|
TCB
EUROPE LAUNCHES NEW VIRTUAL DIVE BROCHURE
As
a partner in the multi-month promotion
in cooperation with the magazine Duiken
and its websites, TCB Europe launched Bonaire’s
first virtual brochure last month. After
presenting a preview to the TCB Board,
the brochure is now on line. Surf to http://client.xl-mailinglist.com/onc2L21Tz to
see for yourself. The dive brochure is
filled with testimonials, since divers
and Bonaire fans from all over Holland
present their favorite photos. This brochure
is in Dutch, an English version is to
follow shortly, later this year.
Back to the top
TCB
EUROPE AND BONHATA AT CTO ROAD SHOW
 For
three evenings in a row, TCB Europe’s
Marieke Raaff and Bonhata’s Bous
Scholts and Nick Davies joined the CTO
Holland Road Show. During these Caribbean
evenings travel agents from all over
the Netherlands were informed about our
island. And as entertainers, Nick and
Bous turned themselves into the star
attraction of every show with their wonderful
puppet act with donkeys, Sesame Street
characters, and birds. It was a unique
way to entertain and inform the audience
about our wonderful island. Fun for
the travel agents and fun for Nick and
Bous as well, as the picture shows!
Back to the top
NEW
MEMBER TEAM TCB EUROPE
Based
on the marketing strategy agreed upon
in 2000, TCB Europe will give further
structure to the marketing in the so-called
secondary markets. Next to the premier
market of the Netherlands, the UK, Belgium,
Germany, and the Scandinavian markets
are being singled out as secondary markets.
TCB Europe aims at clearly defined target
groups with the divers as, by far, the
most important group. TCB Europe is proud
to announce that Rob Al has joined the
team. Rob brings with him a wealth of
experience in this field, since he was
the number one development manager of
the Dutch Tourist Board in various countries
in North America and Europe. Rob's first
job will be the ABC trade event in Stockholm
this month.
Back to the top
TCB
EUROPE'S NEW MARKETING INSTRUMENTS EMBRACED
During the last week of
September all overseas offices were on
island to share their visions and present
their marketing plans. Roger Davids was
there in behalf of TCB Europe. He was
proud to present TCB Europe’s new
marketing instruments based on virtual
and online marketing. These marketing
activities were well received by the
TCB Board and the other offices. TCB
Europe likes to thank Lion’s
Dive for its hospitality and all Board
members for the time and effort taken
to make last week’s marketing meeting
a success.
Back to the top
UPCOMING
WTM LONDON
TCB Europe will kick off
its pre-show marketing campaign directed
at the UK and other European tour operators.
WTM is the second largest trade show
in Europe (#1 is ITB Berlin) and one
of the few opportunities for the Bonairean
private sector to contact and contract
European wholesalers. Since European
tourists and especially the ‘first
timers’ still
tend to book their trip as a package
(ticket and accommodation combined),
it’s very important for us to
have lots of tour operators throughout
Europe selling our island. Over the last
couple of years this appeared to be a
key success factor in TCB Europe’s
marketing strategy. Therefore TCB Europe
always bolsters show attendance by a
targeted marketing campaign.
|
|
POSTCARDS
FROM PARADISE
The
second postcard in a series of four
that were designed and printed earlier
this year was mailed (both post mail
and email) to the North American
database of those who have requested
information about the island. The
postcard featuring Dive Travel was
scheduled to drop at the end of September.
Back to the top
PAST
VISITOR DIVE BROCHURE MAILING
The second mailing to over 20,000 past
visitors in North
America featured
the dive brochure and reminded past
visitors that Bonaire was
open for business and is always ready
to welcome them back. The mailing
was scheduled to drop at the end
of September.
Back to the top
DEMA
SHOW, OCTOBER 13-16, 2004--HOUSTON, HERE WE COME!
 Bonaire’s
exhibitors will receive generic printed
materials prior to the show to assemble
their own Dive Retailer Information Packets.
The new custom designed Bonaire Dive
Post Cards (blank on the back for their own
personal message or DEMA special being
offered) will be given to all of Bonaire’s
18 Exhibitors. Each exhibitor will receive
400 postcards to distribute as they wish.
DEMA
SHOW, OCTOBER 13-16, 2004--BONAIRE'S DIVE PRO
WEBSITE CDS
 In
order to announce and reinforce that Bonaire’s
Dive Pro Website now has its own domain,
www.bonairedivingpro.com,
for greater ease of location and accessibility,
500 Dive Pro cds have been produced to
be distributed at the TCB booth to dive
retailers during DEMA. On the front cover
of the cd case is a message announcing
that coming December
1, 2004, downloadable flyer
templates will be also be available for
selling Bonaire dive
vacations.
Back to the top
BONAIRE MARKETING MEETINGS--SEPTEMBER 26-30, 2004
Candice
Kimmel, President of Adams
Unlimited, Bonaire’s
marketing firm in the US, traveled to Bonaire to
join the other overseas offices
in presenting a re-cap of 2004
activities and the Marketing
Plans for 2005. Ms. Kimmel
discussed our activities with
members of the TCB Board which
also included the hotel co-op
advertising plan for the coming
year.
BONAIRE EZ NEWS FOR SEPTEMBER
During September
two issues of Bonaire EZ News were written
and distributed to our database of more
than 25,000 consumers and travel agents. The
September 15th issue of Bonaire EZ News
included a report on the status of Bonaire after
its brush with Hurricane Ivan as well
as Fall Tour Operator Packages including flights
on American Airlines/American Eagle and
island news (new dive boat at Carib Inn,
Seaside Apartments, and new addition to
Happy Holiday Homes). The September
29th issue of EZ News focused on the King
of the Caribbean 2005 and the underwater
art exhibit 40 Feet Underwater.
DIVE NEWSWIRE FOR SEPTEMBER
Dive
Newswire is distributed electronically
to more than 6,000 dive shop owners, manufacturers
as well as media outlets. On September 9th
a press release on Hurricane Ivan brushing Bonaire was
included. On September 27th a press
release on packages being offered by Bonaire's
tour operators that include flights on
American Airlines/American Eagle was included.
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 September we
prepared 3 press releases - one focusing
on Bonaire's
brush with Hurricane Ivan, one announcing
the upcoming art exhibit “40 Feet
Underwater” and the Island's
repeat visitors helping the people of the Cayman
Islands and the third on fall
packages offered by Bonaire's
tour operators. The information on
packages was also used in the September
15th issue of Bonaire EZ News. Two
of the press releases were distributed on
Dive Newswire, September 9th and 27th
respectively, and all
three were distributed to a database
of more than 250 media outlets including
daily newspapers, travel, travel trade,
family, outdoor,
dive and bridal magazines, as well as travel
freelance writers and websites.
ONE-ON-ONE PRESS VISITS
We
began working with Jessica Misuraca
on a press visit to Bonaire in
early October. Ms. Misuraca is writing
a story on the Island for Copley
News Service, one of the largest
wire services which supplies newspapers
throughout the US with
articles. We coordinated island transfers,
hotel accommodations, island tours, etc.
for her stay in Bonaire.
We
continued to work with travel writer Candyce
Stapen on a press visit to Bonaire December
21-26. Ms. Stapen writes about
family travel and will be visiting the
island to update her guidebook National
Geographic Guide to Caribbean Family Vacations,
which "offers detailed profiles of the best
family-oriented tours, activities, and programs
at one hundred vacation destinations throughout
the Caribbean. She
also writes for several travel publications
and websites and will be gathering information
for future articles. Ms. Stapen is also best
known for her travel segments on the CBS-Television
network.
EDITORIAL
HIGHLIGHTS
Islands (circulation 220,000): In
the September issue of Islands Magazine,
Bonaire was featured for housing the Caribbean’s “best-protected” reef.
With visibility of more than 100 feet, vibrant
fish, eels, turtles, and barracudas, Bonaire
is listed as a diver’s paradise. The
Bonaire Marine Park was highlighted along with
the work of STINAPA’s President, Jack
Chalk in protecting the beautiful environment
that has set Bonaire apart from other Caribbean
islands.
Recommend (55,124): Fall
getaways were the highlight of the September issue
of Recommend, including a
great package from the Black Durgon Inn on
Bonaire. The 7-night package starting at only
$338 per person based on double occupancy is
ideal for divers, couples, and families alike.
The article mentioned that other hotels were
offering similar packages and directed readers
to visit Bonaire’s website or call the
800 number, which were both listed.
Daily
News (circulation 802,103): In the “Deals
of the Week” section
of Sunday’s Daily News on September
5, 2004, a Bonaire diving vacation
was listed as a “steal of a deal.” With
airfare provided by Air Jamaica, a two-room
villa, and car rental, with unlimited shore
diving at only $1,210 per person, this deal
is hard to beat. Readers who booked within
5 days of publication through Island Express
received an additional $200 off.
Record (circulation 222,701): Children’s
activities in Bonaire were the highlight of
this September 5,
2004 article in the Record.
Child care facilities, the SASY snorkeling
program, the Bublemaker program, the Discover
Scuba Diving program, as well as programs for
certified children were listed. A package including
these programs was listed for Buddy Dive Resort,
as well as their 800 number and website.
Dallas Morning
News (circulation 755,912): In the September
12, 2004 Sunday
edition of the Dallas Morning News,
Bonaire is highlighted in an article titled “ Untamed
Islands.” Diving is listed as the star
attraction of Bonaire for all ages including
beginners and experts. Cycling and hiking are
listed as great activities to do at Washington-Slagbaai
National Park, along with kayaking and windsurfing
at Lac Bay. Accomodation packages were listed
for Lion’s Dive Resort and Bellafonte
Chateau del Mar. Bonaire’s 800 number
and website were given.
Herald News (circulation
40,000) & Record
(circulation 222,701): On September
12, 2004 in
an article titled “A Walk on the Caribbean’s
Wild Side,” the Record published
an article about day and night diving. Bonaire’s “go
at your own pace” lifestyle was noted
as setting the island apart from its Caribbean
neighbors. Dive sites along Bonaire’s
west coast were highlighted as being abundant
in marine life, noting that is doesn’t
take long for snorklers and scuba divers alike
to experience the visuals of Bonaire’s
underwater-world. Bonaire’s 800 number
and website were listed.
Caribseek Caribbean News
(online circulation): On September
3, 2004, Caribseek
Caribbean News sent out a news alert
announcing details for Bonaire’s Bari
Festival beginning December 1, 2004. Singing
by church choirs, dancing of the Tambu, and
feasting on traditional food were all featured
as part of the celebration. A link to Bonaire’s
website was included.
Caribbean Travel
News (online circulation): On September
28, 2004, Caribbean
Travel News sent out a breaking
travel news alert announcing Bonaire’s
first underwater exhibition created by Dutch
artist Fred Ros titled, “40 Feet Underwater:
Moving Light in an Unlimited Territory.” Details
about the exhibit including dates, and details
about the artist and artwork were all highlighted.
|
|
VENEZUELA
WITHOUT AIRLIFT TO BONAIRE...DCA STOPS FLYING!
Effective October 10, 2004. DCA has ceased
operations. Our TCB office in Caracas is receiving
many phone calls from the tourism sector and
general public requesting information about alternative
flights to Bonaire. We expect
to have the necessary agreements for
airlift in place among the local Venezuelan airlines
and BonairExel, in benefit to the South America
markets, with special attention for Venezuela.
Back to the top
A
POSITIVE MEETING WITH AEROPOSTAL AIRLINE
Due
to the cancellation of the DCA flights
between Venezuela and Bonaire, our colleague
Yasmin Pèrez met with Mr.
Alexandro Lombardi, Commercial Manager of
Aeropostal in Caracas to look for agreement
to provide reliable service to Bonaire. Mr.
Lombardi is interested in discussions
with BonairExel to achieve the necessary
agreements permitting the Venezuelan passengers
travelling to Bonaire to use their daily
and non-stop flights to Aruba or Curaçao.
The Venezuelan tourism sector is expecting
us to solve this airlift problem very soon.
Mr. Arian Vanderwerff from BonairExel will
be contacting Mr. Lombardi at Aeropostal.
Back to the top
VENEZUELAN
DIVING GROUPS BACK AGAIN
We feel very pleased that this year, the divers
from Venezuela are coming back to the island.
During the Regatta week, Bonaire welcomed a
group almost 70 Venezuelan divers coming from
Caracas on charter flights. The dive operators
are: Epsilon Dive Travel, Orca’s Dive
and Chichiriviche Divers. Hamlet will be their
host hotel.
Also from Veneuela, Caribbean
Reef is coming from Oct
29th to Nov 2nd with a new diving group. Host
Hotel Hamlet.
It is important to note that
other dive groups from Colombian and Argentina
will be visiting Bonaire again in October--BAB
Buenos Aires (Argentina) from Oct 9th through
16th at Buddy Dive, and Expediciòn
(Colombia) from Oct 14th through 18th
at Plaza Resort.
Back to the top
“BONAIRE
VEJA POR OUTRO ANGULO"--A BRAZILIAN DIGITAL
MAGAZINE
A photographer, Ary Amarante,
from the prestigious diving magazine Mergulho,
published an interesting report of 12 full
color pages of Bonaire in the virtual FotoSub
magazine in its Oct/Nov 2004 edition. It includes
a large report where Ary gives general
information about the island, recommending
Bonaire as the best place to certify divers.
Ary provides a great description of some
of our dive sites (Salt Pier, 18th Palm. Buddy’s
Reef., Hilma Hooker, WindJammer, Rappel and
Karpata). For more information about the report,
look on: www.virtualfotosub.org.
It’s important to highlight that Brazil
has a population of about 200,000 registered
divers according to PADI. Among this segment,
Bonaire is well known, thanks to the marketing
activities carried out some years back and
revived again in the last quarter of 2003.
This is, in part, thanks to the initiative
of a group of properties that visited the city
of Sao Paulo. TCB is planning to be at the
Sao Paulo Boat Show from October 20th through
26th. Our presence will permit us to contact
the key people of the diving industry. This
a potential market for Bonaire, but we need
to improve our air connections to the island.
That means we must work to get the necessary
agreements between BonairExel, Varig and Avianca,
which have regular flights to
Aruba.
Back to the top
KLM
LIMA PRESS TRIP FOR TOP COPORATIONS--OCTOBER
22ND THROUGH 26TH
With an attractive
program, and together with Mrs. Birgit Bauer
from KLM Lima, we will be hosting an
important group of Top Corporate Companies
from Peru. During their stay, they will enjoy
different activities such as Discover Scuba,
windsurfing, etc. The host hotel is Plaza
Resort.
Back to the top
NOVEMBER
16TH THROUGH 19TH--OUR PROMOTIONAL VISIT
TO ECUADOR
The Hotel Delegation is getting ready for
the promotional visit to the cities of Quito
and Guayaquil, where a work agenda that includes,
not only the official Bonaire presentation
directed to the tourism sector (travel agents),
but also strategic meetings with KLM, as well
as tour and dive operators. Also we will contact
the specialized media press.
Its important to note that TCB works to maintain
the positive image of Bonaire through beautiful
and fresh artwork published in the magazine
Transport, a travel agents publicaton, showing
everything that the island offers its visitors.
In the middle of October, there will be a
Press Fam with journalists from the most important
tourism magazines and newspapers (Host hotel
Habitat). Also a Press Trip consisting of the
official group of KLM Tour Operators (Host
hotel Sand Dollar) will be on island.
Back to the top
BONAIRE
WELL PROMOTED IN VENEZUELA
CANTV.NET --"Bonaire
Paraiso debajo del Mar”: We
were pleasantly surprised on September 6
when this important Venezuelan website promoted
Bonaire oin its cover page with an article
inviting consumers to visit the island, emphasizing
its pristine diving as the main activity
for the enthusiastic visitors offering more
than 80 dive sites and comparing it with
the great Australian barrier reef. The text
went on to describe Bonaire as an island
where the activities of eco-adventures are
also easy to enjoy such as biking, kayaking,
bird watching. www.Volando.com is
a website that makes it possible to travel
via the internet to Bonaire and learn more
about how to book vacations with all the natural
beauty of the island.
El Mundo Viajero--“Bonaire
muchas cosas por descubrir”: This
newspaper, in its tourism edition on September
27, devoted a full color page to Bonaire.
Journalist Marisela Goncalvez eloquently
describes her experience
on the island from the moment they were warmly
received at the Flamingo Airport, their transfer
to Plaza Resort, touring the island (it was
a surprise not to see traffic lights),
her diving experiences right off shore, the
night life, trying her luck at the Casino
at Divi Flamingo, and to the exciting gastronomy
in our restaurants. Definitively an excellent
report that produced many phone calls from
the general public.
El Nacional Newspaper “ Bonaire
Submarino": In
its tourism edition of September 27th, Bonaire
was promoted along with other destinations,
highlighting the charter flight from the
dive operator Epsilon Dive Travel from October
8th to the 12th,. It offered an attractive
program to the island which costs US$ 499.00
per diver, including roundtrip air tickets,
4 nights accommodation at Hamlet, unlimited
shore diving and rental car. For more
information email Epsilon Dive Travel info@epsilondive.com,
website : www.epsilondive.com
Back to the top
UPCOMING
TRADE SHOWS IN SOUTH AMERICA
Sao Paulo ,
Brazil Oct 20th to the
26th - Sao Paulo Boat Show: An
important opportunity to contact the key
people of the Brazilian diving industry,
even more so now that Varig is operating
on a regular basis to Aruba from Sao Paulo
on Tuesdays.
Caracas , Venezuela November
8th to the 10th - Avavit trade show: Bonaire
has confirmed its participation with an 8-square-meter
booth. This is a tremendous opportunity
to meet with the key people in Venezuelan
tourism.
For more additional information about the
events, please contact either Bonhata or Yasmin
at: flamingorep@cantv.net
Back to the top
|
|
NEWS
FROM THE TOURISM SECTOR
|
 OCEAN
VIEW VILLA'S RUBEN SANCHEZ NAMED
MR. BONAIRE 2004-2005
Ocean
View Villas proudly announces
that their own Rubén
Sánchez was named
Mr. Bonaire 2004/2005. After
the Bonaire competition,
called "The
Battle of the Titans",
Rubén
also competed in the Antillean
Championships in St. Eustatius. Check
out the new Mr. Bonaire at http://www.oceanviewvillas.com.
Back to the top
RINCON ANNOUNCES
NEW AREA WEBSITE
There is a new website which provides all the information
a visitor to Bonaire needs to have to enjoy the Rincon area. The site can be found at www.infobonaire.com/rincon. This
new website, conceived, designed
and created by Caribbean Design & Marketing,
highlights the different  cultural
events, marketplaces, shops,
restaurants, tours, and more
that Rincon has to offer the
visitor to Bonaire. In
November, 2003, an informational
evening was held in Rincon
to explain the project to the
business community. The
project was an immediate success,
as many of Rincon’s small
businesses and area attractions
chose to be included. The
website now features 20 participants
with photos and a map of the
area showing where each participant
is located. The
goal of the website is to generate
more interest in the area of
Rincon, and provide visitors
to Bonaire with
more information about Rincon,
so they can include a visit
and learn more about this historical
village.
Complimentary
internet hosting is provided
by Tourist Corporation Bonaire
and NetTech, N.V., and the
site’s primary sponsor
is Maduro & Curiel’s
Bank (Bonaire) with sponsor funding also provided by Fundashon
Kas Boneriano and Caribbean
Design & Marketing.
Back to the top
CARIBBEAN
DESIGN PREMIERS NEW WEBSITE--BONAIRE
SEASIDE APARTMENTS
Follow
the progress of Bonaire's newest
complex, Seaside Apartments,
as it continues with construction. With
a planned opening of March,
2005, Seaside Apartments will
offer elegant and convenient
apartment living for either
the tourist or frequent visitor
who is looking for an investment
opportunity on Bonaire. Located
directly on the Sea Promenade,
you'll enjoy the convenience
of being in the heart of Bonaire's
capital, Kralendijk.
Vacation
rental reservations are being
taken now for visits beginning
in April, 2005, and can be purchased
as a complete package with breakfast
and choice of vehicle or scooters.
Apartments
are also available for purchase--Live
here on the oceanfront year-round, or
place your unit into the rental
service, and receive income
on your investment.
Back to the top
|
| |
Carnival
Adult Parade Dates:
2005 - 2011 |
October,
2004
|
2005
- Feb 6
2006 - Feb 27
2007 - Feb 18
2008 - Feb 3
2009 - Feb 22
2010 - Feb 14
2011 - Mar 6 |
Oct
10 - The Down Town Dixie Society
jazz band playing at 5pm Kontiki
TBA - 18th Comcabon
Regatta 5 km WEB Run 5:30pm
Oct 21 - Antillean
Day |
November, 2004
TBA - Cycle Tour South Coast 70km (Bonaire Cycling)
TBA - The 4th Annual Deep Blue 5k Swim, Metric Mile Swim, and Ocean Festival
TBA - Arrival of St. Nicholaas (Sinterklaas) Town Pier
TBA - 1/4 Triathlon - Swimming 1km
TBA - Running 60 km round Bonaire
December, 2004
Dec 1 - Bari Festival
Period
Dec 5 - Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) Birthday Celebration
Dec 25 - Christmas Day (Holiday). Banks/stores closed
Dec 26 - Boxing Day (Holiday). Banks/stores
closed
Dec 31 - 5k San Silvester Run
Dec 31 - Fireworks all over Bonaire! - stores close early
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
|
|
|
|
