Archive for April, 2009

Reeuwijk, 27 april 2009 – Begin maart participeerde het Arubaans Verkeersbureau aan het Amsterdam Golf 2009 – het grootste indoor golfevenement in de Benelux wat georganiseerd werd in de RAI. De prijzen waar bezoekers aan de Aruba stand kans op maakten zijn afgelopen vrijdag feestelijk uitgereikt.

Middels het achterlaten van persoonsgegevens via een invulkaart op de Aruba stand, maakten bezoekers kans op een van de prijzen. De prijswinnaars zijn inmiddels bekendgemaakt en afgelopen vrijdag is de eerste prijs op het Arubaans Verkeersbureau feestelijk uitgereikt met taart en bloemen. De gelukkige zijn: Marjo en Gerrit van Zeijtveld, samen reizen ze in oktober af naar het eiland. De eerste prijs bestaat uit: 2 tickets, transfer luchthaven - hotel (v.v.), 7 nachten verblijf in het Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort inclusief een rondje golf, een snorkeltrip en een eilandtour aangeboden door de Palm Tours. Humphrey Vrolijk, Director of Europe van Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), Jaap Ellis, Sales Representative Benelux van ATA en Hetty Grote, Representative Benelux van Divi Aruba Resorts waren aanwezig om de prijs te overhandigen.
De tweede prijs bestaat uit 5 dagen verblijf in het Tierra del Sol Resort, deze prijs is gewonnen door: mevrouw Elsevier Rijpert.

Deelname van Aruba aan Amsterdam Golf 2009 was uitermate succesvol. Het golfsegment van Aruba is nu nog beter bekend bij de bezoekers en men was verrast over de mogelijkheden die One Happy Island te bieden heeft op golfgebied: “eindelijk een interessante intercontinentale golfbestemming, dit jaar gaan we een keer niet naar Europa”, aldus bezoekers aan de Aruba stand.

Over Aruba
Aruba, ook wel One Happy Island, is een van de benedenwindse eilanden in het Caribisch Gebied met een onafhankelijke status in het Koninkrijk. Deze zonnige vakantiebestemming is bekend om haar parelwitte stranden en azuurblauwe zee, maar heeft meer te bieden dan zonnig vermaak. Het is een ideale locatie voor sporten zoals golfen, duiken, wind- en kitesurfen. Bovendien zijn er vele spa’s om bij te komen van het drukke dagelijkse leven.

Voor meer informatie over Aruba: www.aruba.com

JUNE 20th, 2009 at Don Elias Mansur Ballpark.
This Event Is Confirmed - There Is No Turning Back!!!

In recent years many millions of dollars have been invested in the upgrade of Aruba hotels, airport, cruise & bus terminal, shopping malls, attractions & spas. Designated by the Aruban government for condominiums, Eagle Beach started showing a number of luxury condo complexes. Unlike the majority of developments, Oasis Luxury Condominiums opted for a Mediterranean-style, low-density residence, boasting privacy and intimacy.

Oasis was conceived as a 35-unit sanctuary from the rush, on a sizeable Eagle Beach lot – 8,750 m2, designed for two low-rise buildings, of just five stories each, with a selection of spacious one, two and three bedroom apartments. The push for condo development is a natural progression for the island and it is driven by Aruba’s many repeat visitors. Thirty years ago, Aruba had the insight to introduce the timeshare, vacation ownership concept. In fact when the Aruba Beach Club was built, it was the 8th timeshare resort in the world! Timeshare was in diapers when it landed here and it matured nicely hand in hand with that baby-boomers generation which embraced family travel. While visitors got to come back to ‘their island’ each year, Aruba greatly benefited from the highest rate of visitors return in the Caribbean. As that baby-boomers generation aged, their needs evolved. Today, many of the island’s repeat guests clearly express their intention to purchase a place they can call their own for more than a week or two per year.

A spokesperson developing Oasis Luxury Condominiums at Eagle Beach reports that while the present economic climate is perhaps discouraging towards real estate purchases, in reality, now is a good time to buy, as good as last year and perhaps twice as exciting. Aruba’s real estate market is stable, prices on the island have not dropped which clearly indicates that Aruba’s real estate market was and remains an excellent investment opportunity. Oasis at Eagle Beach offers more than a spectacular view. Some of the amenities include floor to ceiling glass doors and panoramic windows, spacious terraces, marble bathrooms, kitchens nicely finished with great detail, high tech appliances and fully air-conditioned spaces. The hallways and corridors have been especially created to allow sunshine and fresh air, befitting a tropical lifestyle. The fully landscaped free-form swimming pool with water falls and fiber-optic lighting, wraps around a two story club-house, with an elegant port cochere, offering a fully equipped gym and a reception which will provide 24/7 services, including a knowledgeable around-the-clock concierge, and security.

Condo-owners with time on their hands and just modest financial resources, may share a wonderful vacation with their kids, also inviting assorted family members and friends to spend quality time together. The condo may also become a more tangible legacy for children, besides memories of good times had on the island. Naturally, for the still active and involved visitor, high speed DSL global internet and a sophisticated telecommunications network will make it possible to live on the beach, while staying in touch with the world and with business. Playing golf while running an office from the tropics, does that sound attractive? You bet it does.

The developers of Oasis Aruba, F.G. Developers NV, picked a highly reputable and internationally recognized contractor, Deconferca – www.deconferca.com, to translate their vision into reality. Together, they have been making the significant investment, which clearly demonstrates the confidence business visionaries have in this island. Aruba’s investors believe that the island will continue to be successful, and continue its role as “tourism trailblazer” in the Caribbean. With more than 1 million tourist arrivals each year, by cruise ship and by air, with a majority of them from the United States, one happy island is raising the bar on everything including condominiums.

Oasis: Above: Artist’s concept
Below: In construction

Site of Eco Swimsuit Calendar Shoot

Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa, a landmark property on Aruba’s Palm Beach, is hosting the 2009 Eagles Cheerleading Squad’s annual swimsuit calendar photo shoot and inviting Philadelphia fans to join the fun.  With 1,500 feet of white sandy beach and surrounded by tropical lagoons, waterfalls and lush gardens, the AAA Four-Diamond resort is an idyllic backdrop for a fashion shoot and unparalleled playground for football’s most passionate enthusiasts. The resort is also home to the oceanfront Larimar Spa, featuring pampering treatments including the signature Aloe Vera & Rum Massage, perfect for de-stressing before the first kick-off.

“We are thrilled to be shooting our 2009-10 Eagles Cheerleader Calendar in such an exotic locale,” states Barbara Zaun, director of cheerleading for the Philadelphia Eagles. “The Resort is offering a fantastic rate and hosting activities for fans making the trip.”
From Tuesday, May 26 through Monday, June 1, 2009, the Eagles Cheerleaders will participate in a series of events which include:

·    Welcome cocktail reception on the beach
·    Beach volleyball and flag football games
·    Daily cardio-dance classes
·    Autograph signing sessions and dance performances

Rates begin at $179 per night, are valid from Wednesday, May 22 through Sunday, June 7, 2009 and can be booked through Radisson Hotels & Resorts (800) 333-3333 referencing “Eagles Cheerleaders Promotional Rate”, www.radisson.com/aruba (promotional code: BIRDS) or through any travel professional. US Airways offers non-stop routes from Philadelphia (PHL) to Oranjestad, Aruba (AUA).

Festival to Feature Performances by Robin Thicke, Common, Estelle, Jamie Foxx, Wayne Brady and Etana

Aruba is proud to announce the A-list musical lineup for the Ninth Annual Soul Beach Music Festival, taking place May 20-25, 2009. This year’s festival offers live performances by Grammy Award-winning singers/songwriters Robin Thicke and Common, Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx, music superstar Estelle, entertainer Wayne Brady and Caribbean favorite Etana.

The 2009 Soul Beach Music Festival falls over Memorial Day Weekend in Aruba’s sun-kissed paradise, with five-days of power-packed events. Soul music fans from around the world can take part in nightclub festivities, sizzling beach parties and live concerts.

“This year’s line-up for Aruba’s Soul Beach Music Festival features truly remarkable and talented performers,” said Edison Briesen, Minister of Tourism and Transportation for the Aruba Tourism Authority. “Aruba looks forward to once again welcoming thousands of visitors from around the globe to attend one of the most anticipated musical events of the year.”

The Soul Beach Music Festival’s full schedule of events and ticket pricing information can be accessed at www.soulbeach.net. Specialized vacations to Aruba during the Soul Beach Music Festival can be booked through www.aruba.com. Festival travel packages, including hotel accommodations, are being offered by Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino and Brickell Bay Beach Club.

About the Artists:

Musical icon Robin Thicke is known for his incredible voice, and award-winning songs such as “Lost Without You” which topped four Billboard charts simultaneously and pushed his way to double platinum status.
While superstar Common has been influencing the entertainment industry for over 16 years with seven albums, two Grammys and five major films, he has also found time to design a hat line and write three children’s books.

With her second album about to come out, Estelle has quickly taken over the international music scene. This London transport has already teamed up with industry greats such as Kanye West, to produce the hit song “American Boy.”

Jamie Foxx broke into the music world with his Oscar-winning portrayal of Ray Charles in the movie “Ray,” and also by teaming up with rap icon Kanye West on his number one single “Gold Digger.”

Another new voice performing in the Soul Beach Music Festival is Wayne Brady. This comic turned singer recently debuted his R&B album “A Long Time Coming” which earned him a Grammy nomination.

Etana, who is a native of Jamaica, debuted her first album last year, complete with sixteen tracks of her own original music.

Together, these artists will put on an once-in-a-lifetime musical festival on the pristine, white-sand beaches of Aruba.

Upper left: Jamie Foxx
Lower left: Robin Thicke

The many charms of the Caribbean paradise of Aruba are given exposure through an innovative new move in which, instead of landscape views of a sun-kissed vacation, the island is profiled in the diversity of its people, who reach out to visitors through individual personal profiles. This digitalized, island-wide welcome is part of a state-of-the-art renovation of the island’s official Website, which also includes a booking engine, in transforming www.aruba.com into a multifunctional travel destination site.

The Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) and Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA), through a public private partnership, have announced the launch of Aruba’s new Website, Aruba.com, complete with an industry-first social networking feature. Visitors to Aruba.com can share experiences, pictures and videos from their Aruba vacations with other travelers and Aruban locals through personalized profile pages. The Website also features a new booking engine, allowing travelers to research, plan and directly book vacations to Aruba.

“Our visitors have always commented that it is the hospitality of our people that brings them back each year. It is only natural then that we would be the first to utilize this tool in reaching out and enabling even stronger ties between visitors and local residents,” said Myrna Jansen, ATA’s managing director. “It adds a completely new dimension to the entire vacation experience, which can begin long before the guests’ arrival and can last long after, with a return visit to the island instantly transformed into a homecoming.”

“It is a move that is both cutting-edge as well as completely logical. The site is already generating numerous bookings as well as a multitude of ‘friend’ profiles in its first few weeks,” adds AHATA CEO & President Rob Smith. “The site is not only revolutionary for its combination of social networking and booking features, but for its origins as a joint initiative which was shared equally in conception, development and realization between the public and private sector.”

Aruba visitors are encouraged to set up online profiles on Aruba.com. This can be done by signing up for a free Aruba.com account with a valid email address and then one can begin customizing a personal profile page. Personal pages can be built by featuring individual vacation experiences, uploading Aruba pictures and videos, and sharing travel tips and island recommendations. Many of Aruba’s hotels, island attractions and restaurants are already featured on the Website and Aruba’s travel partners such as tour operators, travel agents and airlines are invited to set up their profiles, which provide details and images of their products and services.

First-timers to Aruba can tap into the vast consumer knowledge on the site by contacting previous visitors and locals directly through their individual profile pages. The dialogue taking place on Aruba.com serves as a valuable resource for vacationers.

The new Website also provides an online booking engine for travelers. In addition to researching a multitude of hotels and resorts, restaurants, on-island activities and tours, visitors can make their reservations online directly through the site. Travelers can build their itinerary in advance and book just prior to their vacation or even during their vacation. Bookings and reservations are handled directly with the specific vendor, thus guaranteeing the lowest rate.

The new Website launch is part of Aruba’s new brand campaign, “90,000 Friends You Haven’t Met Yet,” launched in October 2008, with ads that profile Aruban locals telling his or her own story about who they are and why they love Aruba. This distinct and personalized campaign gives consumers a chance to “meet” and get to know real locals before ever setting foot in Aruba.

Please visit the website at www.moombabeach.com