Official Travel News from Aruba

“You are all winners!” Chef Michael Deihl, Head Judge, 1st Aruba Chef and Student Culinary Festival

Category Cuisine, Happenings     Date Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

The kitchens of Aruba’s EPI School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts were busy this past weekend as twelve teams of future chefs, mentored by twelve of the island’s most respected executive chefs from restaurants and resorts, competed for the gold in the 1st Aruba Chef & Student Culinary Festival.
The festival, organized by Eddeline Dijkhoff, EPI Coordinator of the Apprenticeship Program and a dynamic team including Nathalie Maduro of the Aruba Tourism Authority, Vanessa  and Chef Leest and Randy Geerman of EPI, proved to be a landmark event which will likely become an annual competition.

EPI School welcomed three celebrity chefs to join Chef Bartholomo Kelly as judges for the event. Returning to …

Marriott Organizes Pink Walk and Fashion Show on October 22nd

Category Happenings, Hotels     Date Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

All Proceeds Will Go to the Mary Joan Breast Cancer Foundation

Internationally the month of October stands for the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Therefore on October 22nd the Aruba Marriott organizes a “pink walk” in cooperation with other hotels in Aruba followed by a spectacular fashion show in Marriott’s hotel lobby. The initiative to organize a Pink Ribbon event came from the Recreation department of the Marriott Aruba Vacation Club.  “We want to create awareness about breast cancer for our local community and guests and raise funds to support the Mary Joan Breast Cancer Foundation” says, Shuraima Henriquez, Ocean Club & Surf Club Recreation Manager.

This Thursday October 22nd Marriott invites all …

Surf into Luxury at Aruba Marriott’s Tradewinds Club

Category Hotels     Date Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Receive discounts on luxury accommodations and ride the waves for free

The Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino is offering guests a 30% discount on Tradewinds Club leisure rates plus complimentary windsurfing or kiteboarding  lessons with the “Surf Into Luxury” package. Available from October 12, 2009 – December 23, 2010, the package combines the exclusive amenities of the Tradewinds Club with the perfect offshore winds, catering to those looking for an adventurous, yet luxurious vacation.

The “Surf into Luxury Package” includes:

• 30% discount on leisure rates at Tradewinds Club
• Complimentary two-hour windsurf experience and one-hour windsurfing lesson provided by Vela Windsurf Center OR
• Complimentary one-hour kiteboarding land-trainer lesson provided by Dare2Fly

“Whether it’s your first …

Divi and Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusives are the Ideal Escape for Beach Lovers

Category Hotels     Date Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Anyone whose idea of a perfect vacation involves abundant sunshine and sandy beaches will find their idea of paradise at the beachfront Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusives.  With over a mile of powder-soft sand stretching along Druif Beach between both resorts, Divi & Tamarijn Aruba offers plenty of beach for any type of activity a guest might choose.  From simply soaking up the sun to swimming or playing beach volleyball, there are many other options available at these two adjacent resorts. (Map)

For guests who like to stay active during their beach vacation, the resorts offer plenty of activities to stay “on …

Aruba Airport Authority N.V. Reports Positive 3rd Quarter 2009 Traffic Results

Category Airlines     Date Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

New Service and Capacity Increases

With the summer months comprising the 3rd Quarter period, airlines are indicating overall more passengers per flight as capacity and airfares were reduced. The industry remains very volatile and according to IATA, even though demand for air travel continues to improve, profitability remains ever distant. Aruba Airport Authority N.V. (AAA) 3rd quarter results are reflective of the overall industry reports as both commercial revenue generating passengers (RGP) and air service capacity have increased during the third quarter of 2009.

RGP figures for commercial passengers and flights were up by 2.8% and 1.8% respectively compared to the third quarter of 2009. The following graph illustrates the monthly performance for the …

Dive for Earth presents Beach Cleanup Day - October 24th

Category Arts & Culture, Happenings     Date Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Volunteers Wanted for Beach Cleanup Day
October 24th - 8 am to 12 pm
North of Alto Vista - Free catamaran and snorkel trip for volunteers
Call - 586-1603


Click to enlarge

Fire Brigade, Setar and Marriott Start Unique Safety Pilot

Category General News, Hotels     Date Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

iProtect Software to Help Fire Fighters Get to Calamities Faster

October 1st will mark a special day in Aruba, as for the first time in the island’s history a unique pilot will start to improve the work of fire fighters. Local partners Setar, a telecommunications specialist, all 3 Aruba Marriott properties and the fire brigade joined forces in this pilot, using a new software system called iProtect. With iProtect the Aruba Fire Brigade will be immediately notified in case of a fire or any other major calamity at the monitored location with this pilot, the Aruba Marriott properties.

Biggest advantage of the iProtect system is time improvement. “Soon as a fire or emergency occurs …

2009 Pinktober at Hard Rock Cafe Aruba

Category General News     Date Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Hard Rock sets the bar in the fight to end breast cancer by bringing you products whose proceeds benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. BCRF provides critical funding for innovative clinical and translational breast cancer research at leading medical centres worldwide. Hard Rock is proud to be a contributing partner for 10 consecutive years.

HARD ROCK CAFÉ ARUBA as part of the Hard Rock Family will also help to this cause by selling some of the following items to help grow the awareness.

Some items available: Pinktober 09 Ladies t-shirt, Pinktober 09 pin, Limited Edition keychain

Wondenpoli’s 2nd Island Wound Care Symposium

Category General News, Happenings     Date Monday, October 5th, 2009

November 19th and 20th, 2009
Aruba Renaissance Convention Center


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The 2009 2nd Island Wound Care Symposium is commemorating the 10th anniversary of Aruba’s first Out-Patient Wound Care Clinic at the Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital. The theme of this year’s symposium is “Retrospective Milestones Providing Wound Care Services” and “A Closer Look Beyond the Surface of Wound Care Challenges”.
Most of the discussions will focus on the important role that our out-patient clinic and its professionals can play in Wound Care Services. An updated brochure with a symposium agenda for further details about time, date and location will follow as soon as it is completed and confirmed.

With certification continuing education credits, …

Aruba Tourism Authority Celebrates “Over Fifty Years of Aruba Tourism” Exposition

Category Arts & Culture     Date Monday, October 5th, 2009

Fifty Years of Tourism History now on display at Aruba’s Archaeological Museum

In July, 50 years ago, the era of tourism as an economic foundation of Aruba was heralded by the opening of the Royal Caribbean Resort, the “Grand Dame” of Palm Beach. Now under the Radisson Flag, the 50th anniversary celebration of the resort complex was celebrated with the opening of a historic exposition chronicling the growth of tourism on Aruba.

This exhibition will now be on display for two weeks at Aruba’s new National Archaeological Museum on the Schelpstraat in Oranjestad for all to enjoy. Yesterday, staff of the Aruba Tourism Authority, ATA, led by Director Myrna Jansen-Feliciano, cut the ribbon on the extensive collection now located in …