Archive for July, 2009

The Aruba Marriott Resort launches new website dedicated to destination weddings.

The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino has launched a new website, www.weddings.arubamarriott.com, dedicated exclusively to helping brides and grooms plan their dream Aruban wedding. From simple elegance to grand ceremonies, this new website provides the tools necessary to begin an unforgettable journey into wedded bliss.

Aruba Marriott Resort’s wedding specialists designed www.weddings.arubamarriott.com with the modern day bride in mind. The website is a time-saving, one stop shop where planners and do-it-yourself brides can find information about: the various wedding locales on property (beachfront, gardens, ballrooms and more); packages (traditional Aruban Kunuku House ceremony package to a la carte services); group rates and reservations; key staff profiles; an image gallery; Aruban marriage requirements and more.

“We know how time consuming wedding planning can be for newly engaged couples, and this site helps streamline the process.  It provides an inside look at the resort and all its wedding offerings, in one, easy to navigate place,” said Senior Sales Manager Chela de Lannoy. “With the increase in popularity and appeal of destination weddings as an alternative to traditional ceremonies, the website is a tool couples can use to help create the wedding of their dreams.”

Whether looking to have an intimate beachfront ceremony, or ballroom extravaganza, the Aruba Marriott Resort offers a variety of wedding packages in amazingly romantic settings. Or, customize the wedding to specific ideas with the endless choices provided by the a la carte services menu. Aruba Marriott’s certified wedding specialists are knowledgeable in identifying the island’s best cake makers, florists, photographers, videographers and more.  To learn more about planning your dream wedding at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino visit www.weddings.arubamarriott.com.

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino boasts 411 guestrooms — the most spacious on the island — each with large, private balconies overlooking lush landscape and the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea. On property, seven restaurants and cafes provide fare from light to elegant, while the largest casino in Aruba, a 6,500 square-foot spa, free-form swimming pool with cascading waterfalls and high-energy health club offer entertaining diversions. To obtain more information call the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino at 888-PARADISE or visit www.arubamarriott.com / www.tradewinds.arubamarriott.com

Arriving in a horse-drawn carriage, Princes Margriet and her Husband, made her first public appearance as the representative of the Dutch family to open the bi-annual Kingdom Games at the Guillermo Prospero Trinidad Sport Stadium. The Kingdom Games originally founded in 1965 and conducted until 1983, were cancelled due to former competitor Suriname’s Departure in 1975. They were reinstalled in 1995 through the efforts of Dutch Olympian Erica Terpstra, with athletes from Aruba, now an autonomous entity within the kingdom, joining Holland and the Netherlands Antilles in the competitions.

This is the third time Aruba is hosting the games, along with the first year of hosting the bi-annual Cultural Exchange as well. The opening ceremonies encompassed a parade of the hundreds of participating young athletes of all the nations of the Dutch Kingdom who are competing in swimming, synchronized swimming, baseball, soccer, softball, tae-kwon-do and track and field. The closing of the games will take place this Friday at the Guillermo Trinidad Sport Stadium.

For more information please contact at wegadireino@gmail.com

The Aruba Tourism Authority is proud to announce the opening of the spectacular Archeological Museum and the renovated Arikok National Park last Sunday, July 26.

The Aruba Tourism Authority is proud to announce the opening of the spectacular Archeological Museum and the renovated Arikok National Park last Sunday.

The Aruba National Archeological Museum (MANA), was inaugurated in their new building in downtown Oranjestad by Princess Margriet and her husband, Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven. This took place during a well-prepared event on the plaza in front of the museum. The evening continued with a tour of the museum and a program filled with different performances by local and international actors and artists.

The museum complex offers an authentic glimpse into 5000 years of regional history with entertaining and interactive displays; a project that took more than ten years to be realized. Visitors are initially welcomed into the historic Ecury Complex of restored classic colonial type buildings and a modern state-of-the-art section to house ancient artifacts. The complex also includes a research center for serious study and a cafeteria. The first temporary exhibition, titled “Rancho” features Aruba’s traditional fisherman’s quarters on the western skirts of Oranjestad, where the museum is located. For more information regarding their daily programs, please contact them at 297-5828979 or email: archeo@setarnet.aw

The Arikok National Park of Aruba unveiled the results of its three-year makeover by welcoming Princess Margriet and her husband, Prof. Mr. Pieter van Vollenhoven to inaugurate the attractive visitor’s center constructed at the park entrance. The center contains a well-stocked souvenir shop and is now officially open to the public. The new facilities include headquarters for the nearly 40 rangers who patrol the park, as well as modernized roads and paths for visitors, which cost 7.1 million Euros to complete. The national park occupies 18% of Aruba’s land mass and is home to countless indigenous flora and fauna characteristic of Aruba’s unique tropical dessert climate; as well as families of wilds goats and donkeys. These species were brought to the island centuries ago by settlers. It was officially established in 1997 and contains Aruba’s famous caves, Fontein and Quadarikiri. Additionally located within the park are Aruba’s two highest points, Jamanota (617 ft.) and Arikok (577 ft.). For additional information about the park, please email them at: info@arubanationalpark.org or call them at 00297-585-1234.

Pictures are courtesy of Mr. Byron Boekhoudt of the Ministry of Culture & Sports.

Over 50 Years of Island Hospitality

The Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa, fondly referred to as La Grande Dame, celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday. The gala event was co-produced by the Aruba Tourism Authority. The evening’s program recreated the island’s journey, sailing into the past to cruise along decades of dedication, hard work and achievements of those who believed in the force of the island’s hospitality and the richness of its history, culture and perfect beaches. The “All Aboard” invitations filled the Grand Caribbean Ballroom with tourism pioneers and visionaries, members of the media and economic pillars of the community for a special event of tribute, commemoration and gratitude.

First to take off, the official opening of a photo exhibition documenting what started in 1935 with KLM’s snip aircraft landing at the Dakota terminal bringing in visitors, through the arrival of the Grace Line cruise ship in 1957, which became the first of many ships to drop anchor in the Oranjestad harbor. What started as a promise of a bright future turned into a solid industry and the exposition curated by Checkpoint Color with over 500 restored photographs tells the island’s living history over the past 5 decades – it will be open to the public in the lower lobby of the resort through Aug 3rd.

The exposition was inaugurated by the island’s interim governor Mrs. Ella Yarzagaray, the Minister of Tourism & Transportation Edison Briesen and the Director of the Aruba Tourism Authority Myrna Jansen-Feliciano. All guests viewed the photographs as well as the posters of past national ad campaigns with great appreciation, before congregating theater-style for an informative History of Tourism presentation by Mario Arends reviewing the highlights of the past five decades.

The evening third’s part included a brief welcome by the Minister of Tourism and an excellent address by the Director of the Aruba Tourism Authority focusing on the evolution of the Aruba tourist product.
At the heart of the evening were sixteen recognitions given to key personalities, individuals whose vision and creativity quantum-leaped Aruba from a sleepy island in the mid 50s, to a well-defined international vacation brand.

Recognitions were awarded to visionaries Oscar Henriquez and posthumously to Juancho Irausquin, the commemorative frame was received by attorney Monica Kock, entrepreneur and businessman Morris Neme, developers Eduardo De Veer, Raymond Maduro & Ewald Biemans, restaurateur Eduardo Ellis, marketing guru Eileen Bartels Daal, tour operators Ramon Richardson, Harold Malmberg and Herman Ponson, Bar owner Charlie Brouns Jr. III in honor of his father and grandfather, musician Joy Kock, singer and entertainer Lloyd Baptist, show host Lou Pavlis, and posthumously hotelier Ike Cohen and Wichi de Palm, whose framed certificate was received by his son Nelson de Palm.

Marcel Wortman, one the resort’s first managers, escorted by his wife, was the guest of honor. He was warmly welcomed back by the current general manager Gary Jutz and his wife Patricia, who also posed for a commemorative photo with long-term associates such as Eddy Pourier, Ruben Boekhoudt and Lucille Duinkerk. The evening was orchestrated by Lily Polsbroek of the Radisson Sales & Marketing Department and Amayra Boekhoudt of the Aruba Tourism Authority, it was emceed by Ruben Trappenberg and accompanied by an all star band with vocalist Lucre Houtman.

Pictured here some of the memorable party moments.  Delicious cocktails and hors d’ hoeuvres were served by the Grande Dame’s food & beverage department.

In her address at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa, Myrna Hansen Feliciano welcomed Her Excellency Acting Governor of Aruba, Mrs. Ella Tromp-Yarzagaray, the Minister of Tourism and Transportation, Edison Briesen, Members of Parliament, distinguished pioneers, entrepreneurs, and guests to the Grand Caribbean Ballroom.

The following were her remarks on the occasion of the celebration:

Welcome to this special event commemorating a milestone in the history of tourism of Aruba.  Allow me to take this opportunity to congratulate the Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa General Manager Gary Jutz, his management team, the Aruba Tourism Authority associates, long time employees of the resort and the former Aruba Caribbean Hotel, on the occasion of this 50th anniversary.

All the pioneers and entrepreneurs, members of government, Aruba Tourism Authority and Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association, various tourism industry representatives – and the people of Aruba – all contributed in the early development of tourism here and through the 50 years, during the fabulous journey undertaken by the local hospitality industry.

Project leader Amayra Boekhoudt, of the Aruba Tourism Authority together with the Radisson’s team, Lily Polsbroek, Mylene Marquez and their crew, Checkpoint Color’s Farita Luidens, artist and decorator Maria Theresa Martinez, and the ATA team with Mario and Sjeidy supported by Amylene Paesch and Thais Nava, and the entire ATA Team made this evening possible. Thank you for your great effort and thank you all for being part of this great celebration.

More than 50 years of hospitality is definitely something to celebrate and commemorate.  Sometimes, in order to move forward, one has to look back and savor the achievements and the qualities of the people that made those achievements possible. One may then finalize or adjust one’s vision for the future. When I was reading through some research material on the history of tourism, what impressed me most was the extreme effort made in the first phase in the development of tourism.  The vision, the dream of some individuals, triggered an impulse in others: impulses of courage, initiative, determination, dedication, creativity, assurance and perseverance, and leadership to achieve a bold beginning in tourism development in spite of all obstacles. Perhaps more was achieved than was even envisioned.

In reviewing the history of tourism, it also struck me as peculiar, that most of the challenges that we have today, we also experienced 50 years ago. Of course, 50 years ago, the size of those challenges was limited because tourism at that time was in its infancy. (To give you an idea, 50 years ago, they were concerned with the poor condition and/or lack of roads; they were preoccupied with increased crime, with the high price of tourism service, the lack of local flavor in entertainment and food, and some major concerns were expressed in view of competition.)

Even in marketing, there are quite some tools that we still use today, that were used 50 years ago.  I chuckled when I read that from the late 50s on, Breakfast Seminars, Trade shows, Media Events and parties for Travel Agents were hosted lavishly as well as visiting airline executives.  Those were all important then and are still important now. Now, 50 years later, our tourism industry has grown in leaps and bounds.
From 300 hotel rooms to almost 8000 hotel and timeshare rooms. From a few restaurants to over 300 restaurants. From some airline flights per week to over thirty, flights PER DAY!

We now market in over 10 countries and have more than 13 representation offices abroad, dealing with 10 different currencies. From a few thousand visitors 50 years ago, we now receive over 800,000 visitors by air and over 500,000 by cruise ship per year. Our population has more than doubled to almost 120,000.
Our competition which was limited to a few Caribbean islands, expanded to 32 Caribbean destinations and globalization made every other country in the world, offering tourism as an economic tool, a competitor.
The $100,000 dollar budget for marketing in the 50s, became almost $20 miyon dollars at present……….
Only one thing has not changed, and that is the geographic size of the island!

History proved that Aruba achieved many successes and the island is considered a leader in the Caribbean.  Aruba is the measuring stick, the benchmark in hospitality and friendship, good service, beautiful beaches, superb culinary experiences, excellent tourism and hotel infrastructure, a bonanza of activities and at the same time a relaxing and safe atmosphere. With the public and private sector working together for success, tourism has indeed become the most important economic pillar of the island.
While the global tourism scenario has changed quite a bit, some factors have definitely changed the industry forever.

The internet is here to stay and determines the way business is done.  Especially in tourism.  Although we still put emphasis on the personal touch, we have revolutionized our marketing approach to adapt to current trends. Social networking and direct bookings permeated our world and ATA is taking advantage of it, marketing the name Aruba and all its attributes. Not at any time in history, has an EXCELLENT VACATION EXPERIENCE been as important as it is today. Good experiences and bad experiences find their way to the net and personal accounts are perceived as more credible than anything we may say about ourselves. Therefore, warm hospitality, excellent service and an overall memorable vacation experience NOW has more value then ever and deserves our total attention.

Another very important factor is the demand that visitors place on responsible and sustainable tourism, supporting destinations where nature and the environment and social structures benefit, rather than suffer from the growing demand. More than ever before, the “modern” traveler wants to connect, and experience music, food, art and the lifestyle of locals. It’s all about the experience and the contributions to making our world a more sustainable place to live.  Our visitors want to have the choice to either pick from a variety of activities, or just relax, rejuvenate and take their stressful lifestyle down a notch.
I mentioned just a couple of the many changes taking place, but one thing is guaranteed, the fact that tourism will continue to evolve.  Our continued success depends on our ability to navigate these uncharted waters of the future. This will require the characteristics our pioneers and past entrepreneurs possessed:  vision, leadership, great courage, innovation, determination, creativity, initiative and persistence. One thing we cannot easily change, and that’s the SIZE of our ROCK - our baranca stima – our beloved native island.

That is why it is so appropriate at this moment to continue developing a National Integrated Strategic Plan with VISION 2025 in mind, with participation from all walks of life. One thing becomes clear when reading stories from the past, and that is that in crucial moments in history, although there were differences of opinions, Aruba’s people were able to team up and pull in the same direction, working together to achieve important accomplishments.

I would like to conclude saying that the expression ONE HAPPY ISLAND, that by now seems immortal, reflects the experience of warmth, hospitality and happiness, felt by visitors when they’re on our island.  We live on a wonderful island and it’s up to us to make it even more wonderful and happy for us. ATA and the government want to thank you for all your large and small contributions in the journey towards excellence in tourism development, from the baby steps to the big steps, from pioneers to entrepreneurs to those who contributed with their talent and all those who contribute giving our visitors positive experiences.
We count on you to continue the journey of hospitality and tourism for at least another 50 years.

Congratulations and thank you, Pasa un feliz anochi.

Aruba by Land, Air and Sea
An Exhibition by Elvis Tromp
Opening Reception: July 18th, 2009
Westin Aruba Art Gallery

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Fundraising Gala Dinner
In Honor of the Radisson’s 50th Anniversary
August 1st, 2009 * 8 pm – 1 am

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Beste ezelvrienden en/of bingo lovers willen jullie onderstaande mail ook doorsturen naar familie, vrienden en bekenden?
Dank Desiree

De Stichting Redt Onze Ezels werd in April 1997 opgericht om het voortbestaan van de Arubaanse ezel te garanderen en alle ezels in nood (ziek, gewond, mishandeld enz.) te verzorgen. Op dit ogenblik verzorgen we 90 ezels, dit aantal groeit ieder jaar, verspreid over 3 locaties, die allen in bruikleen zijn.

We hebben nu de gelegenheid om een groot stuk huurgrond te krijgen waar we al onze zorgen voor de ezels en dienstverlening aan het publiek kunnen centraliseren. Dit is een gigantische onderneming voor een stichting die nu al jaarlijks veel geld bijeen moet brengen voor de operationele kosten. We zijn vooral onze bezoekers dankbaar die ervoor zorgen dat dit bedrag gehaald wordt. Onze eerste grote job is om dit terrein te omheinen, hetgeen zeer veel zal kosten aan geld en inzet van vrijwilligers. Wij hebben uw hulp hard nodig t.w. arbeid en sponsoring. Maar om hulp wat leuker te maken,  nodigen we u uit om u te komen vermaken op een

EEN BINGO MIDDAG
Van 14.00 tot 17.00 uur op Zondag 26 Juli, 2009 in de ballroom van het Marriott Hotel. Een kaartje voor een boekje met 10 spelen kost Fl.10,- . Er is totaal Fl..2250 aan geld prijzen (volle kaart Fl.750) en er kan o.a. ook een mobiele telefoon gewonnen worden.
Kaartjes kunnen gekocht worden bij:

Aruba Post                                   Sanicolas: Mainstreet
Contreras Veterinary Services       Shaba 2 en in Savaneta
DA Drogisterij                              L.G.Smithblvd. 134
De Wit & van Dorp Stores             O’st.: Caya Betico en Dakota: Av. Milo Croes 21
Fantastic Gardens                         Bushiri 14
General Store                               Camacuri y na Savaneta 125-K
Treasure Box Toys                        Schotlandstraat 43
en indien er kaartjes over zijn:      bij de deur v/d Marriott Ballroom.

H E L P ons met de 1e fase van ons grote project. De ezels op één centrale plaats op Aruba.

Aruba, the island of 90,000 friends you haven’t met yet, is truly an extraordinary experience for travelers, but don’t just take our word. To date in 2009, the island destination and its hotels have received numerous travel awards.

Aruba was recently recognized by TripAdvisor® as a “Top Ten Romantic Destination For Couples.” TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel community, bestowed the honor on Aruba from a recent survey that focused on romantic travel. The survey was conducted amongst more than 1,800 U.S. respondents.

Beyond being a top romantic destination, TripAdvisor® has also named Aruba’s capital, Oranjestad, number ten on the list of “Top 25 Destinations in Latin America/Caribbean” via the 2008 Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards. Other island recognitions include The Atlanta Journal-Constitution naming Aruba a “Top Ten Destination Wedding Location” and Scuba Diving Magazine’s second place as a top “Wreck Diving Destination” and one of the “Top Twenty Dive Destinations for the Caribbean.”

Additional recent accolades received by Aruba include:

•  Bucuti Beach Resort won TripAdvisor®’s 2009 Travelers Choice Award in the “Best Hotel for Romance” category for the fourth consecutive year; Expedia’s “Insider’s Select Award” for the fourth consecutive year; and a “Golden Apple Award” by Apple Vacations the for the eight consecutive year.

•  Travel + Leisure named the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino one of the “Top 500 World’s Best Hotels” in January 2009.

•  The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino received an AAA Four Diamond Award 2009.

•  Sherman’s Travel listed the Occidental Grand Aruba as one of the “Top 10 All-Inclusive Beach Resorts.”

•  Marriott Aruba Ocean Club received the Interval International Premier Resort Award for providing outstanding vacation experiences to their members. Additionally, the property’s executives and sales team received the Chairman’s Club Award for their significant contributions to new member enrollments with Interval International. The hotel’s Mandara Spa was named to the Platinum List of Celebrated Living magazine in the “Best Spa” category.

•  Aruba’s Airport, Queen Beatrix International was awarded second place in Skytax’ World Airport Awards - Best Airports in the category for Central America and the Caribbean for the second consecutive year.

For more information on travel to Aruba, please visit online at www.ARUBA.com or call 1-800-TO-ARUBA.

Tad and Carla Bohlen, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, exchanged their vows on Bucuti’s 14 acres of pristine, powder white beach. The couple described the location as “the perfect setting for a beach wedding”. The couple enjoyed their dream beach wedding with a fiery red sun setting behind them. The Pirates Nest Restaurant catered a 5 course private dinner on the deserted beach complete with a dedicated steward in tuxedo.

Tad is an engineer, Carla works in an office as a receptionist and the couple met in a karate class.  On February 22, 2008 just a week after Valentine’s Day, they got engaged during a cruise to the Bahamas. The wedding plans ensued and both preferred an intimate and romantic affair.

When asked why they choose Aruba, the newlyweds replied, “We had heard how beautiful Aruba was from many friends. Aruba is the perfect setting for a beach wedding” Mr. and Mrs. Bohlen expressed thanks to Nashette Wouters, Bucuti’s wedding planner and the entire wedding team of the resort. “The Bucuti was exactly what we were looking for our wedding. Nashette did an outstanding job. Our wedding was everything we dreamed it would be. It was beautiful, elegant and perfect.”

Mr. and Mrs. Bohlen celebrated their honeymoon in one of Bucuti’s award winning Tara Beach Suites.

Contact: Nashette Wouters - weddings@bucuti.com

Photos by Victor Winklaar