Friday, January 20, 2012

Tenth Bonaire Special Olympics Walk-a-Thon is Sunday March 4, 2012

Bonaire’s Special Olympics Walk-a-Thon will mark its tenth anniversary this year. The ever popular 34 kilometer event starts at the White Slave Huts and finishes in Rincon, with all proceeds going to the local chapter of the Special Olympics and everyone is invited to participate.

The event will take place on Sunday March 4, 2012, departing from the slave huts at 5:00 AM and finishing at FKPD in Rincon. Participants are invited to walk, run, bike or roller blade the route and may do the entire event, or just a portion.

Tickets are only $15 per person and include an event t-shirt, water bottle, a bag, and lunch at FKPD (Pasadia Karino Rincon) from 9:30 AM until 12:30 PM.

Preregistration for the event is Friday March 2 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Hotel Rochaline, located at Kaya Grandi #7.

For additional information call Arlene Engelhart at 525-8496 or Aura at 796-0101. (Source: Special Olympics Bonaire)

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Tourism on Bonaire--Study Being Done to Determine its Worth

It’s clear to all that Bonaire’s economy is driven by tourism.  Both cruise and diving tourists provide employment and income for the people of the island. Of course, the activities of these tourists have an impact on our island, which can be both positive as well as negative. In addition to increased employment and income, a positive aspect includes a liveliness on the island and the possibilities for doing business that translate into economic growth for Bonaire. However, the impact on nature and the noise and congestion in and around Kralendijk can be negative aspects of tourism. Therefore, a new research project was launched last week to measure the overall effectiveness and the positive and negative aspects of tourism.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation/CN, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, the Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, the Universiteit van Wageningen, Marine Positive, and consultancy office WKICS are all working together on this project, funded by The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation.

The project begins with Bonaire’s tourism experts, with representatives from Bonhata, Bonaire Hospitality Group, and CURO, who will oversee an “experience survey” that will be given to 1200 Bonaire visitors, asking them to evaluate how they experience Bonaire. Both cruise and stay-over visitors leaving the island will be asked to participate in this study. Concurrently, additional focus will be spent investigating the effect of tourism on Bonaire’s nature. A third study will survey Bonaire’s private sector to garner their opinions on this important subject.

The results of this project are to be used to provide policymakers with the correct information and analyses. Based upon the gathered information, Bonaire will be better able to manage its future tourism development and the long-term contribution to the industry and the prosperity of the island will be optimized.  (Source:  Rijksdienst CN)

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Insider Review--Bonaire’s Kaminda di Arte (or Bonaire Art Tour)

The 2011/2012 winter season brought the second annual Kaminda di Arte to Bonaire for its residents and visitors.  The Art Tour is held the third Sunday of each month, now through March, 2012, and includes many of the island’s galleries or ateliers showcasing anything from fine art through craft items made with items found on Bonaire’s shorelines.

I had the opportunity to follow the tour this past Sunday, and I can highly recommend it to anyone wishing a leisurely day to enjoy Bonaire’s neighborhoods, as well as scope out the latest in true Bonairean souvenirs.  The tour itself features fourteen artists who open up their ateliers or galleries for the day from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM.  I didn’t quite manage to make all stops on the tour, but did manage to visit the majority of artists.

To follow the tour route, download and print the brochure available by clicking here (available in Dutch, in PDF).  The first page of this brochure lists the artists who are part of the tour, as well as small maps showing their locations.  Be sure to look for the Kaminda di Arte signs once you are close to their homes.

There’s a wide variety of art and crafts to view, from fine art showcasing some famous Bonaire sites or personalities, to driftwood sculptures, to watercolors, jewelry, and other handicrafts made from items found on Bonaire’s shorelines.  On the reverse side of the brochure, a short biography of each artist is available, as well as a description of the type of artwork they provide.

The last two dates for this season’s Kaminda di Arte will be Sunday, February 19th, 2012 and Sunday, March 18, 2012.  I can highly recommend the tour for a relaxing day and to view a different side of Bonaire.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Insel Air Temporarily Halts Wednesday Flight from Charlotte (North Carolina) to Bonaire

The Bonaire Insider has just learned that Insel Air must unfortunately immediately discontinue the Wednesday flight from Charlotte, North Carolina (USA) to Bonaire, with a connection in Curacao, beginning with tomorrow’s flight, January 18th, 2012. 

All passengers that are booked on flights mentioned above (Wednesday flights only) will be re-booked on other flights. Please consult your travel agent or dive tour operator for all schedule changes. Due to great demand and bookings during the season’s prime time, (for example, Easter, or summer 2012), Insel Air will be operating the Wednesday flight as scheduled.

All Saturday flights between Charlotte, Curacao and Bonaire will remain as scheduled.

Insel Air deeply regrets this inconvenience and urges all ticketed passengers to contact them on this matter should there be questions and/or comments.  They can be reached at email support@fly-inselair.com.  (Source:  TCB-NY)

Monday, January 16, 2012

Dutch Antilles Express to Resume Service Between Bonaire and Curacao

Dutch Antilles Express (DAE) will re-introduce flights between Bonaire and Curacao on February 3, 2012 on a fully renovated ATR-42. The flight will operate three times daily with connections to other DAE destinations. DAE also announced the intention to expand the destinations to which they fly and to increase their fleet later this year. 

DAE has also introduced several new passenger discounts. Seniors over age 60 and children age two to twelve years old will receive a 50% discount. Infants up to two years of age can travel for free on a parent’s lap and infants with a seat will receive a 50% discount. Request the discount when making the reservation. These specials are subject to certain restrictions, so check with DAE for details.

Reservations can be processed through travel agencies and DAE’s ticket office starting January 15, 2012. (Source: Dutch Antilles Express)

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Bonaire Prevails with Five Awards in Scuba Diving Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2012

The island of Bonaire has swept top honors once again, receiving four #1 ratings, which is more than any other destination scored in the Caribbean/Atlantic category, while continuing its reign as one of the top diving destinations. For the tenth consecutive year, Bonaire has taken first place for Best Overall Dive Destination and island for Best Shore Diving.

Bonaire received first place in two other Caribbean/Atlantic categories: Best Marine Life and Best Macro Life, and also received second place in the category of Best Marine Environment.  For the Readers’ Choice Awards, thousands of Scuba Diving subscribers and web users rated their dive experiences on a scale of one to five. Results of the 2012 Awards are featured in the January/February 2012 issue of Scuba Diving magazine.  (Source:  TCB-NY)