Archive for September, 2009

Het Deense windenergiebedrijf VESTAS heeft 90 miljoen dollar geïnvesteerd in de bouw van een windmolenpark op het Caribische eiland Aruba. De bouw van de windmolens is onlangs van start gegaan. Het windmolenpark wordt gebouwd op Vader Piet, een stuk grond op het Oostelijke deel van het eiland. Naar verwachting wordt de bouw rond december 2009 afgerond. Het windmolenpark Vader Piet is deel van een meerjarenproject om Aruba een milieuvriendelijk alternatief te bieden voor het gebruik van fossiele brandstoffen.

VESTAS verkoopt de gegenereerde stroom door aan WEB Aruba N.V., het plaatselijke energiebedrijf dat energie levert aan Arubaanse huishoudens en bedrijven. De windturbines moeten per maand gemiddeld 18 megawatt produceren, bij constante wind hebben ze een capaciteit van 30 megawatt. Aruba consumeert op dit moment in totaal 105 megawatt per maand: gemiddeld 18 % wordt na afronding van het project opgewekt met de nieuwe windmolens. Dit is percentueel meer dan in bijvoorbeeld Nederland, waar slechts 4 % van de energie wordt geleverd door windenergie.

De aanleg van het windmolenpark is deel van een groter project om op Aruba meer groene stroom op te wekken en minder fossiele brandstoffen te verbruiken. De eerste fase werd ingezet in 2006: geleidelijk worden conventionele boilers en turbines vervangen door RECIP motors, een milieuvriendelijker alternatief. Daarnaast heeft WEB Aruba geïnvesteerd in het zuiveren van drinkwater door ‘Omgekeerde Osmose’: een innovatief drinkwater reinigingssysteem. Een daling in het gebruik van fossiele brandstoffen is nu al zichtbaar.

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 investeert Aruba in schone stranden en accommodaties die op een bewuste manier omgaan met de natuur.

Voor meer informatie over Aruba als vakantiebestemming kijk op: www.aruba.com. Voor meer informatie over groene energie en WEB Aruba N.V zie: www.webaruba.com.

Unique product positioning and loyal repeat guests help the resort experience great success

While most of hospitality industry has been feeling the effects of the current economic climate, Bucuti Beach Resort & Spa in Aruba is weathering the storm thanks to an emphasis on repeat business. At Bucuti, the sales and marketing team has maintained high occupancy by focusing on what differentiates the resort from others in Aruba and cultivating close, personal relationships with loyal guests instead of offering discounts.

Since opening in 1987, Bucuti has maintained an annual occupancy level of 90 percent or above and has not fallen victim to the low numbers being reported throughout the industry over the last year. Resort owner and CEO Ewald Biemans believes this is a direct result of the loyal repeat guest base that has been cultivated through years of personal relationship building and product specialty for this destination. In fact, return guests have accounted for nearly half of Bucuti’s bookings in 2009.

“Because Bucuti is an owner-managed resort, we have the opportunity to interact with guests on a personal level,” said Biemans. “My associates and I understand the needs and wants of our guests because we field questions and hear feedback first hand, and this allows us to provide an exceptional level of personal service. We strive to know our guests by name and work to develop a special connection with them, whether it’s making sure every newlywed is welcomed by management when they arrive or taking the time to talk with guests about our environmental practices. We hope they feel so at ease that they are planning their next trip before they ever check out.”

The Bucuti team interacts consistently with guests through a resort Facebook page and Twitter account, as well as a second Facebook page run by the resort’s wedding planner. Bucuti has more than 1,000 fans on Facebook, may of whom communicate directly with one another and resort management by sharing their photos and experiences. This open stream of contact has allowed Bucuti’s ownership and management to correspond directly with guests now more than ever before.

In addition to attracting and enjoying loyalty from repeat guests, Bucuti has placed an increased emphasis on the fact that it is the only resort in Aruba that caters exclusively to couples, and those in the market for romantic travel have recognized this. For example, Bucuti’s Tara Suites were built to honeymooners specifications, and because of this, they are always the first to sell out even though they are the highest priced rooms.

In Biemans’ opinion, couples will still be getting married and celebrating anniversaries regardless of what is going on in the economy, and Bucuti will continue to deliver a top-notch experience that keeps attracting those seeking a romantic, sophisticated boutique resort experience.

“We are confident that by keeping our price structure intact and not discounting, we are supporting the value of our product, allowing us to reinvest in a freshly maintained and updated appearance and due to the high quality of the experience, price has not distracted our guests from booking their wedding, honeymoon or vacation at Bucuti,” said Biemans.

About Bucuti Beach Resort: Bucuti Beach Resort featuring Tara Beach Suites & Spa is Aruba’s premier, intimate, upscale boutique resort for couples. Located on the white-powder sands of Eagle Beach, Bucuti was named one of the world’s most romantic resorts by TripAdvisor. Bucuti offers 104 guest rooms, an abundance of contemporary European charm and a caring and attentive staff. Bucuti is a leader in sustainable tourism throughout the world, is ISO 14001 certified and has been recognized by notable organizations such as the Caribbean Hotel Association, American Express and the International Hotel and Restaurant Association for its environmentally responsible hotel operations. For more information, visit www.bucuti.com.

De minister van Financiën, Mr. Nilo Swean heeft op 10 en 11 september in Parijs belastingovereenkomsten getekend met Noorwegen, Zweden, Finland, Denemarken, IJsland Groenland, de Faroe Eilanden, de Britse Maagdeneilanden, Saint Kitts en Nevis. Hiermee verschuift Aruba van de grijze naar de witte lijst van OECD (Economic Cooperation and Development). Er moet met minimaal 12 landen een belasting informatie-uitwisseling overeenkomst getekend zijn wil je aan de eisen voldoen. Aruba voldoet nu aan alle eisen van internationale fiscale standaarden van de OECD.

Aruba had al een dergelijke overeenkomst met Amerika en Nederland, en is hierover in onderhandeling met Canada, Australië, Nieuw Zeeland, Duitsland en Mexico.

Dit is belangrijk nieuws voor Aruba als toeristische bestemming en voor de MICE markt. Myrna Jansen-Feliciano, Managing Director van het Arubaans Verkeersbureau:  ‘We zijn ontzettend blij met dit uitstekende nieuws. Deze nieuwe belastingregeling komt met name de meeting & incentive markt ten goede en versterkt het imago van Aruba als een bestemming die meer te bieden heeft dan alleen maagdelijke stranden en het hele jaar door prachtig weer.’

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 investeert Aruba in schone stranden en accommodaties die op een bewuste manier omgaan met de natuur.

Voor meer informatie over Aruba als vakantiebestemming kijk op: www.aruba.com. Voor meer informatie over dit bericht: www.siad.aw. Voor meer informatie over internationale MICE: www.siteglobal.com

The Village and Aruba Wine and Dine present:
The Village Food and Wine Festival
Irausquin Blvd. 348A, Palm Beach - Oct. 1

Click to enlarge

Aruba Tourism Exposition
Museo Arqueologico Nacional Aruba
September 23 - October 2, 2009
Open every day except Monday

Click to enlarge

A Newly Refurbished Pool Complements A $50 Million Renovation

Sunday, September 20th marked the re-opening of the Aruba Marriott’s free form pool, which underwent a resurfacing and beautification project over the past five weeks.

After having successfully completed a $50 million make over in November 2008, the resort moved forward with an upgrade to their pool facilities to provide equal quality and consistency throughout the resort. Five weeks were spent resurfacing the 180,000-gallon pool, restoring the rock formations, installing new border tiles and adding coloured LED energy efficient lighting (an eco-friendly initiative).  The resort also ensured that the pool is up to the new safety codes now applied in the USA for recreational swimming pools in accordance with the Virginia Game Baker Act.  Finally, the pool bar was enhanced with a new granite top and tiling.

On Monday September 21st, the resort hosted a pool party celebration to thank Marriott’s loyal guests for their patience and understanding during the pool renovation. Guests enjoyed great music, complimentary cocktails and snacks served personally by Marriott’s senior management team. “The guest response to the re-newed pool has been overwhelmingly positive,” stated General Manager and Vice President Rick Zeolla. “This project is the icing on the cake to our hotel renovation and is consistent with the look and feel our guests can expect to find at the Aruba Marriott.” Guests can now enjoy the all-new pool facilities including an intimate Jacuzzi, cascading waterfalls and surrounding rock formations.

The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino boasts 411 guestrooms - the most spacious on the island - each with large, private balconies overlooking 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.

Clockwise below: Guests in the pool, Marriott GM serving drinks, Marriott management with guests, Management serving drinks

Cilo City Lounge
DJ Jeroen - Sept. 23
Oranjestad

Click to enlarge

After Third Nomination Presented by the OAG (Official Airline Guide) in Beijing

Aruba Airport Authority N.V. (AAA) has received confirmation on the 14th of September, that after earlier receiving its third nomination by OAG, Official Airline Guide, it was awarded the prize for Runner-up for the Global Airport Marketing Award 2009 in the category ‘The Americas”. The gala awards ceremony, where the awards were handed out, took place during the Annual World Route Development Forum in Beijing, China . Representatives of  AAA that attended this Forum and accepted the award were Mrs. Peggy Croes, Head Airline Marketing and Mrs. Barbara Brown, Business Unit Manager Terminal.

OAG awards airports in geographical categories, irrespective of the amount of passengers that the airport receives per year. Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix didn’t only earn the Runner-up status for the Global Airport Marketing Award, but was also Highly Commended. With that it ended second amongst all North, Central and South American airports.
This result is outstanding and important for AAA for two reasons: First of all, airlines themselves nominate the airports who made a real difference to their own network planning activity over the last 12 months. And secondly, AAA was awarded Highly Commended, being the only Central and South American airport that was nominated sharing the honours in this category competing for the award with Akron-Canton Airport in Ohio, Halifax International Airport in Canada, Seattle-Tacoma and Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport in Texas which came out as number 1. It was the second time since 2007 that AAA received the Runner-up award in its category.

Peter Steinmetz, Managing Director AAA, expressed profound words of satisfaction with this major achievement: “This appreciation perfectly mirrors AAA’s philosophy that airports and airlines work together as partners in developing traffic and the award reflects directly  the positive improvements and changes at the company and solidifies Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix as a leading airport in the world of aviation. The fact that we have been nominated 3 times now over the last 4 years and received the Runner-up award twice speaks for itself on the quality and perseverance of our marketing staff and efforts. It is really outstanding for such a small airport.”  Steinmetz reiterated that “We ensure that our marketing objectives are met through the delivery of service benefiting Aruba as a whole”.

Carlos Bislip Collective
Arawak Garden - Free
Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 7 p.m.

Click to enlarge

A few of Aruba’s restaurants, Amazonia Churasscaria, Aqua Grill, El Gaucho Restaurant, Madame Janette, Pago Pago and Sunset Grill, were featured as “The Best Restaurants for Wine Lovers” on Aruba by the Wine Spectator. For more information please visit www.winespectator.com