Happenings

This October at the Aruba Poker Classic, UltimateBet (“UB”) is tossing a cool $10 Million on the table at its annual marquee land-based poker tournament. UB is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in magical style by offering the $10 Million cash bonanza to any player who qualifies online for the Aruba Poker Classic all the way from a 10cent Step 1 tournament, and then goes on to conquer  the Aruba $5,500 buy-in Main Event.

There’s some serious cash at stake here. From a dime to a $10 Million dream – that’s the challenge at hand here, and the effort could be worth every penny, should you win your way to Aruba through UltimateBet’s Step tournaments by starting at STEP 1.  A little piece of poker paradise awaits, and while you indulge your sun-seeking body on arguably one of the world’s best beaches , contemplate just what it will mean to pocket a magnificent eight-figure payday at the poker table, should you reign victorious as the 2009 Aruba Poker Champion come  tournament’s end on October 10th.

Not only can a tiny ten cent investment earn you a tidy $8,500 Aruba Poker Classic prize package, including a $5,500 Main Event buy-in and $3,000 for travel and accommodation, but it can also mean the difference between banking a superb $1 Million* Main Event check, and  this year’s 10th Anniversary mega $10 Million bonus.

The 2009 Aruba Poker Classic is a week-long poker experience, featuring a multi-million-dollar tournament, memorable parties and plenty of occasions to mingle with some of the world’s best known Poker Pros in the business. Make this a must-not-miss event on your poker calendar, and you could be on the road to a new realm of poker riches worth an extra $10 million. What could be sweeter than that for a 10th Anniversary present?

With nine weeks left to qualify, there’s still time to prove that you have what it takes to become poker’s next big multi-millionaire. No other poker tournament stacks up to the 8th annual Aruba Poker Classic at the stunning Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa, from October 3rd to the 10th. Check out UltimateBet’s STEP tournaments from as little as 10 cents, and you could be partying it up soon with the tightest online poker community on the planet.

Register now at the Aruba Poker Classic Website to receive regular updates, and visit UltimateBet.com for full details of the many ways you can qualify for the 2009 Aruba Poker Classic.

*Based on 1st prize in the Main Event at the 2008 Aruba Poker Classic, won by Matt Brady.

The Palm Beach Plaza hosted its first tenant meeting recently. It gave developers great pleasure to see sixty-six new businesses emerging and coming together to create a truly exciting new mall, hailed as Aruba’s #2 attraction – having reserved the #1 attraction title to the island’s beaches!

The tenants got together on the third, Fun City, floor of the plaza and over delicious coffee and donuts received the latest updates from the management team regarding the plaza’s opening schedule, its marketing plans and its interior design timetable. The complex, the largest of its kind in the Southern Caribbean, was created as an all-day family entertainment center offering an abundance of activities to visitors and locals of all ages.

Mall Manager Alex Otterspeer welcomed business-representatives from Shivas Gold & Gems, Tommy Hilfiger, Façonnable, Benetton, San Marina Shoes, Nautica, Sunspecs, Skechers Apparel, Royal Diamonds & Jewels, Monarch Jewels, Guess, Guess Kids, Perry Ellis, Addict, Penha Perfumeries, the Shoe Box, La Chinata, Bianco e Bianco linen, Rimowa Luggage, Muaa fashions, Footfit footwear & Vanilla clothing, Giordano, Basinger Concept Store, Art Fusion gifts, Pixies Bijoux, Candyland Sweets, Tropical World Souvenirs, Panache Swim & Surf Wear, Lulu Body & Bath Products, an 8 movie-theater Mega Plex, and Aruba’s first food court operators including Churromania, Chubby Panda Chinese, Sciue Sciue Italian Tapas, Delie International Sandwiches, Mc Shawarma Express, Italian Gelato and a children’s entertainment section operating a Kiddie-Train, a Rock Climbing wall, the Palm Beach Dream Bowl Bowling Alley, an electronic game zone and a thrilling Cable Slide, next to an indoor supervised play room.

The mall will also feature a branch of Western Union, the Post-Office, the Green Door Spa and a Mini-Market, in addition to a number of theme-restaurants and bars including Casa Tua Mediterranean, Havana Cigar & Spirit Bar, Kokomos, Hoshi Sushi and Mama Mexico, Mimo’s Ice Cream, Tio Pepe Juice Bar and Sir James House of Coffee set amid tropical vegetation, with 354 easily accessible, ground level parking spaces, and nicely lit walking lanes to and from the hotel strip.

Pictured here snapshots from a most productive meeting, at the Palm Beach Plaza.

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.

Top Caribbean Engineering Conference To Be Held At
Renaissance Convention Center Aruba, July 27-29, 2009

Aruba, known for its white-sand beaches, near perfect weather and warm hospitality, is proud to announce that the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) Engineering Conference will be held on the island from July 27-29, 2009.  The conference will take place at the Renaissance Convention Center Aruba and will be co-hosted by Aruba’s water and energy plant WEB Aruba N.V.

This year, the CARILEC commemorates 20 years of service to Caribbean Utilities, and the three-day conference is expected to attract over 300 delegates from a diverse audience of engineering practitioners, academia, industry professionals and vending companies.

The event is attended by engineering professionals from the Regional Utilities, North America and Europe. It also attracts participation from manufacturers, suppliers of equipment and materials and other industry service providers. The conference serves as a forum to facilitate networking, the exchange of ideas and exposure to new developments, technologies and products both through presentations and a trade show.

The CARILEC is an association of electric utilities, suppliers, manufacturers and other stakeholders operating in the electricity industry in the Caribbean. The Association is made up of 33 electric utilities from Bermuda in the north to Guyana in the south, and 62 associate member and three affiliate member companies involved in different aspects of servicing the electric utility business.

For more information and registration please visit  www.carilec.com.

Animal Rights Aruba Presents

Flea Market
In front of the Talk of the Town
July 5, 2009 from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
There will be entertainment, activities for kids etc…

click to enlarge

Aruba celebrates the 23rd anniversary of the annual Aruba Hi-Winds, the largest amateur windsurfing event in the Caribbean. The event, taking place July 1 - 6, 2009 at the Fisherman’s Huts and Boca Grandi on the east side of the island, features exciting windsurfing and kite boarding competitions for visitors of all ages. Aruba, famous for its year-round trade winds and calm seas, makes the island nation the perfect location for this series of events that attract professionals and amateurs alike.

The Hi-Winds competition includes races for windsurfing and kite boarding. Categories featured are long distance, course racing, slalom and freestyle for windsurfing; and course racing and freestyle for kite boarding. Each category is open for men, women, masters, juniors and kids.

In addition to enjoying the competitions during the day, the Hi-Winds organizing committee has put together fun festivities to entertain all participants and guests in the evenings. Celebrations include a welcome party at Moomba on the first evening, followed by an elegant dinner on the beach hosted by Divi Resorts. On Saturday, dinner will be served at De Palm Island, and Sunday’s party will take place on the beach with live music.

This historic event dates back to 1987, where the Hi-Winds competition was the first event dedicated to hosting world champions and professionals in the windsurfing community. In 1997, the organizing committee turned the Hi-Winds from a top race to a fun, amateur event appealing to all kinds of audiences. In recent years, Freestyle Windsurfing was added to the program and freestylers now compete for the coveted crown of “King of the Huts.” The event’s latest addition to the program is kite boarding, which has turned the competition into an immediate success with all audiences.

To view a full event schedule, entry fees and competition requirements for Hi-Winds, please visit www.hiwinds-aruba.com.  For more information on travel to Aruba, please visit www.aruba.com.