Tourism Announcements

General announcements for the Bonaire tourism community

Monday, January 30, 2012

Roger and Karen Hamilton Named Honorary Bonaire Ambassadors

Last week, Roger and Karen Hamilton were named as honorary Bonaire ambassadors by the Tourism Corporation Bonaire for continuous visits to our island for the past thirty years.

Roger and Karen first came to Bonaire for diving and they remember and tell stories of those days when Bas Marin was their divemaster at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino, and Peter Hughes provided the diving.  Enrique was also their divemaster and boat captain in those early days, and, in fact, Enrique is still helping divers to enjoy their vacations at Divi Flamingo Beach.

Even after all these years, the Hamiltons still make twice-yearly visits to Bonaire, and now their extended family joins them.  Congratulations, Roger and Karen!  (Source:  Tourism Corporation Bonaire)

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)

Monday, December 19, 2011

Bonaire Named One of the World’s Top Ten Island Escapes

Many visitors to Bonaire “catch the bug"--that undefined magic that ensnares nearly all visitors to the island, and it is the reason that most of Bonaire’s tourists return time and time again.  And now, travel blog Global Grasshopper has named Bonaire in the top ten list of most tropical and beautiful island escapes from around the world. 

Bonaire is the only Caribbean island named to the list, sharing the honor with other destinations off the coasts of southeast Asia, India, Africa and Hawaii. The Global Grasshopper article cites Bonaire’s marine sanctuary and beautiful coral reefs, along with iguanas, flamingos, salt flats and rock art as reasons why its beauty never fails to charm its visitors. And, it goes without saying that the popularity of Bonaire as a destination for world class diving, windsurfing, snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing is unequaled.

Global Grasshopper is known as a highly rated travel blog and resource for independent global travelers, and it promotes discovering and researching new destinations. They provide travel news, advice, top ten lists, unusual hotel guides and photography.  (Source: Global Grasshopper)

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Bonaire Will Say “Ayo” to its WebCams

It was about eleven years ago when Jake Richter and Daniel Senie launched the Bonaire WebCams project on Bonaire, with four cameras, including an underwater camera, whereby the world could view Bonaire 24 hours a day.  Since that time, the number of active cameras has varied significantly, with a peak of fourteen cameras running in 2010.

The Bonaire WebCams gave an outlet for its developers to share their passion about Bonaire with the world, as well as create a huge fan base, and garner a number of awards over the years.  But it’s now the end of an era, and the Bonaire Insider has been informed that most likely the web site for the Bonaire Web Cams will go off-line at the end of August.

Everyone on Bonaire and around the world who used or watched the WebCams thanks Jake and Dan for their dedication to the project over the past eleven years, and wishes them much success for their future endeavors.  (Source:  Bonaire WebCams)

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Diving in Bonaire Just Got Better with Bonaire’s Bonus Bonanza Added Value Package

Bonaire has just announced their new destination-wide Bonaire Bonus Bonanza added value package, which offers visitors discounts throughout the entire island and is tailor-made for divers who want to save money this year on their next dive vacation. 

Those who book a seven-night dive package at any of the participating hotels get the Bonaire Bonus Bonanza package, which offers extra free dives, three day free gear rental, and a bonus card of special on-island offers and more. Reserve your accommodations with one of the following participating hotels: Buddy Dive Resort, Captain Don’s Habitat, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino, Happy Holiday Homes/Dive Friends Bonaire, Harbour Village Beach Resort, Plaza Resort Bonaire and Sorobon Beach Resort/WannaDive Bonaire to participate.

The On-Island Bonus Card that can be used to receive discounts at these participating establishments: Bistro De Paris, Bambu French/International Restaurant, Cactus Blue, Chibi Chibi Restaurant at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino, It Rains Fishes, Kon Tiki Beach Bonaire, La Guernica, Paradise Moon Bar & Restaurant, Rum Runners at Captain Don’s Habitat, Tipsy Seagull at Plaza Resort Bonaire, Aries Boutique, Bonaire Tours & Vacations, Chat ‘n’ Browse, Jewel of Bonaire, Littman Jewelers, SEACOW Snorkeling Trips, The Touch Spa at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino, AB Rental Car, and Hertz Inter Island Car Rental located at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino.

To take full advantage of Bonaire’s Bonus Bonanza package, travelers must make their reservations between now and April 15, 2011 for travel between May 1 – June 15 and August 15 – December 15, 2011 and may book their vacations with the following tour operators: Bonaire Pros, Caradonna Dive Adventures, Expedia, Hotels.com, Island Express, Maduro Dive Fanta-Seas, PADI Travel Network, and World Dive Adventures/Caribbean Adventures. (Source:  TCB-NY)

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Paradise Rebates Offers New Coupons for Use on Bonaire in 2011

Paradise Rebates (www.ParadiseRebates.com) was introduced in 2008 so that travelers planning a visit to Bonaire would have the opportunity to recoup some of the additional baggage fees which were introduced at that time.  Since that time, Paradise Rebates has evolved and now offers downloadable coupons for a variety of services and activities on Bonaire. Coupons are available for those who meet the use requirements and are no longer tied to baggage fees. 

The site has recently added new coupon opportunities good for various timeframes during 2011.  Feel free to visit the site to download any coupon which may be of interest:

--AB CarRental is giving a 10% discount off the rental of any vehicle, when purchasing a rental of at least seven days with CDW insurance.
--Bon Bida Spa & Gym is offering 10% off any day pass.
--Dive Friends Bonaire is offering free rental equipment for the duration of any dive course.
--Bruce Bowker’s Carib Inn has a coupon to receive a free boat dive with the purchase of a qualifying dive package.
--Budget Rent a Car has a coupon for a 15% discount off the rental of any vehicle when purchasing a rental of at least seven days with CDW insurance.
--China Nobo Bar & Restaurant has a coupon for one order of shrimp chips free with any dinner or lunch meal of $8.50 or more.
--The Mangrove Info Center has a coupon for 10% off a two-hour Mangrove/Snorkel excursion.
--The Massage Hut has a coupon offering $5 off a one hour massage.

To keep up-to-date on new listings, sign up for free email alerts, which will be sent when a new listing is added to the web site. (Source:  Paradise Rebates)

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Bonaire Dominates Scuba Diving Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2011

The island of Bonaire has swept top honors receiving four #1 Ratings, which is more than any other destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic category, while continuing its reign as one of the world’s top dive destinations. For the ninth consecutive year, Bonaire has taken first place for Top Overall Diving in Scuba Diving magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2011. 

Bonaire received first place in three other Caribbean/Atlantic categories: Top Health of Marine Environment, Top Macro Life, and Top Shore Diving, and also received second place in seven other Caribbean/Atlantic categories: Overall Destination, Value for Diving Dollar, Beginner Diving, Snorkeling, Visibility, Marine Life and, Underwater Photography.

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 2011 Awards will be featured in the January/February 2011 issue of Scuba Diving magazine.  (Source:  TCB)

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Follow InfoBonaire on Facebook and Twitter and Become a Bonaire Expert

Starting now, everyone can become an expert on the latest news about Bonaire--simply by following InfoBonaire updates on either Facebook and Twitter. As island residents, the folks at InfoBonaire have the latest information on what is happening on the island, such as restaurant openings, the latest in hotel services, retail store listings, specials, activities, and new products and services as they are introduced. 

InfoBonaire also keeps you up to date on getting to Bonaire, travel tips and almost any kind of local information you need to plan a trip. It’s the perfect way to keep up with what’s new on Bonaire. Facebook is a great way to see updates and participate and/or follow discussions about tourism topics and updates about Bonaire, while Twitter gives a quick summary of updates on InfoBonaire, with a link to the actual site.

To begin following InfoBonaire on Facebook, just click on the “Follow Us” button on the left side of your screen when you are are on the main page of the web site at www.infobonaire.com. When you click this link, you will be taken to the Facebook fan page for InfoBonaire. To become a fan, simply click on the “like” button on the Facebook page. Once you are a fan, any postings from InfoBonaire will appear in your Newsfeed. To visit InfoBonaire’s fan page, click here.

To begin following InfoBonaire on Twitter, once again just click on the “Follow Us” button on the left side of your screen on the main page of InfoBonaire. Clicking this link will take you to the Twitter page for Infobonaire, which is called BonaireNews. Choose the option from this page to “follow” InfoBonaire on Twitter on either your phone or computer. It’s a great way to keep current on Bonaire! To go to the BonaireNews page on Twitter, click here.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Follow The Bonaire Insider on Facebook and Twitter

Starting now, the Bonaire Insider can be followed on both Facebook and Twitter. Facebook is an excellent way to view your favorite stories and participate and/or follow discussions about tourism topics about Bonaire, while Twitter delivers a quick synopsis of Bonaire Insider news with a link to the full story. 

To begin following Bonaire Insider on Facebook, simply click on the “Follow Us” button on the left of your screen when you are on the main page of the web site at www.bonaireinsider.com. When you click this link, you will be taken to the Facebook fan page for Bonaire Insider. To become a fan, simply click on the “like” button on the Facebook page or become a fan directly from Bonaire Insider, by scrolling down to the section on the right that says “Find us on Facebook” and click on the “like” button. Once a fan, any postings from Bonaire Insider will appear in your Newsfeed. To visit Bonaire Insider’s fan page, click here.

To begin following Bonaire Insider on Twitter, again, simply click on the “Follow Us” button on the left of your screen from the main page of The Bonaire Insider. When you click this link, you will be taken to the Twitter page for Bonaire Insider, which is called BonaireNews. Choose the option from this page to “follow” Bonaire Insider on Twitter on either your phone or your computer. To go to the BonaireNews page on Twitter, click here.

Furthermore, each Bonaire Insider post has social media tagging buttons at the bottom, providing options to do things like share stories, add to your favorites, print, email, Tweet, share to other social media, and indicate to Facebook that you “like” a story. Be sure to check out all these options so that you can take full advantage of the Insider’s social media and be kept up to date on what’s happening on Bonaire!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Bonaire to Host Wounded Warriors for the Fifth Consecutive Year

For the fifth consecutive year, the entire island of Bonaire is proud to welcome the Wounded Warriors to their “home away from home” as they use SCUBA diving for rehabilitation and recreation from August 7th through 14th, 2010.

During this week, severely wounded troops and their significant others will travel to the island to complete the final step in the process of obtaining their dive certifications.  Representatives of the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association’s (DEMA) Be a Diver Program and the North American office of Tourism Corporation Bonaire will also be joining this group. All accommodations and diving will be provided courtesy of Captain Don’s Habitat Bonaire. Each year the people of Bonaire open their arms to welcome this group and show them not only the natural beauty and pristine waters of the island, but also the warmth, friendliness and the genuine hospitality of the Bonairean people.

This year’s contingent of seven Wounded Warriors has suffered life-changing physical injuries which they received in combat while stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  They and their partners will be kept busy with a variety of activities beginning with the completion of their PADI and HSA dive certifications, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday. Once certified, they will continue diving throughout the week, both from the dock of Captain Don’s Habitat and via boat dives to Klein Bonaire and other famous Bonaire dive sites.  The group will also enjoy shopping, dining, sightseeing, and even a Texas-style BBQ.  The highlight of the week will take place when the Bonaire community gathers to meet these extraordinary troops and their companions at the reception held in their honor at the home of Lt. Governor Glenn Thode. 

Sponsors to date of the 5th Bonaire-Be A Diver-Wounded Warrior Scuba Certification trip are: 9Line LLC, Adams Unlimited Public Relations & Marketing, AERIS, Bikers Bonaire, Bonaire KFC, BonaireTalk.com, Bonaire Quad Tours, Bonaire Guided Motorcycle Tours, Bonaire Tours & Vacations, Budget Rent A Car, Captain Don’s Habitat, Caradonna Dive Adventures, Inc., Care Coalition, Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine, Chat & Browse Bonaire, DEMA/Be a Diver, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine, Dive Training Magazine, Henderson, H.S.A. International Training Center of New Jersey, Islands Magazine, Jack Chalk & Family, Jewel Of Bonaire, NetTech, N.V., OCEANIC, PADI, Paradise Moon Bar & Restaurant, Patagonia Restaurant, Princeton Tec, Rum Runners, Sport Diver Magazine, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, and Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project.

As in past years, the Bonaire Insider will chronicle some of the activities of these amazing men and women.  Stay tuned for more details!  (Source:  TCB-NY)