ARUBA in the TOP 10 INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION FOR THE U.S.A.

American Express Travel Poll Reveals New Trends in Holiday Travel This Season

NEW YORK, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers are bending the rules of traditional holiday travel as American Express Travel agents reveal new and notable trends for the upcoming season. Results from an American ExpressTravel poll of 402 of their agents and representatives show that this year the week between Christmas and New Year's -- not Thanksgiving weekend --will be the most popular time for holiday travel for their customers (according to 67% of agents). In fact, according to agents' rankings, that particular week was significantly more popular than the weeks betweenThanksgiving and Christmas (27%), during Thanksgiving (18%), after the NewYear (8%) and before Thanksgiving (4%). In addition to this shift in travel schedules, more than 50% of agents said that their customers are looking beyond their tried and true holiday destinations, seeking to go somewhere new every year, especially internationally.
Not only are travelers looking to indulge in new travel experiences, they are also treating themselves to an extra special holiday season thisyear with 76% of agents reporting that travelers are booking more luxury vacations this season than ever before. Sixty-eight percent of agents are seeing an increase in five-star hotel bookings and 54% are seeing an increase in first-class and business-class travel bookings. Agents revealed that luxury travel this holiday season has increased the most among couples(48%) and families (48%); followed by mature travelers (31%), and singles(10%).

The poll also revealed that 24% of agents are booking more holiday travel overall this year than last, with the majority (43%) saying that holiday vacation budgets are exceeding $2,000 per person. Agents say that beach/resort, cruise, and ski/mountain vacations top the list as favorite getaways. Fifty-eight percent say that families with children are booking the most holiday travel this year, followed by couples (18%), and relatives traveling together (14%). The top reasons for taking a holiday vacation instead of staying home are that kids are off from school (48%), people areable to take time off (43%), a desire to relax and get away from it all(35%), an interest in experiencing a new culture or country (27%), and thedesire to celebrate the season in a new way (26%).

Top 10 International Destinations
St. Maarten
Montego Bay
San Jose Del Cabo
Paris
Cancun
San Juan
Auckland
Aruba
London
Sydney

Data on 2006 holiday travel trends was collected via an online poll of402 American Express Travel agents and representatives across the U.S. Thepoll was fielded during late October and early November. All statistics reflect the percentages of agents polled.

Aruba back on Track!!

Up to August 2006 we have seen a decline in tourism in Aruba, even though the gap has been narrowing.... The last 3 months of 2006 are looking positive, and all to blame to the hundreds of rooms closed for renovations and 2 hotels closed, which one is months behind reopening. But they are opening up, so the numbers of tourists is also slowly but surely going up.

And JetBlue reminds us of that:

Seems discount airline JetBlue's New York Kennedy (JFK) to Aruba (AUA) service is doing just fine. So strong is the demand that the high-frills, low-fare carrier is laying on a permanent second Saturday-only nonstop on December 2. The new flight will complement existing daily nonstop service. At the same time, the carrier is touting a $129 one-way discount airfare on the route between November 30 and February 15, 2007.
If day-in-day-out demand on the route is robust, holiday bookings will be absolutely buoyant. That's why JetBlue will field a second daily JFK to Aruba nonstop from December 21 through January 7, 2007.
You don't have to wait to touch down in Aruba to be entertained, not on JetBlue. The discount airline offers FOX InFlight™ films. There are also 36 channels of free DIRECTV®. Food? Best to bring your own onboard, but there are snacks. As for drink, JetBlue sports one of the finest selections aloft, with Low Fare Sommelier vintages from John Wesson and Best Cellars®.
There are further details about that $129 JFK to Aruba discount airfare: it requires up to a 14-day advance purchase, and must be booked and bought no later than 11:59pm (Mountain Standard Time) on Friday, November 17. Neither taxes nor fees are included.
The heart of the holiday season, December 20 through January 4, is blacked out at this price. Still, the $129 is a real rate break. Consider, the regular JFK to Aruba airfare can range up to $399 one-way.
© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler

Former Dutch Territory South Africa legalizes gay marriage

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) -- South African parliament on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved legislation recognizing gay marriages -- a first for a continent where homosexuality is largely taboo.

By a vote of 230-41, the National Assembly passed the Civil Union Bill, a compromise that resulted from months of heated public discussion.

Both traditionalists and gay activists have criticized the measure, and there have been warnings that it might be unconstitutional.

ARUBA WINS AGAIN IN 2006!

Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine has released its "Best Of" winners for 2006 in the next December Edition.

Aruba out of the 33 categories and a lot of other destinations won in all these categories:

• Friendliest People- Aruba
• Best Beach- Palm Beach, Aruba
• Best Hotel/Resort- Hyatt
• Best Large Hotel- Radisson
• Best Resort Casino- Hyatt
• Best Restaurant- Sunset Grille (at the Radisson)
• Best Snorkeling Destination- Aruba

ARUBA IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE TOP 4 DESTINATION IN THE CARIBBEAN!

More Seats for the Islands.

KLM is thinking about changing his MD-11 flights to the ex-Antilles and Aruba, for a bigger plane the Boeing 777.

Come Dance in Aruba, Bin baila cu mi!

Click here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5RRiJbd3l4

The song was composed by three times Grammy winner, the Aruban Hildward Croes.
For the Latin market a more slow, luxurious, sensual ad will be shown.

The song is so catchy that it even is a ringtone on the ARUBA.com website to download.

Goodbye Carnival

Carnival cruises will leave the island of Aruba for good after April 2007. They have been every single friday on the island for the last couple of years.

They were bringing over 2000 tourists to the island (mainly from Puerto Rico) from early morning till 11:00 p.m. Thanks to them, many came back as regular visitors and we are very appreciative of that.

But, since the oil price starting going up, costs to make that sail all the way to the southern tip of the Caribbean region to Aruba, has become a problem for the Carnival Cruises. Yes, it takes over $50.000 extra to include Aruba in its schedule.

They want to come back, though, but like bribing for Aruba to cover the costs. Like the government will do so, many other companies would also ask for this gift. So, Carnival left on a sour note.

But since their departure, Aruba has become the homeport for 3 New Cruise ships, with more potential and buying power compared to the buying power of the Carnival Destiny's passengers.

And the season just started. Last season there was a 25% increase in Cruise tourism, another record, maybe even higher for this season.