TCB Bonaire | Local Report
From the Director's Desk
Of course not everything is always so rosy. We are keeping a close watch on the US economy which always has ripple effects in our other markets. The jury remains out on a technical recession (two successive quarters of negative growth in GDP) but the reality of a serious slowdown in the economy is self evident with 80% of Americans polled in February saying the country is already in recession and consumer confidence at its lowest level in 14 years if you exclude the immediate aftermath of 9/11. CTO suggested in their January newsletter that the U.S. recession of 1990/1991 could serve as a good model in direction for what was about to happen in 2008 and so far that prediction is holding well as we have seen a similar big drop in consumer spending, tightening credit, rising unemployment and still further deterioration in the housing market debacle. The hope is that economic conditions will improve at some time late in the second half of the year. Another factor is the oil price, which has broken through the $100 a barrel mark three times already this year and seems set to stay there for a while. For the first time in decades the word stagflation is on many lips referring to a nasty combination of rising prices and stagnant sales. Adding to these woes, and a major contributor to the high price of oil, is the weakening dollar which fell to a new low to the euro late in February and is trading against a broad basket of currencies including sterling at its lowest level in 12 years. If there is a plus side to all this, a weak dollar is good for U.S. exports, almost a lone bright note in an otherwise gloomy picture. All in all it's not an encouraging situation for most businesses. CTO reports, however, with some confidence that Caribbean and Mexico tourism products appear to be holding their own quite well compared to other competitive international destinations, with strong advance bookings for late spring and summer. Translating this to Bonaire, we know from past experiences that Bonaire has proven to be resilient to such situations. We are seeing a strong start of the year and know that our airline partners are very positive about the developments. As for advance bookings, it is too premature to formulate conclusions based on this. Another interesting note in CTO's most recent newsletter refers back to trends in the hotels sector, indicating the trend towards more green and luxury hotels. More and more individual hoteliers and chains are incorporating environmental protection and energy cost reduction programs into new construction and re-design of existing properties. Up-market brands represent the strongest area for growth in the Caribbean and corporations like Starwood Capital Group, with its commitment to becoming the "greenest of the green" of hotel groups, have multiple resorts under construction or in the planning stage. CTO refers to a downside to this expansion, a familiar topic to us in Bonaire namely, the human resource problems that come with continuous growth. According to CTO, this is most acute in small island countries with low populations requiring extensive importation of trained staff at all levels. The problem is by no means unique to the Caribbean, however, as according to Travel Weekly, as hotel companies continue their "dizzying global expansion", they are competing for more than customers and brand loyalty as they battle each other and every other service industry employer in their communities for trained workers. Various initiatives to tackle this matter on Bonaire, are being discussed. There are initiatives that have already been launched and others that are in the planning stage. The government is giving special attention to aspects in the labor market and is in fact planning to allocate a great amount of financial resources towards this matter, as they formulate plans to stimulate the socio economic development of Bonaire. TCB's 3-year Tourism Awareness Program "Smile, Boneiru ta dushi" is also playing its vital role in the preparation of our human capital, and is progressing positively. Our office is exploring other possible projects also that could contribute in meeting the labor market demand adequately. Again, it is not without concern for our island's sustainability that we move forward. Many positive initiatives are in place and with the continued support of everyone who works, visits or lives here, we will achieve our goals and fulfill our growth philosophy.
Bonaire AmbassadorsTo check out new Bonaire Ambassadors, please visit: www.bonaireambassador.com
Bonaire Dive into Summer 2008Bonaire: Leading by example during Bonaire Dive into Summer 2008 Kralendijk, Bonaire - (March 2008) - Tourism Corporation Bonaire together with event sponsors Scuba Diving magazine, Continental Airlines, Coral Reef Alliance, EarthEcho International and STINAPA are pleased to announce the program highlights for Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2008 running from June 1 through September 30, 2008. Bonaire Dive Into Summer will be filled with exciting activities and interesting seminars for divers, adventurers, families and sun-seekers. The program offers visitors the flexibility to enjoy a planned vacation on-island, and as an added bonus, the option to take part in interactive dives and seminars practically guaranteeng a fun and educational vacation in Bonaire. Additionally, visitors will be given the opportunity to participate in a summer-long ecology project reflecting Bonaire's position as a world leader in marine conservation and as a focal point destination for the International Year of the Reef. As a focal point destination for the International Year of the Reef, all of the summer activities on Bonaire will incorporate reef-friendly practices to increase awareness and understanding of coral reefs, and to further conserve and manage valuable coral reef and associated ecosystems. Activities already in place by local residents include decorating window displays in town with a reef theme, showcasing reef-themed artwork created by children in town throughout the year and presenting special reef workshops for dive trade professionals. International Year of the Reef Week: June 21-28 - Sand Dollar Condominiums will host this week focusing on Bonaire's role as a world leader in marine conservation. The week will feature dives and seminars with Jan and Alexandra Cousteau of EarthEcho International; REEF fish count dives and snorkels with Bonaire's own naturalist Jerry Ligon; interactive workshops with Rick MacPherson from the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL); and a parade and food festival in the center of town at Wilhelmina Park. For more information about Sand Dollar Condominiums, visit www.sanddollarbonaire.com. Scuba Diving Magazine Week: July 19-26 - Join the staff of Scuba Diving magazine for a week of diving adventures with Executive Editor Keith Phillips; presentations and interactive dives with renowned photographer Steve Simonson; equipment demonstrations by Scuba Pro; dive trivia quizzes; and decompression happy hours. For more information about Scuba Diving, visit www.scubadiving.com. Pro Kids World Freestyle Windsurfing Competition: July 27-August 3 - Be a spectator or participant at this exciting annual event by attending one of ten qualifying events in advance. Event organizers are planning a week long windsurfing event that will be accompanied by island culture and fun. For more information about Pro Kids World, visit www.prokidsfreestyle.com. Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2008 is sponsored by Tourism Corporation Bonaire, Scuba Diving magazine, Continental Airlines, Coral Reef Alliance, EarthEcho International, STINAPA and the International Year of the Reef. A complete schedule of activities, information about the event and hotel packages can be found on the event's official website at www.bonairediveintosummer.com. Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean. Ideal for adventurers, explorers and sun-worshippers alike, Bonaire offers myriad eco-adventure activities including world renowned scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, kite boarding, land sailing, mountain biking, sea and mangrove kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, bird watching, sailing and deep sea and bone fishing. And with a selection of accommodations ranging from full-service oceanfront resorts and condominiums to guesthouses and small inns, Bonaire has something for every lifestyle and budget. Bonaire continues to be recognized as one of the top destinations worldwide for its sustainable tourism as reported by National Geographic Traveler magazine (March 2004) and Islands magazine (December 2007), and as one of the top diving destinations in the Atlantic/Caribbean for six years in a row in the Scuba Diving magazine's Readers' Choice Awards (2003-2008). For more information on Bonaire contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S. at 1-800-BONAIRE or visit Bonaire's official website at www.tourismbonaire.com. |
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News from the Tourism Sector
Calendar of Events 2008
Notes Jan-Apr = Harvest Period (C,E+T)
Dive Friends Bonaire Welcomes Dive Inn as their Fourth Location on Bonaire
Dive Friends Dive Inn will re-open on April 1st, 2008, after completing a metamorphosis to join the Dive Friends group. During the first two days, April 1st and 2nd, the store will hold a huge second-hand-gear sale, with deals on BCDs, regulators, masks, and wetsuits, as well as other diving-related items. After these sale days, the store will reopen for regular diving business, including diving packages and courses.
Dive Friends Bonaire Holds Grand Opening Party at Dive Friends Dive InnKralendijk, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, April 2, 2008- On Tuesday, April 1st, 2008, Dive Friends Bonaire officially opened their fourth, and newest, location on Bonaire, at Dive Inn. Celebrating with customers and friends from the island, managers Gerrie Fokke and Pascal de Meyer cut the ribbon and Dive Friends Dive Inn was born. Images from the grand opening party are available on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery at http://www.bonaireinsider.com/index.php/gallery_bonaire/category/C52/.
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