Aruba Product Update August 2013agents.aruba.com/wp-content/uploads/APUAug2013_EN.pdfabout the Shoco...

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.

Below we offer a synthesis of some of the most prominent and important news during the month of August 2013

Aruba Product UpdateAugust 2013

ATA NewsTourism on the Rise“The main focus of the Aruba Tourism Authority is to maintain and, where possible, increase the number of visitors during the high season, as well as increase the number of visitors where there is room to grow during the low season,” explained Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, Director of the Aruba Tourism Authority. In addition, the objective is to focus on quality and stimulate visitors to spend more during the duration of the year, thereby contributing to the economy of Aruba while increasing the island’s income and quality of life, explains Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, director of the Aruba Tourism Authority.

Tourism figures are based on the immigration cards filled out by visitors and handed in at the

end of their stay. During the first six months of 2013, Aruba received a total of 465,375 tourists. This represents an increase of 24,034 visitors during the same period in 2012 (+5.44%). Aruba saw a growth of 3% in the principal North American market, and an increase of 20% in the Latin American market, the second largest market. Growth in the European market was flat for the first six months of 2013.

For the month of July 2013, the number of visitors grew by 8.71% compared to the same month of 2012—the best July that Aruba has ever seen! Aruba noted a growth of 5.95% when compared to the first seven months of last year. Growth in the North American region (8.2%) and the Latin American region (17.35%) compensated for the drop in Europe (-11.81%), a region that will continue to present challenges tied to the financial/economic situation.

In the cruise tourism segment, a total of 408,480 passengers visited the island during the first six months of this year, which is an increase of 13.4% (48,279 more tourists) compared to the same period last year. The number of crew members who disembarked (163,826) also increased by 14.7%.

The Average Daily Rate (the rate that tourists pay per room/per person) grew by 2.5% to an average rate of US $223.20 during the first six months of the year. Average room occupancy was 76.9%, a reduction of 0.3% compared to the same period in 2012. The number of available rooms grew by 3.3%, which includes the reopening of 215 rooms at the Holiday Inn Resort in March 2013 with Revenue per Available Room increasing by 2.2%.

Aruba Product Update August 2013 - For more information visit www.aruba.com Index View Print Exit1

Destination NewsUpgrading of BeachesThe Aruba Government announced plans to upgrade Baby Beach in San Nicolas; Surfside at the eastern end of Oranjestad; and the bay at Cura Cubai at the western end of San Nicolas. This is part of the overall island beautification plan that encompasses 87 projects, creating one cohesive whole providing visitors and residents enjoyable experiences all around the island. Surfside, between Plaza Turismo and the airport, is actually part of Phase II of the Linear Park. All three areas will be groomed and landscaped with increased foliage and parking areas. Concession stands for activities and snacks, public sanitation facilities and adequate refuse containers are part of the improvements. Piers will be reinforced for fishing boats at Surfside and Cura Cubai. Cruise ship passengers on single-day outings will be directed to these new beaches, reducing visitors at Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. New bus service especially for tourists has been announced to Baby Beach, provided by Arubus.

Visit of Dutch Prime MinisterDutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte visited Aruba with a business delegation from Holland for talks with Prime Minister Mike Eman. He toured Aruba with members of Holland’s diplomatic mission to Aruba. An MOU was signed between Minister of Education and Social Affairs and Culture Michelle Hooyboer-Winklaar and the President of Midden en Klein Bedrijf (Small and Medium Businesses) collective Hans Biesheuvel. This MOU involves Aruba becoming a business hub for commerce between Europe (specifically Holland) and the nations of Latin and Central America and the Caribbean. This could lead to the establishment of a number of business missions to the region, with Aruba as their home base. During his visit, the Prime Minister toured Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts to learn about Bucuti’s three green certifications (ISO 14001, Travelife Gold and Green Globe) and see the features of their Eco Rooms first hand.

New PR Company Named for BrazilThere is a new PR Company on board for the Brazilian market. AFT Comunicacao Brazil was recently on-island for their orientation trip where they had the opportunity to experience Aruba’s resorts, activities, restaurants, beaches and natural wonders and meet the ATA team and industry partners. Latin America is a strong market for Aruba, demonstrating significant growth last year as well as great potential. YTD July 2013 Aruba had a total of 12.297 visitors from Brazil which is 2.22% of our total market. This is an increase of 3.34% compared to the same period in 2012. AFT Comunicacao Brazil will communicate with, support and promote Aruba in the important and growing Brazilian market.


AwardsHertz Aruba Hertz Aruba was recently honored with two prestigious awards from Hertz International: Excellence for Exceptional Customer Service and Revenue Growth 2012. This recognition reflects Hertz Aruba’s continued efforts not only in providing its clients with the best quality line-up of vehicles but also in pairing that with the best and most heartwarming service with a smile.

Stated Vince Solognier, General Manager for Hertz Aruba, “I and the entire Hertz Aruba family are extremely proud of this unprecedented achievement. Service, Quality Vehicles and a Partnership in Adventure with a glint in the eye and a warm smile is what we offer to our clients.”

The largest car rental on the island, Hertz Aruba’s main office is situated in Sabana Blanco, with Hertz desks at the main hotels such as Divi Aruba all Inclusive, Divi Village, Hyatt Regency, Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino, Tamarijn Beach All Inclusive, The Westin Aruban Resort, Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort, the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Renaissance Marina, Renaissance Suites, Marriott Aruba Ocean and Surf Club and at the Queen Beatrix International Airport

Aruba’s Shoco Coin is World’s First Coin with Augmented Reality TechnologyIn 2011, the Royal Dutch Mint created the world’s first coin containing a QR (Quick Response) code, for which it won the 2013 Coin of the Year award at the World Money Fair in Berlin, sponsored by Krause Publications. In 2012, the Mint continued its preeminence in the field of numismatic technology by issuing a 5 Florin coin on behalf of the Central Bank of Aruba, which is touted as the world’s first coin with augmented reality technology. The coin is partially colorized and features the nation’s symbol, the Aruban Burrowing Owl, lovingly called the ‘Shoco’ by the island’s inhabitants. An extra layer of information is applied to the coin that when scanned by a smart phone, allows objects to appear on the phone’s screen.

The Shoco is a small owl which exists only in Aruba. It is estimated only 200 pairs of owls exist in the wild today. The people of Aruba are very proud of their Shoco and its picture can be found on many items, such as banknotes and stamps. On January 23, 2012, the Shoco was declared the national symbol of Aruba.

In 2012, the Mint created a Minted Photo Image (MPI) technique for the coin, which imbeds a code within its surface that can be recognized by a smart phone. To access the coin’s inherent technology, the user will need to download a free app called Layer onto their smart phone. The coin can then be scanned by the phone’s camera and invisible technology imbedded in the coin will cause the world of the Shoco to come to life for the user on the screen. Each coin comes fitted with a presentation box and has a Certificate of Authenticity containing further information about the Shoco and a user’s guide to the Augmented Reality feature.


Moomba BeachMooMba Beach has been mentioned on the World’s Best Beach Bars list of CNN Travel. The list is made up by Anthea Gerrie, who begins her article, “Anyone can stick up a shack on the sand, fill it with beers and call it a beach bar. But what makes a great beach bar?” A superb photo of the MooMba Beach Bar by night captures the attention on the left side of the page, while the article continues, “The truth is that there is no formula, no magic ingredients that guarantee a place in a list of the world’s best beaches.”

Between Basil’s Bar in Mustique in the Grenadine frequented by Mick Jagger, and the Lagoon Bar in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, reached only by golf carts, MooMba Beach Bar garnered an awesome 36th place in the CNN Best Beach Bars in the world Summer Travel Edition of June 8, 2013.

“This big, open-air restaurant and bar jumps from breakfast till 11 pm – not a late, late place despite the efforts of its happy DJ’s. Sunday nights are popular for $25 all-you-can-eat barbecues as well as more rarified dishes like Tuscan chicken paté with spiced cranberry sauce.”

The World’s Best Beach Bars list is an eclectic mix of the elegant, chic and hip to the haphazardly thrown together shacks constructed from scavenged driftwood – the thing that binds them is the fact that once you’ve been there, you want to return and return again. Congratulations to MooMba Beach, voted number 36 of the Best Beach Bars in the World by CNN Travel.

De Palm ToursDe Palm Tours has received a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on Tripadvisor.com, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Only the top-performing 10 percent of businesses listed on Tripadvisor receive this prestigious award. Currently, De Palm Tours is even ranked number one in the activities category.

To qualify for a Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor, and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months. De Palm Tours together with its products has over 2,500 reviews with a great average of four and a half stars of rating. The tours that are available to rate on Tripadvisor are the Island Bus Tours, Off-Road Safaris, Palm Pleasure Catamaran, De Palm Island, Atlantis Submarine and Seaworld Explorer Semi Submarine. The company thanks all the incredible staff members that satisfied every single customer by doing their job with dedication and passion.

De Palm Tours is pleased to receive a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence,” said Warren Stanley, General Manager at De Palm, “We strive to offer our customers a memorable experience, and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive reviews on TripAdvisor.”


Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel site, has honored the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino with four 2013 “Certificate of Excellence” awards. TripAdvisor® has also recognized three of its main restaurants, Ruth’s & Chris Steakhouse, Simply Fish and La Vista, for their excellence in service and quality.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House is Aruba Marriott’s legendary steak house which serves the finest U.S. Prime steaks, fresh seafood and classic desserts with Caribbean charm and elegance. Another crown jewel is Simply Fish, listed as one of TripAdvisor’s “Top 10 Must Dine at Restaurants in Aruba “, which offers guests mouthwatering seafood at its finest, while toes are free to wiggle in the sand for a genuinely unique Aruba dining experience. The third restaurant that was recognized is Aruba Marriott’s La Vista, a casual family restaurant with breathtaking ocean views, offering à la carte and Italian themed dinner buffets nightly with both indoor and outdoor seating.

The “Certificate of Excellence” award, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only

to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor®, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Approximately 10 percent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor® receive this prestigious award. To qualify for the Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor®. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House Aruba has been recognized for its overall customer service, ranking number one among the 140 Ruth’s Chris restaurants worldwide.

Located at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, the superior steak house had the highest overall customer service score for the second quarter of 2013, based on research done by the Customer Impact organization. All locations are measured in seven different areas from reservations to waiter service, management, food, cleanliness and even hospitality.

Customer Impact President Mike Green stated: “It takes a team effort to be the highest scoring unit in the company. Every member of the staff must be on their “A game” each and every day and the Aruba location consistently meets that lofty goal.” Earlier this year Ruth’s Chris Steak House Aruba won the prestigious “Certificate of Excellence” from TripAdvisor. Overall over 74 franchise restaurants and 135 Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants participated in the shop audits, mostly situated in the United States.

TripAdvisor has granted the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino not with one but with four recognitions of Excellence. Adding to the certification of Excellence for the Aruba Marriot Resort & Stellaris Casino, TripAdvisor has also recognized the three Aruba Marriott restaurants; Ruth Chris Steak House, Simply Fish and La Vista for their excellence in service and quality. The acknowledgements were based on positive guest reviews. Approximately 10 percent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award.


The Old Man and The SeaThe Old man and The Sea, a most romantic restaurant in Aruba, has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Only the top-performing 10 percent of businesses listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award.

Said Osyth Henriquez, manager at The Old Man and The Sea. “We strive to offer our customers a memorable experience, and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive reviews on TripAdvisor.”

The stunning location was the former home of the owner, adorned by beautiful beachside gardens and bohemian and romantic decor. The Old Man and The Sea is famous for its fresh lobster, fresh fish and grilled steaks. Recipes of the family are best sellers, among them papaya fresh catch, truffled pastas and mom’s secret recipes. The menu includes local and international dishes. The staff is known for its personal service in a very private and relaxed ambience.

Westin Resort & CasinoWestin Resort & Casino was recently honored as the first resort on the island to receive the IBISA Award, certified by Richard Visser, Aruba’s Minister of Health and Sports. In conjunction with PACO (Pan American Conference on Obesity), a certification program constructed over the past three years was created with the objectives of raising the prestige of tourism and the tourism industry in the region, and providing economic resources for projects within the community on the prevention of obesity through exercise and healthy eating. Certification for hotels and restaurants is granted on the basis of compliance with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), HAACP (Hazard Analysis, Critical Control Point System), and healthy food principles.

“Westin’s global philosophy of healthy lifestyles and our association with SuperFoodsRx items on our menus has put Westin at the forefront in the hospitality industry as a pioneer of promoting healthy choices for our guests,” explains Executive Chef Matt Boland. As part of Westin Hotels & Resorts® ongoing commitment to personal renewal, in 2007 they teamed up with SuperFoods Partners LLC, owners of the SuperFoodsRx™ brand, to become the first hotel brand to create a SuperFoods focused menu for their guests. Super foods, known for being health enhancing and rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, are the main ingredient in many Westin signature dishes worldwide. Westin Hotels & Resorts® also eliminates all artificial trans-fats from food and beverage operations.


La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino Platinum Earthcheck Certification

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & CasinoThe Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino has been recognized with TripAdvisor’s prestigious Certificate of Excellence 2013. This TripAdvisor endorsement is earned by businesses that rank in the top 10% worldwide for traveler feedback. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide.

To qualify for a Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor, and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months.

Since 2000, associates and owners of La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino have joined an elite group of organizations in the world in achieving the highest level of Green Certification “Earth Check”. In attaining Platinum, the resort has been recognized for having consistently demonstrated their commitment to host communities and high standards of environmental care, over a period of more than ten years. Rather than opting for the easier path of simply collecting “green badges”, the resort chose a more meaningful approach to sustainable tourism. This involved using EarthCheck science-based software and tools to measure the effectiveness of their environmental and CSR practices.

Each day for the past decade, La Cabana has adhered to an internationally recognized standard of Best Practice. They have reported their environmental footprint to EarthCheck annually and permitted independent auditors to verify the credibility of their environmental and social claims.

“This prestigious recognition is a testament of our associates’ commitment to protect our environment and their way of contributing towards sustainability on our beautiful island of Aruba,” said Joe Najjar, General Manager.

A number of key indicators such as energy and water consumption, total waste production, and community commitment were measured and benchmarked against their peers. This provided a competitive picture of efficiencies and performance and identified where room for improvement remained.

EarthCheck is one of the world’s largest certifiers of sustainable travel and tourism operators, with more than 1,200 clients in over 65 countries. Explained EarthCheck CEO Stewart Moore. “La Cabana is well ahead of most governments and industry players globally as a result of their efforts and serve as a leader in the field of sustainable practices. Their operations serve as an excellent example for how to gain buy-in from key stakeholders, achieve an excellent ROI, and increase asset effectiveness over time,” Moore concluded.


ResortsRenaissance Aruba Resort & CasinoRe-imagining the guest experience, Renaissance Aruba is enhancing guestrooms at the adult exclusive Marina Tower, designed to capture the resort’s unique combination of urban sophistication and tropical simplicity.

This major design project, led by Long Island City, N.Y.-based Dash Design, focuses heavily on evoking a sense of place, playing off the resort’s location in the island’s cultural center of Oranjestad and incorporating indigenous elements. More than $35,000 will be invested in each of the Marina Hotel’s 297 guestrooms to give them a contemporary residential feel, with design cues referencing that of a custom yacht. Guests will be treated to a soothing palate of rich woods, silvery creams, off whites and splashes of aqua. Natural materials like hemp rope will mix with the polished contemporary style of oiled wood and white lacquered panels.

An L-shaped sofa at the room’s entrance will wrap the wall to the headboard of the bed and nightstands. The rooms will be well suited for relaxing at any time of the day, with the addition of sheer layered drapes and thoughtful positioning of the bed closer to the window. Closet interiors will be lined with vintage island postcards, further evoking local spirit. Sleek, modern bathrooms will reinforce the design concept, incorporating simple, yet elegant materials like polished nickel, porcelain tiles, white quartz counter tops, backlit mirrors and rain-style spa showers.

Renaissance Aruba also offers customized services to help guests immerse themselves in the culture of the island, such as the Navigator program in which on-site experts curate “In The Know” itineraries incorporating off-the-radar, hyper-local food and drink, shopping, music, entertainment and cultural experiences. Guests can also access recommendations via the mobile Navigator app. The interactive RLife Live platform, which gives resort guests and locals the chance to enjoy live entertainment and engage directly with musical, culinary and artistic talent on-site through events such as live performances, chef demonstrations, meet and greet opportunities and more.

The current phase of the renovation project will be completed this fall. The 258 one-bedroom suites at the resort’s family friendly Ocean Suites property are scheduled to undergo renovations in 2014.


Divi Resorts

For families travelling to the Caribbean, there is now a whole lot more to do and enjoy at Divi Resorts. “Divi’s Treasures of the Caribbean,” an expanded line-up of children’s activities, has begun at six of the company’s properties in Aruba (Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort, Divi Dutch Village and Divi Aruba Phoenix), Barbados, Bonaire and St. Maarten. The new program is constructed around family activity and designed to create memories and mementos. New elements include a weekly treasure hunt, sandcastle building at the beach – with a chance to win a family vacation for the best sandcastle - and movie night with popcorn and tropical drinks. All of the activities and amenities are complimentary.

The treasure hunt kicks off the weekly fun as children, ages 4-12 years, and their parents follow clues to amass a cache of keepsakes and ultimately a T-shirt, identifying each child as a member of “Divi’s Pirate Crew.” For the duration of their stay, “crewmembers” earn a salute from Divi staff and ice

cream and drinks at selected restaurants and snack bars whenever they wear their T-shirt. During each activity, Divi staff members will document the family fun in pictures and email them to the family as a souvenir.

Photos of a family’s sandcastle will automatically be entered into a contest on Facebook. Divi Resorts will provide a free vacation to the family whose sandcastle earns the most votes from Divi’s Facebook followers. The winning family will receive a 7-night vacation at another one of the participating Divi Resorts. The sandcastle contest is an incentive for Divi guests to get creative with their castles. Voting on the sandcastle contest closes September 15th.

Divi Resorts is enhancing its children’s activities partly in response to the popularity of its kids-stay-and-eat-free policy, which extends from April 1 through December 22, and partly to changes in family travel.

Bucuti & Tara Beach ResortsAs Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts celebrates its 25th year serving the Aruban community and the island’s visitors, honor was bestowed upon four associates who have been working at the resort since day one. To celebrate this tremendous milestone and thank the four members of the Housekeeping Department for their loyalty and hard work, Owner and Managing Director, Ewald Biemans, presented them all with a cash reward and expressed appreciation for their loyalty as well as the friendly service and dedication they have provided to each valued guest.

When asked why they like their jobs and wished to stay for so many years, Filomena Kelly, Fiona de Graf, Mayra Sevinger and Anchie Werleman all replied that they enjoy getting to know the guests and look forward to welcoming them back to the award-winning boutique resort every year.


Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort

Increasingly, vacationers to Aruba are discovering the pleasures of golf there, where the year-round balmy weather assures golfers of getting in plenty of rounds. Now, a couple of golf vacation specials can entice them further.

Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort is offering five-night and seven-night specials through December 15, 2014, that include daily rounds at The Links at Divi, a 9-hole, Litten and Viola-designed course. Players enjoy sweeping ocean views and lots of play over water or along lagoons.

The seven-night golf package, starting at $869 per person, includes a seven-night stay; breakfast daily in the clubhouse restaurant, Mulligan’s, and five rounds of golf. The five-night golf package with golf and breakfasts, starts at $669 per person. Additional rounds are $29. Club and shoe rentals per day are $35 and $5, respectively. Tee times can be booked online at http://www.divigolf.com/ or by calling 297.581.GOLF.

The special starting rates are based on double occupancy in a studio

suite with a fully equipped kitchen and private balcony or patio. One and two bedroom golf villas are available. Blackout dates are 12/22 – 12/29/2013. For reservations, please visit http://diviresorts.com/golf-divi/ or call 800.367.3484.

The Links at Divi features a practice and teaching facility. The clubhouse houses a pro shop and two restaurants, Mulligan’s and Windows on Aruba, both overlooking the course and ocean. Windows on Aruba is consistently rated one of Aruba’s top restaurants.

At Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort, guests play at the beach, on the course or at the table. The resort features fresh water pools with a swim up bar, lighted tennis courts, water sports center, climbing wall and fitness center. The Alhambra casino and entertainment complex is a short walk away or accessible by hotel shuttle. The resort also offers Divi’s Treasure of the Caribbean, a year-round activity program for families with children ages 4 to 12, who stay and eat free April 1 through December 20.


MVC Eagle Beach and Amsterdam ManorMVC Eagle Beach, a basic yet comfortable hotel with only 19 rooms located at one of Aruba’s most beautiful beaches, is undergoing a complete makeover. All rooms will soon be colorfully decorated with new furniture, more amenities and upgraded bathrooms. MVC’s popularity continues to grow every year with more and more visitors seeking for peace and quiet at a prime location.

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort has extended their All Inclusive program with more restaurants to choose from. Besides Mango’s and Passions on the Beach, guests are now also welcome for lunch and dinner at Tulip Restaurant located at their sister property MVC Eagle Beach. Guests who stay a minimum of one week All Inclusive will also receive a voucher to dine at one of the member restaurants of the Aruba Gastronomic Association.

Boardwalk HotelThe Boardwalk Hotel will add a romance and honeymoon package to their growing list of promotions. This colorful property, situated across from the new Ritz-Carlton on Palm Beach (opening November) provides a quiet oasis, ideal for couples and honeymooners searching for a peaceful and relaxing home base as they explore the island.

Two out of the fourteen spacious casitas at Boardwalk, nestled amongst rustling palm trees, will be designated as honeymoon casitas. Double hammocks will grace the private patios, where couples can grill local-caught seafood on the charcoal barbeque and dine on teak furniture.

The packages will include a welcome drink, champagne breakfast in bed, and choice of sunset cruise or dinner on the beach as well as few small surprises. For those who wish to explore, Boardwalk offers free use of coolers, beach chairs and snorkel gear and plenty of advice on where to avoid crowds.

Owners and twin sisters, Stephanie and Kimberly Rooijakkers bought the Boardwalk Hotel from fellow kiteboarders in 2011, and have spent much time and energy renovating and putting their unique stamp on the historic piece of land known as ‘Plantage Tromp’, a former coconut plantation. “Aruba really focuses on attracting couples, and Boardwalk can provide a romantic experience for those in search of a distinct vacation.”

Boardwalk Hotel was recently named one of 10 Best Small Hotels of 2013 by Caribbean Journal.


Radisson Aruba ResortIt’s time to Discover Your Play Time. Launching this fall, this new guest program by Radisson follows the success of the Discover Your Family Time summer program. Discover Your Play Time is geared towards adults, for girls’ getaways, couple’s escapes, or solo travelers who want to enhance their vacation time with a new experience. The complimentary activities and excursions for guests are designed to promote an adventurous and healthy lifestyle that many vacationers look for in addition to relaxing on the beach. Wine tastings, yoga sessions, Casino Night, bike tours and other events are designed to elevate the luxury experience for the active traveler. Discover Your Play Time at the Radisson is available for all stays September 16-December 21, 2013.

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino The Great Room

The Aruba Marriott has unofficially introduced a new concept to guests and associates. The main lobby will be branded by the name “the Great Room” and will serve as a multifunctional lounge area where guests can rest, watch TV, read a book, have business meetings, work on their laptops/tablets or reconnect with friends and family made possible by complimentary Wi-Fi.

All this will be accompanied with delicious food and beverages which guests can order from the new Great Room menu. The menu will feature small dishes such as sushi, salads, sandwiches, local snacks and appetizing tapas which will be served daily from 12:00 noon until 11.30 p.m. Additionally the “Great Room” will start serving cocktails as of August 1 and will be the elegant setting for multiple happy hours:

• Miller Draft Happy Hour 1PM - 3PM

• Flavored Martini & Flavored Mojitos two for ten 5:30PM - 7:30PM

• Miller Draft Happy Hour 5:30PM-7:30PM

• Night Cap Aruba Ariba & Cosmopolitan 10PM-12Midnight

• Bon voyage breakfast for “beursalen“ students at La Vista

The Aruba Marriott Resort invited the children of Marriott’s associates, who are departing Aruba to study abroad in the Netherlands for a delicious “Bon Voyage Breakfast” buffet at La Vista Restaurant.

The Aruba Marriott Complex General Manager Tom Calame gave a few words of wisdom and Alta gracia Lampe from Human Recourses and Jane Vermaas from Sales & Marketing who studied in the Netherlands shared their experiences with the group. The students received a “Don’t Get Homesick Travel Bag” that contained the Aruba Calendar 2014, a USB card, a luggage tag and more articles that they can use for their studying.

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino would like to express their pride of this next generation of Young Aruban Professionals and wishes them all the best in the Netherlands.


RestaurantsElementsBucuti & Tara Beach Resorts has opened Elements, Aruba’s first and only restaurant featuring natural and organic dining in the presence of breathtaking views. Dining options feature the newly-constructed oceanfront deck and a beautiful view of Eagle Beach indoors via floor-to-ceiling windows.

The new culinary offering’s ambiance and menu serve as an extension of Bucuti’s mission to provide guests with a total sense of wellness by showcasing the beauty of Aruba’s natural environment with the quality of carefully sourced ingredients. Wholesome menu options will feature genuine certified organic options and natural products offered through three distinct menus: world cuisine; organic and natural; and vegan and vegetarian.

“As our guests began pursuing healthier lifestyles, we began receiving more and more requests for options that were vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free,” said Ewald Biemans, owner, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts. “The combination of our commitment to meet the needs of guests combined with the passion and talent of our executive chef Kurt Hoffman, culminated in Elements. We are proud to showcase the restaurant as an extension of our sustainability practices.”

To supplement the limited amount of fresh products available on Aruba, Bucuti has established an import company to obtain the products and ingredients necessary to support Elements. Through this effort, Bucuti will regularly receive quality natural and organic meats, fruits, vegetables and, in the future, organic beverages. Elements is open for lunch 12 noon – 5 pm and dinner is served 6 pm - 10:30 pm.


Chef’s TableChef’s Table is a charming eatery located on Bubali Road, one mile from Super Food. One of the Aruba’s hidden culinary gems, this landmark country home is divided into several rooms for cozy dining and also features a center garden. Highlights of the gourmet menu are individual Mediterranean fish pot; fresh catch of the day; surf and turf with lobster and filet mignon; uniquely marinated duck breast; sesame tuna with lemon zucchini risotto. Delicious “shot glass” tapas desserts are the perfect finale to any meal.

The West DeckSoon to open is the West Deck, the small beach bar and island grill across from the Governor’s home on the corner of Lagoenweg. Anabela Peterson de Sousa and husband Robby, owners of the existing Pinchos Grill & Bar, will soon be opening their sister location.

Richardo’sRichardo Chirino is taking over the beach front restaurant at Aruba Beach Club which will be called by his name, Richardo’s. Richardo is renovating the old Tortuga Bar & Grill, previously owned by restaurateur Roy Leitch who will continue to focus on his lovely neighboring Water’s Edge at Costa Linda Beach Resort. Richardo and his sister Anky Chirino also run Sweet Peppers at Caribbean Palm Village Resort in Noord which regularly receives great reviews from guests.

SushisambaThe Island’s freshest Sushi can now be found at Amazonia Churrascaria, where SushiSamba has recently debuted, offering the Art of Sushi, a menu filled with top grade fresh catch, prepared by an expertly trained master chef viewed by diners. The energy and spirit of SushiSamba’s menu is also reflected in the spectacular décor with painting and prints by famous local artist Eliza Lejuez, and the sound of the latest Brazilian music.

Amazonia, a Brazilian steakhouse, now cohabitates with SushiSamba, allowing diners the opportunity to enjoy their beef and their tuna under one roof. Diners can enjoy the Amazonia salad bar along with some perfectly prepared tuna and salmon sashimi, dragon and rainbow rolls.


White Modern CuisineWhite Modern Cuisine in Palm Beach Plaza has achieved great success during its first year and a half. Chef Urvin tweaked his menu a number of times, based on locally-grown product, and continued to work with local fishermen, growers and foragers on their variety and availability. He is now going all out with even fresher and more innovative dishes, also introducing vegetarian and gluten-free selections, showcasing unique taste combinations and the latest food preparation techniques.

For the new menu, the chef explains that he is a fan of the latest global “Farm to Table” trend. As a result, 60% of his ingredients never see the inside of a refrigerator because they are locally grown, harvested and delivered unprocessed to the restaurant, same day.

Menu highlights include lamb prepared two ways (pan seared chops and a croquette served with summer ratatouille, pommes gratin, garlic crisp and a garlic lamb jus); broiled marinated cobia filet served with bok choy, ham choy flowers, stir fried speatzle and kimchi, shaved mushrooms, soy macaroons and homemade yakitori sauce; pan fried scallops with leeks and bacon stew; and pan fried duck with apple and orange compote, crispy rice, pickled cucumbers, hoisin maple glaze and peanut butter powder. The chef even creates his own ice cream flavors and quesillo (crème caramel) loaded with strawberries prepared six different ways.

5 Burgers ArubaBesides serving the best burger on Aruba – complete with complimentary toppings – 5 Burgers has the most affordable and tasty breakfast served from 8am – 12 noon. All you can eat Pancakes are a big hit along with the Home Run which features 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, bacon or sausage, toast, home fries and coffee for only $9.99. Bagels sandwiches, omelettes and cereal are a few of the many items available. Delicious coffee is served complimentary and with unlimited refills with all breakfast entrees. Located across from the Radisson Resort, 5 Burgers is open from 8am – 10 pm Sunday – Thursday. Open until 3am on Friday and Saturday for a great late night bite. Delivery is available to most beaches and hotels. Free WiFi.

Bars & CafesCasibari CaféMusic lovers will enjoy jazz night at the Casibari Café on Wednesdays. Artists have included ZazaZoo, with Erik Jan Eman, Martin Buitenweg and singer Sangeeta; the Cosy Cotton Band from the Netherlands and a local surprise, the Criss Cross project with maestro Eduardo Maya. The Criss Cross project is a group of very young, talented jazz musicians with amazing ability and charm, playing swing, blues and Jazz, under the stars.


CasinosPalm Beach CasinoThe Westin Resort & Casino invites players to experience the all new Palm Beach Casino, Aruba following a $1.5 million dollar renovation. The new casino features refreshed décor, 300 new high-tech slot machines, five Hyperlink machines, Roulette, Craps and card games including Caribbean Poker, 3 Card Stud, Let it Ride and Black Jack. In addition, a new bar area will offer cocktails and live entertainment for locals and resort guests. Enjoy 10 new 46” flat screen TVs in the Palm Beach Lounge and enjoy their new Players Club.

ActivitiesDe Palm Tours’ Segway Tour ArubaSegway Tours Aruba offers an exciting way to explore the best places of Aruba, gliding on a new type of Segway crossover off-the-road machine. Crossing over the countryside, effortlessly navigating over rocks and sand, riders can witness the pounding Carribean Sea and spectacular panoramic views.

Enjoy short stops for a cool refreshing beverage and fantastic photo opportunities. It’s a perfect way to experience a unique part of Aruba. Segway provides free pick-up and drop-off service for hotel and cruise ship passengers, allowing time for those who want to enjoy MooMba beach after the tour.

All tours start with a brief training session in the parking of Moomba beach. The second instruction contains some beach-road driving, getting used to bumps and potholes. When everyone is comfortable, the tour begins after riders get used to speeding, fast braking and sharp cornering. There is a Lighthouse/North coast tour, short Segway experience, full island tour, and a triple tour featuring Segway, Sail + Snorkel.


ShoppingDLG in Paseo HerenciaDLG, a bastion of stylish, quality sportswear for men, women and youth, has opened its doors in Paseo Herencia Mall, just off the central Plaza Padu. Owner Aldino De Luca is extremely proud to be the exclusive distributors of Diesel, Vilebrequin, Gaastra and G-Star Raw from Holland, Sundek and Timberland fashions.

Highest quality, durability and the latest trends in boardshorts are the trademark of Sundek and Vilebrquin, with matching shirts and accessories. The chic styling of the Mediterranean coast is the inspiration from Italy and San Tropez. Those who adore their denim lifestyle will find the famous trendsetting Diesel jeans and jackets, with color-coordinated mix and match tops.

Gaastra of Holland specializes in functional and nautical sportswear brand designed with intense passion for sailing and the sea. Their timeless sports line displays a unique mixture of functionality and fashion. Clothing from Dutch company G-Star Raw, which specializes in raw denim, unwashed and untreated, interprets vintage military apparel from around the world, including the latest hot fashion - camo cargo shorts for men.

DLG owner Aldino expressed his great pleasure at being able to offer these famous brands of fine designer sportswear to Palm Beach shoppers with his new Paseo Herencia store.

The Local MarketA flea-market called The Local Market is opening across from the Valero Gas Station on the Boulevard right outside of downtown Oranjestad, open Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, there will be a Farmers Market with fresh produce, baked goods, and homemade foods and products. On Sundays, people can come with their second-hand goods for a Garage Sale event, selling their old stuff to bargain-hunters, or bartering it against other finds. All you have to do is show up, pay a small fee, get two tables and some shade, and you’re in business.

SoapOro SoapOro is an Aruban Soap company, dedicated to making locally produced hand-made soaps with local ingredients such as famous Aruban Aloe. The soaps are deliciously soft and pampering for the skin and are made as much as possible with local products such as goat milk, home grown cucumbers, papaya and more. The soaps are vegan and only contain artisanal oils such as coconut, olive, almond and grapeseed oil. SoapOro will soon be available at Ling & Sons Super Centre.


CultureArt Rules Exhibition RBC Royal Bank closed its international Arts Program Art Rules Aruba with more than 200 young Aruban talents with an extraordinary final festival in San Nicolas. Breaking a record this year with the most participants (200+) since the project debuted in 2010, Art Rules Aruba has once again been successful in offering young Aruban teens a platform to cultivate personal talent and skills through this international workshop program. Art Rules Aruba not only discovered the phenomenal talent that Aruba’s youth has to offer, it also produced great artwork including nine paintings in its Street Art & Design workshop.

The paintings created by the students, aged between 7 and 23, are now presented as an exhibition at La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino, above the lobby in the mezzanine area on the 2nd floor. Supporting the arts and the youth of Aruba, La Cabana is presenting this wonderful exhibition in support of the Art Rules students and the work they produced. The resort also hosted the Art Rules teachers during their stay on-island.

The Art Rules Aruba Street Art Exhibition at La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino was officially launched on August 12 and will be open to the public for viewing until October 1. For more information on the works, or the program visit www.artrulesaruba.com and “like” ARA on www.facebook.com/artrulesaruba

EventsAruba Wine and Dine Restaurant Week Whether you prefer hamburgers or lobster, the beach or downtown, there is an Aruba Wine and Dine member for you. Choose from seven participating establishments offering something for everyone. From fine dining excellence to family-fun and tapas, or a charcoal-grilled dinner, or experience a fresh catch of the day, brought in by the local fishermen. Relax and enjoy a barefoot dinner on the beach, or go all out for nightlife and salsa dancing and finish your evening with a Caribbean cocktail by moonlight.

The upcoming Restaurant Week allows everyone with a penchant for a great dinner to go out with friends, splurge and pay an out-of-this-world low price. The restaurants of the Aruba Wine And Dine (AWD) group are offering special three-course menus for just AWG. 45, (US $ 26.00) or AWG. 25, (US $ 14.00) plus 1000 Fun Miles. The Restaurant Week runs from August 28 - September 4. Participating restaurants are Hadicurari, MooMba Beach, Fishes & More, Tango, Salt & Pepper, Café The Plaza and The Sopranos piano bar.


Electric Festival

Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino is gearing up for the Electric Festival, Aruba’s first-ever electronic music gathering set for September 6 – 8, 2013, giving electronic music fans the chance to take their Electric Festival experience to new heights with the launch of the official DJ Chuckie suite at the resort’s adults exclusive Marina Hotel. The suite will feature the hotel’s brand new renovated look, as well as Chuckie memorabilia incorporated throughout the room.

Music lovers attending Aruba’s first-ever electronic music gathering can stay in the ultra-exclusive suite with the Get Electric package. The lucky guests who book the package will be personally checked in to their suite by DJ Chuckie and will also receive:

• Two three-day VIP festival passes

• Admission for two to a DJ Bash on Renaissance Island

• Two tickets to a VIP dinner on the beach, hosted by Chuckie with all festival artists slated to attend

• Access for two to the RLife LIVE artist lounge at Nikky Beach during the festival

• $100 cocktail credit per person

• One bottle of champagne upon arrival

• Daily breakfast for two

The package is based on double occupancy and is available for stays September 3 - 11, 2013 with a 4-night minimum starting at $629 per night. The package can be booked online at renaissancearuba.com using offer code XM5.

The Electric Festival, which will also feature headliners Hardwell, Slash, Nero, Nicole Moudaber, Boris and Mastiksoul, is set to be the largest of its kind in the Caribbean. The festival is being organized in conjunction with the

Aruba Tourism Authority, Amsterdam Dance Event, Evenpro and GM Affairs Caribbean.

Renaissance Aruba is also offering the Beats on the Beach VIP package during the Electric Festival, which includes deluxe accommodations for two, two three-day festival passes, daily breakfast for two, a cocktail credit of $100 and two $10 iTunes cards to download their favorite sounds from the weekend. Package rates start at $232.72 per night. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/fm7fB7.

“The Netherlands is a hotbed for groundbreaking electronic music, so Aruba’s Dutch influence aligns well with this festival,” said Janien Huistra, sales and marketing director for Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino.


Aruba, Wine, Food & Art Festival VIII at Westin Resort & Casino, Aruba

The Westin Resort & Casino, Aruba, is presenting their annual Festival on September 12 – 13, 2013.

On September 12, for the first time ever, Aruba will have an IRON CHEF and IRON SOMMELIER competition. Competing local celebrity chefs are Scott Scheurman from Aqua Grill, Urvin Croes from White Modern Cuisine, and Erwin Husken from Screaming Eagle. The chefs will receive a mystery basket of 4 items from which they will prepare an appetizer, main course and dessert. They will present their creations to the judges who will have the privilege of selecting the first IRON CHEF of Aruba.

Tickets will be $69 per person, available at the concierge desk starting August 23. The evening will consist of a 3-course dinner prepared by the celebrity chefs. Each course will be served with 4 different wines, which will be provided by partners Aruba Trading, Pepia Est, Romar Trading and Tropical Bottling. From these four wines, guests will select the first IRON SOMMELIER of Aruba.

The popular Student Chef competition, Art Exhibition and Wine Fair will take place on September 13. Doors will be open at 7pm to taste the students’ food creations. During this event, paintings and sculptures of local artists will be on display. 10% of revenues from sold art work will be donated to a local charity. Aruba Trading, Pepia Est, Romar Trading and Tropical Bottling will be displaying their wine portfolios for tasting. Tickets will be $45 per person , also available at the concierge desk starting August 23.

Come and enjoy these spectacular events, live cooking competition, tasting great food, excellent wines and have fun with live entertainment.


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:

[email protected]

with a copy to:

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by the 25th of each month.

A special thank you to Aruba Today, The Morning news, Columnist Rona

Coster and our tourism partners for their contributions.

Aruba In Style Entering its 3rd edition season, ARUBA IN STYLE (AIS) introduced its official date during the Aruba International Film Festival (AIFF) and Aruba Hi-Winds, two other major international events on the island.

Closing off the successful AIFF 2013 during the award-ceremony evening, ARUBA IN STYLE presented a fashion preview of its 3rd edition with a big bang, showcasing an Aqua Bendita fashion show. Various local and international press members were present with Dutch director Paul Verhoeven, well-known stunt artist Zoe Bell, Latina America star Maria Conchita Alonso, and Ismael Cala of CNN Español. At the Aruba Hi-Winds, ARUBA IN STYLE presented another exquisite fashion show offered by Banana Moon capturing the attention of thousands.

Aruba in Style 2013 is looking forward to another successful fashion event showcasing more bodies, beauties, and bikinis. It is expected to use even more outdoor venues at Aruba’s beautiful resorts with their fabulous pool area, DJ parties and mouthwatering gastronomic experiences for their international cast and designers. ARUBA IN STYLE 2013 produced together with IMG Fashion, host of New York Fashion Week, and the Aruba Tourism Authority is set to kick off November 8 – 10, 2013. For more information, please visit www.arubainstyle.com and like us on www.facebook.com/arubainstyle


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