|
ARUBANS IN THE NEWSAaron Hose, an Aruban producer living in the United States, recently received a Sun Coast Emmy Award in the category for ‘Best Producer’ for the production of a series in the ‘Education/Schools TV Program’. This is the second win. Aaron works at the University of Central Florida and in the past has done production work for the local TV program ‘Fame’. Aruba’s “Gun Jezelf Aruba” campaign wins the Travelution Magazine Award 2009 as the best destination marketing campaign in Holland. Travelution has been on the market for 10 years with monthly editions and counts with a membership of 10,000 travel professionals who use this magazine as a reference when selling a destination. The visual images very were eye catching, especially when displayed on billboards on busy high ways and at bus, train, and metro stops. The images showed a white sandy beach with turquoise water displaying two empty beach chairs sending out the message that you should ‘Gun jezelf Aruba.'
ARTS & CULTUREBugaloe Beach Bar & Grill presents Beach Team Holland, the Dutch professional Beach Volleyball League. From Saturday December 5th to Friday December 11th, the best Beach Volleyball teams from Holland will play at Eagle Beach between Divi and Tamarijn. For more information visit www.bugaloe.com or call (297) 586-2233. Arikok National Park announces the implementation of a conservation fee as of January 1, 2010. Adults pay $4 and children up to 17 years of age enter free. There is also a possibility for guided hiking tours which costs $25 for a group of maximum 15 people. Camping and BBQ permits are granted to tourists who already have an accommodation on the island at a price of $25. Opening hours of Arikok National Park are from Monday to Sunday from 8am – 5pm. Office hours are from 7:30am – 3:30pm. Park permits are obtainable at info@arubanationalpark.com or via www.arubanationalpark.org. After successfully completing Phase One in the process of having Arashi, Mangel Halto and Baby Beaches become Blue Flag certified, an international certification program of eco labor which upholds quality standards in four main areas: water quality, safety, services and facilities, environmental education & information and environmental management. Aruba’s beaches are almost ready to become Blue Flag Certified. This six million dollar project is scheduled for completion next year, at which time approved Aruba Beaches will be able to display the prestigious Blue Flag. The popular Aruba beaches of Arashi, Mangel Halto and Baby Beach were improved through integrated design to achieve better management and conservation of natural resources. Updated style, with durable materials friendly management of one of our most precious treasures, our beaches.”Obtaining Blue Flag certification is part of a larger Sustainable Economic Development program in Aruba. Beyond the beach, legislation is being drafted for Marine Park protection status for the island’s entire coastline and the development of better sewage, waste and recycling treatment facilities. The overall project is an investment of over 22 million dollars.
RESORTS & APARTMENTSAruba Marriott welcomed new Vice President and General Manager Kevin Schwab of the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club and Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club. Boasting decades in the hospitality industry, Schwab brings immeasurable luxury experience, deep familiarization with Marriott and new energy to the properties. For additional information on the resort visit www.arubamarriott.com.
A full performance of Leonid Kozlov’s “The Nutcracker” will be staged in the Occidental Ballroom on Wednesday December 30, 2009 and experts from the program will be combined with a special solo program by Kiril Kulish on Saturday January 2, 2010. Both programs begin at 8:00pm. Advanced ticket sales for this unique production are available through the concierge desk of the Occidental Grand Resort. Kiril Kulish is a Tony Award winner for Best Male Performance in a Broadway Musical and is a multi-faceted dance prodigy.
AIRPORT, AIRLINES & CRUISESHIPSAruba Airport Authority announces that Jetblue Airways will increase service to Aruba from Boston starting in the spring of 2010. Boston remains a strong market for the destination and has developed from a primarily seasonal market into a year round key market in the US northeast. Aruba welcomed the curiseship MSC Poesia of MSC Cruises for the first time. MSC Poesia is a cruise ship of 92,627 ton and carries 2,780 passengers. MSC is known for exclusivity and caters to high end guests. Its next visit to Aruba will be on February 11, 2010.
According to the Aruba Cruise Tourism, November 2009 was a great month for Aruba with 14 additional calls (46) compared to the number of calls during the same month in 2008 (32). This translates to a total of 111,567 visitors, including crew members in 2009 for November only. During the first 11 months of 2009, Aruba received 740,000 cruise ship visitors.
RESTAURANTS & HANGOUTSMarriott Aruba is having a New Year’s Party with the famous local band Oreo on the Trade winds beach area. There will be a cash bar a champagne bar. Tickets are for sale in the lobby starting December 26, 2009 10.00 AM. For more information contact Joanne Dirksz at (297) 586-9000. Tierra del Sol’ Ventana’s del Mar New Year’s Party includes a 5 course dinner, champagne toast, live music, and open bar from 8pm – 12am. For more information contact Ingrid de Marchena at Ingrid@tierradelsol.com or call (297) 586-0405. Bugaloe Beach Bar & Grill presents Beach Team Holland, the Dutch professional Beach Volleyball League. From Saturday December 5th to Friday December 11th, the best Beach Volleyball teams from Holland will play at Eagle Beach between Divi and Tamarijn. For more information visit www.bugaloe.com or call (297) 586-2233. Starbucks coffee & specialties now available in Aruba! Renaissance Marketplace proudly announced the opening of the first Starbucks store in the Dutch Caribbean. The popular coffeehouse is open every day from 630am – 10pm. For more information call (297) 583-6000.
December 10, 2009
(Sources: Amigoe di Aruba, BonDia, The News, Aruba Today, hotel/company press releases)
|
