chicago Tribune
included an article by David Swanson, a long time
friend of Bonaire about why Bonaire is the "
Diving Island" and hard to top. Consistent
calm water conditions, shore accessibility to
dozens of sites, and easy diving are some of the
reasons Bonaire is not just one the Caribbean’s
best dive destinations, but one of the world’s.
The placement includes a map of the Caribbean,
Bonaire’s website and 800 number.
Chicago Tribune (circulation 1,016,471)
The October 5 travel section of the Chicago Tribune
included a story on finding a villa in the Caribbean
and Bonaire was once again a destination that
was referred to as having the product. Sun Rentals
was mentioned as a rental agency offering excellent
value for people traveling in large groups, available
rates and options and some of the benefits of
renting a villa through them. Sun Rentals was
one of 10 agencies listed. This information was
obtained from the press release that was distributed
to the media in mid-August.
New York Daily News (circulation 810,533)
The October 5 travel section of the New York
Daily News listed Bonaire as part of their Caribbean
round-up describing Bonaire as one of the premier
scuba-diving destinations and that Bonaire is
passionately protective of its ecology. Other
Islands in the round-up were Anguilla, Antigua
& Barbuda, The Bahamas and Barbados.
The New York Post (588,499)
The October 7 travel section of the New York
Post includes Bonaire as one of the ideal islands
in the Caribbean to spend a honeymoon in due to
its proximity to the Northeast, its unspoiled,
uncrowded beaches, powdery white sand and turquoise
waters. Jamaica, Aruba, Nassau, Bahamas, St. Thomas
and Barbados are all highlighted and Harbour Village
is mentioned as an exclusive beach resort on Bonaire.
ISLANDS Weddings & Honeymoons (circulation
200,000)
The Fall/Winter issue of ISLANDS Wedding &
Honeymoons included a story that focused on diving
in Bonaire and on how Bonaire is a world leader
in reef ecology and preservation and in the writer’s
opinion is the most luscious dive spot in the
entire Caribbean. Captain Don’s Habitat is mentioned
as having everything you need for diving, snorkeling
and a little romance by the shore.
Caribbean Travel & Life (circulation
166,620)
The September Issue of Caribbean Travel &
Life included the history of Bonaire’s windmills
through the centuries. This information was obtained
from the press release that was distributed to
the media in May.
Rodale's Scuba Diving (circulation 194,826)
The September issue of Rodale's Scuba Diving
included information on the 7th Annual Bonaire
Dive Festival. It re-capped the Dive Festival
and its jam-packed schedule of presenters, activities,
special events and thanked the sponsors and all
who participated in this annual event.
Rodale's Scuba Diving (circulation 194,826)
The October issue of Rodale's Scuba Diving included
information on BonairExel as the newest option
for getting to Bonaire and information on the
Divi Flamingo Beach Resort’s latest 7-night dive
package for groups. Information was obtained from
a press release distributed to the media in mid-August.
Dive Training (circulation 90,000)
The October issue of Dive Training featured Bonaire
in its Dive Exploration/Dive Geo Section which
it lists the world’s most popular diving destinations
every month and discusses them at length in order
to help new divers plan their vacations from A-Z.
The section covers all aspects of Bonaire from
its history, its incredible diving, topside attractions
and a facts and figures list for readers to use
as a directory for basic information and for accommodations
with Dive Operators.
USA Today (circulation 2,602,556)
The October 24 travel section of USA Today, the
#1 newspaper in the US, included information on
Bonaire in a Caribbean Island round-up which described
Bonaire as a quiet, out of the way island in the
Southern Caribbean especially known for its close-in
scuba sites
Arizona Daily Star (online)
On September 28 in a round up of the Dutch Caribbean
Islands, Bonaire’s website was listed for travelers
to be introduced to the destination and to find
out about what Bonaire offers its visitors.
MSNBC (online)
On September 29 in a letter to the editor about
"Real Dives" and scuba diving vacations
in the Caribbean, the ins and outs of certification
and more, Bonaire is said to have the greatest
diving in the Caribbean because of its shore diving.
Reasonable accommodations are listed to be a positive
factor and it being the best place to be certified.
Caribbean-Weekly.com (online)
On October 7 news about the Tropical Inn opening
soon was highlighted along with a photo. A description
of the property was listed along with the nightly
rates and their website www.tropicalinnbonaire.com
to visit for more information. Information was
obtained from a press release distributed to the
media in mid-August.
Caribbean-Weekly.com (online)
On October 7 Bonaire’s hotels that were offering
spectacular dive deals were listed along with
package information. They included Buddy Dive
Resort, Captain Don’s Habitat, Deep Blue View
B&B, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino,
and Harbour Village Beach Club. Information was
obtained from a press release distributed to the
media in mid-August.
Travel Weekly (online)
On October 9 in the Travel Weekly’s Caribbean
E-Letter, among five other properties, the Deep
Blue View B&B’s dive package was listed including
their website www.deepblueview.com
Information was obtained from a press release
distributed to the media in mid-August.
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|
On
October 28, 2003, while visiting 
On
October 28, 2003, while visiting 