Thursday, September 27, 2007

Air Jamaica Announces the Cancellation of its Bonaire Flights

Air Jamaica just announced that they will discontinue service to Bonaire effective March 8, 2008. 

This decision follows on the heels of Delta Airlines’ announcement that it was commencing service to Bonaire beginning in February, 2008, as Air Jamaica did voice its concerns over other airlines flying non-stop from the U.S. mainland on the same day of the week.

According to Burney el Hage, Commissioner of Tourism, the remaining flights on American Eagle, Continental, and Delta will provide sufficient airlift from the United States to sustain the inventory of rooms on the island.  Once the Air Jamaica flight is no longer available after March 8, 2008, U.S. tourists may still make their travel plans via American Airlines/American Eagle from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Continental Airlines from Houston, Texas and Newark, New Jersey, and Delta Air Lines from Atlanta, Georgia.  (Source:  TCB-Bonaire)

Pelican Reef Bonaire Launches New Web Site

Pelican Reef Bonaire, a private home available for vacation rentals, has recently launched a new web site.

Offering more images of the oceanfront residence and more information about what is included when renting this property, the new web site is available for viewing by clicking here.  (Source:  Pelican Reef Bonaire)

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

La Pura Vista, a New Vacation Villa on Bonaire, is Open

La Pura Vista is a new vacation villa which is now open and accepting reservations.

Offering five guest rooms ranging from a standard studio to deluxe guest rooms, La Pura Vista (The Pure View) is located on a hillside, providing wide vistas of Bonaire.  Owners Debby Rauwers and Marco Vermeulen have created a new, luxurious location for discerning travelers who wish more privacy than a resort can provide.

For additional information, view their web site by clicking here.  (Source:  La Pura Vista Web Site)

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Continental Airlines Adds Second Non-stop Houston-Bonaire Flight for Holidays

Continental Airlines has announced that due to increased demand it will add a second non-stop Houston-Bonaire flight beginning December 14, 2007 and ending January 7, 2008.

During this time, Continental Airlines flight #1898 will depart Houston International Airport on Fridays and Saturdays at 11:30 p.m., and arrive in Bonaire at 6:12 a.m.  The return flight #1899 will depart Bonaire on Saturdays and Sundays at 8:30 a.m., and arrive in Houston at 11:28 a.m.  After January 7, 2008, Continental will discontinue the second flight and return to once weekly non-stop Houston-Bonaire flights, which depart Houston on Friday and return on Saturdays.  (Source:  TCB-NY)

Toucan Diving Announces Pre-DEMA Special

Located at DEMA booths 2118 and 2120, Plaza Resort Bonaire and Toucan Diving announce an “Early Bird” special--"Toucan Dive For One” (2for1 Diving) in low season December 2007 and January 2008.

The Plaza Resort Bonaire and Toucan Diving are pleased to announce a Pre-DEMA special or “Early Bird” Toucan Dive for One offer.  This special offer is valid for travel between December 1-21, 2007 and January 5 - February 2, 2008 in both Standard Suite or Grand Suite Oceanview categories where the first diver pays the full diver price and the second diver sharing in the same room pays only the non-diver price and gets the identical dive package free. This is a limited time offer, only valid on new bookings made now through October 26, 2007.

For groups of ten or more paying guests during this sale, the group leader is guaranteed his or her own Standard Suite for the duration of the stay.

For additional information about this special, contact Plaza Resort Bonaire.  (Source:  Plaza Resort Bonaire)

Monday, September 24, 2007

Bonaire and the Wounded Warriors on WTVJ (Miami) Tonight

WTVJ, an NBC-affiliate in Miami, Florida, also sent a news team to Bonaire to film the Wounded Warriors in August.  Tonight they will air their segment.

A feature broadcast highlighting the certification of three of the wounded warriors will air as part of the 11 PM. news program.  Additionally, the segment can be viewed after 11:30 PM tonight on-line by clicking here, which will post streaming video as well as a written story.  (Source:  TCB-NY)

Solar Management Announces DEMA Specials for its Three Bonaire Properties

Solar Management, the management firm for Buddy Dive Resort, Belmar Oceanfront Apartments, and Caribbean Club Bonaire, has just announced their DEMA specials.

To view the specials for these properties, click here (in PDF format).  (Source:  Solar Management Release)

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Air Jamaica Announces Web Check-in

Air Jamaica introduces Web Check-In, a new feature that allows passengers to check in for their Air Jamaica flight at AirJamaica.com.  Those that can make use of this feature will find it saves time at the airport. 

Check-in on the web between 4 and 18 hours prior to your departure time.  You’ll need to enter the information required (see below), select your preferred seat, and print your check-in confirmation.  Then, just arrive at the airport on time and exchange your check-in confirmation for a valid boarding pass at the Web Check-In counter. and you’re ready to enjoy your flight.  During initial roll-out, this feature is available for departures from Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, and Ft. Lauderdale.

Information required: Passenger name, Reservation locator, Passport number, Issuing Country and Expiry Date, Nationality/Citizenship, Date of Birth, Emergency Contact.

Airport Arrival time:  All passengers with bags must arrive at the Web Check-In counter at least 1½ hours prior to scheduled departure. International passengers with no checked bags are required to be at the counter at least 1 hour prior to scheduled departure and passengers flying solely within Jamaica with no checked bags are required to be at the Web Check-In counter at least 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure for verification.

Passengers not eligible for Web Check-In: Passengers with paper tickets, passengers traveling with an infant booked on the same itinerary, Unaccompanied Minors, i.e. children under the age of 15 years travelling alone, passengers requiring special service needs i.e. wheelchair assistance, oxygen, oxygen concentrator/ventilator, etc. and passengers making non Air Jamaica connections. (Source:  Air Jamaica)

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Bonaire Realizes a 13.8% Increase in Visitors in First Half of 2007

The Tourism Corporation Bonaire just released their visitor statistics for the first half of 2007, showing an overall visitor increase of 13.8%, when compared to the same period of time in 2006.

Visitor figures from January through June, 2006 showed 32,459, while this current year the for the same period the island received 36,928 visitors.

The North American market showed a 17.7% increase over the first half of 2006, primarily due to better airline connections and additional seats on flights.  The European market showed a 10.9% increase over this same time, also due to greater seat capacity.  In the South American market, figures show that the Venezuelan visitors increased 4.1%, but various changes in the flight schedules of Dutch Antilles Express and Varig affected the Brazilian market negatively.
(Source:  TCB-Bonaire)

Golden Reef Inn Announces New Services and Special

Golden Reef Inn has recently announced they are now offering day spa facilities with Day Spa by Nubia.  To celebrate this new service, Golden Reef Inn is offering a 15% savings on all spa amenities when combined with any other package.  This special is effective October 1, 2007 through February 1, 2008.

Special packages are available for divers and non-divers alike.  Nubia is a professional in massage therapy, facials, reflexology, lymph drainage, Shiatsu, deep tissue massage, and other body and facial treatments.

Enjoy one of Nubia’s therapies, facials, or manicure sessions poolside, in the privacy of your own apartment, or just a short ride from Golden Reef Inn at her professional, soothing, and relaxing spa!

For additional information, click here. (Source:  Golden Reef Inn)