MEETING WITH KEY DIVE RETAILERS HELD AT DEMA SHOW

The DEMA Show promotes itself as the place to be for networking within the dive sector and this was certainly true for Bonaire this year. While at DEMA, Commissioner El Hage and Candice Kimmel from the TCB-NYC office met with the presidents of the 7 UPS (7 United PADI Stores). This group, representing dive stores in New York,  New Jersey and Connecticut, is the largest dive retailer on the East coast. The main topic of conversation was how Bonaire could work with the 7 UPS in the upcoming Adventure Travel Shows to showcase Bonaire's unique dive product as we reach out to the myriad divers and adventure travelers who attend these shows. The meeting was very satisfactory for all participants and should result in a mutually productive partnership.

DEMA SHOW 2004     

Bonaire certainly did not go unnoticed this year at the DEMA Show. On behalf of the Tourism Corporation Bonaire we would like to extend our sincere thanks for the time, effort and funding that all the Bonaire exhibitors put into this show. The members of BONHATA and BHG and also our on-island partners contributed to the success of one of the best Dutch Caribbean Pavilions in years. See you in Las Vegas in 2005! 

BONAIRE, ONE OF FOUR ISLANDS FEATURED IN OUTSIDE TRAVELER MAGAZINE

Bonaire was one of four islands featured in Outside Traveler Magazine’s Winter 2005 Special Edition! (circulation 300,000+), one of the top adventure travel magazines!  Set to hit newsstands later this year, TCB-NYC received an advance copy of the issue which features 3 pages on Bonaire and touts it as an amazing destination for exploring above and below the water. 

The article entitled, It’s Love, Bonaire Style: On This Arid Isle, The Crush Isn’t On Lush, is a three-page spread featuring amazing photos of divers, children, tropical plants and birds.  Writer Meg Lukens Noonan, who visited the island in March 2004, documents her journey to Bonaire, guided by naturalist Jerry Ligon, with exciting details and use of visual imagery.  While on island, Ms. Noonan explored the Bonaire Marine Park, Washington-Slagbaai National Park, Lac Bay, Goto Meer, Sorobon Beach, and Lac Cai.  Ms. Noonan also mentions Buddy Dive Resort and Harbour Village Beach Club.  Photographers from Outside also visited Bonaire in July 2004 to take additional photos to accompany Ms. Noonan's article. It certainly has been worth the wait for this placement…

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ONE-ON-ONE PRESS VISITS

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EDITORIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Dallas Morning News (circulation 755,912)

In the October 10 travel section of the Dallas Morning News, the 11th largest newspaper in the U.S., an article was published highlighting Bonaire's upcoming underwater art exhibit “40 Feet Underwater: Moving Light in an Unlimited Territory.”  Information about the tour, dates, hours, and locations were all given, along with the website for the exhibit.

Caribbean Life (circulation 120,000)

Caribbean Life newspaper published an article titled, This Fall/Winter Bonaire’s Hotels Offer Unbeatable Packages and Deals in the September 21 edition.  Information included in the article was taken directly from the press release that was distributed by Adams Unlimited on fall hotel packages and all hotel packages that were included in the release were printed in this article.  Bonaire’s 800 number and website were listed.

Travel Agent (circulation 50,000)

In the September 13 edition of Travel Agent, Bonaire was highlighted in an article that gave hurricane updates for multiple Caribbean destinations.  The article mentioned that Bonaire's hotels and dive shops reported minimal damage and that electricity, telephones and water were reported as operational with no damage, and the airport was re-opened with no damage reported.  The article also includes information on the status of the island's reefs saying that a full assessment of the reef system was completed with very minimal damage reported, and the damage that did occur was documented as natural and would repair itself.

Windsurfing (circulation 70,098)

An article titled, 12 Great Places You’d Rather Be, was published in the October issue of Windsurfing magazine.   Bonaire was featured in the article as a place “with lots of fun to be had both on and off the water.”  Bonaire was selected for being the “perfect place for learning to windsurf” and a “world-class destination for diving and snorkeling.”  March and April were mentioned as the best months to windsurf in Bonaire.  Information on flights to Bonaire was given, along with several Bonaire windsurfing websites.

Ahwatukee Foothills News (circulation 27,500)

On September 15, the Ahwatukee Foothills News featured an article on Caribbean ports.  Bonaire’s port was highlighted as being the most laid-back of the ABC  Islands.  It was also noted that about 50% of Bonaire tourists come for the scuba diving alone and that more cruise passengers are booking cruises that stop in Bonaire just to test out the scuba diving for themselves.

Recommend (circulation 55,124)

In the October issue of Recommend magazine, a travel trade publication, Bonaire’s tour operator specials were featured.  Packages from Caradonna Caribbean Tours and Liberty Travel were both listed.  American Airlines/American Eagle’s new flight schedule was also noted.  The information in the article was obtained directly from a press release distributed by Adams Unlimited. Bonaire’s 800 number and website were listed.

Scuba Diving (Rodale’s - circulation 185,000)

Two articles featuring Bonaire were published in the October issue of Rodale’s Scuba Diving magazine.  Both articles were on the topic of underwater photography.  The first article gave instructions on how to get the best pictures of small animals in the Bonaire Marine  Park.  The second article gave instructions on how to get the best underwater pictures near the saltpans.  Tips on using different lenses, angles, and distance were all documented in both articles.

Southern Boating (circulation 40,000)

Bonaire’s 37th International Sailing Regatta was the topic of an article published in the October issue of Southern Boating magazine. The article highlights that “what started out as a race between Captain Don Stewart’s fishing sloop, Sislin, and Hubert Domacasse’s Vella for a prize of 27 cases of beer has turned into Bonaire’s most popular and biggest annual sailing event.”  The different categories of the event were described, along with the various participants from all around the Caribbean, South America and the United States. 

About.com (online circulation 36,000,000)

On October 21, About.com posted an article about diving and snorkeling in Bonaire.  40 dive sites were listed with details on location and accessibility.  Dive information was also given about Klein Bonaire and Washington-Slagbaai National Park.  Bonaire was highlighted for being the home of “the best Caribbean shore dives.”

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MEETINGS WITH THE AIRLINES CONTINUE

Our TCB office in Caracas is committed to improving the airlift. We maintain permanent contact with the local airlines in the markets connecting with the Caribbean. We are in contact Mr. Avelino Contreras, Avianca Aruba Regional Manager, informing him of our interest to achieve links between BonairExel and his airline flying five times per week from Aruba toward Rio/Sao Paulo in Brazil (via Bogotá). We expect to have those interline agreements that Bonaire deserves in place soon.

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2005 SOUTH AMERICAN WORK PLAN

Along with the other overseas offices, Yasmín Pérez was in Bonaire on Sept 27th-30th in meetings with the Board, sharing her marketing experience in promoting the island in South America. She also presented the 2005 Work Plan, a marketing program focused on the Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Venezuela markets. She highlighted the importance of being successful in understanding and attending the needs of the markets, working closely together and giving continuous and efficient support to the dive and tour operators in South America.“We already know how to work with few resources, but we need everyone's commitment and concern about our markets”, Yasmín said.

THE REGATTA VENEZUELAN PARTICIPATION

EXPEDICIÓN BUCEO, A COLOMBIAN DIVE OPERATOR 

We received a nice e-mail from this dive operator who recently travelled to Bonaire with his group. They were very thankful for all the kindness from Glenn of Plaza Resort (host hotel), Ferina at BonairExel who, through e-mails, was confirming the group's arrangements and giving them instructions about reservations. TCB in Caracas gave the necessary support between the hotel and the airline. Javier from Expediciòn at the end of his e-mail said, "With a team working like this, we are encouraged to continue promoting Bonaire in Colombia.”

BONAIRE PROMOTED AT SAO PAOLO BOAT SHOW, BRAZIL

UPCOMING EVENTS

BONAIRE OFFICIAL PROMOTIONAL VISIT, ECUADOR NOVEMBER 22ND-26TH