13 Apr 2015
WHAT'S NEW
Aruba scoops international award for fossil fuel-free ambition
Aruba's ground-breaking sustainable energy initiatives have won international recognition with the presentation of a prestigious inaugural award.
The island scooped the winner's spot in the Destination Leadership category of the first National Geographic World Legacy Awards.
Recognising Aruba's effort to be the world's first country free of fossil fuel, the award was presented during ITB, the international travel fair in Berlin.
The World Legacy Awards, a joint venture between National Geographic and ITB were inaugurated to showcase the leading travel companies and organisations leading the way in the sustainable tourism transformation of the industry, based on the publication's work to inspire people to care about the planet.
After accepting the award in Berlin, Oslin Sevinger, Aruba's Minister of Integration, Infrastructure and Environment commented: 'To be recognised by the National Geographic Society is an honour and recognition of our consistent activities for sustainability.
'In recent years we have worked closely with the most innovative thinkers in the world on this issue and we are proud that our efforts and best practices that rub off on other Caribbean islands. This is just the beginning.'
Aruba remains on track to be free of fossil fuels by 2020. In 2012 the island partnered with Sir Richard Branson's Carbon War Room, founded to fight climate change, and other key bodies, such as Harvard University. The island has established itself as an eco-tourism destination by actively promoting the use of renewable energy through wind farms, a solar park, waste-to-energy plant and smart communities.
Sail Aruba plans finalised
Final preparations are underway for Sail Aruba 2015, the exciting two-day event in May commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, of which the island is part.
Scheduled to be the largest event ever staged in the port of Oranjestad, it opens at 10am on Friday, May 1 when visitors can enjoy a seafood festival, open market, visit all ships in port and a Heartbeat of Oranjestad exhibition at the main cruise terminal.
In the afternoon the Dutch Marines – based on the island – will host a range of stunts and activities, including boat boarding and search and rescue demonstrations. Meanwhile, the Aruba Sailing Association will organise races for local yachts, sunfish and beach cats.
The second day, Saturday May 2, will include further entertainment and a waterborne fireworks display.
The full programme is now available online at www.sailaruba.com
HOTEL NEWS
Travellers' honours for Bucuti
Aruba's leading boutique-style resort, Buciti & Tara Beach, has collected a clutch of top ratings from its guests.
It has been honoured in four categories in TripAdvisor's 2015 Travellers' Choice hotel awards, including being named No 1 in the top 25 hotels in the Caribbean, the only property in Aruba to be rated in the category.
Additionally, Bucuti was runner-up in the top hotels in the Caribbean for romance, No 4 for service and was named among the top properties in the Caribbean for romance
New facilities at Riu Palace Antillas
The Orchid Casino has opened at the Riu Palace Antillas to provide additional entertainment facilities for guests and visitors.
With an orchid theme throughout, the casino is accessed through an entrance and elevator service next to the hotel's main parking area. New facilities also include the Red Piano Lounge, a relaxing night spot with live music every day.
Family Time returns to Radisson Aruba
Radisson Aruba's successful Discover programme will again focus on family fun with the return in June of Discover Your Family Time.
A series of daily complimentary events designed to keep families active while on holiday, Discover Your Family Time will include activities for children of all ages. Families may take part in yoga classes, stand-up paddleboard lessons, treasure hunts, story-telling and more during the summer.
http://www.radisson.com/palm-beach-hotel-aw/aruaruba/optional2
WHAT ELSE IS NEW?
Aruba Summer Music Festival makes its debut
A new date has been added to Aruba's busy entertainment diary with plans to introduce an annual Summer Music Festival.
Scheduled for June 26 and 27 at the Harbour Square Arena in capital Oranjestad it will include performances by international artists, as well as local bands and entertainers.
Early signings include Colombian singer-songwriters Carlos Vives and Puerto Rico's Jerry Rivera, credited with revolutionizing the world of salsa in the 1990s.
Regaeton artist Nicky Jam will also perform. He is a top name on the Latin music scene having had a recent No 1 in the Hot Latin Songs of Billboard magazine.
www.aruba.com/our-island/aruba-summer-music-festival
Aruba joins International Jazz Day
Aruba joins governments, businesses and individuals around the world in organizing events to mark International Jazz Day on April 30.
A free concert featuring local artists as well as guest performer Lenora Helm will be staged at the Renaissance Marketplace in capital Oranjestad from 6pm to 11pm.
This year the celebration is linked to UNESCO's 70th anniversary in recognition of its help in securing and advancing culture and freedom of expression worldwide.
Top names head for Soul Beach Music Festival
Top international performers head for Aruba next month as it hosts its annual glittering Soul Beach Music Festival.
This year is the 15th anniversary of this major event, drawing an audience from around the globe. Crowning the line-up for the event, running from May 20 to 25, are nine-time Grammy nominee megastar Charlie Wilson and the Grammy nominated superstar Trey Songz.
Voted by USA Today readers as a top 10 Caribbean celebration, the Soul Beach Festival boasts a cross-section of visitors and celebrities who attend this three-in-one experience, featuring live music, comedy shows and beach parties.
Main events kick-off on Friday, May 22, which is comedy night, staged at the Renaissance Festival Plaza in island capital Oranjestad. Charlie Wilson headlines at the Saturday concert night on May 23 at the Harbour Arena in Oranjestad, with Trey Songz topping the bill at the following evening's concert night in the same venue.
For more details visit www.soulbeach.net
Earth, Wind & Fire blow in
Legendary R&B band Earth, Wind and Fire has been named as among the line-up for this year's Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival in Aruba September 25 and 26.
The band, multi-Grammy Award winners and the sound behind 90 million worldwide album sales, will perform on the first night of the festival at Renaissance Festival Plaza, in island capital Oranjestad.
Second night headliners will be Grupo Niche, the internationally-renowned salsa band.
IN THE DIARY: THE BEST EVENTS OF 2015
King's birthday
26 April 2015
Sporting events and family-friendly celebrations are staged in honour of King Willem Alexander.
Sail Aruba 2015
1-2 May 2015
Spectacular two-day event commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including seafood festival, demonstrations, entertainment sailing races and fireworks displays.
Soul Beach Music Festival
20-25 May 2015
Star-studded two-night concert series featuring top names from the world of soul music. Nine-time Grammy nominee megastar Charlie Wilson and the Grammy nominated superstar Trey Songz headline this year.
Dear Gai (St John's Day)
24 June 2015
Aruba's harvest festival is now a cultural celebration featuring traditional song and dance. The symbol of the rooster and bright yellow and red costumes are central to events held at various locations, including community centres
Aruba Summer Music Festival
26-27 June
New two-day event showcasing international as well as local artists and staged at the Harbour Square Arena in Oranjestad
www.aruba.com/our-island/aruba-summer-music -festival
29th Aruba Triathlon Olympic
28 June 2015
International competitors participate in a triathlon comprising a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle race and a 10km run
29th Annual Aruba Hi-Winds
7-13 July 2015
Aruba's trade winds provide the perfect conditions for the largest amateur windsurfing event in the Caribbean. Exciting windsurfing and kite-boarding competitions in various categories. Five days of non-stop entertainment, beach parties, events and activities
For general information on visiting Aruba please go to www.aruba.com
