November departures now available!

Transat Holidays newest destination for this winter is now available for fall departures. Due to popular demand, the Aruba program that was originally scheduled to start on December 21st of this year is now slated for a start date of November 2, 2008. An idyllic Caribbean island, Aruba offers visitors an ideal climate with an average temperature of 30 degrees during the month of November mixed with cooling trade winds.

Transat Holidays’ Aruba program features the newly renovated Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Aruba. A 4 star, all inclusive property located on popular Palm Beach and close to the capital of Orangestad. Each of its 600 rooms have been fully renovated and offer guests air-conditioning, TV, internet access ($), mini-fridge and a balcony or terrace. The Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort is a popular choice with Canadian travellers for its wide mix of facilities and services including a la carte restaurants, pizzeria, a Kids Club and an array of activities for adults.

As an introductory offer, Transat Holidays is offering the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Aruba at a price of $1198 per adult for departures November 2, 9 or 16. A savings of $440 per couple.

In addition to the Holiday Inn Sunspree Aruba, Transat Holidays resort selection includes the Occidental Grand Aruba, Divi Aruba, Radisson Aruba Resort and more. Sunday flights depart direct from Toronto starting November 2, 2008 through to April 26, 2009.

For more information on Transat Holidays to Aruba visit www.transatholidays.com

“Three for Free” promotion includes a free night’s stay, complimentary room upgrade, daily breakfast and more …

Good things tend to come in threes – three-scoop sundaes, a three-point field goal, and now the “Three for Free” promotion from Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino. This promotion offers travelers a triple cluster of rewards: a fifth night free, a complimentary one-category room upgrade and full breakfast for two daily for guests traveling now through December 18, 2008. Guests using any American Express® Card to pay for their room will receive the added bonus of a luxurious welcome amenity upon check-in and complimentary late check-out.

Already blessed with a prime location along Aruba’s spectacular Palm Beach, Hyatt Regency Aruba’s boasts recent enhancements to all 360 guestrooms and suites; a unique open-air lobby; a South-Beach-meets-the-Caribbean Alfresco Bar; and the festive Latin bistro concept of the Palms Bar & Restaurant complete with exhibition kitchen. The resort also houses the intimate Stillwater Spa, Camp Hyatt for kids, the Copa Cabana Casino, extensive recreational facilities and several gourmet dining outlets, including the signature Ruinas del Mar restaurant.

While reasons to visit the island paradise of Aruba are countless indeed, Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino is delighted to add three more with “Three for Free” and its 25% savings.

For more information or reservations call 1-800-55-HYATT or visit www.aruba.hyatt.com.

ARTS & CULTURE:

Access Art Gallery presents: The Arthouse, Aruba’s first art cinema. Since its opening in 2002, Access Art Gallery has brought a new dimension to the Aruban art & culture scene by featuring international (art) movies on Thursday nights to a steadily growing loyal following. The Art house will now be able to comply with the increased demand for art films and will present documentaries and “arty footage” +presenter on Tuesday nights; Thursday nights will continue with international (art)films and Saturday nights will be music related ,from opera’s to unplugged performances and more. The curator Renwick Heronimo has many more ideas to be implemented in due time including the creation of a film association.

ARTI ET AMICITIAE presents: ArtiAruba; the new art exhibition to be held in Amsterdam, Holland. The exhibition will be held from August 30th till October 19th 2008. Aruban artists invited to Arti et Amicitiae are: Gilbert Senchi, Elvis Lopez, Glenda Heyliger.  For more info go to www.arti.nl.

In reference to the ArtiAruba, the first edition of the project will launch on September 12, 2008 in the exhibition hall of the Cas di Cultura (Cultural Centre). Titled RASTRO, the exhibition will show, through a series of 30 paintings the artists explore the connection between Aruba, the Netherland Antilles and The Netherlands through the use of colors and their vision on the Aruban & Antillean culture.

The 3rd “Paseo Monumental” ( Monument Walk) will be held on Sunday, September 14th, organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Monument Bureau, the Aruba Tourism Authority and other volunteers.  On this full day walking event, 18 landmark buildings will open their doors to the public for their entertainment and education. San Nicolas has been chosen as the location for the walk this year as it has 54 buildings of architecturally historic interest. The event starts at 9:00 am and the historic 90 minutes walk will commence and end at the Bus terminal. Flyers & maps will be distributed. The history of each monument on the route will be posted on the entrance in English, Dutch & Papiamento. Along the route, visitors will pass by several plaza’s and can enjoy live music, dance performances and/ as buy refreshments & snacks. The local bus company will have 2 buses, recognizable at the Monument Walk flag on each bus, available to transfer the visitors to & from San Nicolas. Over 1500 people joined the 2nd Monument Walk in 2006. For more information please call (297) 583-5938.

The management of Paseo Herencia Shopping Mall recently unveiled “ E Muraya di Libertad” the “Freedom Wall”, in the presence of Minister of Justice Rudy Croes and Minister of Culture Ramon Lee. The “Freedom Wall” serves to tell the story of Aruba’s struggle for the “Status Aparte” (separate status from The Netherlands Antilles) to become a nation within the Kingdom of The Netherlands on January 1, 1986.  Paseo Herencia offers much more then shopping & entertainment; the visitors can learn and appreciate Aruba’s history through images and information plaques embellishing the walls.

The Netherlands Blazers Ensemble (NBE) will be performing in Aruba on September 17th at the Cas di Cultura. NBE, considered an “all star orchestra” consists of a single musician from a number of the most prestigious and important orchestras in Holland and perform together approximately 50 times per year on special occasions locally and internationally. They will spend three days performing on Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. Tickets for the concert series are for sale for Afls. 20 or $12 per person beginning September 1st at the reception desk of the Aruba Bank Camacuri Branch.

RESORTS & APARTMENTS:

The Aruba Marriott recently opened The Tradewinds Club, an intimate hotel experience wrapped in a resort setting. This hotel within a hotel initiative, introduces a boutique hotel in a resort setting that provides for personalized service and exclusive amenities. The Tradewinds Club experience begins even before arrival, as a staff member will contact guests for confirmation of advanced reservations and airline info. Upon arrival to the Aruba Marriott, guests can bypass the main lobby and check in to the hotel via the Tradewinds Club Lounge, a private 1900 sq. ft. lounge area with a 200 sq. ft. terrace, accessible only to Tradewinds Club guests. Once checked in to any of the 59 rooms tucked away on the 8th floor, patrons will find their accommodations fitted with upgraded bathroom amenities, deluxe robes and slippers and a “pillow menu”. A secluded area of the beach is especially reserved for Tradewinds Club guests only. Complimentary Internet access is also provided in the Lounge along with a DVD player and a library of CDs, books, games and newspapers.

The Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa is launching an Early Winter Sale. The sale, offering up to 25 percent off high-season rates on select room categories, is valid on bookings made by September 30, 2008, for stays between January 4 and April 18, 2009.   Aruba is serviced by direct flights from major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Miami, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Charlotte. Other advantages include $150 restaurant or Larimar Spa credit p/r (For stays of 5 nights or more). Rates start from $359 per night. For more information please contact Lou Hammond & Associates at (651) 655-3836 or visit www.radisson.com/aruba.

AIRPORT & AIRLINES:

Surinam Airways flight PY463 from the Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport in Surinam arrived at Aruba’s International Queen Beatrix. Though Surinam Airways is a regular and long time guest at the Aruba airport, flight PY463 was a very special one for the Aruba Airport Authority as new transit procedures for non US destinations to US destinations were introduced. The procedures, as developed by AAA in close cooperation with Aruba Customs and Immigration authorities and the US Customs and Border Protection resulted in a smooth process for both the passengers in transit from Surinam and the passengers originating from Aruba on their way to Miami. Surinam Airways will be offering this service to Miami twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays.

RESTAURANTS & HANGOUTS:

Nu-Taste Contemporary Cuisine is the new and exciting culinary experience located at the bayside Mall, Weststraat 7-a. It is open from Tuesday through Saturday and closed on Sundays and Mondays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for lunch and from 6:00 pm till 10:00 pm for dinner. For more information please call (297) 588-1113, FAX (297) 588-1114 or email at info@nu_taste.com.

The Old man & the Sea is the newly opened restaurant located at Savaneta 356-A, featuring a barefoot seating, private cove and palapa. A joint venture between accomplished Aruban composer and musician Jonathan Vieira and his mother Mrs. Osyth Henriquez, The Old Man & The Sea is open every evening except on Sundays from 18:00 hrs till 23:00 hrs. For more information please call: (297) 735-0840 or visit www.theoldmanandthesearestaurant.com.

Brisas del Mar Restaurant recently added brunch to its menu of weekly events and activities. Located at Savaneta 222-A, the lovely terrace restaurant now offers a great number of classic breakfast dishes & other lunch items for $32.50. The brunch starts at 11:00 hrs till 14:30 hrs, children under 12 pay half price. For more information please call (297) 584-7718 or visit www.brisasdelmararuba.com.

Café Touché Fresh located on the patio of the Access Art Gallery, recently opened under the leadership of half Aruban, half Norwegian, Tanya Rasmijn. After gaining lots of experience in Norway, Tanya felt the time was right to open a different, healthier alternative in Aruba. The objective is to use as much as possible local & biological ingredients in the preparation of the dishes. The idea is to create an art café ambiance with eclectic music and to plan menus in combination with the art & movie program prepared by Access Art Gallery. The café is open daily from 11 am to 7 pm.

ARUBANS IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

Mrs. Jane Semeleer has been appointed as the new President of the Central Bank of Aruba. Jane previously held the position of Executive Director of the Bank and is the first woman to ever hold this position on Aruba and in the Dutch Caribbean since the establishment of the Central Bank on Aruba after it got its Status Aparte in 1986. She will take over the duties of outgoing President Mr. Hassanali Merhan starting September 1st 2008.

Aruban artist & sculptor, Mr. Ryan Oduber, is busy building a giant bronze cactus as part of a sculpture workshop currently taking place in China. Titled “Energia” (energy), this bronze cactus will be featured on the famous Changchun World Sculpture Park, the largest sculpture park in the world, about 540 sculptures created by artists from over 172 countries, in November 2008.

Aruba As Pre Clearance Hub To The United States

On August 25, 2008 Surinam Airways flight from the Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport in Surinam arrived at the Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix in Aruba. Though Surinam Airways is a regular and long time guest at the Aruba airport, flight was a very special one for the Aruba Airport Authority as new transit procedures for non US destinations to US destinations were introduced. The procedures, as developed by AAA in close cooperation with Aruba Customs and Immigration authorities and the US Customs and Border Protection resulted in a smooth process for both the passengers in transit from Surinam and the passengers originating from Aruba. The first flight of this morning arrived in Aruba with a slight delay carrying on board 115 passengers from Surinam, and departed with a total of 127 passengers to Miami. Surinam Airways will be offering this service twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays.

During their short stay at our airport Surinam Airways crew members were welcomed and congratulated on this first flight of many to come. Surinam Airways also had the pleasure of having Surinam’s Minister of Transport, Communication and Tourism, Mrs. Apinsa on board of their first transit flight to Miami, via Aruba. “We’re very pleased with this increased service from Surinam Airways,” said Peter Steinmetz, Managing Director of Aruba Airport Authority N.V. “ With the operation of these flights Surinam Airways will contribute to the growing demand on Aruba for competitive flights to Miami …”

The Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) is pleased to announce the appointment of New York- and Florida-based travel and tourism public relations firm M. Silver Associates as the new agency of record for North America.

After a multi-stage Public Relations review process, which culminated in a visit to New York City to personally meet with the finalist agencies, M. Silver Associates was selected to handle the PR efforts for Aruba, effective August 2008.

M. Silver Associates will work closely with ATA to develop a PR strategy for Aruba to differentiate the destination from its competitors.  The agency will be charged with generating publicity and raising awareness of Aruba’s key offerings in the U.S. and Canada through media relations with both new and traditional media, as well as special events, promotional activities and experiential marketing concepts.  In conjunction with a new branding campaign also launching this year, M. Silver Associates will be promoting the destination’s new image and advertising campaign along with the launch of ATA’s new Website, which is scheduled for fall 2008.

“Aruba is very pleased to have M. Silver Associates on board as part of our team,” said Edison Briesen, Minister of Tourism & Transportation.  “Their strong reputation as tourism industry experts will be a key asset for us as we launch our new brand campaign, and we look forward to building increased awareness and positive publicity for Aruba over the next few years.”

“Competition in the tourism industry is global and fierce, and ATA is very excited to work with M. Silver Associates to generate increased awareness of the destination and all of the enriching experiences Aruba has to offer travelers,” said Myrna Jansen-Feliciano, managing director for the Aruba Tourism Authority.  “We interviewed many strong contenders for this position, but ultimately felt that M. Silver offered the right team chemistry, strategic insights, creative ideas and global perspective that we were seeking, and we look forward to a very successful partnership.”

For more information on Aruba, please visit online at www.ARUBA.com or call 1.800.TO.ARUBA.

Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa is presenting its annual Fall Sale, offering values of 25 percent off* room rates, and adding new incentives for guests from New York,  New Jersey and Connecticut to return in 2009. Available on stays now through December 18, 2008, rates begin at $206 per night, based on double occupancy. Spa-goers will enjoy a 15 percent discount on all treatments including the signature aloe vera and rum massage at the Larimar Spa.  Guests staying five nights or longer will receive a $150 credit to use at the oceanfront spa and any of the Radisson Aruba restaurants including the award-winning Sunset Grille.

As a “thank you” for choosing the luxurious Radisson Aruba over the years, guests from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will receive one $100 voucher, per room booked, redeemable on a return visit in 2009, which marks the 50th anniversary of the resort.

“Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa attracts loyal guests from around the world; however, we wish to thank those from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut who have called Radisson Aruba their vacation home through the years,” states General Manager Gary Jutz. “We invite everyone to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Radisson Aruba in 2009.”

Families will also enjoy even more savings as “Kids Eat Free” at Laguna for breakfast and dinner buffets. For information and reservations, call Radisson Hotels & Resorts at (800) 333-3333 or visit www.radisson.com/aruba

* Black out dates apply

Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa has limited availability for the 2008 holiday season, it has been announced by Francis Purvey, director of sales and marketing for the two Caribbean luxury resorts. Stays at our Caribbean resort are priced from $499 per night December 21-31, 2008.

“December holidays in the Caribbean are warm and magical. Many guests have been making Radisson Aruba their traditional holiday home over the years preferring palm trees and beach sand to poinsettias and snow,” states Purvey. “Space is still available, but filling fast at Radisson Aruba. We encourage guests who are thinking about a holiday booking at this resort to make a reservation soon to avoid disappointment.”

Aruba is serviced by direct flights from major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Charlotte. For information and reservations, see a travel agent, call Radisson Hotels & Resorts toll-free at (800) 333-3333 or visit www.radissoncaribbean.com.