Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB), in collaboration with the Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association (BONHATA), Bonaire International Airport (BIA), and the Harbor Master (OLB), successfully hosted the first quarterly Bonaire Tourism Update for 2026 yesterday, May 21st, at the Van der Valk Plaza Resort Bonaire.
The joint stakeholder information session drew more than 100 attendees, including key industry partners, local business owners, and members of the press. The turnout and active participation highlighted the community’s strong interest in the performance and future of Bonaire’s economy.
During the presentation, TCB and its partners shared a wealth of data, key performance figures, and strategic insights. The session focused heavily on recent tourism numbers, detailing the performance of the island’s stayover, cruise, and air passenger sectors. TCB also provided an extensive overview of the marketing initiatives, community engagement, product development initiatives, and promotional activities successfully executed over the last three months to position Bonaire at the forefront of travelers’ minds.
In addition to reviewing past performance, the presentation offered a forward-looking forecast for the remainder of 2026. The co-presenters outlined the clear forecast for the year while highlighting the critical need to invest in infrastructure and diversify the island’s economic and tourism offerings. These upcoming initiatives are designed to ensure sustainable economic growth, enhance infrastructure, and balance visitor traffic.
“We are pleased with the strong engagement from our partners, the business community, and the press during yesterday’s session,” said Elësier Angel, CEO of TCB. “During the presentation, we highlighted tourism data and figures from the last three months, outlined TCB’s recent marketing and product development activities, and shared our forward-looking forecast and upcoming initiatives for the year. We are proud to stand here together as partners, as this session not only serves as a vital platform for sharing information but also provides an excellent opportunity for networking and healthy, good discussions. This collective engagement underscores our commitment to managing Bonaire’s economy and growth responsibly and sustainably.”
The successful briefing combined essential sector data from Veroesjka de Windt, CEO of BONHATA, who outlined the current hospitality trends and the importance of the sector; Giordano Molina, COO of BIA, who addressed the airport’s recent passenger growth and essential infrastructure modernization updates; and Günther Flanegin, Harbor Master, who provided critical insights regarding cruise passenger traffic and marine port policies.
The strong interest from both the business community and the media underscores a shared commitment to building a resilient, prosperous future for Bonaire’s tourism ecosystem.
For additional information regarding the presentation data or upcoming initiatives, please contact marketing@bonaireisland.com.
