RESORTS:

•Bucuti Beach Resort & Tara Beach Suites’ environmental program was used as the example for Caribbean Hoteliers at the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Conference (CHTC). Environmentalist and Hotelier Ewald Biemans was introduced as the example to Hoteliers throughout the Caribbean for his extensive and successful sustainable tourism business model for his hotels, the Bucuti Beach Resort and Tara Beach Suites, recently in Miami, Florida. Biemans was invited to present and be a panelist at a seminar organized by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) titled: “Environmental Management Systems” whereby CAST released a CHA-CTO Joint position paper on Global Climate Change and the Caribbean Tourism Industry. Moderator Deirdre P. Shurland, Director of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) introduced Biemans as “a pioneer and a success story for environmental preservation in the industry” and his resort “a glowing example for all Caribbean Hoteliers”. Biemans presented his case study of Bucuti Beach Resort’s achievements in sustainability and Green Globe 21 and ISO 14001 certifications. Biemans presented his viewpoint as an hotelier / environmental activist.

•The renovation of the Standard Studios (23 rooms) at The Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort Aruba has been completed. New tiling, new bathroom appliances, modern kitchens with granite tops, and all furniture and soft furnishings have been replaced, the TVs have been replaced in not only the Standard Studios but in every room by Flat Screen TVs. The look of the room is more modern, yet in keeping with the architectural style of the hotel. Dark wood furniture and cream colored bed spreads and curtains give the room the perfect sophisticated feel and look. Renovation of the remaining rooms is already in process. The renovation is taking place in a structured manner. By taking out an entire block, guests will not be staying in a room adjacent to another room being renovated. All lounges have been replaced around the pool, the chairs and bar stools at the Sunset Upper-Deck Bar, with more comfortable lounges and chairs with softer cushions. The Front Desk has also been completely renovated, and features a fresh and modern look. The renovation is expected to be fully completed by late fall 2007. For more information please call The Amsterdam Manor at (297) 527-1100 or visit www.AmsterdamManor.com/en/photos.html.

•A resort of choice for divers and home to the recently named Conde Nast Traveler Hot List honoree, Radisson Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino announces Scuba in Aruba Packages showcasing the island’s underwater world for discovery. The popularity of scuba diving continues to grow with 924,270 divers certified worldwide in 2006, according to PADI, and now beginners can immerse themselves with a seven-night Learn to Dive Program starting at $2,899* and earn PADI open water certification. The Learn to Dive Program encompasses all equipment and includes accommodations, diving and instruction, tanks, weight belts and a welcome martini at the open-air Mira Solo. For the ultimate experience, Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino is offering experienced divers a seven-night Unlimited Diving package with rates beginning at $2,889* including accommodations, unlimited dives and a cocktail at the resort’s popular martini bar. Both package rates based on double occupancy. Shorter packages of three and five-nights are also available. All dive instruction and activities are through Unique Sports, a Five Star Gold Palm/National Geographic facility located at the resort. For more information and reservations, call Radisson Hotels & Resorts at (800) 333-3333 or visit www.radisson.com/aruba. Guests booking Scuba in Aruba Packages should contact Unique Sports prior to arrival to schedule dives at (297) 586-6555 x 6597 or unique@radissonaruba.com

•The Pearl Condominiums, now under construction, located close to the Eagle Beach will consist of 25 private condominium residences with all the luxuries and amenities of a five star boutique hotel. For more information please visit www.arubapearl.com or call (297) 594-5000 or (800) 625-6875 in the US.

•RIU Palace Aruba accommodated its first guests during the third week of July. RIU had its soft opening on the 20th of July offering tropical landscaped grounds, an Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis courts, an exciting Casino, on-site PADI dive and water sports center, car rental, beauty salon, gift shop and a choice of restaurants including a beach bar and grill. For more information please visit www.riuaruba.com or call (888) 774-0040 or (305) 774-0040 or in Aruba (297) 526-3990.

AIRPORT, AIRLINES & CRUISESHIPS:

•Aruba Airport Authority N.V. (AAA) is in the process of training and instating an Emergency Response Team (ERT). This team will initially consist of 20 employees of the various airport departments and is intended to provide first aid in case of emergencies. The ERT has been trained and certified on different levels, including First Aid and CPR by the “Nationale Instituut of Bedrijfs Hulpverlening” (NIBHV) in Holland. AAA plans on providing different drill exercises during the year so that the ERT is up to date and ready in case of emergencies. Needed special equipments have also been installed at strategic locations throughout the airport allowing the ERT to have easy access in order to operate efficiently when most needed.

Mr. Hendrik Croes is the new Public Relations Officer at the AAA N.V. and Hill start on August 1st 2007.

AAA N.V. will be expanding the drop off zone of the car rentals in order to improve the flow of traffic upon renting and returning car rentals. The project is scheduled to be finalized in one month.

For more information please contact AAA at (297) 524-2424.

•Tiara Air is now providing non stop service to Bonaire, six weekly flights. Besides Bonaire, Tiara services also Curacao and Punto Fijo. For more information please visit www.tiara-air.com or call (297) 588-4272 or (297) 582-0901.

•Avior Airlines, a Venezuelan Airline Company, will be increasing service from Venezuela to Aruba during the summer holidays. As of July 18, 2007 through September 16, 2007 there will be three (3) weekly flights from Caracas to Aruba on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday operated with at Boeing 737-200 aircraft with a capacity of 96 seats in economy class and 12 seats in business class. In addition, Avior will be servicing Aruba from Valencia during the period of August 1 through September 16, 2007 on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with a similar aircraft, B737-200 with a seating capacity of 108. Tickets for Avior Airlines can be purchased through all local travel agencies and at Avior’s ticket office at the Airport. Avior’s service telephone numbers on island are (297) 583-9040 or (297) 583-1892.

•Aserca has launched twice weekly scheduled service from Aruba to Santo Domingo as of July 17, 2007. Flights are on Tuesdays and Saturdays and Aserca will utilize DC-9 aircrafts with a seating capacity of 110 passengers. Aeropostal had been servicing this route from Aruba until April 2006. With the re-launch of scheduled non stop service, AAA hopes that these flights from Aserca will meet leisure and ethnic travel demand between Aruba and Santo Domingo.

•Spirit Airlines announces its once a week (Saturday) nonstop service between its Fort Lauderdale base and Aruba, beginning November 10, 2007. Aruba is Spirit’s 23rd destination in the Bahamas, Caribbean and Latin America region, and its 38th destination overall. In addition to nonstop service from its Fort Lauderdale base, Spirit will also offer connecting service to Aruba from its domestic network.

RESTAURANTS & HANGOUT PLACES:

•Beach Grill Barbeque is the new concept at the Westin Aruba Resort. Happening every Monday from 7:30pm to 9:30pm beachfront and costing $35 + taxes. For more information please call (297) 586-4466, ext. 59.

•Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino has added a spa menu at Sunset Grille. Executive Chef Matt Boland and Executive Sous Chef Hector of Sunset Grille at Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino are ushering in a new era of modern cuisine in Aruba. It’s the evolution from traditional old world steakhouse with new low calories, low fat spa cuisine. New dishes include Maine Lobster Cocktail with mango, corn, salsa, purple potatoes and citrus chili vinaigrette; and seared fillet of sea bass with fennel and blood orange salad, red pepper polenta and almond aioli. The restaurant continues to garner accolades including the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award and was recently voted the “The Best Restaurant in the Caribbean” by the readers of Caribbean Travel & Life.

•El Gaucho Restaurant, Sunset Grille at the Radisson and Madam Jeanette received the Win Spectator Award of Excellence. This award is bestowed on restaurants that offer a “well chosen list with a thematic match to the menu in price and style, with at least 100 selections”. The complete list of awardees can be viewed online at www.winespectator.com.

GENERAL:

•Mr. Jorge Pesquera is heading to Florida. The former President and CEO of AHATA, effective November 1st, accepted the position of President and CEO of the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Pesquera will be in charge of overseeing all tourism marketing for Florida’s largest county with 16000 hotel rooms, a new convention center and some of the most upscale resorts in the US. Pesquera will leave his post November 1st and will be replaced by Mr. Rob Smith, current GM of the Westin Aruba Resort, effective October 1st.

•A Cabana Spa is the newly opened day spa at De Palm Island and is guided by professional therapist Jacqueline Jimeno with over 14 years of experience. The spa offers a great variety of treatments depending on the wants and needs of the guests. The spa services are available as extra features and are not included in the all-inclusive De Palm Island day pass. For more information please call De Palm Tours at (297) 582-4400.