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News
Briefs for October 1-31, 1999
The strike entered its second day on Tuesday 26th
October but no power outages were reported. So far, hotels and the airport did not
experience any ill-effects of the strike.
Mr. Freddy Wever, Director of Elmar Aruba N.V., the corporation responsible for distribution of electrical power in Aruba, stated that as of 9:00pm Monday night power has been restored to all areas of Aruba. It is expected that this situation will prevail at least until tomorrow. Mr. Wever attributed this to the fact that Web Aruba N.V. has been in a position to generate enough power to make island-wide distribution possible by Elmar.
As announced earlier by Mr. Kelvin Augustin of Web Aruba N.V., some parts of Aruba have started to feel the effects of the reduction in the overall power supply. Certain radio stations around the island went off the air as well as one of the two main local TV stations, ATV, as power was cut completely in certain parts of Oranjestad. Referring to a number of international conferences
currently being held on the island, Tourism Minister Lili Beke-Martinez, speaking to
reporters on local TV station Tele Aruba, appealed to the striking unions to take into
consideration that Aruba's development depends on tourism.
WEB Aruba N.V. and Elmar N.V. announce power supply reduction WEB Aruba N.V. and Elmar N.V., respectively Aruba's water and power supply companies, made an official announcement at 2:00pm Aruba Time on Monday 25th October. The announcement by Mr. Kelvin Augustin of Web Aruba N.V.
served to inform the public that due to lack of manpower caused by the ongoing strike, Web
Aruba N.V. and Elmar Aruba N.V. (almost 95% of Elmar N.V. employees are currently on
strike) would be gradually reducing the power supply by about 30%. The result of this
would be that certain areas of the island would be without power as of any time between
the time of the announcement with other areas affected between 8pm tonight and 2am early
morning tomorrow. The supply companies did not specify which areas of the island would be
affected and in what order, but an announcement regarding this is expected in due course.
Various labour unions in Aruba prepare for a General Strike that will start on Monday 25th October. Sparked by controversy on the development of a Race Track at Seroe Colorado, the issue has snowballed into an all-out attack on what labour unions are referring to as repeated cases of mis-government. The proposal of the Seroe Colorado Race Track project (see official press release in this issue and Big Fish Small Pond) immediately was
met with opposition from environmentalists (spearheaded by the 'Aruba Dushi Tera'
organisation) who consider the project to be a severe threat to Aruba's natural
environment and who also feel that the terms agreed to by the Aruban Government for the
setting up of the race track are unacceptable and a blatant mis-handling of public funds.
Aruba honors GOGO’s Kassner – A fond farewell to a good friend A short pause was taken during the jam packed GOGO Learning Conference for a tree planted ceremony which helped recognize the late Fred Kassner, who as a founder of GOGO Worldwide Vacations, not only led his company’s successful rise, but also had a significant impact on Aruba’s tourism economy. U.S. Area Director Charlie Ibarra helped sum up the feelings of the assembled crowd gathered at Queen Wilhelmina Park as he fondly recalled Kassner and his relationship with Aruba. Kassner maintained a decades-long relationship with Aruba. Directing thousands of visitors to the island over the years. Cited as an important partner in the development of the island’s tourism industry, ATA, together with the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association, choose to honor Kassner by planting a tree in his memory, helping forever to cement Kassner’s ties to the island. A plaque will soon decorate the spot as well, helping to convey the gratitude as well as the loss Aruba feels in regard to a man who had demonstrated such devotion to the island. The plaque will read: In memory of Fred Kassner This tree is a living reminder of the contributions made by Fred Kassner. Among Aruba’s many supporters, Fred proved an invaluable partner, aiding in the successful growth of the tourism industry by helping to bring many new visitors to the island. Fred will always remain in our hearts as a friend of Aruba. "Masha Danki" Fred Aruba Tourism Authority Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association
Aruba receives extra mileage out of U.S. ad campaign As reported by Aruba’s advertising partner in the U.S, Aruba continues to reap benefits from the "Aruba section" in September’s national edition of Travel & Leisure Magazine. In November, the Special Caribbean Winter issue will also now reach a national audience (upgraded from eastern edition) Travel and trade impact includes exposure direct to the consumer (at no cost to Aruba) through a mailing to 25,000 American Express card members (non Travel & Leisure subscribers) identified as key Caribbean travel prospects. In addition, the section will be distributed at targeted, high-end consumer event, and Aruba will be featured on magazine’s website and receive a bonus listing in Travel & Leisure’s Explorer reader service section. The travel trade will be targeted through sections advertised in Leisure Travel News and Travel Agent magazines and a response mechanism for agents to request additional section copies for distribution to clients.
Aruba receives rave reviews for its role as GOGO Learning Conference host Held for the first time on the island, GOGO Learning Conference was a hit among the 400-plus travel agents, from throughout the U.S., that attended the event, September 30 – October 5, 1999. Upscale and upbeat could describe one of the conference’s highlights, the island’s own "Taste of Aruba". Set up outside, near the Seaport Conference Center, different hotels, activity companies and island restaurants provided proof of their culinary aplomb. Travel agents perused the different booths, delighting in the different samples, watched different presentations provided Allegro and Bushiri and simply enjoyed a mild Aruban evening out under the stars. The Aruba Certified Expert (ACE) presentation met with similar approval. ATA Houston
Director reported that the response from the first official introduction of ACE, an
educational program that offers agents member benefits, resulted in the majority of agents
filling in the ACE form.
Charter, Brazil to Aruba, to start up next month Efforts to once again realize airlift Brazil to Aruba have reached fruition as the island gets ready to welcome the first flight of the weekly TAM charter, Sao Paolo, Brazil, to Aruba, on November 7, 1999. A pool of important tour operators, including Agaxtur, CVC, Flot, RCA, Soletur and Transatlantica, is working to book its slots for the flight, guaranteeing that many of the 117 seats – 111 economy and 6 business class – will be filled. The TAM flight, utilizing a modern A-319 aircraft, will run each Sunday, leaving Sao Paulo at 2 a.m. and arriving in Aruba at 6 a.m. On that same day, the charter will pick up departing passengers at 7 a.m., arriving in Sao Paulo at 3 p.m. (local times) According to ATA Latin America Director Mirto Granadillo and Ana Maria Ostrower, of ATA Brazil, the charter will accomplish a total of 19 flights, during the time period Nov. 7, 1999 through March 12, 2000. Of course, according to the results of these first flights, TAM charter service can be extended, with the possibility of additional flights being added to the weekly schedule or even changing over to a larger capacity A-330 plane.
With new Condor charter, German press takes another look at Aruba Rita Morozow of ATA Germany continues to spread the word about Aruba, most recently through an interview with Travel Inside magazine. Following a piece on Aruba in its "Perspecktiven Karibik" section, Rita helped emphasize Aruba’s many selling points of quality tourism product, in regards to its hotels, shopping, restaurants and activities, as well as the fact that the island is outside the hurricane belt while talking with the magazine’s Silvia Schultz. Journalists from Germany will soon be able to judge the island for themselves with a variety of press trips organized in connection with the inaugural flight of the condor charter, Germany to Aruba, via Curacao. Freelance writers Stefan Quante, Claudia Nagel and Karin Felix accompanied by Rita will visit the island this November 2, staying until November 7, 1999. Seven additional journalists from Germany, representing such magazines as Ebersberger Zeitung, Die Welt, Sporttest Golf, Neue Revue, Frau Aktuell and Siedwestpresse, among others, will visit the island, November 6-9, 1999. The group will also visit Aruba on Condor’s inaugural flight, after experiencing Curacao. Condor VIPs, Josef Kohel, the general manager of Longhaul, and Dieter Knoefel, sales manager, will also be on the island, October 31 through November 4.
Born in Aruba, Richardson has amassed her professional experience over a 20-year career in the tourism industry, having worked for several major hotels in Aruba. St. Maarten as well as the English-speaking Caribbean. Mrs. Richardson will be in charge of the day-to-day operation of the ATA Europe office.
As the cruise tourism high season kicks off this month, Aruba gets ready to welcome a projected total of 275,000 cruise ship passengers over the course of the next six months, an increase of over 17,000 passengers over last season’s numbers (257,829) Cruise ship calls, October, 1999, through April 2000, will total 235 this season, with that number comprising a variety of stops by different cruise company’s "megaships", with over 2,000 passengers. The number of different cruise companies who have recently made a new commitment to the island best notes the positive direction in which the island’s cruise ship tourism is currently moving. As published in Travel Markets Insider, Crown, the new four-and-a-half star cruise brand from Commodore Holding limited, will use Aruba as its home port for its Crown Dynasty, December through April. Sun Cruises’ Sunbird and Celebrity Cruise’s 1,750 passenger Galaxy will also begin home porting in Aruba this coming season. Returning for the first time since 1996, Carnival Cruise’s 2000-plus passenger Inspiration will once again bring year-round weekly cruises to Aruba beginning in November.
The Aruba International Dance Festival (ADF), an established cultural event in which has brought internationally recognized dance companies to Aruba once every two years for over ten years, will feature just one performance this year, that of the Tango Kinesis of Argentina. Tango Kinesis, which will perform this year, is recognized as the best contemporary tango dance company in Argentina. It was this group which participated in the recent movie, titled Tango, which spotlights this dance form. A total of 13 members of the Tango Kinesis company will well as provide a workshop for local dancers on Friday, October 29, at 7 p.m., at the Cas di Cultura. Tickets for the premier performance are Afl. 35 (US$20) and for the matinee Afls. 25 (US$14), with children under 12 paying Afl. 15 (US$ 8.50) A full retinue of different dances groups, each recognized as the best in their respective genres, will participate in the festival, now planned for Fall, 2000. According to AIDF organizer Wilma Kuiperi, the dance festival could run complimentary to next year’s international Theater Festival Aruba, resulting in three months of high culture to look forward to in the Fall of 2000.
Aruba makes some noise for the New Year According to Michael Arends of the Nos Caya 2000 commission, the island will have its giant pagara, roll of Chinese firecrackers. At about a mile long, the world’s largest pagara will mark Aruba’s entry into the new millennium, complementing Aruba’s island-wide fireworks show and adding more spice to an already exciting New Year’s celebration in Aruba. According to a survey of 2,200 independent travel agents in the U.S., the Caribbean is the number one destination selected by travelers to welcome in the New Year. Aruba is still welcoming guests for the biggest party of the year with rooms still available at about half of the island’s over one dozen resorts.
A night in Oranjestad now includes "La Fiesta" The recent facelift of the Aventura Mall in downtown Oranjestad now includes a stylish new bar and soon-to-be restaurant named La Fiesta. Located on the second floor, above the Benetton Store of Main Street, the new La Fiesta bar offers both drinks and an excellent view of the shopping plaza. With its subtle lighting and "wallpapering" of all possible liquors behind the bar, the atmosphere invites Fiesta-goers to relax by the railing to enjoy city views and tropical refreshers. The best view, however, may be offered to those guests dining at La Fiesta. With tables positioned on the bridge straddling Klipstraat, diners will soon be able to take advantage of a variety of international and southern European dishes, dining out under the star and above the city streets. La Fiesta Bar is open 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. with a Happy Hour offered between 9 and 10 p.m. By the end of this month, La Fiesta restaurant will be open for lunch, 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., and dinner, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
"Kini Kini" lands in downtown Oranjestad Opening its doors earlier this month, the Kini Kini Building in downtown Oranjestad (behind the Court House), now houses the Dairy Mart Convenience Store, a Burger King, Maggy’s perfume and the Ildo Lottery. The Dairy Mart, itself, is divided into several sections containing a coffee shop and bakery, a "Fresh-to-go" offering a variety of different sandwiches, a Fountain Express and a Pizza Inn, specializing in individual-sized pizzas. Undina and Jessica Harms successfully realized the new complex after a 2.5 million-florin investment.
Not yet certified for SCUBA, but want to get better feel for the experience? The island’s different watersports/activities operators are now offering a variety of new choices for exploration of the island’s marine treasures. Introducing SASY (Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth) and SASA (Supplied Air Snorkeling for Adults), a system that allows snorkelers to breathe with bottled air as they safely float on the surface of the water. SNUBA, (SNorkeling + scUBA), tops all these experiences by allowing kids, as young as eight years old, and adults to safely breath underwater at 20-foot depths. The SNUBA adventure requires only a 15-minute briefing, a 10-minute equipment fitting (which includes weight belt and harness which holds the 20-foot cord leading from safety raft to regulator safely in place) and a 10-minute practice session, opening the way toward 25 minutes of underwater exploring.
Sonesta reveals its new colors The exterior of the Aruba Sonesta Resort now sports an array of "Caribbean colors" in subtle shades, greatly enhancing the resort’s façade. Positive change at the Sonesta will also soon extend to the lobby, lower lobby and atrium. The atrium will feature a new hand-painted mural on the long back wall. The skylight located above the atrium will be replaced as well during the fall. These improvements are expected to be complete by the end of November. A change will also soon be seen at the boat canal in the lower lobby, which will undergo a complete facelift. This will entail covering the canal walls with natural looking rocks and waterfalls. This project will begin this month and is scheduled to be complete by December.
Aruba’s Motorsports Complex is officially introduced to public First international race scheduled for November 2000 The symbolic groundbreaking of the Motorsports Complex which took place Tuesday, September 28, led by Prime Minister Henny Eman, Colorado Hills Managing Director Carlo Mansur, Motorsports Americas President Ralph Sanchez and attended by about 50 members of the international media, marked the official inauguration of Aruba into the world of world-class motorsports. According to Colorado Hills N.V. press release, the 2.7-mile, 14 turn road coarse, which will be built to the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile's standards for Formula One, is scheduled for completion in September 2000, and already has scheduled three international dates. The first of which is the last race of the BF Goodrich Tires Trans-Am Series and Speedvision World Challenge Championships, tentatively slated for mid-November, 2000. The International CART PPG-Dayton Indy Lights Championship will also wrap up its 2000 season in Aruba with a race scheduled for December. On March 3, 2000, Aruba will host the opening round of the 2001 American Le Mans Series. The initial design of the track, which is expected to see average lap speeds of around 125 mph, and features two 200 mph straights, was the result of consultations between Sanchez and top motorsport industry leaders, including drivers, team owners and sanctioning body officials. The final package was put together by the noted architectural firm of Bermello, Ajamil and Partners, a group which designed the Homestead Motorsport Complex, the first of America's new wave of Super Speedways. The prime contractor for the Aruba Motorsport Complex is Calmaquip/Albo, which recently completed Aruba's new international airport facility. The track design calls for 35 individual garages, 45 pit stalls, leading edge timing and scoring facilities, and a state-of-the-art press headquarters. In addition to its super fast straights, the Aruba Motorsports Complex will feature a wide variety of turns, ranging from first-gear corners to flat-out sweepers. With its advanced, world class construction, the Aruba Motorsport Complex at Seroe Colorado promised to take its place as one of the racing industry's great racing facilities.
"ACE" Agents to enjoy a special relationship with Aruba Aruba is putting its best foot forward during the GOGO Learning Conference giving the red-carpet treatment to the hundreds of GOGO representatives that are visiting the island, September 30 - October 5, 1999. The five-day conference, which involves GOGO reps and over 125 suppliers, will highlight Aruba's unique tourism product as well as focus on GOGO's entire product line. The special highlight of the event will be the first official launch of the Aruba Certified Expert (ACE) program. As an "ACE" agent, travel agents now have the opportunity to benefit from a special relationship with Aruba. In a format that is fresh and fun, Aruba representatives will deliver a highly comprehensive program through a 3-hour training session. During the session, the ACE instructor helps agents discover exactly how Aruba meets the needs of their particular clients in their region. Armed with the information gained through the training session, together with resource materials, travel agents will be able to effectively custom-design packages, ensuring a perfect Aruba vacation each time for their clients. But the relationship ACE agents share with Aruba is not limited to the training session. Aruba Tourism Authority regional salespeople will be available to co-host programs with ACE agents and agencies. ACE agents will also benefit from the regular contact with regional reps as well as from up-to-date collateral materials, sales kit and even their own website, http://www.arubaagent.com. Additional benefits include first notification of special promotions and events, an opportunity to increase business through the website and 1-800-TO-ARUBA referral system, and, in the year 2000, special VIP FAM opportunities.•
October 22-31 INT’L DANCE FESTIVAL Int'l dance companies, including Tango Kinesis from Argentina, will perform. For more information, contact Wilma Kuiperi at 297-830223. October 24,25 DEEP SEA FISHING TOURNAMENT Annual championships held in October at the Aruba Nautical Club with participation of yachts from Venezuela, Miami, Puerto Rico, Curaçao, Bonaire and Aruba. Contact the Nautical Club at 297-853022 for additional information.
A veterans’ tournament, the event consists of categories open for Male/Female participants 35 years and older. A-C category. Organized by the Aruba Racquet Club. Contact Mr. Humphrey Jose at the Aruba Racquet Club, phone: 297-860215, for more information.
Auto racing competition to take place at the International Raceway Park Palo Marga. Contact the Aruba Drag Racing Foundation (ADRF) at 297-829085 for additional information.
The upcoming festival will feature Oscar de Leon, of Venezuela, Alquimia of Colombia, Albita Rodriguez of Miami, DLG of New York, Cheo Feliciano of Puerto Rico and from Aruba, Tirso Steba. Helping to heat things up, a "Kick-Off Party" to the main event will be held on November 3, 1999 at the Alhambra Festival grounds. Contact ATA Special Events at 297-823777 for additional information.
The 9th annual international catamaran regatta event held on the island. Aruba’s turquoise waters will be adorned with the colorful sails of catamarans from Europe, North and South America compete in this event. Contact the Aruba Tourism Authority at 297-823777 for additional information.
Races around the island as well as an international stop-over in Falcon, Venezuela to be featured. Contact Mr. Henk Grim at the Seaport Marina at Tel: 297-839190 or Fax: 297-839197. E-mail: seaportmarina@setarnet.aw or view the website at www.seaportyachtrace.com
Pomp and circumstance will surround the Queen's visit as she stops at various Aruba organizations. For more information call Nilda Koolman at 297-825774.
Aruba celebrates its tourism industry Tourism Week celebrations, September 20 - 27, under the direction of Tamara Waldron, of ATA's National Awareness Department, came to a successful conclusion last weekend with tourism industry employees enjoying a Family Day at Havana Beach Club. The event helped wrap up a successful week-long program which included a Press Day, Career Day and lecture series, with each event designed to fortify Aruba's current and future tourism product. One of the Tourism Week highlights included a cultural event on Betico Croes Plaza Saturday, September 25. The event helped put the focus on the island's unique cultural traditions, local crafts and Aruban cuisine as well as help recognize important members of the Aruba's tourism industry. During the event, recognition was given to Watty Chai, Aruba's first tourism director, Milo Croes, for his many years with the Aruba Carnival Foundation and Luis "Wichi" De Palm, the founder of De Palm Tours. The future of Aruba's tourism industry was also recognized during the event with prizes going to local students: Josiah Duinkerk of Graf von Zinzendorf elementary won the "Pensando riba Aruba" (Thinking about Aruba) drawing contest (weekend stay at the Bushiri); Shaolin Soliana of Heilighart College won the essay contest (weekend stay at The Mill and a submarine ride); and Sashara Carty of John Wesley College was the lucky winner of an Aptiva computer raffle during Career Day. ATA wishes to extend its thanks to everyone who helped make Tourism Week 1999 such a resounding success!
Sonesta's "Umbrellas" welcome coffee drinkers Umbrellas Café & Espresso is now open in the lower lobby of the Sonesta Hotel. The dramatic wooden bar is set amidst tropical oversized umbrellas just behind the boat dock in the Sonesta lower lobby. This gourmet coffee bar is open 7 days a week and has already generated crowds, especially during the afternoon and evening, when shoppers to the mall are winding down.
ALM to stop service Atlanta to Aruba As of October 28, 1999, ALM, the national carrier of the
Netherlands Antilles, will discontinue its service Atlanta to Aruba. The equipment will be
used for a second weekly Atlanta to Bonaire flight, Thursday and Sunday.
The "how to" for a perfect wedding in Aruba The company of Aruba Weddings for You, headed by Michele Osbourne and Aida Perez, is now ready to aid brides and grooms in creating the "ceremony of their dreams." Couples, either heading down the island for the first time or renewing their vows, can take advantage of full wedding planning with special transportation, personal photographer, fresh flowers, customized cake and champagne celebration in the venue of choice. Couples from abroad, who have been legally married in their country of origin, can also take advantage of services such as the coordination of the procurement of all necessary documentation and the organization of the finer details of the ceremony and honeymoon process. Other services available include the organization of stag party, bridal showers and receptions complete with customized catering, musical entertainment and videography. For more information contact Aruba Weddings for you at Nune 92, Aruba, Tel: (297)
837638, Fax: (297) 871824.
Census 2000: The count will soon begin Current information about the demographics of the country will soon be compiled with the introduction of the Census 2000. Guided by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), under the direction of Director R. Lee, a total of 800 pollsters will go out into the Aruban community as of October 2000. By posing questions about each household and its individual inhabitants, a clear view of the island's education levels, public health standards, labor pool, housing, immigration trends, etc. will soon be determined. The results of the Census 2000 will be available to the public at the completion of the project. Data collection and analysis is projected to take three-and-a-half years. The completion of the Census 2000 will signal the fourth time such a project has been undertaken in Aruba. The first census was introduced to the island in 1972.
Selected articles courtesy of ATA
Newsletter Editor: Doreen Boekhoudt
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