Bonaire Announces Island Improvements & Upgrades
Bonaire, N.A. - (June 18, 2007) - From hotel news to new airline service, there is always something exciting happening on the Dutch Caribbean Island of Bonaire. Here is some of the latest news from the Island:
STINAPA Launches New Website
On May 24th, 2007, STINAPA Bonaire launched its new web site www.stinapa.org. STINAPA is the entity responsible for the management of Bonaire's national parks, which encompass the Bonaire National Marine Park and the Washington-Slagbaai National Park.
The new site offers information about the Foundation, its history, the Board of Directors, personnel and volunteer group. The site also offers information about the Nature Fee, which is collected from users of the parks and how the Foundation uses this income to manage the parks. Additionally on each park, ample information is given on the history, flora and fauna, monitoring and research, activities one can engage in and the rules and regulations. There are downloads, brochures and maps (including a dive map) available, as well as a virtual tour. Information about the Visitors Center at Washington-Slagbaai National Park, Lac and Klein Bonaire is also included.
New Recompression Chamber for Bonaire
In April, the Fundashon pa Desaroyo Ekonomiko (Foundation for Economic Development) along with Minister Burney el Hage (Minister of Economics and Labor) announced their approval of funding for a new recompression chamber for the island. A dedicated foundation focused on the installation of the new chamber has been initiated and brought to the attention of other stakeholders.
A recompression chamber is essential for a destination such as Bonaire, which is dependent to a large degree on tourism, and dive tourism specifically. Additionally, the recompression chamber can be used to treat other diseases, such as complications due to diabetes and wound treatment. Although the chamber that the island has used for many years is still functioning, it is time to replace it while it is still in good working order.
Together with the funding from Foundation for Economic Development, the foundation is also allocating financial resources to this cause. Support is still needed to complete this project. For more information, contact Mr. Henk Schrijver, the treasurer, at h.schrijver@bonairelive.com.
Downtown Kralendijk Becomes a WiFi Hot Spot
TELBO, N.V., the telecommunication company of the island, launched Wi-Fi Internet service in downtown Kralendijk in May 2007. The service is especially convenient for tourists, as there are more than 15 hotspots from where Internet signals can be received on a laptop. This is just the beginning phase of launching Wi-Fi signals on-island; soon it will be possible to browse the net almost anywhere on the island. Prices to use the Wi-Fi service start at NAƒ5 for one hour of internet use and NAƒ50 for 15 hours of internet.
Bonaire to be Caribbean's First Self-Supporting Island with Sustainable Energy
EcoPower Bonaire BV has signed a contract with the Water and Energy Company of Bonaire (WEB Bonaire NV) to build a new wind turbine park. This is the first step in a wind/bio-diesel project that will provide the whole island with electricity by the end of 2008. It will drive energy prices down while at the same time reducing Bonaire's dependence on the fluctuating oil prices. The main objective of the first phase of the project is to gain experience with wind energy on Bonaire and to reduce short-term electricity costs. The final system design will rely on 40% of the total power requirement coming from wind. The remainder will be supplied with fuel oil, in the form of bio-diesel. By 2010, Bonaire will get all of its electrical energy from natural, renewable sources.
Bonaire WebCams Family Grows
A new Bonaire ReefCam™ has been installed in a protected area under the pier at Bonaire's Eden Beach Resort in about 5 feet of water, while the original ReefCam has been remounted and upgraded to now show views across the hull of the Bakanal, a sunken yacht located at a depth of approximately 60 feet. Additionally, a new Bonaire WebCam has been installed at Dive Friends Bonaire and features a view of their dock and the anchorage ocean-side promenade fronting their Kralendijk facility. The three land-based Bonaire WebCams located at the Eden Beach Resort have also been upgraded and re-cabled to provide long term use and viewing pleasure, joining three other land-based WebCams on Bonaire: the DonkeyCam, the WindsurfCam, and the DowntownCam. The WebCams can be viewed any time at www.BonaireWebCams.com.
Captain Don Celebrates 45th Anniversary on Bonaire
On Monday, May 21, 2007, Captain Don Stewart celebrated his 45th anniversary of his arrival to Bonaire. Captain Don Stewart, Bonaire's pioneer of marine conservation, was presented with a Diamond Ambassador Award from Tourism Corporation Bonaire to recognize his arrival on Bonaire 45 years ago and in thanks for pioneering Bonaire's tourism development, at the Monday Manager's Party at Captain Don's Habitat.
In 1962, Captain Don was sailing from Curacao with the intention of reaching Antigua. With only 63 cents and the papers for his boat in his pocket, Captain Don and First Mate Percy Sweetnam (from Aruba) arrived in Bonaire at 2:30 p.m. Shortly after his arrival, Captain Don played a pivotal role in developing Bonaire's tourism industry and developing Bonaire's marine parks in order to preserve the health and beauty of Bonaire's reef. For more information, interviews and photos of Captain Don, please contact Sarah Biggerstaff at sarah@adams-pr.com.
_Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean. Ideal for adventurers, explorers and sun-worshippers alike, Bonaire offers myriad eco-adventure activities including world renowned scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, landsailing, mountain biking, sea and mangrove kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, bird watching, sailing and deep sea and bone fishing. And with a selection of accommodations ranging from full-service oceanfront resorts and condominiums to guesthouses and small inns, Bonaire has something for every lifestyle and budget.
The U.S. State Department and the Department Homeland Security now requires all U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to carry a passport or other accepted secure documents to enter or re-enter the U.S. from vacations or business travel (by air or sea) anywhere in the Caribbean, including Bonaire.
For more information on Bonaire, contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S. at 1-800-BONAIRE._
Bonaire, N.A. - (June 18, 2007) - From hotel news to new airline service, there is always something exciting happening on the Dutch Caribbean Island of Bonaire. Here is some of the latest news from the Island:
STINAPA Launches New Website
On May 24th, 2007, STINAPA Bonaire launched its new web site www.stinapa.org. STINAPA is the entity responsible for the management of Bonaire's national parks, which encompass the Bonaire National Marine Park and the Washington-Slagbaai National Park.
The new site offers information about the Foundation, its history, the Board of Directors, personnel and volunteer group. The site also offers information about the Nature Fee, which is collected from users of the parks and how the Foundation uses this income to manage the parks. Additionally on each park, ample information is given on the history, flora and fauna, monitoring and research, activities one can engage in and the rules and regulations. There are downloads, brochures and maps (including a dive map) available, as well as a virtual tour. Information about the Visitors Center at Washington-Slagbaai National Park, Lac and Klein Bonaire is also included.
New Recompression Chamber for Bonaire
In April, the Fundashon pa Desaroyo Ekonomiko (Foundation for Economic Development) along with Minister Burney el Hage (Minister of Economics and Labor) announced their approval of funding for a new recompression chamber for the island. A dedicated foundation focused on the installation of the new chamber has been initiated and brought to the attention of other stakeholders.
A recompression chamber is essential for a destination such as Bonaire, which is dependent to a large degree on tourism, and dive tourism specifically. Additionally, the recompression chamber can be used to treat other diseases, such as complications due to diabetes and wound treatment. Although the chamber that the island has used for many years is still functioning, it is time to replace it while it is still in good working order.
Together with the funding from Foundation for Economic Development, the foundation is also allocating financial resources to this cause. Support is still needed to complete this project. For more information, contact Mr. Henk Schrijver, the treasurer, at h.schrijver@bonairelive.com.
Downtown Kralendijk Becomes a WiFi Hot Spot
TELBO, N.V., the telecommunication company of the island, launched Wi-Fi Internet service in downtown Kralendijk in May 2007. The service is especially convenient for tourists, as there are more than 15 hotspots from where Internet signals can be received on a laptop. This is just the beginning phase of launching Wi-Fi signals on-island; soon it will be possible to browse the net almost anywhere on the island. Prices to use the Wi-Fi service start at NAƒ5 for one hour of internet use and NAƒ50 for 15 hours of internet.
Bonaire to be Caribbean's First Self-Supporting Island with Sustainable Energy
EcoPower Bonaire BV has signed a contract with the Water and Energy Company of Bonaire (WEB Bonaire NV) to build a new wind turbine park. This is the first step in a wind/bio-diesel project that will provide the whole island with electricity by the end of 2008. It will drive energy prices down while at the same time reducing Bonaire's dependence on the fluctuating oil prices. The main objective of the first phase of the project is to gain experience with wind energy on Bonaire and to reduce short-term electricity costs. The final system design will rely on 40% of the total power requirement coming from wind. The remainder will be supplied with fuel oil, in the form of bio-diesel. By 2010, Bonaire will get all of its electrical energy from natural, renewable sources.
Bonaire WebCams Family Grows
A new Bonaire ReefCam™ has been installed in a protected area under the pier at Bonaire's Eden Beach Resort in about 5 feet of water, while the original ReefCam has been remounted and upgraded to now show views across the hull of the Bakanal, a sunken yacht located at a depth of approximately 60 feet. Additionally, a new Bonaire WebCam has been installed at Dive Friends Bonaire and features a view of their dock and the anchorage ocean-side promenade fronting their Kralendijk facility. The three land-based Bonaire WebCams located at the Eden Beach Resort have also been upgraded and re-cabled to provide long term use and viewing pleasure, joining three other land-based WebCams on Bonaire: the DonkeyCam, the WindsurfCam, and the DowntownCam. The WebCams can be viewed any time at www.BonaireWebCams.com.
Captain Don Celebrates 45th Anniversary on Bonaire
On Monday, May 21, 2007, Captain Don Stewart celebrated his 45th anniversary of his arrival to Bonaire. Captain Don Stewart, Bonaire's pioneer of marine conservation, was presented with a Diamond Ambassador Award from Tourism Corporation Bonaire to recognize his arrival on Bonaire 45 years ago and in thanks for pioneering Bonaire's tourism development, at the Monday Manager's Party at Captain Don's Habitat.
In 1962, Captain Don was sailing from Curacao with the intention of reaching Antigua. With only 63 cents and the papers for his boat in his pocket, Captain Don and First Mate Percy Sweetnam (from Aruba) arrived in Bonaire at 2:30 p.m. Shortly after his arrival, Captain Don played a pivotal role in developing Bonaire's tourism industry and developing Bonaire's marine parks in order to preserve the health and beauty of Bonaire's reef. For more information, interviews and photos of Captain Don, please contact Sarah Biggerstaff at sarah@adams-pr.com.
_Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean. Ideal for adventurers, explorers and sun-worshippers alike, Bonaire offers myriad eco-adventure activities including world renowned scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, landsailing, mountain biking, sea and mangrove kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, bird watching, sailing and deep sea and bone fishing. And with a selection of accommodations ranging from full-service oceanfront resorts and condominiums to guesthouses and small inns, Bonaire has something for every lifestyle and budget.
The U.S. State Department and the Department Homeland Security now requires all U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to carry a passport or other accepted secure documents to enter or re-enter the U.S. from vacations or business travel (by air or sea) anywhere in the Caribbean, including Bonaire.
For more information on Bonaire, contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S. at 1-800-BONAIRE._
