Tourism officials and industry leaders on Bonaire are signaling a shift in strategy for the island’s tourism sector, emphasizing a different kind of visitor and long-term sustainability as the destination charts its path for the next two years.
The direction was laid out during the recent Bonaire Tourism Overview for 2025 and 2026 Outlook.
The gathering brought together government officials, hotel leaders and tourism stakeholders to review the island’s tourism performance in 2025 and discuss priorities for the year ahead.
Officials said the island is deliberately shifting its focus toward visitors who contribute more strongly to the local economy while respecting the island’s environment and culture.
“We want to make the shift from quantity to quality,” said Patricia Veen, advisor to Commissioner Nina den Heyer Weber. “Our focus must be on visitors who respect and support our environment, culture and community.”
A Transparent Look at Tourism Performance
During the session, Tourism Corporation Bonaire officials presented updated tourism figures, market trends and the broader economic impact of the sector.
The meeting also served as a platform to introduce the island’s tourism priorities for 2026, including strategic initiatives, performance indicators and policy goals aimed at guiding the industry’s development.
According to Tourism Corporation Bonaire CEO Elësier Angel, the discussion included both successes and challenges facing the sector.
“During our Tourism Overview, we took the time to reflect transparently on 2025, sharing the latest tourism figures, market performance and the broader economic impact of the sector on Bonaire,” Angel said.
“At the same time, we presented our focus for 2026, outlining our objectives, KPIs, priorities and strategic initiatives for the year ahead.”
Angel said the discussion included critical questions from industry stakeholders, describing the dialogue as part of a broader effort to ensure that the island’s tourism development remains intentional and carefully managed.
“Sustainable tourism does not happen automatically,” he said. “It requires deliberate choices, clear policy direction and strong collaboration.”
Return to Pre-Pandemic Hotel Performance
One of the key takeaways from the meeting was the continued recovery of the island’s hotel sector.
According to the Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association, the island returned to pre-pandemic hotel occupancy levels in 2025, along with strong growth in tourism revenue.
The association said the milestone reflects the resilience of Bonaire’s tourism industry following the global travel disruption caused by the pandemic.
At the same time, industry leaders emphasized that the next phase of tourism development should focus less on adding new accommodation capacity and more on strengthening the destination’s overall tourism product.
“Growth is not dependent on expanding accommodation capacity,” said BONHATA CEO Veroesjka de Windt.
Instead, she pointed to targeted marketing efforts, better visitor distribution across the island, enhanced tourism experiences and close cooperation between government agencies, airlines and local accommodations.
De Windt also stressed the importance of a clear policy framework guiding tourism development.
Without that direction, she warned, tourism could evolve in ways that do not align with the island’s long-term vision.
“Without clear policy, tourism risks developing in an uncoordinated manner, shaped by external pressures rather than the island’s own vision,” she said.
Shifting Trends in the Cruise Sector
The island’s cruise industry also showed notable changes in 2025, according to Harbor Master Günther Flanegin.
Flanegin said Bonaire welcomed several smaller luxury vessels, reflecting a shift in demand within the cruise market.
Ships from brands including Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and MSC Explora Journeys visited the island during the year, representing a more upscale segment of the cruise industry.
The island also welcomed its first Corendon cruise ship, expanding options for cruise passengers departing from nearby Curaçao.
Flanegin described the year as positive and balanced for the cruise sector.
“We observed a change in demand in the cruise industry on Bonaire in 2025,” he said. “It was a positive and balanced year.”
Balancing Growth and Protection
Across the discussions, tourism leaders repeatedly emphasized the need to balance economic growth with environmental protection.
Bonaire has long positioned itself as one of the Caribbean’s most environmentally focused destinations, known for its protected marine park, coral reefs and strong conservation policies.
Officials say the island’s tourism strategy moving forward will continue to prioritize visitor experience, sustainability and long-term economic value rather than simply increasing visitor numbers.
Angel said achieving that balance will require continued cooperation between government agencies, tourism organizations and local businesses.
“Our commitment remains clear: to manage tourism responsibly by focusing on value, visitor experience and long-term sustainability,” he said.
“Tourism must continue to generate economic impact while protecting what makes Bonaire unique.”
Caribbean Journal Staff
2026-03-04 20:02:00