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)
