Bonaire, an island that’s a part of the Dutch Antilles within the Caribbean, is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot that has seen important progress in cruise ship and passenger visits in recent times.
According to figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the island acquired 458,000 cruise passengers in 2019, a rise of 322 p.c in comparison with 2013.
However, the island is now trying to management the variety of guests by way of a “One Ship Policy.” This coverage goals to supply a greater expertise for each the residents of Bonaire and the cruise vacationers visiting the island whereas limiting the variety of cruise ships allowed to dock at anyone time.
Bonaire to Improve Island Experience with One Ship Policy
Bonaire has determined to implement its “One Ship Policy” to deal with the rising variety of guests to the island and to enhance the general expertise of their go to to the island. With a most of 1 giant cruise ship allowed per day, Bonaire hopes to unfold out guests and supply higher providers to each cruise ship passengers and residents.
The coverage will even relieve the strain on the island’s infrastructure, making it doable for entrepreneurs to supply extra providers to guests and for cargo ships to serve the island’s rising inhabitants higher.
Bonaire Commissioner Hennyson Thielman: “With this course, the added value for cruise tourism on Bonaire is improved, contributing to repeat visits and more money spent per tourist. There is also more space for freight transport for the necessary delivery of goods for Bonaire.”
“This results in a more pleasant and safer environment in and around the port of Bonaire, a better touristic image of Bonaire, and availability of goods for businesses and residents of Bonaire.”
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The “One Ship Policy” was launched final yr as a part of Bonaire’s effort to get better its tourism trade. However, regardless of the coverage, the island remains to be internet hosting two cruise ships at a time resulting from pre-existing contracts that can not be altered.
Starting in mid-April, Bonaire will implement its coverage and welcome one giant cruise ship per day, apart from smaller vessels with fewer than 700 passengers. The island can be revising the rules and requirements for port reservations to higher align with its intention for sustainable and high-quality tourism.
Encouraging Low-Season Visits from Cruise Lines
The “One Ship Policy” was launched as part of Bonaire’s Tourism Recovery Plan, and it’s anticipated to have essentially the most important influence on main cruise firms like Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival.
These firms function bigger ships, and consequently, Bonaire is encouraging them to go to the island in the course of the low season by providing incentives.
This will allow Bonaire to maintain customer numbers up whereas spreading them all year long. Recently, the island already welcomed a delegation from Carnival Cruise Line onboard Carnival Horizon to debate its imaginative and prescient for tourism.
Bonaire is transferring nearer to high-quality, low-impact tourism, a coverage that’s embraced globally as locals more and more push again towards the growing variety of cruise ships visiting ports. With this in thoughts, it’s possible that different nations will even begin implementing insurance policies just like Bonaire’s sooner or later.