Archive for March, 2009

April of this year is the eighth annual celebration of JAM, Jazz Appreciation Month, initiated by the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American history. It has become a worldwide movement by Jazz educators and on Aruba, Carlos Bislip jr. noted percussionist and teacher, instigated a series of jazz concerts and lectures during JAM after attending workshops with the International Association of Jazz educators in New York in 2006.

Carlos, who teaches percussion and harmony at the Rufo Wever School of Music in Oranjestad, is a graduate of the Berkley School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and holds a Master Degree. He has long been a proponent of Jazz on Aruba, staging concerts and lectures to stimulate interest in this creative and vital musical genre among young island musicians. A number of noted island musicians join him in this campaign of appreciation for the art form, and this year the Smithsonian theme for JAM is “Jazz Music; Masters and Messages”. The official JAM 2009 poster pays homage to jazz icon Benny Goodman, popularly known as “The King of Swing”.

JAM on Aruba will begin on April 2 and 3 at the Scol di Arte in San Nicolas with lectures for schoolchildren, and on Saturday, April 4, Scol di Arte will host a free concert with guest performer Placido Hazel and trio along with the SMRW Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Johnny Croes. Throughout the month of April, Carlos Bislip, accompanied by various noted musicians will be visiting island schools for a series of demonstrations and lectures. JAM will end with a free open-air concert in front of the Oranjestad library on Saturday, April 25.

Joining Carlos and his group for the concert will be Jazz Trio Footsteps, consisting of  Franky Janga, Rob Rijnhout, and Richard Holmond. Also on the playbill is the Carlos Bislip Collective, a quintet with guest performer Ronchy Matthews of Curaçao, the SMRW Ensemble, and three extremely talented young jazz musicians, Jamaal Baptiste, Michael Bremo, Jose Croeze, who have formed their own Jazz trio. The concert starts at 7 pm and has proven extremely popular. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy this most creative of musical art forms and some of Aruba’s extremely talented musicians. All are welcome.

Renown for our leadership in Environmental preservation in Aruba for over 30 years, Earthday is cause for major celebration at Bucuti.  We hope you will join us for our Earthday celebration with the following activities at the resort on April 22nd:

8am: Beach Clean up (Ewald Biemans is creator of this island wide program called Sponsor a mile)

10am: Lecture by Edith van der Wal, founder of the foundation to protect sea turtles in Aruba: Turtugaruba

11:30 am: Hotel Tour by Bucuti’s Green Team leaders highlighting the hotel’s extensive Environmental program.

1pm: Nature Sensitive Hiker’s flora and fauna expert, Mr. Eddy Croes will conduct a dedicated Bucuti beach Resort tour through Arikok National Park.

3pm: Recycled Crafts contest.  See entries by Bucuti Associates in the Pirates Nest Restaurant and take part as a judge!

5pm: Meet owner Ewald Biemans at the Sand Bar, known as the island’s foremost activist for environmental protection over the past 3 decades.

6pm: The Pirates Nest will offer a special menu featuring Aruban Cuisine.

8pm: Our movie on the beach will be:  Inconvenient Truth.

Aruba Airport Authority N.V. (AAA) has been actively working together with its valued air service partners in securing sufficient air service from New York JFK airport, Aruba’s strongest market.

American Airlines, Jetblue Airways and Delta Airlines have all responded positively and with receiving word yesterday from Delta Airlines, AAA will continue its support of efforts made by the Aruba Tourism Authority to ensure demand generated to maintain additional service. AAA has been actively participating and advising ATA on target cities and feeders and attend roundtable events organized by ATA and AHATA.
AAA is very pleased to announce that American Airlines has changed the arrival and departure times of their twice-weekly JFK service from late afternoon to 12:20 PM with a 13:30 departure back to JFK as of June 11, 2009.

Jetblue Airways has increased the effective summer period of their second daily JFK flight from March 8, 2009 through September 8, 2009 and even a 3rd Saturday flight on Saturdays during the same period mentioned above. Delta Airlines has added a 3rd JFK flight on Thursdays during the period of July 1, 2009 through September 5, 2009. Each additional flight from Jetblue and Delta consist of 150 and 185 seats respectively.
“This is excellent news and we are extremely pleased with the positive response gotten from our airline partners towards our request for additional service” Peter Steinmetz, Managing Director AAA said. “We will continue to support the efforts of our Tourism partners in securing the demand for our service network at profitable levels. Demand is a priority and competition is fierce world wide.” IATA, the International Air Transport Association, has just released a revised forecast for 2009 and the Director General and CEO, Giovanni Bisignani has bluntly stated that the airline industry is “in intensive care” and that the priority for survival will be the conservation of cash and adjusting capacity to demand.

Aruba, the island that boasts year-round ideal weather, world-class beaches and breathtaking sunsets is a picture perfect place for a destination wedding or honeymoon - and offers everything couples need to celebrate the beginning of the rest of their lives together.

Destination Weddings in Aruba
Couples choosing to get married in Aruba generally first have their civil ceremony - the legal part of the wedding - in the morning, followed by a beach blessing in the afternoon or evening.  Civil ceremonies always take place in the Civil House, which is a historic, sea-colored renovated mansion in downtown Oranjestad. Couples then have the choice of many luxurious hotels and resorts in which to hold their ceremony and reception. From beach blessings on the sugar-white sands at sunset, to receptions aboard a catamaran, to reciting vows to the gentle rhythm of steel-pan drums, Aruba offers an authentic island experience for couples tying the knot.
Below are current wedding packages being offered in Aruba:

Customized Weddings at Bucuti Beach Resort
At Bucuti Beach Resort, weddings are designed individually for each bride and groom.  The resort offers a choice of packages to begin the planning process which includes a decorated wedding area on the beach, services performed by a non-denominational officiate, flowers, champagne and music, plus planning assistance from the resort’s award-winning wedding coordinator.  In addition to the beach blessing, Bucuti Beach Resort will also coordinate a couple’s civil ceremony, and can offer a sit-down wedding reception dinner on the beach for up to 12 people, or a buffet-style dinner on the beach for up to 50 guests. For more information or to book a wedding at Bucuti Beach Resort, email weddings@bucuti.com.

“Free Caribbean Wedding” Package at The Holiday Inn Resort Aruba
The Holiday Inn Resort Aruba offers a “Free Caribbean Wedding” package exclusively for couples who book a minimum seven-night stay on the all-inclusive plan in a Superior Ocean Front Room.  The package includes a romantic wedding location on the beach, professional wedding planning services, a non-denominational pastor, one-tiered wedding cake, garden-fresh bridal bouquet and boutonnière, a bottle of champagne, marriage certificate, preparation of all documents and a special gift from the resort. Themed decorations and a complimentary candlelight dinner for two are also included in the package. Videography and photography services, music and reception/banquet options are also available at additional costs. An $850 fee applies for stays less than seven nights. The “Free Caribbean Wedding” program is valid through December 31, 2009.  For reservations and more information, call 1-800-HOLIDAY or visit www.caribbeanhi.com/aruba.

Kunuku Traditional Wedding Ceremony at The Aruba Marriott & Stellaris Casino
At The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, couples have the option to get married under an archway replica of a traditional Aruban kunuku house on the resort’s pristine beach. Champagne and cake are served after the ceremony amid the sounds of Caribbean steel drums.  Components of the package include a palm- fringed walkway to the kunuku archway decorated with tropical flowers; a professional photographer; a one-tier wedding cake; flower arrangements for the signage table, bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere; a bottle of champagne; one-hour of live steel drum music before and after the ceremony; the service of a non-denominational pastor; a wedding certificate as a keepsake; and services of the resort’s on-site wedding coordinator.  This package is available year-round, and starts from $2,350, excluding service charges and taxes.  For more information, please visit www.arubamarriott.com or contact the resort’s on-site wedding planner at 011-297-520-6634.

The Occidental Grand Aruba Offers Stress-Free Wedding Planning
For those looking to plan a stress-free destination wedding, the Occidental Grand Aruba offers an online date confirmation system, save-the-date invitation tool, and value-added amenities for weddings, honeymoons and anniversary trips. Couples may simply visit www.occidentalweddings.com to reserve their wedding date, and an on-site wedding coordinator from the Aruba resort will contact them within two business days to create a celebration that fits their style and budget.  Additionally, the online save-the-date tool provides a cost-effective and eco-friendly way for couples to send personalized notices to guests, and an online link for guests to reserve and pay for their rooms directly.  As the Occidental Grand Aruba is an all-inclusive resort, a plethora of dining options and daily and nightly activities are available to guests throughout their stay, providing no surprises on the hotel bill at check-out time.

Rehearsal Dinner or Wedding Reception at Sea
For couples looking to celebrate their love at sea, they can host their private event aboard a catamaran on the Caribbean.  For those planning their rehearsal dinner, Red Sail Sports offers a Dinner Sail experience, including views of the sunset along Aruba’s scenic coast, followed by a Caribbean buffet catered by award-winning chefs. Private charters for up to 38 people (seated) or 80 people (reception-style) are available, and prices start from $105 per person, for a minimum of 20 people. Red Sail Sports can also accommodate wedding receptions on their catamarans, and the relaxing sail is a perfect way to end a beach wedding.  The boat departs from the Palm Beach pier and sails along Aruba’s scenic coastline.  Guests can enjoy music, hors d’oeuvres and a complimentary bar featuring wine, beer and cocktails as they watch the sun go down over the water. Private charters for up to 100 guests are available, starting from $45 per person.  To book a private sail, couples can email info@redsailaruba.com or call 011-297-586-1603.

Aruba Offers Exclusive “One Cool Honeymoon” Program for Newlyweds
For those who have already planned their wedding, Aruba also offers wonderful honeymoon options for those who have recently tied the knot. Honeymooning couples have always received the red carpet treatment in Aruba, and now they have access to even greater amenities through Aruba’s “One Cool Honeymoon” program. Honeymooners at participating hotels and resorts receive a bottle of champagne in their room upon arrival, a souvenir gift from their resort, as well as one free hotel night stay upon their return anniversary visit. Honeymooning couples also receive special discounts on spa treatments, island tours, snorkeling excursions and on meals at select restaurants.  Newlyweds only need to identify themselves while booking their hotel accommodations to automatically receive these special offers.  For more information on participating Aruba hotels and resorts, visit www.aruba.com/SpecializedVacations/weddings.aspx.

With the economy weighing on everyone’s minds and taxes due mid-April, spring is the ideal season to get away from it all with a well-timed escape to the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusives.

Located just steps apart along a stretch of sandy beach, the Divi Aruba and the Tamarijn Aruba have all the necessary services, facilities and amenities to make guests forget their cares at home and simply enjoy themselves. Here, travelers can de-stress in a picturesque tropical setting overlooking the sparkling Caribbean Sea amidst a variety of dining and activity choices.

For those that find relief in a good workout, the Divi Winds Sports Center located at the Tamarijn Aruba provides an air-conditioned, oceanfront fitness center with the latest strength and cardiovascular equipment as well as a 30-foot outdoor rock climbing wall on the beach.  Or, for exercise in a group setting, try group volleyball, biking, basketball or dance lessons.  Anyone who prefers a solo escape can read a book while lying on the beach, try snorkeling in the clear turquoise waters or perhaps go kayaking along the shoreline.  Many guests also appreciate the relaxing experience of watching the sun set over the beach while sipping a cool cocktail at one of the properties bars or restaurants.

No matter how a person likes to unwind, there are plenty of options for tranquility or carefree fun available all inclusive to guests of both resorts*.  Plus, with the proximity of the two properties and the convenience of all inclusive, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba is a perfect getaway!

Located just ten minutes from the airport and five minutes from Aruba’s capital city, Oranjestad, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive resorts are set on beautiful Druif Beach, with a shopping arcade and the Alhambra Casino nearby.  Guests staying at either the AAA 3-Diamond Divi Aruba or the adjacent, oceanfront Tamarijn Aruba have use of all facilities and services of both properties.  All stays at the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba include all meals and snacks at a choice of ten dining options, unlimited beverages at seven bars, the use of three freshwater pools, a wide range of activities including non-motorized watersports and nightly entertainment and offer a variety of packages.  In addition, all guests may use the well-equipped Divi Winds Sports Center, which features a 30-foot outdoor rock climbing wall on the beach.

Due to the resorts’ picturesque tropical beachfront setting and variety of dining and activity choices, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusives has been selected as the official host venue of this year’s New England Patriots Cheerleaders exclusive swimsuit calendar shoot.

The photo shoot will be taking place from Friday April 24th to Friday May 1, 2009 at both the Divi Aruba and the Tamarijn Aruba, located just steps apart.  These all inclusive, oceanfront sister properties are situated on a wide stretch of sandy beach facing the sparkling turquoise Caribbean Sea, making them an ideal backdrop for stunning photos.

Over the course of the week, the Cheerleaders will be participating in various activities throughout the resorts with fans who have booked their trip with TNT Vacations as part of the Celebrity Come Along program.  Activities range from beach volleyball to private dinners and cocktail parties to autograph sessions and special dance performances taking place within the resorts.  Anyone booking the trip will have full use of the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba’s 10 dining options, three swimming pools and wide range of activities available all inclusive to guests of both resorts.

Located just ten minutes from the airport and five minutes from Aruba’s capital city, Oranjestad, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive resorts are set on beautiful Druif Beach, with a shopping arcade and the Alhambra Casino nearby.  Guests staying at either the AAA 3-Diamond Divi Aruba or the adjacent, oceanfront Tamarijn Aruba have use of all facilities and services of both properties.  All stays at the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba include all meals and snacks at a choice of ten dining options, unlimited beverages at seven bars, the use of three freshwater pools, a wide range of activities including non-motorized watersports and nightly entertainment and offer a variety of packages.  In addition, all guests may use the well-equipped Divi Winds Sports Center, which features a 30-foot outdoor rock climbing wall on the beach.

For reservations and more information about Divi & Tamarijn Aruba, contact your travel professional or 1-800-554-2008, 207-594-7888 or visit the resorts’ websites at www.diviaruba.com or www.tamarijnaruba.com.

To book the 7-night all inclusive trip with the Cheerleaders from TNT Vacations, call 1-888-GO-TNT-GO (1-888-468-6846) or visit www.tntvacations.com.  TNT Vacations is New England’s leading provider of popular vacation packages to the Caribbean and Mexico, as well as Bermuda, Costa Rica and more. Over 3.5 million passengers have traveled with TNT Vacations since it was founded in 1974 by Chairman Steve Belkin.

Due to the resorts’ picturesque tropical beachfront setting and variety of dining and activity choices, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusives has been selected as the official host venue of this year’s New England Patriots Cheerleaders exclusive swimsuit calendar shoot.

The photo shoot will be taking place from Friday April 24th to Friday May 1, 2009 at both the Divi Aruba and the Tamarijn Aruba, located just steps apart.  These all-inclusive, oceanfront sister properties are situated on a wide stretch of sandy beach facing the sparkling turquoise Caribbean Sea, making them an ideal backdrop for stunning photos.

Over the course of the week, the Cheerleaders will be participating in various activities throughout the resorts with fans who have booked their trip with TNT Vacations as part of the Celebrity Come Along program.  Activities range from beach volleyball to private dinners and cocktail parties to autograph sessions and special dance performances taking place within the resorts.  Anyone booking the trip will have full use of the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba’s 10 dining options, three swimming pools and wide range of activities available all inclusive to guests of both resorts.

Located just ten minutes from the airport and five minutes from Aruba’s capital city, Oranjestad, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive resorts are set on beautiful Druif Beach, with a shopping arcade and the Alhambra Casino nearby.  Guests staying at either the AAA 3-Diamond Divi Aruba or the adjacent, oceanfront Tamarijn Aruba have use of all facilities and services of both properties.  All stays at the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba include all meals and snacks at a choice of ten dining options, unlimited beverages at seven bars, the use of three freshwater pools, a wide range of activities including non-motorized watersports and nightly entertainment and offer a variety of packages.  In addition, all guests may use the well-equipped Divi Winds Sports Center, which features a 30-foot outdoor rock-climbing wall on the beach.

With the economy weighing on everyone’s minds and taxes due mid-April, spring is the ideal season to get away from it all with a well-timed escape to the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusives.

Located just steps apart along a stretch of sandy beach, the Divi Aruba and the Tamarijn Aruba have all the necessary services, facilities and amenities to make guests forget their cares at home and simply enjoy themselves. Here, travelers can de-stress in a picturesque tropical setting overlooking the sparkling Caribbean Sea amidst a variety of dining and activity choices.

For those that find relief in a good workout, the Divi Winds Sports Center located at the Tamarijn Aruba provides an air-conditioned, oceanfront fitness center with the latest strength and cardiovascular equipment as well as a 30-foot outdoor rock-climbing wall on the beach.  Or, for exercise in a group setting, try group volleyball, biking, basketball or dance lessons.  Anyone who prefers a solo escape can read a book while lying on the beach, try snorkeling in the clear turquoise waters or perhaps go kayaking along the shoreline.  Many guests also appreciate the relaxing experience of watching the sunset over the beach while sipping a cool cocktail at one of the properties bars or restaurants.

No matter how a person likes to unwind, there are plenty of options for tranquility or carefree fun available all-inclusive to guests of both resorts*.  Plus, with the proximity of the two properties and the convenience of all-inclusive, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba is a perfect getaway!

Located just ten minutes from the airport and five minutes from Aruba’s capital city, Oranjestad, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive resorts are set on beautiful Druif Beach, with a shopping arcade and the Alhambra Casino nearby.  Guests staying at either the AAA 3-Diamond Divi Aruba or the adjacent, oceanfront Tamarijn Aruba have use of all facilities and services of both properties.  All stays at the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba include all meals and snacks at a choice of ten dining options, unlimited beverages at seven bars, the use of three freshwater pools, a wide range of activities including non-motorized watersports and nightly entertainment and offer a variety of packages.  In addition, all guests may use the well-equipped Divi Winds Sports Center, which features a 30-foot outdoor rock-climbing wall on the beach.

The Aruba Tourism Authority, ATA, has just released the conclusive 2008 yearend figures of stay-over arrivals, reporting that as the number of Aruba’s visitors was tallied at the end of December, excluding cruise ship arrivals, the result showed positive growth, an increase of 6.88% in 2008 over yearend 2007.

In 2008, the total stay-over arrivals by air stands at 825,137 in comparison to 772,036 stay-over arrivals in 2007. This translates into an increase of 53,101 more visitors in 2008 over 2007 and a significant number of 131,765 more stay-over visitors over 2006.

The Aruba Tourism Authority is pleased to report that all main markets, in both North America and South America, countries supplying Aruba with visitors, have experienced satisfactory growth.

An in-depth examination of stay-over arrivals in 2008 indicates that the island was enjoying a double digit growth over 2007 for the first quarter of the year, with January closing at +20.8% growth, February at +22.0% and March at +19.1%.

The month of April slowed down to a still satisfactory +3.0% growth over 2007, then surged to a record of +22.76% in May, and cooled off again in June as the first summer month closed with a +4.4% increase followed by July +4.6% increase and August +5.7% increase, over 2007.

From September on, the trend reversed, and the number of stay-over visitors slipped -5.2% over 2007 in September, - 6.4% in October, - 3,1% in November, with December closing at a +0.2% plateau, concluding 12 months with an average 6.88% increase in stay-over arrivals, over the previous year.

According to the facts gathered by the Aruba’s Central Bureau of Statistic, CBS, the hotel ADR, average daily rate increased by 4.4% in 2008, yet the other indicator used by the hotel industry to measure business results, namely the rev par, revenue per available room, experienced a decrease of -1%.

Aruba’s average occupancy for the properties affiliated with the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association, AHATA, registered at 73.2% in 2008 versus 74.4% in 2007, a slight decrease of 1.2%.

As expected, Aruba’s timeshare resorts performed well in 2008 posting 85% occupancy, compared to 83.2% in 2007.

The Aruba Tourism Authority states that in view of its finding, 2008 was overall a good year, but that the last quarter of the year is indicative of the tourism trend for 2009.  During these difficult times, it is even more important for the island to continue to offer an excellent and diverse vacation product, meeting and exceeding visitors’ expectations.

January and February 2009 arrivals
For the first two months of 2009, stay-over arrival stats from the airport immigration RADEX system, posted a -2.3% decrease for January while February registered a 7.7% drop, for an average of 5% year to date.

Since last year ATA has informed that due to the global economic crisis, it cannot expect further growth in 2009.  The current forecast for Aruba is a 5-10 % decrease in tourism arrivals in 2009.  “This forecast can of course change, based on the further development of the global economic crisis.  Our goal is to minimize the decrease caused by the impact of global challenges as much as possible and to embark on new opportunities as they arise”, said Myrna Jansen, Managing Director of the ATA.

Aruba’s contingency fund for marketing will increase Aruba’s high profiled presence in the island’s main markets, as that fund has dramatically increased Aruba’s presence on Cable, print, online, in cinemas and subways, when it facilitated the island’s current “90 friends you haven’t met yet” campaign starring many island personalities.

ATA will continue to monitor the ever-changing economic picture with vigilance, alert to all changes in the fluctuating market.