Official Travel News from Aruba

The Aruba Airport Authority N.V. (AAA) won the prize for Runner-up for the Global Airport Marketing Award 2009 in the category ‘the America’s’. OAG awards airports in geographical categories, irrespective of the amount of passengers that the airport receives per year.  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 nominated. For more information please contact Mr. Hendrik Croes at the Aruba Airport Authority at (297) 524-2424.

Mr. Richard Roy is the new General Manager at the Westin Resort Aruba. Richard comes with over 25 years of experience and has served as the hotel manager since 2007 and as GM for the last nine months. For more information please contact the Westin Resort at (297) 586-4466 or visit www.westinaruba.com

The Aruba Post Office introduced four new stamps commemorating the dolphins (the Stenella frontalis and the Stenella bredanensis) that live in the waters surrounding Aruba. The stamps are 125 cents (shows a close up of the stenella frontalis for greater details), 200 cents (close up of the stenella bredanensis), 300 cents (shows two frontalis dolphins swimming upside down) and 325 cents (shows a group four of adult dolphins and one newborn swimming up and down).

Another set of stamps was also issued commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Biblioteca Nacional Aruba (Aruba National Library). The two stamps, one of 185 cents, show a child reading a book. The 300 cents stamp shows the same child reading a book in present time.

The …

Aruba’s own Balashi Beer celebrated 10 years with lots of activities throughout the month of October. One of the main events was the open house day on October 25th at the Balashi Brewery, which produces 15,000 balashi beer bottles per hour. Other activities scheduled on that day included folkloric dances and performances by local bands. Balashi Brewery also contributes to the environment by donating a fixed amount to the StimAruba Foundation for every empty bottle or case returned for recycling.

Mr. James Richard Hepple is the new President and CEO of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA). Hepple is a distinguished tourism professional who holds ample experience in the Caribbean region and comes to Aruba from his last post in Saint Lucia, where he held a key position for the Saint Lucia Tourism Board (since 2007).  In recent years, Hepple has served in tourism director positions with Trinidad & Tobago (2005-2007), Curacao (2001-2005), Bahamas (1993-2001 and 1983-1989), and with Trusthouse Forte Hotels in Bermuda (1989-1991).

The season of the Leatherback Sea Turtle, known as Driekiel is over. A record breaking 72 nests were laid this year as opposed to the more than 48 last year. According to Tortugaruba, only 10 female turtles laid eggs, which in turn is fascinating as some of the turtles laid nine nests (Normally 6-8 nests). Once a turtle nest has been spotted, Turtugaruba monitors and protects the nests with red and white barricades featuring a sign with explanation. To contact Edith, write to turtugaruba@hotmail.com or wal@setarnet.aw or call the turtle hotline at (297) 592-9393.

Terrafuse the local foundation that supports glass art, ceramic art and metal art invited internationally renowned glass artist JanHein van Stiphout from the Netherlands to come to Aruba for various workshops. Terrafuse founders Ciro & Miriam Abath will give workshops together with JanHein in November. The workshops will cover bead making, lamp working and kiln casting. For more information about the program or reservations please contact Miriam Abath at (297) 592-2978 or email at …

Underscoring the island’s long-time commitment to high standards in the area of international tax compliance and transparency, Aruba was elevated to ‘White List’ status by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on September 10, 2009.  Aruba’s Minister of Finance, Nilo Swaen, signed new TIEAs with the Nordic Alliance including Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, along with the British Virgin Islands and Nevis & St. Kitts.  Aruba signed a TIEA with the U.S. in November 2003 and also has a tax agreement with the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Aruba is currently negotiating additional TIEAs with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Mexico.

“We are extremely pleased with this excellent news,” stated Myrna Jansen-Feliciano, managing director …

Nicole Hoevertsz, member of the Aruba Olympic Committee met with First Lady Michelle Obama during the IOC congress in Copenhagen for the bidding of the host country for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Travellers seeking an effortless vacation with the convenience of all they could need in just one location need to look no further than the Divi &Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusives.  With the ease and comfort of all the services, facilities and amenities of two adjacent beachfront properties, guests of either resort have an assortment of dining options, activities, services and amenities to choose from that are never more than a stretch of sandy beach away.

Whether you are looking for relaxation or total fun in the sun on your vacation, the Divi Aruba All Inclusive and sister property the Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive both have plenty for guests to enjoy.  Linked by …