Archive for December, 2008

COPA Airlines started with 4 weekly flights to Aruba.

The tourism industry of Aruba warmly welcomed COPA Airlines a warm welcome with their inaugural flight connecting Aruba with South & Latin America.

After years of dedicated efforts spearheaded by the Aruba Tourism Authority and its tourism partners AHATA and AAA, Aruba became COPA Airlines’ newest Caribbean destination as of Monday December 15, 2008. COPA will launch 4 weekly flights (Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays) using an Embraer E190 with a seating capacity of 94 passengers of which 10 in business class and 84 in economy class. Flights will be between Panama City, Panama and Aruba connecting to over 40 destinations in the Americas.

Celebration ceremonies took place both in Panama and Aruba and were presided by Aruban Minister of Tourism & Transportation Edison Briesen.
Upon arrival at the Reina Beatrix International Airport in Aruba, the COPA Airlines plane received the traditional water canon salute. Inside the airport building the ribbon cutting took place by Captain Beltran in the presence of Minister Briesen and executives from the Aruba Tourism Authority, AHATA, AAA and COPA Airlines.

“The Government of Aruba is proud to celebrate this achievement today as it fits with the government’s vision to diversify the tourism markets for Aruba. We are determined to make these flights a success and hopefully these flights will become daily flights very soon”, stated Minister of Tourism & Transportation Edison Briesen.

Eighteen touroperators and seventeen members of the press of the different Central and South American countries were invited as guests on the inaugural flight, with the objective to experience Aruba as a tourist destination.

Aruba Minister of Tourism & Transportation, Edison Briesen presented a painting by a local artist to Mr. Adolfo Sen, Regional Commercial Director of COPA Airlines as a memento of this great event.

Aruba is once more honored with a well-known guest, reverend Jesse Jackson onboard the cruise ship Westerdam from the Holland America Line, which includes the Oranjestad, Aruba port of call on the 14 night Caribbean cruise holiday.

The 14 night cruise vacation will be repeated in early 2009 and will depart from Ft. Lauderdale – Half Moon Cay – Oranjestad, Aruba – Willemstad – Grand Turk Island – San Juan – Phillipsburg.

The Westerdam with a capacity of 1918 cruise passengers is in Oranjestad, Aruba port until 22:00 hours on December 17, 2008.

The island of Aruba is thrilled to welcome the new charter flight from Dimensione Turismo that recently inaugurated its first flight from Milan, Italy to Aruba. The charter will regularly bring Italian tourists here for a taste of our One Happy Island.

Recently, Dimensione brought the Italian company of Ceramica Panaria to the island for a company incentive vacation. Ceramica Panaria is a leading manufacturer of tiles, and many may recognize the name as the sponsor of a well-known professional cycling team that competes on the international circuit.

The group enjoyed many wonderful activities and cuisine while here on the island, and the management, culinary, and service staffs of Aqua Grill were excited to be one of the restaurants chosen to entertain the group. Aqua Grill is often the choice of group events and celebrations, and Ceramica Panaria reserved the entire restaurant to host this special night of dining and entertainment for 180 guests.

To make your reservation or plan a special event at Aqua Grill, call 586-5900.

On Saturday, December 13, 2008, the Westin Resort hosted the wedding of Shilpa Kanani and Mark Dolfato. The destination wedding brought friends and family from the United States to the island of Aruba for several days of festivities.

The couple decided to honor Shilpa’s Indian roots, and with the assistance of the wedding and event professionals at The Westin, held a traditional Hindu ceremony on the beach. A Mandap (altar) was set up seaside, where the couple exchanged vows in a wedding ceremony based on Hindu traditions and rituals that originated from ancient Sanskrit scriptures. After the ceremony, a sunset cocktail reception was held, followed by a formal dinner at the resort.

Aruba is one of the hottest island destinations for weddings and honeymoons, and The Westin Resort, Aruba is one of the resorts on the island with a team dedicated exclusively to coordinating weddings and assisting couples in the planning of all aspects of their special day.

Bucuti proudly received the National Geographic Magazine ‘Stay List” award in 2008. For the third consecutive year Bucuti won the TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s choice award and Expedia’s Insider’s Select List. Bucuti’s associates were celebrated with the winner of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association Employee of the Year Award for our housekeeper Bernice Dennis and first runner up Marguerita Doyley-Osbourne for the Supervisor of the Year. Apple Vacations awarded Bucuti with its 8th consecutive Golden Apple Award and the International Restaurant and Hotel Association Green Award.

Photo: Marguerita Doyley-Osbourne (Left) Bernice Dennis (right)

New Streaming Video Web Cam at Bucuti

See live streaming video on http://www.bucuti.com/en/about_us/webcams.php of Bucuti’s dream beach of the world as it pans north to south all day long. Stream video of your wedding live to your family abroad, or witness the hatching of a giant sea turtle nest on Bucuti’s Beach. Stay Tuned!

Bucuti welcomes the new year in Style

In 2008 the Aruba Bucuti Beach Resort realized the final stages of its complete renewal. After the addition of the award winning Tara Suites in 2005, the original Bucuti Wing rooms and public area interiors were completely rebuilt and stylized in 2006 and 2007 and this past year our fresh water pool was transformed into an elegant oceanfront oasis complete with Dedon and Kettal sunbeds, coral tile and hard wood decks.

Full American Breakfast Buffet included in all room rates

All guests of Bucuti and Tara Beach Resorts have full American Breakfast included each morning as our guests. Our chef is standing by to freshly prepare your eggs, pancakes, French toast, etc at the hearty and healthy buffet at the Pirates Nest where you can dine on the beach. Our Tara Lounge location offers, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage as well as panckakes, and your hot favorites are available at the Buffet.

At Bucuti & Tara, you only pay 9% in addition to your room rate! By far the lowest tax/fee rate in Aruba.

Some resorts charge as much as 24% in addition to your room rate for taxes, service charges, resort fees, and other fees. At Bucuti we only charge 9% ! When comparing rates, consider that Bucuti & Tara include a hearty full American Breakfast Buffet (Value of $20 per person) plus the low 9% tax/fee rate. Add in all your charges before comparing rates!

Chic and Elegant Dining New Terrace at the Pirates Nest

Architectural Digest Magazine featured Bucuti’s newly installed ‘Sun Squares’ shade system on their cover this past summer. The exquisite design adds both style and comfort for guests dining on the newly renovated terrace. Hardwood decking and sophisticated furnishings have transformed this space into a comfortable and trendy location for sunset watchers and restaurant patrons.

The annual  Holiday Gift Project organized by the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association member lines, the Government of Aruba and De Palm Tours was held  at Club Don Bosco, Noord.

Children from the Noord area will participate at this unique Christmas celebration and will have the opportunity to receive their presents from Santa Claus, who arrived onboard the Jewel of the Seas and was transferred to the Club by De Palm Tours.

The member lines are Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises (USA) Inc., Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International.

Coordinating in Aruba is the Aruba Cruise Tourism, Mr. Ernest Giel and on behalf of the member lines of FCCA, Miss Terri Cannicci.

The Enchantment of the Seas celebrated her first call plaque ceremony in the presence of amongst others special invitees of the Aruba Ports Authority NV, and SEL Maduro & Sons, the shipping company.

Special guest onboard the Enchantment of the Seas was the First Lady of Colombia, Mrs. Lina Moreno de Uribe, spouse of President Alvaro Uribe, who disembarked in Aruba and enjoyed a few hours shopping before flying back home.

A total of 2293 cruise guests were onboard the Enchantment of the Seas and according to Mr. Michael Ronan – Vice President, Government Relations, Caribbean Latin America & Asia, all disembarked to take part in the adventure of shore excursions, shopping, and the sampling of the local hospitality.

The consul of Panama, Mrs. Anabel Arends Mojica G. was also present for this occasion, since the Enchantment of the Seas is home porting in Colon, Panama and has amongst others Cartagena, Santa Marta Colombia, Aruba and her sister islands on the itinerary.

Carrying 1802 cruise guests onboard, the cruiseship MV Ocean Village TWO reached Aruban shores on Wednesday December 10, 2008.

Mr. Ernest Giel, on behalf of the Aruba Cruise Tourism and the Aruban community, presented a commemorative plaque to Capitan Angelo Vago during the traditional welcome ceremony on board in the presence of special guests.

Come and celebrate the Holidays with our Christmas special in the elegant living room of Maison Madruga Presenting for the first time –
* Soprano: Nicole van Eer * Dutch Broadway Star with a Holiday Repertoire from around the world
*Special Dance Performance: Alydia Wever * Diva interpretive dancer
*Lounge Party: Lounge DJ Mike Willer * Music Master of our Island Limited seating includes: Dinner * show * 1 Welcome Drink & 2 glasses of wine
*Holiday Buffet
-Carpaccio of smoked duck breast salad with Berry Coulis
-Petit Pain & Spiced Butter
-Christmas ham with a Dijon mustard sauce
-Roast beef in a sumptuous gravy
-Chicken roulade in cream sauce
-Seasonal Vegetables
-Jingle bell rice –Tiramisu
-Tropical fresh fruit

Limited seating: 40 per evening Reservations: 5824896 * 7420969

Dates: December 13,14,15- 2008
Time: 8pm – 8.30 Welcome garden reception. *8.45pm – 11pm Dinner Show *11pm – 12am Lounge & DJ
Place: Maison Madruga – Schotlandstraat # 4. Eagle, Aruba. (behind Eagle Tennis Club)
Prix Fixe: $100 per person
Cash Bar: credit/debit cards accepted Buffet catered by: Taste of Belgium