During a particular informative and constructive meeting between Commissioner Clark Abraham and the Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association (BONHATA) a solid foundation was laid for the further development of tourism on Bonaire. This subject deserves a lot of attention since tourism contributes for an estimated 80% of our economy. That tourism is the key to our economy is something that we should pay attention to every and the awareness campaign “Tourism is Key”, initiated several years ago by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) of which BONHATA is an active member offers an excellent support of this ambition.
Developing a vision on our tourism, making choices for the further sustainable development of our tourism product and how that can be achieved through effective and measurable marketing efforts requires close collaboration between Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB) and its strategic partner. The development of a broad-based strategic tourism plan should not be missing in this cooperation and Commissioner Abraham indicated to give the development of this plan high priority. To enable TCB better in carrying out her tasks properly and to avoid disparities in the price structure between the various rental activities the implementation of a so-called one-fee-tax system is very important, this topic is since the beginning of this year again on the agenda of BONHATA and the organization welcomes the desire of the OLB to introduce this very soon.
Also simplifying the permit process, a process for which BONHATA recently asked attention from the Executive Council is on the list of subjects where the Commissioner sees room to accelerate and simplify processes within the existing policies. BONHATA accepted the invitation to think about this process and to draw up criteria for developing new hotel properties whilst we continue to respect our natural resources.
Other topics on which further communication will be scheduled in the short term include the Central Dialogue; further development of an environmentally friendly image of Bonaire; the gathering of reliable tourism data and intensifying the cooperation regarding tourism between the public and private sector.
BONHATA, the official hotel and tourism association’s main task is to support and strengthen her members also through this partnership and looks forward to a successful continuation of the result driven communications.
For more information on BONHATA you can contact the organization through office number 717 – 5134 or e-mail info@bonhata.org.