La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort & Casino will host a millennium party with live music poolside, fireworks, champagne, a special commemorative plate and party favors. Millennium rates start at $282 per night. For more information, call (800) 835-7193. The Aruba Grand and the Hyatt Regency Aruba will also host millennium parties, however, rates vary and some restrictions apply.

"Aruba meets U.K." Event to help open new markets.

The gap between the U.K. and Aruba is to be bridged by the upcoming "Aruba Meets U.K." event scheduled September 11-14, 1999. More than 10 different U.K. tour operators will be taking advantage of the opportunity to learn more about the island, helping to further open up Aruba’s European market in general and the U.K. market in particular.

With help from the island’s PR company in the U.K., Saltmarch Partnership, the island will be visited by representatives from a variety of different tour operators, from small to medium sized operators specializing in tailor made itineraries for the affluent market, such as Harlequin Worldwide Travel and Trips Worldwide, to large tour operators who focus on a mass market and operates its own charter airlines, such as First Choice.

During their stay on the island, they will participate in a jam-packed schedule of activities, including resort site inspections, activities/promotions presentations and a trade show. They will further be able to experience the island’s tourism product first hand by taking advantage of a number of optional activities, including golf, horseback riding, sailing or visits to local museums.

Statistics bear out an interest in Aruba by travelers from the U.K., despite little promotion and a lack of direct flights from the U.K. Over 3,000 visitors from the U.K. visited the island in 1998. With the "Aruba meets U.K." event, Aruba hopes to substantially increase that number in the coming year.

Local artists have their say at the public library.

"The island is small, but big in talent", explained Parliamentary President Eddy Croes as he looks about the exhibition room of Aruba’s public library. "It is impressive to see the level on which Aruba’s artists function."

With both Eddy Croes and Dr. R. van der Ploeg, the secretary of culture in Holland, in attendance, National Library of Aruba (BNA) was able to officially open its newest exhibit, titled Aruba: A new landscape, this past Tuesday at its Oranjestad branch. BNA Managing Team member, Irais Sankatsing-Nava, explains the new exhibit as "new works presenting a new message".

A total of 16 different local artists contributed to the current exhibit, resulting to a variety of messages revealed in a variety of mediums.

Avant-garde artist Osaira Muyale, who contributed a painting in oil as well as a video presentation, featured the human ear most prominently in both works. "If you don’t listen, and see inside yourself, it limits your understanding," she explains.

Photographer Nadine Salas shows the beauty of the Aruban landscape which is in danger of being lost. In one work, titled "Requiem" she shows a piece of nature that would be lost by the proposed four-lane highway.

In his work, sculptor Ryan Oduber presents what he explains as "the danger of people conforming themselves to their environment".

The current exhibit has been organized to help mark the public library’s 50 years of existence. However, BNA regularly hosts different exhibits, from local artists to retrospectives of different Aruban organizations and foundations, in its "exhibition room".

The Oranjestad branch of the library is located on G. Madurostraat 13, in Oranjestad, telephone (297)-821540.

See the island by Kayak

Visitors to the island of Aruba can now get a different view of the island in the driver’s seat of a kayak. Aruba Kayak Adventure offers a tour, by kayak, of the picturesque south coast, near historic Savaneta. Lead by local athlete Kenneth Croes, even first time kayakers can take advantage of the trip, visiting the coastal mangroves, past Pos Chiquito and Mangel Halto and through the Spanish Lagoon. The tour includes a stop at De Palm Island, where kayakers trade in their paddles for snorkel masks and fins for an underwater visit to the coral reef, or simply for a beach towel, in order to enjoy the beach. After enjoying lunch at De Palm’s Windjammer restaurant, the kayak trip continues past the National Yacht Club and on to Barcadera Beach.

The Caruba show debuts at the Aladdin Theater

The newest entry in Aruba’s nighttime line-up is The Caruba Show, which recently debuted at the Aladdin theater of the Alhambra Casino complex on J.E. Irausquin Boulevard, Oranjestad. Described as a musical tour through the Caribbean, making stops at the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cuba, and even a stop to New York’s Broadway, this dance/music production is full of high energy and fun.

The producers of the show, Giovanni Trim and Ana Arends, found Aruba’s most talented performers and brought them all together to present an unforgettable night of entertainment. Giovanni, acting as host, introduces the different numbers including Pearl and her snake, Shaka, Duke and his dancers, singers Karin and Eddie and the COT dancers as they shake to the rumba beat. The Caruba Show is presented every night but Wednesday and Sunday at 9 p.m. The ticket price of US$15 includes not only the show but one free drink, two free slot pulls at the casino and a US$5 Alhambra match play chip. Tickets can be purchased at the Alhambra box office or at the Divi/Dutch Village Member’s Office. Reservations can also be made by calling (297)-83500, ext. 482.

Aruba’s chefs, both those on the level of apprentice and master, were recognized for their culinary talents during the "Taste of the Caribbean" competition held at the Doral Spa & Golf Resort in Miami, Florida, July 27 – August 1, 1999.

The National Culinary Team of Aruba, consisting of Jeroen Broks and Mark Tiesinga from Chez Mathilde, Andres Almarricin from Ventanas del Mar at Tierra del Sol, Charles Wagner from Tuscany at the Marriott, and Scott Scheuerman from the sun Club at the Costa Linda, and coached by Marriot Aruba Executive Chef Ferry Zievinger, won silver in the team competition.

Also at the recent event was Aruba’s next generation of chefs who competed in the Junior Culinary Competition. Jurgen Domacesee, Jason Fun, Migual Oliva and Jonathan Petrocchi, all students at the Aruba Hotel School, coached by Thelma Ahlip, were also able to bring home the silver medal for their efforts.

Jason Fun received special recognition during the event, winning the Best Apprentice Award presented to him by world-famous French Chef Paul Bocuse.

"Festival de Las Americas" to showcase Latin talent

An exciting musical event planned for November includes a two-day concert, Festival de Las Americas, which is to feature performances from top Latino performers, November 5 and 6.

Delta to fly Atlanta to Aruba

Getting to Aruba from the states is becoming increasingly as Delta signs on as the fourth U.S.-based airline to service Aruba. Officially confirmed by the corporate office of Delta Airlines last week, Delta will offer daily, non-stop service from its Atlanta gateway, December 1, 1999 through April 30, 2000. After which, Delta will operate its Atlanta-Aruba-Atlanta flights twice weekly (Saturdays and Sundays)

Using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, offering first class and economy level seats, Delta will fly to the island leaving from Atlanta 11 a.m., arriving in Aruba 3:51 p.m. The flight Aruba to Atlanta will depart 4:55 p.m. and arrive 8:01 p.m. With the addition of Delta’s daily service, starting this December, Aruba will enjoy service from a total of four U.S.-based aircraft companies, including American Airlines, Continental and TWA (with flights starting this November from Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles and New York, via a connecting flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico)

AAA (Aruba Airport Authority) announces rise in airport tax.

An increase in the airport tax, the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC), at Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport is slated to go into effect as of January 1, 2000. According to Simon Arends, an Aruba Airport Authority director, the PFC will increase by US$3 for all outbound passengers, with an additional US$3.25 being paid by U.S. passengers as a Special Facility Charge (SFC). The SFC will help cover costs related to the airport, 30% of which is dedicated to U.S. bound passengers.

Phase One of the Beatrix 2000 plan (airport renovation and expansion) will be realized on September 1, 1999 with the opening of two new terminal buildings. One of the terminal buildings is specifically designed to serve the needs of U.S. bound passengers with U.S. Immigration and Customs facilities providing pre-clearance services, allowing al l Aruba flights to enter the U.S. as domestic flights.

Charter to fly Iceland to Aruba

The leading tour operator and travel agency in Iceland, Samvinn Travel, is currently organizing a charter flight, Iceland to Aruba, for November 22-29, 1999. Utilizing a Boeing 747 through Atlanta Air, a total of 500 Icelanders will be able to visit the island for the first time via a direct flight.

Audur Bjornsdottir, Samvinn production director, was recently on the island to finalize plans, meeting with Ata Aruba and representatives from the airport, hotels and tour companies.

Samvinn organizes a series of regularly scheduled charter flights to countries in Scandinavia and Europe, as well as, for the last four years, special one-time charters to such destinations as the Bahamas, Cuba, San Francisco, New Orleans, Dominican Republic, Mombasa and Egypt. Aruba has been included on the agenda this year, along with Kenya, London and Cuba (which is now being visited by Samvinn clients for the third year in a row)

Bjornsdottir has no doubt that the Aruba flight will be sold out this November, and expresses that, if enthusiasm about Aruba continues to climb among Icelanders, the Samvinn charter, Iceland to Aruba, may be repeated.

Aruba is featured in international press

Positive articles about the island continue to appear in different magazines in three continents – North America, South America and Europe. Recent examples of this were exhibited through the "Free Media". Reports submitted by the offices of ATA Brazil, under the management of Ana Maria Ostrower, and ATA Germany, headed by Rita Morozow.

In Brazil, in the course of only a few months time, Aruba was the hot topic in four four-color glossy magazines and two newspapers. Coverage was realized in Tur Agente (a magazine for travel agents), the inflight magazine of Ponte Aerea and two editions of Brazil Travel News. Newspaper coverage included articles in Brasilturis and Jornal Panrotas.

In a three-month time period, coverage of Aruba was realized in various periodicals in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Ranging from small mentions to full-scale write-ups, the word on Aruba was broadcast most notably in Frau Aktuell (circ. 566,900), Praline (circ. 439,600) and Welt am Sonntag (circ. 582,900)

Strong ATA efforts continue in Germany

Aruba continues to garner a reputation as a prime Caribbean destination in Germany thanks to the efforts of its ATA Germany office. Recent accomplishments include a successful three-hour broadcast from Frankfurt’s largest radio station. On a recent Sunday afternoon, ATA Germany’s Rensley Zijlstra and Rita Morozow, together with Humphrey Vrolijk from Dutch Caribbean Travel Center (DCTC), were able to share a view of the island with the radio station’s 500,000 listeners. A live interview with Aruba hotelier Ewald Biemans was also aired.

In addition, Rensley was also successful in executing a live seminar which brought 20 agents to the ABC islands. According to Rensley, the agents were pleasantly surprised to discover that Aruba was unique among Caribbean destinations. They expressed an appreciation, in particular, for the quality of the beaches and the friendliness of the people.

Just this past July, Rita went on a sales blitz together with representatives from Curacao and the DCTC, reaching a dozen important tour operators in Germany. Promotion was accomplished for travel to the island through the Condor charter flight.

The good word on Aruba will continue to spread with a one of Germany’s biggest TV stations contacting the tour operator of Aeoroword to set up trips to Aruba as the main prize for four of its upcoming daily game shows.

Proposed Racetrack to bring closed circuit racing to Aruba

Plans are under way to construct a "super modern" racetrack at Seroe Colorado, on the Aruba’s picturesque southern tip. At a press conference held recently, the proposed plan was unveiled as a project that could positively enhance the economic development of Aruba in general and the area of San Nicolas in particular. With financial backing provided jointly through the Government of Aruba – represented at the press conference by Minister of Sports Junior Croes and Glenbert Croes – and the private sector – represented by Mr. Carlo Mansur of the Aruba Motorsports Foundation – Aruba plans to move full speed ahead in creating a venue which would draw major race events, along with thousands of race enthusiasts.

It was Mr. Mansur who had requested the help of Ralph Sanchez in creating for Aruba a racetrack similar to the one found in Homestead Miami, which currently hosts a Grand Prix event. According to Mansur, Aruba will present the world of motorsports, a racetrack that will be considered one of the best in the world, and certainly one of the best in the Caribbean and South American region.

Also present at the press conference was Brazil’s ex-Formula One Champion Emerson Fittipaldi, a two-time winner of both F1 events and the Indianapolis 500, who presented a signed racing helmet to Prime Minister Henny Eman.