to the October 2014 Aruba Product Update

Below we offer a synthesis of some of the most prominent
and important news during the month of October 2014
ATA News
Aruba Product Update
October 2014
The Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA)
is the Destination Marketing
Organization for Aruba.
Our Mission:
To be an innovative and effective
DMO that positions the brand
Aruba as a premier tourism
destination, which meets interest
of it’s stakeholders.
Our vision:
For the ATA to be recognized
as the leading and cutting
edge Destination marketing
Organization
Core Values:
Empowerment Productivity
& Ownership Professional
Respect Fun & Passion.
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World Tourism Day
Every year, Aruba Tourism Authority organizes
a conference in honor of International Tourism
Day that includes all those who work directly
and indirectly with tourism in order to aid
its development in the community and
exchange thoughts.” ATA also organizes a
day of reflection and information for students
on the importance of tourism. This year,
students from EPI and University of Aruba
were invited.
170 million reviews and opinions on hotels,
restaurants, attractions and other vacation
elements.
Sean Russel, a marketing executive for Trip
Advisor, delivered a fascinating presentation
on where Aruba is at the moment and where
the island is going in the realm of tourism.
This was Russel’s first visit to the island; he was
delighted by the friendly service and had a very
favorable impression of the airport as well as of
his hotel. He congratulated the Aruba Tourism
Authority for doing a tremendous job. “Aruba
is small and depends in great part on tourism.
Trip Advisor is the larged travel site in the world
with more than 60 million members presenting
Aruba Product Update October 2014 - For more information visit www.aruba.com
“Aruba enjoys great popularity and positive
reviews by those who have vacationed
here, which will surely motivate those who
are looking at Aruba as their next vacation
destination,” he explained.” There is great
interest shown by tourists in the Boston and
Chicago markets.
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For this reason, is it is important to involve the community, students
and all those who work in tourism to make them aware of the
importance of a 100% “bullet proof” product. A small error can
result in disaster,” he cautioned.
According to Aruba Tourism Authority CEO Ronella Tjin-Asjoe
Croes, “We have been working for several years with Travel Advisor
and are gratified by the island’s growth as a tourism destination. The
numbers reflect growth in all areas, giving us the push to continue
working with our stakeholders to make Aruba the top destination in
the Caribbean.”
In addition to the symposium, ATA approached local artist Elvis
Tromp to create a mural that reflects the role of community support
in tourism. This was in conjunction with this year’s topic presented
by the UN World Tourism Organization: “Tourism $ Community
Development”. The artist stated, “This is not a difficult task for me
as Aruba’s people are known internationally as friendly and serviceoriented. Aruba is indeed One Happy Island.”
Finding an appropriate location for this mural was challenging, and the
final decision was Bernardstraat/ Bargestraat in San Nicolas where
many locals and tourists pass everyday. A representative of San Nicolas,
Antoni Gario, proudly expressed that the mural reflects a Caribbean
theme and shows San Nicolas as the Sunrise City.
The final product is a painting of an Aruban, friendly and hospitable,
synonymous with Aruba. The colors are vivid, symbolizing the strong
character of the Aruban people and also the cordially and enthusiasm
that so impresses visitors. Every aspect of Aruba is represented – tourist
spots, hospitality, and all of the island’s communities.
Tjin Asjoe-Croes emphasized that the concept of the mural is to
illustrate the importance of community in not only attracting tourists
but also ensuring their return. “The mural is a symbol of our precious
tourism and of San Nicolas, an important area for the island’s tourism,
to raise awareness of what tourism represents to each of us, and to
bring a wonderful addition to the community. This is ATA’s gift to Aruba,”
she concluded.
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Aruba Cruise Symposium
Aruba presented its first Cruise Symposium,
organized by the Aruba Tourism Authority. One
of the goals of this meeting was to strengthen
ties between tour operators, activity providers,
transportation companies and retailers.
Other local partners also attended, including
immigration, customs, and cruise ship
agencies were also represented. Among
the speakers was Otmar Oduber, Minister of
Tourism and Transport, who expounded on
the economic impact of the cruise industry
and various government projects.
It was learned that 2013 saw an impressive
18% increase in cruise tourism - growth to be
maintained for several years. From 2017 on,
further growth is anticipated.
Said Humphrey Vrolijk, Interim Director of
the Aruba Ports Authority , “I am proud to
see the number of people here working
cruise tourism. We have an opportunity to
interchange information and hear what ATA
is doing for the industry... One of our projects
which will certainly impact the first impression
of our visitors is Welcome Plaza, reflecting an
investment of afls 5 million which will begin
at the end of 2015, an initiative realized by
the cooperative efforts of the government of
Aruba, ATA and local stakeholders. Aruba
Ports Authority will be able to welcome larger
luxurious cruise ships to our harbor. Plans to
finalize the relocation of the wharf are in their
final stage, a necessary move in order to
beautify the port which will be for the exclusive
use of cruise ships,” he explained.
Mario Arends, cruise manager at the
Aruba Tourism Authority explained that this
symposium will be an annual event to aid in the
synergy, coordination and analysis of cruise
tourism. He thanked all stakeholders who
helped make the conference a great success,
playing an important role in maintaining Aruba’s
position one of the top cruise ship destinations
in the Caribbean.
A Salute to Derek Jeter
Locals and tourists of all ages congregated on Eagle Beach, sporting caps and T-shirts of the
New York Yankees, to join in a heartfelt salute to Derek Jeter upon his retirement from professional
baseball. This was in response to ATA’s call to all Jeter/ Yankee fans on-island to participate in a
special photoshoot in his honor, in conjunction with his last game. In a photo taken from above,
100 fans assembled in a #2 formation, Jeter’s number, as they touched their caps in a salute, with
the white beach and blue water surrounding them. This unique and striking image appeared on a
billboard in Times Square in midtown Manhattan. This warm salute to Derek Jeter also promoted
Aruba, highlighting its cordial people and beautiful beaches.
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Radisson Aruba Resort,
Casino & Spa
Awards
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts continues to raise the bar with customer satisfaction, having just
been awarded “Best Hotel” by Thomas Cook Northern Europe, the top tour operator in the region.
The honor was a result of Bucuti earning the highest consumer rating from 1.5 million customers
throughout Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Over 1,500 hotels were in the running for the award
across the globe.
Travel Weekly awarded the resort a Gold
Magellan Award in the Hospitality Beach
Resort / Hotel category, and a Silver Magellan
Award in the Hospitality Family Resort /
Hotel category. The Travel Weekly Magellan
Awards honors the best in travel and salutes
the outstanding travel professionals behind
it all. It is the leading publication for travel
industry professionals catering to agents, tour
operators, executives and suppliers.
“We are truly honored to be recognized as “Best Hotel” by Thomas Cook Northern Europe as
it results directly from our valued guests,” said owner of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts Ewald
Biemans. “For 25 years our goal has been to offer guests a memorable experience throughout
their stay, and we believe that an honor such as this is a direct reflection of this commitment and
our staff’s genuine hospitality.”
Shape Magazine also recognized the resort in
the October issue on its It List. The monthly
list includes news on recommended products
readers should add to their must-buy list,
upcoming events, opportunities to participate
in sweepstakes/contests and more. Shape
Magazine is the leading resource of young,
confident women, acting as a go-to guide of
the fit and fabulous.
As Aruba’s only boutique-style resort that caters exclusively to adults, Bucuti has long been
recognized by travelers worldwide, achieving a number of awards. Most recently Bucuti was
upgraded by AAA to a Four Diamond Hotel, indicating that Bucuti is “refined and stylish with upscale
physical attributes that reflect enhanced quality.” Additionally, the 2014 TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s
Choice hotel awards honored Bucuti among Top 25 Hotels for Romance in the Caribbean. The
resort has also received more than two dozen environmental awards and certifications, including
the Highest Achievement Award as the top performing sustainable travel and tourism business in
the Caribbean by Green Globe Certification.
The resort was additionally named a 2014
Family Vacation Critic Favorite. “Favorites” as
identified by Family Vacation Critic represent
the resorts that go above and beyond
traditional offerings to cater to families and
are based on first-hand feedback from the
site’s team of editors and a community of
family travelers.
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Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino
EarthCheck Silver Certification
Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino was
recognized this year for its sustainable and
environmentally-conscious practices when it
was awarded EarthCheck’s silver certification.
Earth Check provides hotels with tools to help
reduce waste, energy and water in the hospitality
industry, and its certification is awarded
to hotels that comply with environmental,
economic and social sustainability in their
tourism initiatives. Renaissance Aruba has and
continues to commit itself to the sustainable
development of the local community through
eco-friendly practices and organizations.
De Palm Tours
Quality Assurance Award
De Palm Tours received the 2014 MLT Vacations Quality
Assurance Award, presented at MLT University in
Minneapolis, MN, on Saturday, Sept. 14. Said Elizabeth
Moriarty, MLT Vacations VP Product Development. “De
Palm Tours has world-class operational consistency and
superior standards of quality for MLT Vacations and its
Delta Vacations, AirFrance Holidays, Alitalia Vacations
and Aeromexico Vacations customers.” The Quality
Assurance Award recognizes qualifying hotels, destination
management companies and rental car agencies in Europe,
Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the United
States. Data was gathered from hundreds of thousands
of customers.
Mary Hirschfelt, who manages the daily operations of MLT
Vacations, did a remarkable job maintaining this level of
service”, said Warren Stanley, GM of De Palm. “Her years
of experience and expertise along with Stephanie Koole’s
handling of these accounts makes for a winning team.”
Resorts
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Host of Annual Tourism Conference
The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
recently hosted the Annual Tourism Conference
of Aruba (ATCA) Marketplace and luncheon
where approximately 100 tour operators and
key stakeholders met to discuss future plans
and business relationships. Each year the
Aruba Tourism Authority and the Aruba Hotel &
Tourism Association bring together a group of
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Aruba Product Update October 2014 - For more information visit www.aruba.com
tour operators from the North American market
to experience the product of Aruba and meet
with different key stakeholders within Aruba’s
tourism industry. One of valuable meeting
points is the Marketplace, where all the hotels
and key stakeholders showcase their products
and services while building and maintaining
relationships with tour operators.
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Housekeeping Appreciation Week
Boardwalk Small Hotel
Recently, the Aruba Marriott’s Resort, Ocean
and Surf Club housekeeping departments
celebrated
the
annual
Housekeeping
Appreciation Week filled with enjoyable
events and activities. This yearly Marriott
International tradition shows appreciation to
all housekeeping associates worldwide. This
special week began with a grand kick off
breakfast in Marriott’s Grand Ballroom. All three
Housekeeping departments had their individual
schedules of celebrations at the hotels and off
property. The Resort team participated in a fun
training, family day at De Palm Island, BBQ at
the beach and bowling night. The Ocean Club
associates participated with bingo games, bus
tour, day at the waterpark and special lunch
with live entertainment. Associates of the Surf
Club celebrated their special week with beach
Olympic, movie night, bingo and family day at
De Palm Island.
From September 25-28, a group of 15
international bloggers from the UK, the
Netherlands, Sweden, Chile, Canada, USA,
Brazil and Colombia were hosted in Aruba to
experience all good things the island has to
offer. Boardwalk Small Hotel closed its entire
hotel to exclusively host this group. ‘Treasure
Boxes’ were handed out, offering a selection
of the best local hot spots and hidden gems
in Aruba. The welcome reception featured
music from a traditional caha di orgel and
steel pan band, and local food featuring fresh
fish and pan bollo. Works of local artists Elisa
Lejuez, Nigel Matthew and Fernando Vermeer
featured in all of Boardwalk’s casitas were
displayed in the palm fringed garden. Bloggers
shared hundreds of beautiful images and
unique content via their social media and can
be explored via #bwbw2014, #discoveraruba,
#boardwalklife and #boardwalkhotelaruba.
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Aruba Marriott Invites International Press
to Experience Adult Playtime
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
recently invited a group of five US journalists
to visit Aruba to explore some fun island “adult
playtime”. The press trip kicked off with a class
of Beach Tennis by Red Sail Sports at Moomba
Beach. Afterwards, the group enjoyed the
Afternoon Delight Catamaran Sail with De
Palm Tours including snorkeling at the Antilla
shipwreck and Arashi Beach. An exquisite
dinner in bed followed at the Screaming Eagle
Restaurant.
On the second day, the journalists were
welcomed to Marriott’s Governor’s Suite,
where a special brunch with an amazing view
was arranged for the group, joined by Tom
Calame (Aruba Marriott’s Complex GM), Matt
Knights (Hotel Manager) and Carolina Voullieme
(Director of Sales & Marketing). After relaxing
spa treatments at Mandara Spa followed by
a tranquil paddle yoga lesson by Vela Aruba’s
talented yoga instructor, the group joined for
a farewell dinner on the beach at Simply Fish.
Aruba Product Update October 2014 - For more information visit www.aruba.com
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Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino
Blue Bar
Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino’s BLUE
Bar was recently chosen as one of the
Sexiest Bars in the Caribbean by USA Today.
“Everything in it is blue, from the muted blue
lighting to the Blue Sky Martini stirred (or
shaken). So hip it hurts, Blue Bar on the pool
deck at the Renaissance Aruba is the epicenter
of cool with one of the happiest Happy Hours
on the island, featuring a myriad of martinis and
tapas to wash them down,” reported Melanie
Reffes for USAToday.
The newly renovated chic, modern bar is
located in the adult-exclusive Marina Hotel and
overlooks the breathtaking pool deck full of
palm trees and blue skies. Guests and visitors
are welcome to try the resort’s infamous
signature drink, the Blue Sky Martini, and enjoy
a two-for- one Happy Hour special.
Behind the Scenes: Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
Former NFL Oakland Raiders defensive player
and current host of American Ninja Warrior
vacationed at Renaissance Aruba Resort &
Casino this past August. Akbar spent time at
Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach making
friends with the pink flamingos before heading
over to the Marina Hotel where he completed
the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and challenged
Oprah Winfrey and Michael Strahan to rise to
the occasion once again, and more importantly,
donated to ALS Association. To watch the
video of Akbar’s Ice Bucket Challenge, visit:
youtube.com/watch?v=SejEGiX4dUM
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Aruba Product Update October 2014 - For more information visit www.aruba.com
Monthly #WedChat
Weddings
for
Destination
For the last six months, Renaissance Aruba
Resort & Casino’s wedding coordinator
Randolph Geerman has hosted monthly
Facebook wedding chats with special
guests from bridal publications including
BRIDES, Bridal Guide, Inside Weddings, WED
Magazine, mywedding.com and Destination
I Do, among others. Prospective brides can
learn useful bridal etiquette, tips, trends and
the process of planning a wedding. The chat
takes place the first Wednesday of every
month. For more information on the wedding
chats, visit www.Facebook.com/RenAruba
and on Renaissance Aruba weddings, visit
RenaissanceArubaWeddings.com.
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Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa
Holiday Sneak Peek
Divi Resorts
Matt Boland named Executive Chef
Matt Boland, a veteran culinary star of the Aruba hospitality industry,
has joined Divi Resorts as regional executive chef. Boland is in charge
of food and beverage operations for the company’s more than twenty
restaurants at its properties in Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, St. Croix and
St. Maarten. The first to hold this new position for Divi Resorts, he is
tasked with creating new menus, conceptualizingfuture restaurant ideas
and unifying standards of culinary excellence. He also will be expanding
“pureocean”, Divi’s proprietary restaurant brand, in key locations.
Boland moved to Aruba in 1993, at the invitation of the owner of Divi
Resorts, who frequented the exceptional French restaurant in Ithaca,
New York, where Boland was head chef. Boland was the initial consultant
to Divi Resorts for “purebeach”, a lounge created for Divi Aruba Phoenix
Beach Resort in 2009. Its success introduced a Euro-Caribbean chic
ambiance to Aruba casual dining, resulting in the remaking of the resort’s
existing restaurant into “pureocean”, and the eventual extension of the
concept to other Divi resorts.
On September 15, The Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa held an
exclusive party for their loyal meeting customers. Guests and resort staff
mingled on the Penthouse Deck before being taken to the Ballroom for
a preview of this year’s Christmas décor. The following day, the resort
opened the preview to additional guests, clients and local press for some
“Holiday Cheer”. Guests were able to sample the holiday menus which
included many favorites such as ayacas and Christmas ham. The night
ended with a Dande, Aruba’s traditional music to welcome a new year.
Annual Tourism Conference Aruba
The Radisson Aruba played an active role in this year’s Annual Tourism
Conference Aruba by hosting Marketplace II on September 18. Tour
operators, OTAs, and hotel representatives were able to meet one-onone during the event. Additionally, the resort hosted ten customers and
five ATA representatives during the four day conference which included a
number of events and excursions such as site tours, cocktail receptions
and a jeep scavenger hunt.
A self-taught chef with training in classic French kitchens in Paris,
Boland’s skills have earned him executive chef assignments at major
Aruba resorts including the Wyndham, Radisson and Westin hotels.
Under his direction, the Sunset Grille became a AAA Four Diamond
restaurant. Along with numerous industry accolades and awards,
Boland has cooked at the famous James Beard House in New York City.
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Air Travel
Reina Beatrix International Airport
The Aruba Airport Authority (AAA) has been making a significant
investment in the Queen Beatrix International Airport.
“An airport with constant investments should also be able to provide
its users a preview of what they can expect prior to their arrival at the
airport,” says outgoing AAA chief executive Peter Steinmetz. The site
now has a new look and feel, and matches the recent renovations at
the airport. New online features include flight tracking, live arrival and
departure updates with email notification, and a route planner. Flight
search enables users to search for the many airline, route options and
time schedules to and from Aruba, and presents them in an interactive
map. Users can also book their preferred route directly from the site.
Steinmetz explained that the expansion of the general aviation apron
will ultimately accommodate more than double the current number
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of private airplanes. The extension of hold room A/B will double the
capacity for passenger handling for remote operations. The project goes
hand in hand with the expansion of two remote aircraft parking stands
needed to accommodate more aircraft, especially during peak hours at
weekends.
All runway lights will be replaced with state-of-the-art LEDs, while the car
park is currently being transformed with solar panels that will cover the
entire area. Making use of the latest technology will ensure that Aruba
maintains its leadership in the region as a sustainable airport. Steinmetz
concluded, “Looking ahead, I see Queen Beatrix International Airport
accommodating at least three million passengers with a fully executed
master plan. I have no doubt that this small airport is, in many areas, an
example for other larger airports.”
Aruba Product Update October 2014 - For more information visit www.aruba.com
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Restaurants & Bars
Caribbean Store
O! Restaurant And Lounge, Paseo Herencia Mall
Monday is Carnival night at O!, featuring a
delicious all-you-can-eat dinner buffet, great
dancers, fun music, extraordinary costumes
and more! Aruba’s legendary carnival culture
comes alive as guests enjoy a fun night,
mingling with locals at this exciting new
showroom/restaurant on the second floor of
Paseo Herencia, next to the movie theatre.
Downtown News
Emanstraat
The courthouse complex and the adjacent plaza on Emanstraat are now a source of national
pride. ArchiDesign under the direction of Orlando Hoevertsz restored the building to its colonial
grandeur and beautifully connected a second contemporary office building to it, to service judicial
needs in the next decades.
Having served as a popular rum shop on Palm
Beach Road for over 34 years, The Caribbean
Store hosted a grand farewell party under the
stars with local music including DataPanik abd
Fellow. Local Store, operated in Oranjestad
by the Harms family, will step in to give the
Caribbean Store a more contemporary vibe,
look and feel. Residents of Noord had picked
up bread and groceries for three generations
at this local landmark. Local Store has another
trendy location overlooking the harbor, across
from Royal Plaza. The party gave the Caribbean
Store a great send off into the history books,
with an open-air concert, rumshop-style.
The maximum security courtroom has a unique old water cistern under the floor, nicely lit and on
display through tempered glass. Polished original terrazzo floors and exposed original beams are
integrated in the design. Hanging on the walls are impressive works by local artists Eliza Lejuez,
Miriam De L’Isle, Danilo Geerman, Giolina Henriquez, Elvis Tromp and Eefje van de Straten. The
fully restored Oranjestad Watertower with art deco elements is located on the same street.
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Kok Optica
Aristocrazy
Gelatissimo II
Kok Optica has transformed the former Chez
Mathilde cunucu house in Oranjestad into a
modern, stylish sunglass boutique. A megaaffair marked the opening. The store has three
distinct sections with moderate brands upfront,
much in demand classics in the middle, and
high-fashion exclusive offerings in the back.
Brands include Emilio Pucci, Tom Ford, Marc
by Marc Jacobs, Oliver’s People, Carrera,
Oakley, Chloe, Roberto Cavalli, and Rayban.
This new location on Havenstraat offering
the world’s best sunglasses complements
their Wilhelminastraat location specializing in
prescription glasses.
Aristocrazy, a stylish jewelry store, opened
some months ago on the square in the heart of
town. The Spanish brand belongs to a familyline of jewelers dating back to 1940. The store
carries a mini collection and a mega collection
which can be mixed; little delicate and dainty
pieces; chunky, Punk Rocker excessive
pieces, and a line inspired by the medieval
Game of Thrones, with crosses, skulls, bows
and message jewels in pendants, bracelets
and rings. Look for all the makings of a wild
and sophisticated look.
Gelatissimo II just opened at the square at the
head of the main street offering original Italian
homemade gelato, excellent coffee, paninis and
more. Gelatissimo is the Ferrara family’s newest
addition to the Gianni’s Group, following the
success of the original Gelatissimo located next
to Gianni’s Ristorante Italiano in Palm Beach.
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Tri-Bike
Retail
Caribbean Queen
Karen & Don Pizzo returned to Aruba just recently using their
complimentary round-trip airfare to enjoy a 1-week stay at Playa Linda
Beach Resort, all courtesy of The Salamander Group! This popular
retailer has been offering an annual free trip to Aruba through a raffle on
its flyers and ads at three of its popular locations: T.H. Palm & Company
(Playa Linda Beach Resort), Caribbean Queen (Palm Beach Plaza Mall),
and Caribbean Clothing Company (Main Street, Oranjestad). Of the
thousands of raffle entries, Karen Pizzo, a repeat visitor to the island,
had the winning ticket, which she filled out with her purchase of a hat at
Caribbean Queen!
Tri-Bike, the spacious bicycle store in Macuarima, opened a second
location on L.G. Smith Boulevard just outside of downtown Oranjestad.
Tri-Bike’s exterior is eye-catching with the words Swim – Bike – Run –
Rental beneath its Tri-Bike sign. Bright lighting and beautiful, handmade
counters and displays perfectly showcase the items for sale. Tri-Bike
Boulevard carries Dakine, Fuel Belt, Electra, Gary Fisher, Trek and
Camelbak brands. Filled with the latest and coolest accessories,
sportswear and bikes for sale, it is also the place to rent bikes; visitors
to the island are offered very comfortable bikes in bright yellow to
alert drivers.
Tri-Bike’s Gert van Vliet welcomed his many guests together with his wife
Annemarie and their young, enthusiastic staff. The opening ceremony
was done by their two children who cut an inner tube. In a raffle, one
lucky girl and boy each won a top-of-the-line bike.
A free return trip to the island is still a possibility by visiting T.H. Palm
& Company at Playa Linda Beach Resort, Caribbean Queen at Palm
Beach Plaza Mall, and Caribbean Clothing Company on Main Street
in Oranjestad.
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Personalities
Sarah-Quita Offringa
This year, Aruban world champion windsurfer
Sarah-Quita Offringa competed in freestyle
in Bonaire, Fuerteventura and Poland, and
also graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in
science and innovation management from
the University of Utrecht. Just a few weeks
ago, at the Davidoff Cool Water PWA Super
Grand Slam in Sylt, Germany, she was officially
crowned PWA Freestyle World Champion
for an incredible seventh time- the youngest
competitor ever to do so, without losing a heat!
Activities
De Palm Tours
Power Snorkel
The coral reef at De Palm Island is one of Aruba’s most spectacular
snorkel sites and well-known for its many Blue Parrotfish. Power Snorkel
allows guests to float and maneuver effortlessly through the water with
a sea scooter. The sea scooter is held by hand in front of the guest, and
pulls them through the water. Benefits are that snorkelers don’t have to
use their legs for swimming and can cover a larger snorkel area. The sea
scooter delivers thrust for a speed of up to 2.5 mph and is light enough
to carry in one hand. Guided Power Snorkel tours are organized daily
except Sundays. Power Snorkel can be booked as an additional activity
at De Palm Island.
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Aruba Product Update October 2014 - For more information visit www.aruba.com
Sarah-Quita has been doing a major balancing
act between her professional windsurfing
career and university studies. She was
nominated ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the year in
2011, selected from amongst 200 entrants, for
becoming world champion in two disciplines freestyle and slalom. She was subsequently
knighted in 2013 as the youngest in the Dutch
Kingdom at the age of twenty-one in the order
of Orange Nassau. This amazing Aruban
athlete has now decided to take a sabbatical
to become more proficient at wave sailing
before continuing with her Master’s degree in
another year.
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Events
Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival
The 8th Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival attracted some 8,000 local and
international visitors who enjoyed a total of 20 high quality jazz acts,
combos and bands. From the new location at Renaissance Festival
Plaza to the varied line-up, indoor art gallery and cozy Food Court, it
was all a great success.
Prince Royce sold out the show on Friday night. At the age of twentytwo, he garnered the Composer of the Year Award at the 2012 Latin
Billboard Awards; at 23, he won the 2013 BMI Latin Songwriter of the
Year Award. LiV Warfield, another outstanding headliner, has performed
alongside a host of legendary artists such as Al Green and B.B. King
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and earned a spot in Prince’s backup vocal group, the New Power
Generation. LiV Warfield & the New Power Generation added color and
rock-flavor to the festival.
Returning Caribbean Sea Jazz artist Candy Dulfer is a popular Dutch
smooth jazz alto saxophonist who has performed and recorded songs
with such renowned musicians as her father, famous saxophonist Hans
Dulfer, as well as Prince, Dave Stewart, Pink Floyd, and Van Morrison.
The Shuffle Demons, a high-energy Canadian band, blended virtuosic
jazz and funk playing with eye-catching costumes and over-the-top
stage antics to produce an incredible show.
Aruba Product Update October 2014 - For more information visit www.aruba.com
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To our tourism partners:
Thank you for providing us
with your updates
To ensure that your news is featured in
the monthly Aruba Product Update of
the Aruba Tourism Authority, please send
information as it becomes available to:
copywriter@aruba.com
with a copy to:
s.feliciano@aruba.com
m.feliciana@aruba.com
and j.tilma@aruba.com
by the 25th of each month.
A special thank you to Aruba Daily,
Aruba Today, Columnist Rona Coster
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Divi Beach Tennis Aruba Tournament
The Divi Beach Tennis Aruba tournament is one of the most popular events on the International
Tennis Federation calendar with a record breaking $ 25,000 in prize money. This week of fun,
camaraderie and exciting competitions will take place from November 17 – 23, 2014. Held
on Aruba’s world famous Eagle Beach, Beach Tennis Aruba will create a village on the beach
complete with 20 beach tennis courts, an international food court, bars, merchandise stands, live
bands, top DJs and world class entertainment. About 800 players from 6 – 69 years of age hail
from Aruba, Brazil, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Czech Republic, Colombia, France, Germany,
Italy, USA, St. Martin, Martinique, Mexico, The Netherlands, Venezuela and Puerto Rico. Divi
Resorts is the official sponsor of this annual mega sports event.
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Aruba Product Update October 2014 - For more information visit www.aruba.com
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