TCB BONAIRE

Local Report

• From the Director's Desk
• Bonaire Ambassadors

TCB Bonaire | Local Report

From the Director's Desk

As for the economic outlook for Bonaire, we continue to see the effects of the world wide recession, of the fiscal maneuverings, of the markets and banking institutions, while they continue to try to stabilize themselves and aim for a recovery. Since we draw visitors from such a variety of origins it is difficult to make definite predictions but our arrivals continue to be showing good results in light of the worldwide economy. Preliminary indications for the first 5 months of this year, show improvements for all of our main markets; North America, Europe, South America and the Caribbean.

It is important for you to be present at our Marketing Meeting, where we will share statistics / analyses / plans and much more. TCB will send the program next month. Once again you are requested to safe the dates; September 27 th and 28 th . At this moment, we are expecting a total of more or less 25 international partners to be present at this year's meeting.

Positive Airlift News, from Tiara Air

We did share great news with you on Tiara Air's new schedule. Once again, pls. take note of Tiara Air's expanded schedule for Aruba-Bonaire-Aruba flights. This will allow for more chances to connect via many US and South America gateway cities.

ARUBA – BONAIRE:

AUA-BON  9.10a - 10.00a  mo-we-fr

AUA-BON  6.20p -7.10p mo-we-fr

AUA-BON 7.10p – 8.05p su

BONAIRE – ARUBA:

BON-AUA 10.20a - 11.10a mo-we-fr

BON-AUA 7.30p -  8.20p mo-we-fr

BON-AUA 8.25p – 9.20p su

Highlights:

*Increase flight schedule with 3 flights per week

*Earlier morning flights

*New evening flights

*Allowing day trips

*Allowing connections to/fm U.S.A. via Aruba on mo-we-fr-Su.

*Allowing connections to/fm Venezuela mo-we-fr Aruba to Bonaire:

Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, flight #303 departs Aruba at  9:10 AM arriving in Bonaire at 10:00 AM.  Additionally, on these same days, flight #305 departs Aruba at 6:20 PM, arriving in Bonaire at 7:10 PM.  (Please note that beginning August 2, Tiara Air flight #305 will depart Aruba at 7:00 PM, arriving in Bonaire at 7:55 PM.)

On Sundays, Tiara Air will operate flight #307 which departs Aruba at 7:10 PM and arrives in Bonaire at 8:05 PM.

Bonaire to Aruba:

Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, flight #304 departs Bonaire at 10:20 AM arriving in Aruba at 11:10 AM arrival.  Additionally, on these same days, flight #306 departs Bonaire at 7:30 PM arriving in Aruba at 8:20 PM. (Please note that beginning August 2, Tiara Air flight #306 will depart Bonaire at 8:15 PM, arriving in Aruba at 9:10 PM.)

On Sundays, Tiara Air will operate flight #308 which departs Bonaire at 8:25 PM arriving in Aruba at 9:20 PM.

In addition to this expanded flight schedule, Tiara Air has also announced that effective September 12, 2010, they will add an additional two weekly rotations Aruba-Bonaire-Aruba.  These new flights will take place on Saturdays, and will follow the same schedule as flights 303/304 and 305/306 currently utilize.

This new schedule will provide additional flights, while providing earlier morning flights which make connections in Aruba to the USA much easier.  These flights, coupled with the new evening flights, will also allow day trips to Bonaire for those visiting Aruba. 

The other good news is that they've opened an office on Bonaire, right on Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar.

We have just passed the halfway point for the annual TCB Dive Into Summer program. To date we are pleased with the event and look forward to the remaining venues.

The Next Taste of Bonaire – August 27 th 2010

One of them will be the ever popular Taste of Bonaire, where visitors can sample the creations of some of the islands best cooks from local to gourmet. This is a great chance to meet lots of locals and get a feel for the culture of our island. The next Taste of Bonaire will be held on Friday, August 27 th .

Celebrate Our Planet Week – August 22 nd to August 28 th

Another great event, as part of our Dive Into Summer Program, is our ‘Celebrate Our Planet Week', to be held from August 22 nd to August 28 th . During this week Tourism Corporation Bonaire will honor Dr. Eugenie Clark with the second International Bonaire Lifetime Achievement Award.  A panel of distinguished media chose Dr. Clark after long deliberations on several candidates. 

Dr. Clark will travel to Bonaire during the island's Celebrate Our Planet Week, from August 22 through 28, 2010, a highlight week of the Bonaire Dive Into Summer program. 

During her time on Bonaire, she will give three presentations: two for adults, and one for Bonaire's schoolchildren.  She'll also be kept busy with a book signing of the newest edition of her book, "Lady With the Sharks" and will be the guest of honor at the home of Lt. Governor Glenn Thode when she is honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Vote for Children of the Wind New Trailer

This is a great initiative of long time Bonaire visitors, Robert McCormick Schmon and his daughter Daphne. They have been coming to Bonaire for years to windsurf and of course know many on the windsurfing scene! On one of their trips they brought a well-known friend of them, Peter Robertson, who is one of UK's leading Camera Operators with a worldwide reputation and who has been involved in the shooting of e.g. James Bond movies and more. Jokingly, Elvis Martinus said to them that they should produce a movie about windsurfing-Bonaire and the kids.

To everyone's surprise, they thought it was a great idea and in fact have been working very hard – since that day on the beach – on making this a reality for Bonaire. Their valuable contribution so far has included producing the trailer, forming a remarkable team of people who were here in May to shoot the actual documentary, securing supporters/financers, designing and putting together brochure/poster/postcards – of which production has been sponsored by Flamingo Communications! –, getting in touch with the likes of HBO/NBC/A&E/Sony Networks etc. to secure that this documentary will be aired etc. The latter has still to be guaranteed, however the team is proceeding and working with a lot of motivation and dedication in making this a reality!

Voting Time!

Don't miss the opportunity to vote for the new movie “ Children of the wind”. Please take a few moments to vote for the Bonaire trailer in the International Movie Trailer Festival. Just click on the link below and type "Children of the Wind" where it says "title" and then click "Vote for this trailer"

http://www.facebook.com/l/7be03n-EGATYb_nlKwMeFdD9pZA;www.imtf.biz/index.php?p=trailers   

If Bonaire wins, it will help us gain exposure and fund post-production.

We really appreciate your help!

August has sure been a busy month for our local office;

BONAIRE HOSTED ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL WEEK WITH THE WOUNDED WARRIORS, FOR THE 5TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

 For the fifth consecutive year, Tourism Corporation Bonaire and the entire island of Bonaire welcomed the Wounded Warriors to their “home away from home” as they use SCUBA diving for rehabilitation and recreation from August 7th through 14th, 2010.

During this week, severely wounded troops and their significant others traveled to the island to complete the final step in the process of obtaining their dive certifications.  Representatives of the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association's (DEMA) Be a Diver Program and the North American office of Tourism Corporation Bonaire also joined this group. All accommodations and diving were provided courtesy of Captain Don's Habitat Bonaire. Each year the people of Bonaire open their arms to welcome this group and show them not only the natural beauty and pristine waters of the island, but also the warmth, friendliness and the genuine hospitality of the Bonairian people.  

TCB is proud to have the privilege to be a part of welcoming them to our island. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks for what these folks have done to ensure the rights and freedoms we all are able to enjoy!

TCB WITH GREAT INITIATIVES TO EXPAND KNOWLEDGE OF AND TRAIN OUR TOURISM INDUSTRY IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST

Over 150 people attended our General Cruise Meeting and ‘Service Excellence' and ‘Taxi Pride' Training Sessions.

Pursuant to TCB's announcement of a our Annual General Meeting, which was combined with Training Sessions provided by the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association, we have been overwhelmed with the response and the attendance of over 150 people within the industry.

The VP of Florida Caribbean Cruise Association, Mr. Adam Ceserano, gave the trainings together with his colleague, Mr. George Orellana, who is the Research Analyst of FCCA. Prior to this, Mrs. Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes gave a very informative and insightful presentation on Global, Caribbean, Bonaire's Cruise Tourism Industry.

All participants received a certificate – one per session –, and a ‘seal of quality' sticker produced by TCB.

We want to thank our sponsors, who together with TCB sponsored this very important day: Tourism Corporation Bonaire, Maduro Shipping, Bonaire Tours & Vacations, Atlantis/Bonaire Gift Shop/Bonaire District, Littman's & Bonaire Destination Services!

Approximately 60 people attended our Informative Session "Bonaire's Visitor - Understanding Their Lifestyle More Means More Business", research conducted by Mr. Tom Ingram, Executive Director DEMA.

Many joined TCB and DEMA Executive Director, Tom Ingram, for an informative session that outlined the recreational diving market in the US and described the findings of a recently completed evaluation of more than 29,000 past Bonaire visitors. 

Those who attended received more information on:

• The different market groups currently visiting Bonaire
• Where they live in the US
• How much money they make (and how it differs from the rest of the US)
• What “lifestyles” they follow and how these impact Bonaire's message and advertising medium
• To what television, radio, print publications and internet sites they are attracted
• Three market groups with the greatest potential for future business

This is the first study of its kind completed in Bonaire and opened everyone's eyes to a different way to understand the characteristics of visitors and how to reach them. 

Please note that these are also busy months for TCB on island, as we welcome numerous press members. Be pending for our various e-blasts, where we inform you more about this and where you can get all the information to actively participate in great coverage for the island. We thank you in advance for your support!

To finish this edition I would like to congratulate Buddy Dive Resort with their 30 years celebration, which took place August 2010. On behalf of the Tourism Corporation Bonaire I would like to thank them for their continuous support and wish them many years more.

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Tourism Corporation Bonaire
Kaya Grandi #2
Bonaire
Dutch Caribbean
Tel: 599-7-8322/ 8649
Fax: 599-7-8408
E-mail: info@tourismbonaire.com
Web site address: www.tourismbonaire.com

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