The first mortgage signing for the pension fund took place at the office of notary Yarzagaray in Dakota, in the presence of three pension funds board members representing the employers, Paul Vandormael, representing the employees, Lisette Mohammed, and the impartial Chairman of the Board, Harold Malmberg.

Managing Director Sanaa Bergen reports it is a new benefit. The pension fund now offers its members the possibility to refinance their assets with a mortgage of 8.5% interest.

After a scrupulous screening process, the first beneficiary employee is Amy Spagnola of De Palm Tours. Sanaa Bergen reports it is very special since Harold Malmberg is a founder of the fund, since 1995, and every employee of his company, De Palm Tours, is affiliated with the Pension Fund.

“Thank you for making it happen,” states Amy. “I am glad that I got to be a first for all of us.  I know future applicants will also benefit from this process and the money that I save will be put to good use. When I get my Masters degree you will know, you also helped make it possible.”

Paul Vandormael, a board member representing the employers states that the Pension Fund Tourism Sector has made an important step in servicing its membership. The first mortgage has been granted. The PFTS mortgage interest rate is at a competitive level, he adds, giving members the opportunity to own their own property at a reasonable cost. “We hope a lot of mortgages follow. In this way PFTS contributes to members’ wellbeing and to making Aruba a one happy island.”

Lisette Mohamed, a board member representing the employees states that she is proud of being part of a very dynamic board, who makes sure that the fund is solid so that participants can have faith that their money is well taken care off, besides working at providing members with more benefits so they enjoy added-value features from saving for retirement. “The times call for creativity,” she adds, “and these interesting initiatives are very welcome.”

As one of the founders of the Pension Fund, Harold Malmberg states that the board was cautious about the financial avenues open to the fund in Aruba. “We wanted to employ the funds in an adequate manner, in a low risk area. The money generated from members’ contributions when utilize to extend mortgage loans to member employees, fulfils two important functions, the first is to offer loans at a reasonable interest rate and the second is to employ the PFSA funds at a very low risk area, with good growth potential.

“It has always been our goal,” he concludes, “to grow the funds in such a manner that our employees can depend on an adequate income after a lifetime of hard work.

Indianapolis’ Lodge Design was recently awarded two of only 20 Gold Rings at the Brass Ring Awards Show for the web site and packaging it developed for Aruba Aloe’s Island Remedy collection.

“The AdClub’s annual awards competition recognizes the best and brightest in advertising and design excellence in Indiana,” said AdClub President John Scofield.

Working closely with the Aruba Aloe team, Lodge Design studied the growing marketplace and identified an opportunity to leverage the history and tradition of this earthy island product. It was a story no one else in the industry could tell.

“With its rich island history and unique healing properties, the Island Remedy brand was a natural evolution for the already successful Aruba Aloe product line,” said Aruba Aloe of North America’s Chris Hupp. “From the very beginning of this project, we were determined to make sure the packaging and web site reflected the brand definition we had developed and told the story of the world’s finest aloe.”

“Our job is to get people excited and emotionally engaged with the product,” said Lodge Design’s Jason Roemer. “Even if people can’t visit Aruba, we’re able to bring a little bit of Aruba to them. By sourcing unique package shapes — and creating a compelling web presence — we developed a line that looked like it had evolved over the past hundred years. It was important that consumers experience the brand the second they picked up a product; the bottles and jars needed to speak for themselves. After all, we wanted people to believe in the power of Island Remedy and understand its relationship to Aruba’s Caribbean culture. That was the really exciting part of this project: creating the connection between the consumer and the island.”

“When consumers visit our web site they understand that Island Remedy is something special,”
said Aruba Aloe’s Louis Posner. “When shoppers visit our stores to see and try the Island Remedy collection, they become customers. This has been the most successful product launch in the history of Aruba Aloe. Since 1890! We enjoy working with an agency that can provide creative work that is as unique as our product lines.” Posner added, “It is a wonderful partnership.”

“We thrive on putting creative ideas together that tell a great story,” Roemer continued. “We’re excited about the work and proud to be part of such a unique company!”

For 10 years, Lodge Design has been helping companies, large and small, grow their businesses through a unique “brand storytelling” approach. It’s not tricky. It’s not math or science. It’s about creating an emotional hook.

Visit www.ArubaAloe.com for more information about the Island Remedy products.

Aruba is thrilled to announce that the Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE) has selected the island paradise as the host country for the 2009 International Conference, set for December 3-6. The event will bring together the top minds in incentive travel, a multi-billion dollar global industry, to one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated destinations. Aruba promises to be the “host with the most” as it welcomes hundreds of delegates from around the world for three days of educational sessions, vendor showcases, roundtables, networking events, gala dinners and much more. The 2009 International Conference will be held at the two official host hotels, The Westin Aruba Resort and the Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa.

Securing this significant conference comes at a perfect time for the destination as Aruba is enjoying increased interest from around the globe. Not only has the island recently undergone over $350 million in upgrades, expansions and renovations across all aspects of the tourism sector, but arrivals from the U.S. in 2007 were also up 3.27% over the previous year. While worldwide arrivals also saw a remarkable increase with an extraordinary 8.56% spike over 2006, with 753,816 visitors from around the world making Aruba their destination of choice in 2007.

“SITE’s membership is rich with innovators who greatly influence not only the evolution of the incentive industry, but also the business outcomes of client organizations,” said SITE President Padraic Gilligan. “The SITE International Conference is a superlative forum where professionals from around the world gather to share insights that help them achieve professional goals, surpass client expectations, and have a meaningful and positive impact on economies of destination cities around the world.”

“We were thrilled to hear of SITE’s decision to make Aruba its host location for the 2009 International Conference,” said Minister of Tourism and Transportation, Edison Briesen. “The incentive travel industry is an important one for our island and we are looking forward to showcasing the many things that sets Aruba apart from the rest of the Caribbean region throughout the conference. We are confident that SITE’s commitment to bringing together the most influential minds in this field, coupled with Aruba’s dedication to delivering an unmatched travel experience to all our guests, is a recipe for success.”

These principals of community, leadership and growth guide SITE’s vision — as well as its commitment to selecting distinct locales for its own events. Aruba, situated in the southern Caribbean, is a tropical paradise that enjoys year-round near perfect weather, less than 20 inches of rainfall annually, extraordinary hotels and resorts, over 200 incredible international restaurants, and an extremely rich heritage. Arubans, renowned for their warmth and hospitality and known as the friendliest in the Caribbean region, proudly showcase the island’s cultural and environmental diversity, and are equally devoted to respecting and preserving the island’s pristine marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

“Because Aruba is, without question, one of the top incentive travel destinations in the Caribbean, it is fitting that SITE, the foremost professional association devoted to the incentive travel market, would choose our island as the host for its 2009 International Conference,” said Myrna Jansen-Feliciano, managing director for the Aruba Tourism Authority. “The decision makers in the incentive travel industry will experience a successful event as a result of our strong public/private partnership that makes planning a meeting so much easier and Aruba’s well-known hospitality.”

“Aruba is ideal for SITE’s constituency,” said SITE CEO Brenda Anderson. “Sharing experiential knowledge is imperative for incentive and travel professionals who wish to enhance expertise and better understand this worldwide industry. Aruba offers a unique setting; it’s a model for promoting economic development with a keen eye toward cultural and environmental sensitivity — both of which are top-of-mind for SITE members and the organizations they work with to implement programs that drive business success.”

“I am really proud of the fact that our entire destination has gotten behind securing the SITE Conference for Aruba,” said Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association President and CEO, Rob Smith. “What could be a better investment than bringing the world’s professional meeting planners to one destination? Aruba has prepared for this for the last few years, undergoing a half a billion dollars of investment in its resort and meetings facilities and I am confident this will be our day in the sun.”

During the holiday shopping season T.H. Palm & Company a gorgeous island gift store on Palm Beach, unveiled its Tikkun Olam menu which translates as a Repair of the World menu.

By means of the menu the store, affiliated to Salamander Holdings NV, announced that it was going to make quarterly donations to some of the island’s tireless not-for-profit foundations and that shoppers would help select the charities by designating the percentage of the sale to their most-favorite community cause.

The response was very positive as all of T.H. Palm & Company shoppers were asked by the cashiers to decide where the T.H. Palm & Company donation should go.

As a result of that combined effort, sizeable checks were handed this week to representatives of charities, right on the steps of the store, facing the boulevard.

“Thank you,” said owner, Managing Director Jodi Tobman, as the checks were handed out, “for making Aruba a better place through your selfless community work.”

Tobman came up with the Tikkun Olam menu borrowing from the kabbalah. In Hebrew, Tikkun Olam means “repairing the world” or “perfecting the world.”

The concept of Tikkun Olam originated more than a Millennium ago. The concept was given new meaning in the kabbalah of the medieval period and further charitable connotations in modern times.

The money raised by means of the Tikkun Olam menu will help maintain the youth telephone help line. It will assist refurbishing the children’s home at Imeldahof, and pay for nursing and hospice services at home for people battling cancer in its last stages; it will also pay print information leaflets on domestic violence and support cancer patients in general on the island.

Pictured below, a champagne toast is offered with some of T.H. Palm & Company hard-working staff members, the Salamander Holdings Executive Team, and representatives of the not-for-profit foundations, celebrating a successful fund-raising season with Telefon pa Hubentud, the youth telephone help line, Imeldahof Children’s Home, Edmund E. Harms hospice Foundation, Foundation Pa Hende Muhe den Dificultad which is dedicated to helping women in difficulty, and Koningin Wihelmina Fonds, Queen Wilhelmina Cancer Fund.

Story submitted by Rona Coster

From September 23-25, 2008, the world will come to Aruba.

Aruba will then be the host of the IX Business Forum of the Greater Caribbean. The Business Forum of the Greater Caribbean is an annual activity aimed at fostering trade and investments in the region. The event is divided into three parts, a seminar with interactive sessions, the holding of business meetings among the participating entrepreneurs, and an exhibition of products and services.

Interactive Conference
An interactive conference is an integral part of the event, because market access is not enough to enhance trade. It is necessary to increase mutual knowledge among countries in the Greater Caribbean region in order to make maximum use of business opportunities. The activity thus provides the space for the participants to develop mutual relations and discuss trade issues together with governmental authorities and other experts in this field.

Business Meetings
The event provides the entrepreneurs of the region with the opportunity to establish contacts with their counterparts through business meetings planned according to the interests of the participants.

Exposition
There will also be an opportunity for entrepreneurs to exhibit their products and services for participants all over the world. There will be space available for different stands at the venue.

The Business Forum is an event of the Association of Caribbean States, a regional organization of which Aruba is an associated member. This event is organized to consolidate an enhanced space for trade and investment in the region and to increase and strengthen trade relations among the Countries of the Greater Caribbean region. Because of the trade relations that Aruba has outside the Caribbean region, this event will also target the European, South American, Asian and North American region.

Indicators of the Business Forum of the Greater Caribbean
An average of the participation

Individual Participants            300
Companies and Institutions        200
Countries                     17

The ACS Business Forum in Aruba is an initiative of the Department of Economic Affairs, Commerce and Industry (DEACI) and the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs. The Organizing Committee however is a public-private partnership between the DEACI, the Aruba Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Aruba Tourism Authority.

Eco Destination Management just recently announced that as part of its 20th year anniversary celebration the company will be going green and becoming a champion of sustainable tourism and environmental protection.

Founder Wichita Villacres, owner and CEO outlined the company’s commitment to green practices in the wake of a similar announcement she made in reference to PRA Destination Management, ECO’s sister company in South East Florida, which has already made its green commitment public in 2007.

Villacres who founded her company in Aruba in 1987, has been servicing the island’s meeting and convention market with creativity and flair which she combines with a deep commitment to the community.

In addition to her involvement with her business and her family, Villacres is always working in a number of organizations on the betterment of the tourism industry here and the island in general.

In a recent press release she revealed that as part of the company’s effort to promote green practices ECO volunteered Glenda Henricus, one of its top associates, as its representative within the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association Environmental Committee.

Glenda is also in charge of research within the company and will develop a green plan of action which will be implemented this year.

The plan, reports Villacres will transport green practices into everyday life, in the office, at home and in the community at large.

In servicing the meetings and convention markets here ECO pledges to deliver cost-saving green practices to decrease energy use and conserve natural resources.

Going green, says Villacres, needn’t be a costly option. ECO believes it is everyone’s responsibility to get involved — Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, to conserve the planet for future generations. Villacres has also taken the initiative to create and provide her clients with a series of off-site daytime “green eco-activities” designed to be enjoyed around Aruba’s scenic parts. “Our commitment to our destination is to collaborate with our suppliers and hoteliers to ensure green service to our clients”, concludes Villacres
ECO, she reiterates, is leading by example with the utilization of recycled paper products, with insistence on trash recycling and the regular use of china and stainless steel utensils, which conserves water and energy. ECO’s office staff also participate in an internal car-pool program.

ECO, states Villacres is determined to educate its staffers about the environment, including global warming and other ecological threats and will encourage them in turn to educate their clients, their friends, and their family members. And ECO, she explains will continue to make annual donations to environmental causes — the AHATA Environment Committee was the recipient for 2007.

In the spirit of think globally and act locally ECO just pledged to adopt Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins, and participate in seasonal cleaning and conservation activities.

Villacres’ initiative is right in line with the thinking of Ewald Biemans President of the Board of the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association and Rob Smith President and CEO of that organization.

With Bucuti Beach Resort, Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort, Costa Linda Beach Resort, and La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club leading the pack as Green Globe Certified Resorts, Aruba Beach Club, Manchebo Beach Resort, and Playa Linda Beach Resort also joined the initiative and became Green Globe certified. Most other hotels have some conservation programs already in place.

Recently, Ewald Biemans presented a directive to Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA) President and CEO Rob Smith to double the number of Green Globe certified hotels on the island by 2008 and to make the entire island 100% Green Globe compliant by 2009.

ECO Destination Management is prepared, in compliance with the vision of Aruba as a 100% Green Destination.

(Pictured here Villacres with the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association members of the Environmental Committee, as Fanny O’Neil & Astrid Muller accept a donation designed to support their Ban on Plastic Bag campaign.)

Ad Agency Review Results in Selection of New Firm Based in New York City with Clients Including, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Milk, XM Radio & More.

The Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) has announced the appointment of a new advertising agency, Lowe New York.  The exciting news came February 8, when, after six months of searching for an advertising agency, ATA appointed Lowe New York to head up all of Aruba’s advertising in North America.  ATA began the government mandated advertising agency review in July 2007 with the assistance of 10 partners from the public and private sectors, and guidance from AAR Partners, a review specialist company.  AAR Partners is a third-party, industry-recognized consultant that provided counsel and expertise in the agency selection.  The process started with over 45 contending agencies and it was then narrowed to five exceptional firms from around the country.  After months of chemistry meetings, work sessions, conference calls and presentations, the much anticipated final decision was announced.  Lowe New York’s work with ATA officially starts April 1, 2008.

Underscoring the island’s commitment to continuous improvement, the government mandated review requires a periodic review of all agency partners to ensure the best service, value and fit with the marketing objectives, goals and core beliefs of ATA.  This serves as a tool to examine ATA’s current capabilities and identify its emerging priorities.  Lowe New York will now be charged to meet all of the goals of Aruba’s advertising including enhancing the brand of the island’s tourism sector, reaching its core audience, and meeting strategic business objectives.  The main qualities for selecting a new agency were excellent strategic insights and thinking, the strong chemistry and fit with the Aruba team, thought-provoking ideas and a global perspective.

Four other impressive agencies made the final round, including Fort Lauderdale-based Zimmerman and Partners, New York’s Cossette Communication Group, Euro RSCG Worldwide, out of Baltimore and the incumbent Fitzgerald + CO, from Atlanta.  ATA’s decision to go in another direction was not an easy one.  Fitzgerald + CO has over 10 years of partnership and friendship invested in the island and is regarded as a highly creative partner that has, time and again, exemplified total dedication and commitment to the destination, regularly going above and beyond the call of duty.  Fitzgerald + CO has created and launched various successful ad campaigns for Aruba over the last decade including the slogan “Where Happiness Lives,”  the renowned “Charly from Aruba” radio spots and the most recent “Rumba Aruba” television ads.

“ATA is very much looking forward to the excitement of a fresh start and new beginning working with our new partners at Lowe New York,” said Myrna Jansen-Feliciano, managing director for the Aruba Tourism Authority.  “The decision was a difficult one and all of the finalists were strong and creative firms vying for the business.  We are confident that our detailed review process has brought us to the ideal candidate to handle our advertising in the U.S. and we are looking forward to a partnership with Lowe that will be successful and productive.”

Aruba Tourism Authority is Very Proud of Travel Industry Accomplishment.

The Aruba Tourism Authority was very pleased with the recent news that its public relations agency of record, Quinn & Co., brought home a silver medal award from the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) 2008 Adrian Awards for their work in promoting the island of Aruba.  HSMAI’s mission is to be the leading source for sales and marketing information, knowledge, education, business development, and networking for professionals in tourism, travel, and hospitality.  The silver award was won in the following category, consumer media, feature placement.  The winning media placement was published on February 4, 2007 in the New York Daily News, one of the top five newspapers in the U.S., and was a travel section cover feature story on Aruba, written by journalist, Michael Nassar.  Nassar had traveled to Aruba to research the piece in late 2006.

The annual gala dinner was held at the Marriott Marquis in New York City on Monday, January 28, 2008.  President and founder of Quinn & Co., Mrs. Florence Quinn and, Carla Caccavale, partner in charge of the travel division and Aruba team member, were present to accept the award in behalf of the destination.

Quinn & Co. has been awarded numerous prizes in the past by HSMAI, including its top honor, the Best of Show award, two years in a row, 2005 and 2006.  Additionally, they have been the recipients of five Platinum Awards, 24 Gold Awards, 24 Silver Awards and 23 Bronze Awards over the years.  But the highlight came when Florence Quinn was awarded as one of the “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality and Travel Sales & Marketing” in 2006.

“The ATA is proud of having Quinn & Co. as a partner in promoting the island,” stated Gina Lopez-Gnecco, public relations director for ATA.  “They are a dynamic and very creative PR agency who love Aruba and who enjoy an excellent working relationship with top media in the U.S.”

The winning article is the direct result of the excellence, perseverance and professionalism of ATA’s PR department, with the continued cooperation of the island’s the hotels, restaurants, AHATA and the many ATA partners in the tourism industry.

Tierra Del Sol Resort Spa & Country Club signed a construction agreement with TCCD NV for the construction of thirty brand new condominiums. Following the sell-out success of Las Palmas I a neighborhood with 27 two & three bedroom deluxe units, Tierra Del Sol Real Estate division decided to go ahead and build the second phase.

Managing Director David Brown signed the agreement on behalf of Tierra del Sol Real Estate while Jarvis Larmonie Division Manager for Thiel Corporation Construction Division and Director Anthony Thiel, inked the legal document on behalf of TCCD NV.

Las Palmas II will include 6 different styles of condominiums, 2 and 3 bedrooms, one and two story, with gorgeous views of Palm Beach and the ocean from all second floors, nicely finished from tiles to state of the art appliances.

In addition to building Las Palma II, TCCD NV was also contracted to build the five last homes of Miramar, an-almost-sold-out hill top neighborhood overlooking Palm Beach.

The Las Palmas II thirty luxury condominiums are scheduled for completion in 2009, with features that include roof top balconies or private court yards for optional Jacuzzi and barbeque, built under the supervision of HJC Engineering NV.

Las Palmas also features free standing two story, 3 bedroom villas with condo services, priced from-mid US$500K, garages included.

Pictured here, the official contract signing, David Brown, Roberto Gonzalez, Anthony Thiel and Jarvis Larmonie.

Story submitted by Rona Coster

Tiara Air just opened a new service center at Sun Plaza, which is easily accessible and offers ample parking space.

Tiara Air operates multiple daily flights to and from Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire and Punto Fijo, Venezuela, flying very spacious commuter aircrafts, Short 360, with 36 seats.

The airline’s tag line “On Time, Convenient and Sympatico,” reflects its operational philosophy and its dedication to customer service and customer satisfaction.

Booking flights and soliciting information about Tiara Air is now very easy at Tiara Air’s Wayaca Service Center, at Tiara Air’s Airport Ticket Office and at any of Aruba travel agencies. On-line bookings are also available on www.tiara-air.com

The new Tiara Air Sun Plaza Service Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Telephone : +297 583 4307; Fax number: +297 583 5994.

Story submitted by Rona Coster