Bonaire Tourism Saw Another Slight Decline Last Month

Bonaire welcomed 13,387 stayover visitors in June, according to preliminary data released by the Tourism Corporation Bonaire.

The total represented a 1.6 percent decrease from June of last year, when the Dutch Caribbean island received 13,606 stayover visitors.

The Netherlands remained Bonaire’s largest source market, while the United States continued to account for nearly one-third of all arrivals.

The Netherlands and the US Lead Arrivals

Bonaire received 5,389 visitors from the Netherlands, representing 40.3 percent of total stayover arrivals during the month.

The United States was the second-largest source market, sending 4,163 visitors, or 31.1 percent of the total.

Curaçao accounted for another 1,893 visitors, representing 14.1 percent of arrivals. Aruba followed with 264 visitors, while Belgium contributed 230 arrivals.

Other source markets included Colombia with 166 visitors, Germany with 153, Canada with 100, Switzerland with 94, Argentina with 94 and Brazil with 84.

The figures continue to show Bonaire’s reliance on three principal markets: the Netherlands, the United States and nearby Curaçao. Together, the three markets generated more than 85 percent of the island’s stayover traffic in June.

Diving Remains a Major Draw for US Visitors

Most American visitors traveled to Bonaire with a partner, followed by those traveling alone, according to the Tourism Corporation Bonaire data.

Vacation travel accounted for 48.5 percent of US visits, while 40.3 percent of American travelers said diving was their primary reason for visiting the island. Another 3.1 percent traveled to visit friends and family.

Bonaire has long been one of the Caribbean’s leading diving destinations, known for its shore-diving sites, marine park and dive resorts. The June figures indicate how central the activity remains to the island’s appeal in the US market.

Hotels were the most popular accommodation category among American travelers, accounting for 58.6 percent of stays. Villas represented 11.6 percent, followed by privately owned properties at 7.3 percent, apartments at 5.6 percent and relatives’ homes at 4.1 percent.

The largest numbers of US visitors came from Florida, Texas, California, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Travelers between the ages of 45 and 64 represented one of the most prominent segments, with the 45-to-54 group accounting for 20.6 percent and the 55-to-64 group representing 19.8 percent.

Dutch Visitors Favor Vacations and Longer-Stay Accommodations

Dutch visitors were most likely to travel alone, followed by those visiting with a partner.

Vacation was the primary reason for 70 percent of Dutch arrivals. Visiting friends and family accounted for 10.4 percent, while business travel represented 6.8 percent.

Hotels accommodated 51.3 percent of Dutch visitors. Apartments accounted for 13 percent, relatives’ homes for 11 percent, privately owned properties for 5.4 percent and villas for 4.5 percent.

The strongest Dutch provincial markets were South Holland, North Holland, North Brabant, Gelderland and Utrecht.

Visitors between the ages of 55 and 64 formed the largest Dutch age group at 23.5 percent. Travelers between 25 and 34 followed at 20.6 percent.

A Slight Decline in a Traditionally Quieter Month

June’s modest year-over-year decrease came as Bonaire continued to draw a relatively balanced mix of leisure travelers, divers, property owners and people visiting friends and family.

The island’s tourism economy remains closely tied to its hotel and dive sectors, with hotels accommodating the majority of both American and Dutch visitors.

While total arrivals declined slightly, the data showed continued strength from the United States, which delivered more than 4,000 visitors during the month and remained Bonaire’s largest market outside the Netherlands.