Aruba is thriving in the New Year, as the tropical paradise is enjoying an amazing 2008 with a calendar of events sure to knock the socks off travelers from around the world!  The island offers a bevy of to-dos boasting the perfect mix of culture, sports, education, volunteer programs and a whole lot of fun.  2008 in Aruba promises to deliver an unforgettable vacation for the island’s new guests and its loyal visitors alike with a lineup of activities and attractions for everyone.

The Government of Aruba has proclaimed that 2008 is the National Year of Culture and with that, the island is further underscoring the importance of traditional culture as a part of the past, present and future and the development of its people.  Unique activities will be offered throughout 2008, to highlight the Year of Culture including exceptional art exhibits, special culturally-inspired walking tours, new museum openings and more.

“2007 proved an exciting and successful year for Aruba with major improvements and expansions across our tourism sector,” said Edison Briesen, Minister of Tourism and Transportation.  “As a result of these significant developments in our travel product, and because of the remarkably comprehensive calendar of events offered to visitors, we’ve entered 2008, our Year of Culture, with great optimism and look forward to an exceptional rest of the year.”

Following is a highlight of Aruba’s noteworthy events in 2008:

March 1 – July 1:  Launch of the “Herencia di Sclavitud” or Slave Heritage Exhibition
The National Archive in cooperation with the National Library of Aruba is hosting this culturally rich exhibition aimed at bringing further awareness to the community about the history of slavery in the Dutch colonies.

March 6 – 7 & 9 – 13:  National Anthem and Flag Day Song Festival
Taking place at the Aruba Entertainment Center in Oranjestad, the pre-finals happen March 6 and 7 with the final on March 9.  The song festival takes places simultaneously with the traditional multicultural fair.

March 18:  National Anthem and Flag Day
Aruba celebrates its “Status Aparte” from the Netherlands on this day full of nationalistic shows, folkloric presentations and sporting events across the island.

April 26 – May 3:  25th Anniversary Royal Nationals Celebration Drag Race
This international event brings together competitors in a race to win.  Organized by the Boss Racing Foundation of Aruba, it is held at the island’s very own speedway, the Aruba International Raceway Park in San Nicolas.

May 13 – 17:  Fourth Annual Aruba Wine & Food Festival 2008
An epicurean’s delight, this wine and food tasting event, held at the Westin Aruba Resort, has grown each year in popularity.  It showcases the prolific culinary talents of Aruba’s chefs.

May 22 – 26: Soul Beach Music Festival
This groove-filled Memorial Day weekend musical celebration includes a star-studded line up of the world’s top R&B talents including, in year’s past, Alicia Keys, Chaka Khan, Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill and more.  The two-day concert series features comedy nights as well as the performances by renowned musicians.

June 6 – 8:  Aruba Beach Tennis National Championships
The only ingredients needed to play this new game that originated on the beaches of Aruba are fun, sun and a little tennis know-how.

July 2 – 4:  22nd Annual Aruba Hi-Winds Amateur World Challenge
Aruba is the ideal location for one of the most celebrated amateur windsurfing competitions in the world because of its continuous trade winds.  Participation from a number of countries brings windsurfers, depending on skill level and age, together to compete in six different categories: men, women, juniors, masters, super masters and freestyle.

July 5 – 6:  15th Annual Aruba Reef Care Project
Aruba, known for its annual marine environment awareness efforts, allows volunteers to focus on the preservation of clean underwater sites and the island’s beaches. Tourists and locals alike are welcome to participate!

August 21 – 25:  14th Aruba International Pro-Am Golf Tournament
Professional and amateur golfers team up in a two-day, 36-hole tournament featuring gifts, prizes and special events.

September 6 – 7:  Second Annual Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival 2008
The smooth sounds of Caribbean jazz float through the warm Aruban air as this outdoor festival brings an impressive line-up of international musicians to the island’s Cas di Cultura.

September 10:  55th Anniversary Celebration of the Rufo Wever Music School Aruba
The locally renowned music school will hold a number of unique activities to celebrate this historic Golden (plus five) anniversary.

September 14:  Monumental Foundation’s “Monument Walking Tour”
Launched in 2006, the Monument Walking Tour takes place once a year and is a trip back in time to the Aruba of the past including visits at some of the island’s most historic sites.

October 10 – 11:  Seventh Annual Aruba Music Festival
This two-day star-studded concert takes place Columbus Day weekend and brings world-renowned musicians to Aruba’s shores.  Past performers include Lionel Richie, STYX, Peter Frampton, John Mayer and more.

November: Aruba’s Archaeological Museum Re-Opens in Brand New Facility
The museum will move into a recently restored mansion and a number of news buildings featuring state-of-the-art equipment in downtown Oranjestad.  The 12-million-dollar project, featuring ancient artifacts, pottery tools and art, financed by the European Development Fund, the Government of Aruba and the cultural fund UNOCA, aims at safeguarding the archaeological and the architectural heritage of Aruba.  The new permanent exhibit of the museum will present the rich heritage of Aruba and it’s relevance to our modern society and the museum will offer public programs including lectures, education projects, temporary exhibits and workshops.

November 13 – 21:  18th Annual International Catamaran Regatta
This annual regatta decorates Aruba’s turquoise waters with vivid catamaran sails from Europe and North and South America.

December 5:  Saint Nicolas Day
Children receive gifts on the birthday of “Sinterklaas” or as many know him, Saint Nick.  Sinterklaas arrives in Aruba by boat a few weeks before his official birthday and is greeted with a brass band parade.  This is the kick off to the Christmas season on island.

“The island is again offering travelers an extremely diverse calendar of events carefully designed to appeal to the expectations of our wide-ranging visitor base,” said Myrna Jansen, Managing Director for the Aruba Tourism Authority.  “With this roster of events that will help to enhance the guest experience and support the numerous developments in the travel industry here in Aruba, we are forecasting an extremely successful 2008 travel season.”

The Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) welcomes their new advertising agency, Lowe New York.   Famous for their Saab and Got Milk? ads, Lowe New York official working day as an Aruba Team partner is scheduled for April 1, 2008.

Aruba will be the host of the IX Business Forum of the Greater Caribbean September 23-25, 2008. The forum is an annual activity aimed at fostering trade and investments in the region and is divided into three parts. A seminar with interactive sessions (Providing the space for the participants to develop mutual relations and discuss trade issues together with governmental authorities and other experts in this field), the holding of business meetings among the participating entrepreneurs, and an exhibition of products and services. The event normally enjoys an average of 300 individual Participants, 200 companies and Institutions out of more than 17 countries.

Aruba at the 80th Annual Oscar Awards!  This is the first time an actress will wear a dress by Aruban designer Percy Irausquin to attend the prestigious awards. The Polish actress, Mrs. Suzy Templeton won the Oscar for the animation film “Peter and the Wolf”.

De Palm Tours, owned by the Malmberg family, celebrated De Palm Island’s 20th anniversary on Wednesday February 20. De Palm Island evolved into a must do activity for stay over tourists, cruise ship visitors and locals alike. De Palm Island is a testament of innovation, constant maintenance, investment and upgrading & improvement while still keeping the environmental aspects in mind.  The fabulous party on the island served to highlight the island as an ideal location for group events as well as show the talents of De Palm Tours Group & Incentives division.

ARUBA will host the Network Latin America 2008 in Aruba, December 7 – 9, 2008 thanks to effort of the Aruba Airport Authority N.V. This is the first time this event is held in the Caribbean region. Network Latin America 2008 is a specific air service event that brings together airports and airlines not only from the Central, South America and the Caribbean but also those airlines with an interest in the region from North America and Europe. Over 200 airline, airport and related air service delegates whom are key within the route development process will be present. The on island organizing committee consists of representatives from the Aruba Airport Authority N.V. in partnership, the Aruba Tourism Authority and the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association.

Friends of the Handicapped, a volunteer organization of tourists wintering on the island at Casa Del Mar, Aruba Beach Club, Costa Linda and Playa Linda, concluded its winter 2008 fund raising season with over Afls 85,000 in donations.

To date, the extraordinary visitors have collected much more than one million florins and have donated the funds to local associations and organizations, dedicated to the welfare of Aruba’s mentally and physically handicapped.

Among recipients of generous checks Mi Por, an organization of mothers with handicapped infants, Foster Home Imeldahof, the Edmund Harms Hospice Foundation, the hearing-impaired Funari school & FEPO, Fundacion Respeta Mi which guards against child abuse, Ambiente Nobo, sister Philothea’s home for the handicapped, Ambiente Feliz & AVA, catering to special-need kids, Centro Kibrahacha for the elderly, Bibito Pin, a school for children with disabilities, Fundacion Cas Marie, dedicated to those suffering from dementia, Clown Doctors who visit the elderly and also kids in the hospital’s children’s ward, the Red Cross dedicated to disaster first response and management and Fundacion Pa Nos Muchana whose name indicates care for children.

Foundation President Art Stark called recipients up and asked them all to say a few words about their foundations. It was a very moving and emotional evening, as representative of the not-for-profit foundations outlined the work they do on behalf of the needy also explaining how the funds will be put to good use, paying for transport, renovations, educational materials, kitchen equipment, wheel chairs and conferences, promoting understanding and acceptance of handicapped members of our society.

This year, Stark reports the fund raising activities included a Mega Bingo co-sponsored by the Marriott Stellaris Casino, a Sweethearts’ Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance at the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa, weekly arts and crafts fairs, Sunday mass donations, a Superbowl party and significant amounts pledged by the local community.  Pictured here, the FOH board, at the fund distribution event, handing over much-needed checks to 16 not-for-profit organizations supporting Aruba’s handicapped community.

Senior citizens residents of the San Pedro Pavilion in Oranjestad were treated to an outing this week. They were pushed in their wheel chairs down main street, window-shopping, meetings and greeting then finished the morning excursion at Villa Germania, where the owner, famous for her amazing desserts, personally saw to it that the visitors enjoyed their chocolate cake, tea and coffee.

Easter is coming and the volunteers would like to organize another activity on Monday, March 17, from 2 pm to 4 pm, an arts and crafts session at San Michaels Pavilion, making Easter decorations with the senior citizens over Easter treats for both the residents and the staff. On Wednesday May 28, from 8 am to 12 pm volunteers are needed to take the elderly for a swim at the beach adjacent to the Westin Aruba Resort. Call Sofie at #593 9133 if you have time, or if would be interested in becoming a sponsor.

As Mother’s Day Celebrates 100th Anniversary, Aruba Honors These Special Ladies with Mom-Only Extras Including Exclusive Island Discounts, Spa Credits, Complimentary Gifts & More!

Forget home, mom is really where the heart is, and in 2008 there is not a better place to honor these special women than in Aruba!  One hundred years ago, on May 10th, 1908 the first Mother’s Day celebration took place in Grafton, West Virginia.*  Now the celebration moves a little further south, to Aruba!  This May, Aruba pulls out all the stops for our maternal units in celebration of the holiday’s monumental 100th anniversary.  Through the mom-centric month of May and beyond, Aruba serves up a bevy of exclusive discounts, complimentary gifts and spa credits, sure to make mommy proud.  2008 in Aruba is most definitely the year of the moms!

Below is a sampling of specials designed exclusively as a ‘thank you’ for moms who deserve to be showered with a little unconditional love themselves:

The Mill Resort & Suites
For the entire month of May 2008, The Mill will offer all mothers home made cookies upon arrival, a special souvenir, a discount at the Intermezzo Day Spa and Beauty Salon and dinner discounts at The Garden Café Restaurant.  Moms will also enjoy $10 casino coupon, a discount on jewelry at Diamond’s International and a copy of the chef’s traditional Aruban recipe, Keeshi Yena, as good as his mom made it.  Valid May 1 – 31, 2008.  1.800.992.2015 or www.millresort.com.

The Westin Aruba Resort
Mom will receive the treatment she deserves with a $100 credit at the resort’s luxurious spa, the Spa.  To achieve an even deeper state of relaxation, this special also includes a complimentary day for the kids at the Westin Kids Club – so mom can savor some much needed alone time. Valid May 1 – August 31, 2008.  1.877.822.2222 or www.westinaruba.com.

The Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino
Both veteran mothers and moms-to-be alike, will be honored by the amazing Larimar Spa at the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino.  Moms are invited to visit the gorgeous oceanfront spa for a tour, complimentary champagne and the chance to receive a special spa gift.  Valid each Sunday through May 31, 2008.  1.888.201.1718 or www.radisson.com/aruba.

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
For those about to embark on motherhood, the Aruba Marriott is offering an indulgent four-night stay, with the fifth night free, a 50-minute Pregnancy Massage or a 50-minute Reflex Foot Massage at the award-winning Mandara Spa, with rates starting at $319 per room, per night. Valid May 1 – 26, 2008.  For moms-to-be looking to splurge, a “sweet and salty cravings” menu is available at an additional charge. 1.800.223.6388 or www.arubamarriott.com.  Promotional code P51.

Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Aruba
Cheers to mom!  For the entire month of May, the Holiday Inn Aruba is serving up a free bottle of wine upon check in to all moms to help them relax.  Also throughout May, adventurous moms will enjoy a 10% discount off water sports from Pelican Adventures that has an activities window located at the resort.  1-800-HOLIDAY or www.aruba.sunspreeresorts.com.

“It’s Mother’s Day every day of the year, but officially moms only get recognition on their official day, so to honor the most special individuals in our lives, we took the 100th anniversary of this holiday as an opportunity to celebrate them throughout 2008,” said Myrna Jansen-Feliciano, managing director for the Aruba Tourism Authority.  ”As a mom myself, I was happy to hear that a number of our partners in the tourism industry had jumped at the chance to celebrate Mother’s Day beyond just one day in May, and really give the island’s visiting moms a chance to stand out as some of Aruba’s most special guests.”

Thanks to the island’s government, Moomba Beach Bar, Holiday Inn Sunpress Resort, and Playa Linda Beach Resort a giant project of beach maintenance was just concluded on Aruba’s famed Palm Beach.

The first portion of ocean front to be scoured was the one in front of Moomba Beach, where a stretch of 60 X 50 meters of swimming area was completely restored in three stages, a process which took 25 working days.

Sea Solutions NV with Ulysses Matarozzi spearheaded the project. During the first 10 days Sea Solutions N.V. used a net to remove all plastic, aluminum, seaweed, and waste that doesn’t belongs in a natural sea environment, and to bring it to the surface and bag it ready for delivery to the dump.

In this process approximately 4,000 kilo, in other words four tons of non-organic matter and seaweed emerged from the bottom of the sea.

In the next phase which also lasted 10 days Sea Solutions N.V. used a suction pump to remove approximately 600 cubic yards of mud from the ocean floor. The mud, a natural organic sediment, which serves as a very good nutrient for sea life, was discharge at sea, far away from the intake point and the swimming areas.

In the third phase which lasted for five days Sea Solutions N.V. pumped in 300 cubic yards of clean sand into that same area where the mud was removed forming an unspoiled white coat of sand at the bottom area.

At the end of 25 work days the beach was totally recuperated and ready for visitors and locals who enjoy it, in its pristine state.

As a result of Ulysses efforts a number of charter operators, among them the Jolly Pirates, vowed to switch to serving drinks in an eco-friendly plastic cup which dissolves in sea water and is available here from Aruba Supplies & Distribution.

Aruba’s adorable kid, can now play on a beach clean, at the Holiday Inn Sunspree and at Moomba Beach.

Ulysses originally started working on Palm Beach when he was hired by the government to install the buoys and ropes designating the swim zones; he later offered his services to the resorts maintaining that swimming area system intact and free of stinging algae and barnacles. While at work, Ulysses started collecting wind-blown plastics, aluminum, and other inorganic waste from the sea floor on a weekly basis, helped by a team of maintenance snorkelers. The rest is history; Ulysses is now performing maintenance work on the beaches full time.

For more information contacts Ulysses Matarozzi, Sea Solutions N.V.,                seasolutionsaruba@hotmail.com

Story submitted by Rona Coster

Number of Convention Groups from Latin America Increased Enormously in 2007!

2007 promises to be a tremendous year for Aruba’s tourism industry. The Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) launched two new commercials for Latin America and the U.S. on both regional and national cable service. For many years, Aruba’s name has been greatly recognized worldwide and to ensure that the island benefits from this opportunity, the commercials highlighted the beauty and tourism qualities of Aruba in colorful and refreshing ways. All this, together with the amount of visitors, different hotel renovations and increase in airlift service, has once again placed Aruba in the top spot.

From January until July 2007, Aruba’s tourism showed a remarkable increase of 6.88% compared to the previous year. The numbers show an increase in the number of visitors, totaling more than 28,000 additional visitors year-to-date.

On the other hand, the Caribbean region showed a decrease of 2% between the months of January to July 2007.

North American Market:

The American market showed an increase of 4.17% from January to July 2007, which represents an additional 12,497 tourists. Both January and February enjoyed great increases of 6.52% and 6.13% respectively, followed by March which excelled with an increase of 10.15%. The summer months of June and July showed an increase of 9.26% and 2.61%. The American market’s increase year-to-date of 4.17% represents a total of 311,888 visitors compared to the 299,391 in 2006.

This is because, in addition to all the marketing efforts done by Aruba, the direct flight options to the island also grew. 2007 has also been a year where many of the hotel renovation projects were completed, increasing the number of available rooms and offering an even higher quality hotel product to its visitors.

The Northeast region of the U.S. remained the dominant region pertaining to the number of visitors from the U.S. through July 2007, with a higher amount of visitors arriving from New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts adding up to a total of 66,623, 40,899 and 41,611 for these markets.

Latin American Market:

According to ATA’s statistical reports, the markets that show a notable increase are Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil totaling to 14.82%, 17.19% and 23.76% for each market. So far this year, a total of 30,247 tourists from Venezuela visited Aruba compared to the 26,342 visitors in 2006. As for Colombia, there were 7,834 visitors compared to the 6,685 the previous year and from Brazil, a total of 4,349 tourists arrived compared to the 3,514 visitors in 2006.

Other noticeable and positive changes were increases in the following markets: Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Mexico, which experienced an increase of 20.32%, 38.97%, 39.13% and 70%, respectively.

After a few years of tourism promotion and investments, today Aruba has become a preferred destination for the Latin America MICE market. According to the convention groups, Aruba’s tourism infrastructure makes it the ideal destination for both small and large convention groups. The results can be measured and appreciated with the presence of groups such as MoviStar from Venezuela, which consisted of more than 550 participants, representing more than one million guilders in on-island investment.

European Market:

The European Market shows some fluctuation and is positively affected by the increase in the Spanish market due to the combination of the charter/cruise packages of Pullman Tours. The Spanish visitors arrive by plane and enjoy an ideal combination of one week land and one week cruise vacation. The Spanish market grew from 428 visitors in 2006 to 4,030 in July year-to-date in 2007.

The UK market also enjoyed a great boost of 29% totaling 5,070 additional visitors, due to an additional First Choice charter flight. The Aruba Tourism Authority continues its efforts to stimulate more charter and scheduled flights, ensuring a constant tourism flow to the island, especially from Europe. Due to irregular air connection in 2007, mostly because of the changing KLM schedule which is less beneficial compared to 2006, the Dutch and Scandinavian markets were greatly affected as their main connection was at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

The Aruba Tourism Authority, AHATA and the Ministry of Tourism are currently undertaking the necessary efforts to convince both ArkeFly and MartinAir to increase their number of flights to Aruba to satisfy the increasing demand for Aruba. In December, MartinAir will add an additional flight and discussions are ongoing with ArkeFly for the possibility of a third flight in 2008. In 2007 there were fewer seats compared to 2005 and 2006.

Holland experienced a small decrease of 0.29% compared to the same period in 2006, from 21,584 to 21,521 visitors. Regardless of the different challenges, there are several convention groups from Holland (Batavus) and Portugal that still opted to visit Aruba with their group. In Europe, Italy is once again starting to show its potential and is growing with a minimal amount of effort and a closer look into that market is set for 2008.

The overall European market enjoyed an increase of 13% compared to the previous year.

Number of nights:

Regarding the amount of nights, the increase was 4.39% in 2007, totaling 3,378,379 compared to the 3,236,310 in 2006. In addition to the number of visitors, the Aruba Tourism Authority also used other indicators to analyze tourism and the number of nights is an important factor.

Conclusion:

The Aruba Tourism Authority is extremely pleased with this year’s results so far, as they clearly indicate that the largest market, which is the U.S., is stable and growing, regardless of the economic challenges worldwide that are momentarily not beneficial for the tourism industry. Also the diversification efforts continue to generate an ample tourism base for Aruba. There are more Latin American countries showing increased interest such as Chile and Ecuador. An example is that the minimal investment done in the early 2007 is already showing positive results with the confirmation of a Chilean group of 100 people accommodated at one of Aruba’s prestigious resorts.

According to Myrna Jansen-Feliciano, Managing Director for the Aruba Tourism Authority, “2007 promises to become a successful year for the tourism industry of Aruba. Month after month, Aruba’s tourism is experiencing a constant increase, indicating that the ATA’s marketing efforts, the different hotel renovations and the upgrades in the tourism product result in a consistent increase in the total number of visitors who are enjoying their vacation on Aruba.”

What’s New in Aruba in 2007? Island Update Shows Booming Tourist Economy, Growing Visitor Numbers, New Air Service &More

Aruba’s a hit in 2007!

This year has proven to be a success with the tourism industry booming, from significant growth in visitor arrival numbers and major hotel and resort renovations to brand-new air service and much more. Aruba remains a vacationer’s paradise with vigorous 4.17% growth in U.S. arrivals through July of 2007 year-to-date, translating into 12,497 additional U.S. travelers to the island. The year kicked off with a robust January and February that saw a 6.52% and 6.13% increase in arrivals (respectively), followed by a strong 10.15% spike in March. Summer travelers from the United States flocked to the Caribbean island in June, as the month saw an incredible 9.26% increase, while July saw a steady 2.61% upswing in U.S. arrivals. Worldwide numbers are already up 6.88% over last year as of July, showcasing Aruba’s strengthening international appeal.

Key developments on Aruba include:

Hotels and Resorts

- In July 2007, Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino began $40 million in enhancements, scheduled for completion by summer 2008, during which the resort will renovate all 413 guest rooms.

- The Westin Aruba Resort entered the second phase of a $16 million renovation. Guestrooms and suites have been upgraded with new furnishings and amenities including 32” flat screen televisions, marble baths, Westin’s Heavenly Bath® products and signature Heavenly Beds®. Renovations to the lobby and public spaces will be completed in December 2007.

- The Holiday Inn SunSpree® Resort Aruba has nearly completed its three-year, $15 million makeover program, featuring a new marine theme in its updated guest rooms, restaurants, and meeting spaces.

- In April, the Casa del Mar Beach Resort converted all 147 rooms, including stores, gym, members lounge and more into a “Pure Allergy Friendly Resort.”

- The RIU Palace Aruba opened in July as a luxury all-inclusive resort with tropical landscaped grounds, an Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis courts, casino, on-site PADI dive and water sports center, a number restaurants and more. The new resort offers 450 luxury guest rooms.

- The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino has completed a $20 million renovation of its guest rooms and bathrooms, suites, Palms Restaurant and Bar, and open-air lobby Alfresco Bar and hosted a soft opening in October. The new look is set to officially debut in early 2008.

- The Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort Aruba completed renovations on its 23 standard studios. Studios now offer new furniture and tiling, bathroom appliances, modern kitchens with granite tops, and flat screen televisions.

Air Service

- JetBlue Airways announced the first-ever Saturday service from Boston’s Logan International Airport to Aruba starting on June 30 and added three more flights per week as of November 1 on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

- American Airlines reinstated nonstop service from Boston’s Logan International Airport in October and offers service five times per week on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

- Spirit Airlines began Saturday nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale on November 10.

- United Airlines will increase service from Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC to six times per week as of December 15.

Restaurants and Culture

- A new fine-dining restaurant, Windows on Aruba, opened in April 2007. Located at The Links at Divi Aruba, Windows on Aruba is a stylish glass-wrapped contemporary restaurant showcasing full views of the ocean and golf course with night lighting of the ninth hole and a circular dining room with elevated two-story atrium.

- The Cinemas at Paseo Herencia opened in June with six new theatres accommodating a total of 860 moviegoers. The cinema features the latest releases as well as acclaimed foreign films.

- Paseo Herencia also pays tribute to island heritage with bi-monthly cultural events, an Aruba Hall of Fame highlighting Aruban pioneers, an open-air amphitheater and a fountain water show.

- To cater to the island’s growing luxury market, the Renaissance Aruba Mall & Marketplace and Paseo Herencia welcomed exclusive brand name stores for the first time ever, including Louis Vuitton, Salvatorre Feragamo, Chopard, David Yurman, Lacoste, Gucci, Diesel, Furla and more.

- The Bon Bini Festival in Fort Zoutman, the oldest building on Aruba, features a weekly local folkloric music and dance festival where visitors can catch the flavor of the island, its people, music, cuisine and hospitality.

“2007 has been a resoundingly successful year for Aruba’s tourism industry. This year Aruba’s visitor statistics have continued to significantly climb over last year, proving that the island’s consistent product improvements and upgrades result in higher arrival numbers and happy vacationers,” said Managing Director for the Aruba Tourism Authority, Myrna Jansen. “We are proud to welcome guests to the island with renovated hotels and resorts, new restaurants, and a number of new flights making it even easier to get to Aruba.”

The 17th Annual Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta edition is off to a great start. Ten separate races embarking daily from beautiful Palm Beach, treating those on shore to a spectacular visual of colorful sails dotting the Caribbean horizon and darting across the Aruban landscape. Approximately 50 teams from the Netherlands, England, Switzerland, Belgium, France and Aruba will take the helm at this exhilarating and competitive event.
Aruba Post N.V. prepared a set of commemorative stamps with the sailing motive, celebrating the Heineken Aruba Catamaran Regatta. The artist is Elvis Tromp, and in his own words he gives a brief explanation of the stamps:
40c - Represents the catamarans set on the beach before the race. It's a beautiful seascape, the boats with their vibrant colors on the beautiful sugar white beaches of Aruba
80c & 130c - 2 designs represents the different angles and views of the race. The stamps show the race as watched from the beach.
125C - This stamp shows a close up of a lady during a race.
This emission is available at the Postal Offices of Oranjestad, San Nicolas, Santa Cruz and Port of Call starting on November 8, 2007 until November 7, 2008 for all our clients that would like to have this special issue.
These stamps can be ordered as well via e-mail: philatelic@postaruba.com
Catch a glimpse of the action on www.arubaregatta.com for daily video updates and images of the activities and the stamps.

The Wild Aruba 2008 Committee is preparing for a congress on preservation of Aruba’s nature. The commission supported by the government, private sector, local and international NGO’s – is preparing the first congress covering the topic of preservation of Aruba’ s nature, including the participation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The congress will consist of two parts, a symposium featuring international and local speakers on the first two days and the second part of the congress (three days) will include workshops where local stake holders will jointly prepare a five year action plan with a long term vision for the next 10 year. The invited speakers will explain in detail on research and experiences with species from the island’s flora and fauna. Land based specimens as well as marine life will be included in the lectures. For more information contact Theo Wools of the Veterinary Service at (297) 585-0400, Roy Croes of the Parke Nacional Arikok at (297) 585-1234, Facundo Franken of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Husbandry at (297) 585-8102 or Castro Perez of the Aruba Tourism Authority at (297) 582-3777.

Aruba always offers warm weather, it’s a place where summer never ends and the ever-present trade winds guarantee perfect conditions for the Heineken Aruba Catamaran Regatta, unfolding on the island every year since 1990.

The event is organized by Dutchman Edwin Lodder, in collaboration with the Aruba Tourism Authority and Heineken-Aruba. The event is made possible thanks to the help of many sponsors, combining sailing, relaxation and social parties.

This year’s 17th edition of the regatta includes approximately 50 boats and it is now the biggest Catamaran event in the Caribbean. Participants come from a variety of European countries and also hail from Aruba. Generally speaking, the regatta welcomes participant from North and South America.

The event attracts sailors from many different countries, especially Europeans, excited to compete in a Caribbean warm-weather Catamaran event.

The regatta venue is approximately 4 miles North West of Oranjestad, on Palm Beach and is in an ideal location for good sailing with steady offshore winds.

In honor of the good work realized year after year by organizers and because the event represents water sports Aruba Post Aruba N.V. prepared a set of commemorative stamps with the sailing motive, celebrating the Heineken Aruba Catamaran Regatta. The artist is Elvis Tromp, and in his own words he gives a brief explanation of the stamps:

40c
Represents the catamarans set on the beach before the race. It's a beautiful seascape, the boats with their vibrant colors on the beautiful sugar white beaches of Aruba

80c & 130c
2 designs represents the different angles and views of the race. The stamps show the race as watched from the beach.

125C
This stamp shows a close up of a lady during a race.

This emission is available at the Postal Offices of Oranjestad, San Nicolas, Santa Cruz and Port of Call starting on November 8, 2007 until November 7, 2008 for all our clients that would like to have this special issue.

These stamps can be ordered as well via e-mail: philatelic@postaruba.com