|
NEW
BONAIRE AMBASSADORS
|
AWARDED
SILVER: |
Bruce
Carter, New York, USA |
|
 |
Bruce is awarded the
silver medal at Carib
Inn for 16 years of visits to
Bonaire. |
AWARDED
SILVER: |
Richard
Ostreicher, California, USA |
|
 |
Richard is awarded
the silver medal at Carib
Inn for 16 years of visits to
Bonaire. |
|
|
|
PROUD
WINNERS OF THE DUTCH SPRING TRADE PROMOTION
 Sunday,
June 13 th, the proud winners of Bonaire’s
huge Dutch Spring Trade Promotion were
invited to the Almere Beach where they
were awarded their Bonaire-clothing package
worth 250 euros. While there. they also
attended a windsurfing clinic. Among the
winners are not only employees of travel
agencies, but also of tour operators. In
the photo you can see: Marieke Raaff, Dirk
Doppenberg, Chantal Hildebrandt (ANWB Reisbureau
Amersfoort), Danielle Modderkolk (World
of TUI Reisbureau SWIFT Twello), Esther
van der Giessen (World of TUI Reisbureau
SWIFT Raalte) and Silvia Broeks (The Vacation
Store Schiphol).
Back to the top
SPRING
PROMOTION GAINED A LOT OF FREE PUBLICITY
The Spring Promotion generated
a lot of free publicity especially in
the trade journals. As we know, tourists
from Europe still tend to book their
complete package with their travel
agent. This means European trade still
is very important for Bonaire and therefore
TCB-Europe will always market to this
sector as its number one target group.
PR-manager Marieke Raaff was delighted
that both Reisrevue and Reisburo published
this Spring Event. Reisrevue gave us
1/2 page in their magazine!
Back to the top
NEW
ADS DUIKEN
Starting next month the
Dutch dive magazine, DUIKEN, will publish
Bonaire’s
new ads. The format will be familiar
but, of course, with new copy and themes
promoting Bonaire as a unique dive destination
in the Caribbean.
Back to the top
"WORLDWIDE"
ENTRIES IN BONAIRE'S SOCCER CONTEST
During the past few weeks
Europe was focused on the European Soccer
Championships in Portugal. This is the
number one sports event in the world,
watched by fans around the globe. TCB
Europe managed to lay its hand (at very
low cost) on an internet game in which
one could predict the winners. Over 40
people entered in a unique combination.
Not only travel agents and tour operators,
but also KLM Holland and members of Bonaire’s
private sector entered. After the final
match Eveline Bolte of Beins Reisburo
turned out to be number one, followed
by Bonaire’s Dirk Jan Methorst
(second) and Sjoerd van der Burg (third).
Back to the top
DIVE
PR-WEEKEND JUNE 26-27
Given our PR-budget
compared to other destinations in the
Caribbean and other parts of the world,
we have to make sure to maximize
our efforts. The last weekend of June
was one of those examples. We managed
to concentrate our dive-PR in two large
and important Dutch newspapers. De
Volkskrant named Bonaire (of course)
as one of most important dive destinations
in the world and one of two in the Caribbean.
Het Financieele Dagblad which published
its first article following their press
trip a few months ago.
GOLDEN
FLAMINGO SELECTION STARTS
This summer
the selection for next year's Golden
Flamingo starts. Tour operators and
travel agents throughout Holland will
urge their clients to make nominations.
Who will be the next proud winner of
this People’s
Choice Award after Indigo/Maduro (2001)
and Bonaire Fun Travel (2002, 2003)?
Back to the top
WORKING
ON NEW CONCEPT DCME 2005
After the forced cancellation
of DCME 2004, planned to take place
in St. Maarten, the private sector
on Bonaire asked TCB-Europe to develop
a brand new concept in order to make
DCME (Dutch Caribbean Meets Europe)
relevant, giving more attention
to the specific needs of both the
buyers (tour operators) and the suppliers.
TCB-Europe did and presently the
tourists boards of Aruba, Curacao
and Bonaire are discussing how and
if this new concepts meets all wishes
and demands. This month TCB-Europe
will, of course, be involved with
both Bonhata and BHG in planning
DCME 2005. We'll keep you posted.
Back to the top
BONAIRE
E-LEARNING ABOUT TO BE LAUNCHED
Next week the Bonaire
E-learning website will be launched.
After the final checks done in
Kralendijk, starting July 7th,
travel agents and tour operators
in the Netherlands can make their
test on the internet, and become
an Official Bonaire TravelExpert,
to be awarded with a diploma. Right
now the exam is translated and
we expect to launch the international
version, aiming at other European
travel agents next August.
Back to the top
SPRING
PROMOTION REACHED NUMBER 1 POSITION
 After
the successful PR-promotion in
2002 (Beau Monde) and 2003 (Onderweg
naar Morgen) TCB-Europe considered
it quite a challenge to try to
develop a new promotion to beat
this other two in entries and achieve
the number one position. But after
a few days of counting, we realized
we did it! The ranking of most
successful PR-promotions aimed
at the Dutch Trade is now: 1. Bonaire-Zembla
(2004), 2. Beau Monde (2002), 3.
Onderweg naar Morgen (2003).
Back to the top
|
| |
|
BONAIRE
EZ NEWS FOR JUNE
During
June two issues of Bonaire EZ News were written
and distributed to our database of more than
25,000 consumers and travel agents. The
June 7th issue of EZ News focused on island
news while the June 23rd issue
focused on island events like Bonaire Art
Day, Bonaire Day and the International Sailing
Regatta.
Back to the top
PRESS
RELEASES
As
part of the ongoing press release program,
Adams Unlimited researches, writes and prepares
a steady stream of releases for mailings
to the media for applicable editorial coverage
based on editorial calendars and the need
to disseminate timely news. In June
we began compiling information to be
included in the second installment of
the Bonaire Briefs press release for 2004
which serves to update the media on what
is new in Bonaire. The release will
be sent out in early July.
BONAIRE
DIVE FESTIVAL
During
the Eighth Annual Bonaire Dive
Festival a number of travel writers
visited Bonaire and contributed to
making this one of the most successful
Festivals to date. The following
writers and TV crews from
the U.S. were on island during
the Festival.
- Telemundo/mun2 (a
three-person crew)
- Janet
Strassman Perlmutter/Bride & Groom
and Get Up and Go!
- John
Rawlings/Advanced Diver Magazine
-
Evelyn
Kanter/Caribbean
Escapes, Frommer's
Budget Travel and Men's
Edge Magazine
- Eleanor
Wilson/Intelliguide
- Archway Television,
five-person crew, shooting "Scuba
Diving's Top Ten Dive Destinations
in the Caribbean" for Discovery Channel
NBC
CABLE AIRS THREE NIGHTS OF BONAIRE
COVERAGE
NBC
Cable's Spanish Language Channel, mu2
and Telemundo International aired the
three part series on The Dream Destination
of Bonaire June 29, June
30, and July 1. The footage included
the host during her open water dive
at The Plaza Resort/Toucan Diving and
additional footage of the island and
the dive festival events
BONAIRE
FEATURED ON SCUBA RADIO TWO CONSECUTIVE WEEKS
On
June 12 and June 19 Scuba Radio featured
two segments about Bonaire. On June
12, Jack Chalk, GM of Captain Don's
Habitat, Philippe Cousteau Jr., President
of Earthecho Intl.
and Jerry Beaty of Dive
Training Magazine did a call-in
remote during the Dive Festival, speaking
about the festival and about Philippe
Cousteau Jr.'s environmental awareness
projects. The following week, Greg Holtz,
the Show's host discussed Bonaire and
the Dive festival once again, citing
it as a fun event for divers.
TCB-NYC
NEARLY LOSES PATRICIA
Patricia
Rowan of TCB-NYC was on island for
the first week of the Dive Festival
to help out with the record number
of journalists
from the US and check out the festival
activities. Word has it that she
had such a good time that she almost
didn't come back...Patricia is keeping
her calendar open for next year's festival
and has decided she is staying in
Bonaire for two weeks in 2005!
ONE-ON-ONE PRESS VISITS--BRIDE'S MAGAZINE
Adams
Unlimited began working with Charize Thorpe from Bride's Magazine
on a press visit to Bonaire July 16
- 20, 2004. Charize will be visiting
the island to familiarize herself with Bonaire
as she has just been assigned to cover
it for the magazine. She will
be visiting hotels and sights
around the island to see firsthand why
Bonaire is great for honeymooners.
OUTSIDE MAGAZINE
Adams Unlimited began working with the Photo
Editor of Outside magazine
to coordinate the press visit of a photographer
to take photos to accompany an article
on Bonaire that will be featured in the annual
Traveler's issue of the magazine this
fall. The
press visit will take place July 13 -
17. This
press visit follows the visit of travel
writer Margaret Noonan who was on
island in March 2004 to gather information
in order to write the article. Outside magazine
has a monthly circulation of 625,000
and is distributed in North America.
PAST VISITOR MAILING
WELCOMES FAMILIES BACK TO BONAIRE
This
month, the second mailing this year to
over 25,000 past visitors in North America
(16,000 post mail and 9,000 email) featured
the family brochure and focused on island
activities perfect for parents and kids. A letter of welcome
from the TCB, which also included a
listing of Bonaire's tour operators, was
inserted in the brochure.
Back to the top
|
|
LIMA
PRESS GROUP--JUNE 7TH TO 11TH
As a positive response to our recent visit
to the Peruvian market, Bonaire hosted a press
group which was made up of important newspapers,
magazines and TV representatives. The well designed
program by TCB permitted the group to feel the
essence of the island through the different activities
such as diving, windsurfing, kayaking, island
touring, shopping, and a market place where they
had the opportunity to meet with the Bonairean
press and tourism sector.
The group was accompanied by the KLM Lima Marketing
Manager Mrs. Birgit Bauer When they returned
home they were very enthusiastic and immediately
after, the newspaper, El Comercio, published
their article which will be commented upon
the next issue of Entre Nous. Masha danki to
Harbour Village--their host hotel, Bonaire Tours,
TCB, and all the other colleagues who made this
press fam possible.
Back to the top
KLM
LIMA PROMOTING ISLAND PROGRAMS
The airline wants to produce a complete
brochure with all the hotels interested in
promoting attractive packages for the Peruvian
market. Following are the categories KLM
wants to offer locally in the market:
-
Escape for a Weekend
Package for 2 or 3 nights (Friday-Sunday
or Thursday-Sunday)
-
Diving, Windsurfing, Snorkeling
Package for 5 nights plus additional nights
-
Honey moon Package for
3, 5, or 7 nights
-
Stays "On the Way" during
trips to Europe Package for 4 nights plus
additional nights
Basically all packages should
include transfers and breakfasts but they can
offer half pension or full American plan. Any
properties wishing to be included should contact
Mrs. Birgit Bauer at her e-mail Birgit.Bauer@klm.com.
Please send a copy to Yasmin for
follow up.
THE
BONAIRE IMAGE CAMPAIGN IN TRANSPORT ECUADORIAN
MAGAZINE
Starting in July, the island
of Bonaire will be promoted to the tourism
sector of the Ecuadorian market, covering the
high season in Quito ( June until August),
and Guayaquil (December to February), with
beautiful artwork of full color page with images
of the island that will show the travel
agencies all that Bonaire has to offer. In
addition, the magazine will publish some press
releases to reinforce the image campaign. Contact
Yasmin at flamingorep@cantv.net if
you would like to see the
artwork.
Back to the top
VENEZUELA
July 1st
Venezuela increases to US$ 3,000 credit card
annual use
The political situation affects
a sensitive sector such as tourism which
has, this past year, seen an exchange control
that was very strict and with limited access
to dollars. The market is still moving thanks
to the cooperative efforts of tour operators
and different destinations. At this moment
the government has advised the public
of an increase from US$ 2,000 to US$ 3,000
annual allowance for the use of international
credit cards for travellers.
Bonaire promoted in Valencia – June
2-3
Thanks to operator Vagamundo,
who was in Valencia promoting its packages
for the upcoming summer vacations of July,
August and September, Bonaire participated
in the two seminars directed at the tourism
sector in the region. During these seminars,
we were able to confirm that the island
is well known among the travel agents, with
its strength is in the pristine diving and
also that the destination is ideal for leisure
and outdoor activities like windsurfing. After
Yasmin’s
presentation, travel agents requested packages
from the hotels and better air connections
with Dutch Caribbean because travelers today
must spend many hours in Curacao to take the
flight back to Valencia. Taking advantage of
two days in the city, travel agencies were
visited and also Yasmin was interviewed by
a local tourism radio station.
Venezuelan divers again in Bonaire
Little by little, we are feeling
the presence of the dive operators that are
getting accustomed to the new market conditions
and feel enthusiastic about sending divers
to Bonaire this year... Epsilon Divers (Divers
Paradse), Subaqua (Sand Dollar), Horisub (Plaza),
La Tienda del Buceo (Portofino).
On the long weekend on June
24th, La
Tienda del Buceo from Valencia came
in the sailboat Chambalá with a group
of 10 divers using the Harbour Village Marina. Caribbean
Reef from Caracas arrived for the long
weekend of July 5th with a group of 15
divers, coming to the island on a charter
flight due to the long connection of DCA
(almost 6 hours at the Curacao airport).
Host hotel was Sand Dollar.
June a month of many
events in Venezuela ...
The next Entrenous will report
on the agenda that TCB has prepared for Bonhata,
BHG, and Plaza Resort during their promotional
visit.
-
June 28th to 30th Caribbean
Trade Show
-
June 29th Meeting with
the Dive Operators
-
June 30th Meeting with
the Tour Operators
-
July 1st VI Discover
Bonaire & II
Discovery Scuba Seminars
-
July 1st Valencia
Official Presentation in co-op with DCA
Back to the top
ENJOY
3 NIGHTS AND ONLY PAY FOR TWO BY SALTA TOUR OPERATOR
It was the promotion for low
season that appeared in the magazine Noti
Gama in
its May/June edition for the destinations of
Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Dominican Republic,
and Margarita, among others. It’s important
to highlight that Noti GAMA is a free publication
issued every other month by the prestigious
supermarkets Excelsior Gama that gather AB
segment consumers with high quality products
and excellent service.
Back to the top
ARGENTINEAN
PRESS GROUP
TCB let us know that on
July 4th to 8th, representatives from
the eco-adventure magazine Tiempo de Aventura (distributed
in Argentina, Uruguay,
and Chile) visited Bonaire. Additionally,
a videographer arrived to shoot images
for a TV show Sumergidos
TV and
the operator Dive Net that covers
Argentina and Brazil. Their host hotel was
Captain Don’s Habitat.
Back to the top
RATES
INCREASED FROM ECUADOR TO BONAIRE
The promotional visit of the Delegation of
Bonaire to the cities of Quito and Guayaquil
is still on hold, primarily due to the increase
in the fare to Bonaire, which, at the moment, ise being
reconsidered by KLM headquarter, as requested
by TCB and the tour operators. With a more
competitive fare from KLM, Bonaire becomes
a good option not only for visitors in transit
to Europe, but also for the Ecuadorians that
wishes to enjoy and relax on our dushi island.
Back to the top
|
|
NEWS
FROM THE TOURISM SECTOR
|
CARIBBEAN
DESIGN PREMIERS NEW WEBSITE
FOR HOTEL-BONAIRE INN
 Caribbean
Design & Marketing is
pleased to announce the premier
of a new Bonaire website for Hotel-Bonaire
Inn. Formerly, the Friar's
Inn Bed & Breakfast, Hotel Bonaire
Inn welcomes you with bed
and breakfast accommodations
in the heart of Kralendijk, at
possibly the most economical
rates on the island. There are
17 bedrooms,
some with private bath, while
others have a shared bathroom.
All rooms have 24-hour air-conditioning
and a safe.
A full range of
island activities can be also
arranged online prior to your
arrival on Bonaire, or, you can
view the current specials that
the Inn is running simply by
visiting their website. For additional
information, email at info@bonaireinn.com.
Back to the top
CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
|
Carnival
Adult Parade Dates:
2004
- 2011 |
|
2005
- Feb 6
2006 - Feb 27
2007 - Feb 18
2008 - Feb 3
2009 - Feb 22
2010 - Feb 14
2011 - Mar 6 |
|
August
2004 - Family Month
TBA - 18th Copa Cultimara
at Sorobon
TBA - 8th Captain Don's Habitat race
TBA - 5 km run Preparation Fun Run September
2004
TBA - Duofest International
TBA - Bonaire Bikers MC Flag Day
Weekend 2003
Sep 6 - "Dia di Bonaire" Bonaire
Day (Rincon)
Sep 6 - 5 km Bonaire Day Fun Run 8am
Sep 6 - Sailing Race "Dia di Bonaire " at Kas di Regatta
Sep 18 - Underwater Cleanup at Bonaire Yellow Submarine at
1pm followed by potluck BBQ 717-2929
TBA Tene Boneiru Limpi island wide cleanup
Every Tuesday Night
@ 6:30pm -
BonaireTalker Dinner/Gathering at
Gibi's Terrace, call Jake at 717-6773
or email jake@bonairetalk.com
Click here for a detailed CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
Back to the top
|
|
|
|
