Bonaire Tourism strengthens positioning at Seatrade 2026

Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB), in collaboration with the Public Entity of Bonaire, participated in Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, held last week in Miami Beach, Florida.

As part of the ABC Islands delegation alongside Aruba and Curaçao, Bonaire showcased its distinct positioning within a unified Caribbean presence. This collaboration continues to strengthen the islands’ collective visibility while allowing each destination to highlight its unique value within the global cruise landscape.

Bonaire was represented by Elesiër Angel, CEO of TCB, and Günther Flanegin, Harbor Master of Bonaire, together with a delegation of on-island stakeholders, including tour operators.

Throughout the event, the delegation engaged in targeted meetings with cruise line executives, experts, and itinerary planners, focusing on aligning future cruise calls with Bonaire’s strategic direction. Discussions centered on maintaining a balanced approach to cruise tourism, prioritizing quality, sustainability, and alignment with the island’s carrying capacity and community values.

Against this backdrop, the global cruise industry continues to demonstrate strong growth and resilience. In 2025, approximately 37 million passengers worldwide took a cruise, representing a 7.5% increase compared to 2024. The United States remains the largest source market, accounting for 55% of global demand with 20.6 million cruise passengers. The Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda continue to be the leading cruise region globally, welcoming 16.27 million passengers, or 44% of total global cruise traffic, marking an 8.4% increase year-over-year. Notably, cruise loyalty remains high, with 90% of passengers indicating their intention to cruise again.

Participation in Seatrade Cruise Global remains a key platform for Bonaire to reinforce its positioning as a high-value, low-impact destination, while strengthening long-term partnerships within the cruise industry.

“Our presence at Seatrade is not about growth for the sake of growth,” said Elesiër Angel, CEO of TCB. “It is about ensuring that cruise tourism contributes meaningfully to Bonaire’s economy, while protecting the very elements that define us, our nature, our culture, and our community. We are focused on building the right partnerships that align with this vision.”