Latest Aruba News: Spring Edition

May 3, 2013 - PRLog -- WHAT’S NEW

Ambitious Linear Park taking shape
Aruba’s ambitious plan to create the Caribbean’s longest linear park is taking shape, with the first stage now officially opened.

When completed, the Linear Park will stretch for 10 miles, from the Queen Beatrix Airport to resorts along Palm Beach. Designed as an environmentally-friendly area, it will offer a fully landscaped corridor along the coastline, with walking and cycling paths, as well as points to rest and relax.

Aruba flying high
Travelling to Aruba from the UK just became easier with the resumption of summer charter flights from London-Gatwick by Thomson Airways. The leading travel group is now operating every Friday until October 18 to Aruba, offering packages through its tour operator brands Thomson and First Choice.

Meanwhile, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines continues to link travellers the length and breadth of the UK with its flights to Aruba. The international scheduled carrier flies five times a week to the island from its hub at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport – a gateway which is also served from no less than 17 UK regional airports, including the latest, Manston in Kent. This means travellers can take off from their local airport and easily connect at Schiphol with an onward flight to Aruba, putting the Caribbean getaway on their doorstep!

The additional capacity will allow Aruba to capitalise on continued increasing demand from the UK. Latest statistics show a 25 per cent growth in the number of British visitors to Aruba in the first four months of 2013.

Aruba makes the Top 10
Aruba’s stunning Eagle Beach has been voted into the Top 10 Best Beaches in the World by millions of TripAdvisor travellers.

A staggering total of 276 beaches around the globe were nominated as travellers’ favourites. But the attributes of Eagle Beach won through, putting it in ninth position and helping to underline Aruba’s position as one of the top beach destinations in the world.

HOTEL NEWS
Radisson focus on families  
The Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino and Spa is developing a new summer programme focusing on families and children. Details are still being finalised but the resort is promising to be the place to go for family holidays this summer.

‘We’re happy that many of our guests travel with their children and we want to create a vacation experience for everyone,’ said General Manager Mark Frances. ‘We have great teams at our Kids Club and around our pool and beach and the activities they’re planning are really going to excite our younger guests and give their parents a chance to relax around our property,’ Mark added.

The resort recently underwent a $30 million (£18.5 million) renovation. All guest rooms and suites were completely refurbished, as were its open-air lobby, casino and meeting facilities.  
www.radisson.com

Amsterdam Manor joins elite
Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort has joined an elite number of organisations in the world by achieving the highest level of EarthCheck certification.

The resort is currently the only EarthCheck Platinum certified member in Aruba and the 19th Certified Platinum member in the world and 11th in the Caribbean.

The resort received the platinum level of certification for the first time in 2012, being the first – and currently only - resort in Aruba with this achievement. In attaining platinum, Amsterdam Manor has been recognised for consistently demonstrating its commitment to host communities and high standards of environmental care over more than 12 years.

Key indicators measured include energy and water consumption, waste production and community commitment.
www.amsterdammanor.com

Another accolade for Bucuti & Tara Suites
One of Aruba’s leading luxury properties, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts, has won another international accolade. It ranked in the top 25 in the Caribbean in TripAdvisor’s 2013 Travellers’ Choice hotel awards. The only hotel in Aruba to gain this distinction, it was also voted number two out of 10 for romance in the Caribbean category.

Said Bucuti’s owner, Ewald Biemans: This year we have picked up a trio of honours, having first earned a placement on Conde Nast Traveller’s prestigious gold list. Recognition of this kind can only be achieved with the help of our top-notch team which demonstrates a commitment to providing an outstanding experience.’
www.bucuti.com

PUT IT IN THE DIARY: THE BEST EVENTS OF 2013

Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival
22-27 May 2013
Join soul music lovers from around the world and take part in amped-up nightclubs, sizzling beach parties and music concerts. Held at the end of May for the last 12 years, the Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival is a star-studded event. Previous acts have included some of the world’s most famous high-octane R&B artists, such as Alicia Keys, Jamie Fox, Wyclef Jean, Estelle, Sean Paul, Boyz II Men, Lauryn Hill and Chaka Khan. This year’s headline acts are NE-YO, D’Angelo and Sinbad. www.soulbeach.net

27th Aruba Hi-Winds
2-8 July 2013
Hi-Winds is the largest - and most fun! - amateur windsurfing event of the entire Caribbean, with racers from all over the world coming to have a blast both on and off the water. In addition to enjoying the competitions during the day, Hi-Winds features a series of fun festivities to entertain all participants and guests in the evenings, from beach parties to elegant dinners.
www.aruba-hiwinds.org

20th Annual Aruba Reef Care Project
6-7 July 2013
Join over 1,000 locals and tourists in this annual clean up of Aruba’s marine environment – the Reef Care Project is Aruba’s largest volunteer environmental initiative. Snorkel, scuba dive or comb the beaches to remove manmade debris and ensure wildlife continues to thrive. The award-winning project – which each year collects less garbage, while it sees the amount of participants increasing – has attracted a wealth of international media attention.
www.aruba.com

7th Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival
4-5 October 2013
This annual outdoor festival promises an impressive line-up with a fusion of local and international musicians. Held at Cas di Cultura this is the largest music festival held on Aruba. Headliners from past festivals include Oscar D’Leòn, Randy Brecker, Fourplay, Kuenta I Tambù, Pete Philly and Sven Hammond Soul. Caribbean Sea Jazz 2012 presented the strongest line-up so far, with Chaka Khan headlining.
www.casdicultura.com

Aruba Beach Tennis International Championships  
12-17 November 2013
Aruba is among the first to support and host an International Beach Tennis Championship. The event, held on Eagle Beach is the ideal spot for skilled Aruban players to compete against athletes from around the world, including renowned player and champion Alessandro Calbucci from Italy. The event is a fantastic mix of live music, DJs and competitive beach tennis, thanks to 60 locals and international participants going head to head on 23 courts.
www.arubabeachtennis.com