North American travel professionals experience Bonaire during a familiarization trip

Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB) recently welcomed travel professionals from the United States and Canada for a familiarization (FAM) trip designed to showcase the island’s diverse tourism offerings, from world-class accommodations and culinary experiences to nature, culture, adventure, and life on and around the water.

The group was hosted at Van der Valk Plaza Resort Bonaire from September 21–26 as part of Bonaire’s Annual Tourism Summit week. The FAM trip allowed participating travel professionals to experience the destination firsthand, meet with local tourism partners, and gain a deeper understanding of what Bonaire offers to travelers beyond its renowned diving.

Throughout the visit, the group explored different sides of the island, including Bonaire’s iconic southern salt landscapes, with stops at the salt flats, Pekelmeer, and Willemstoren. The northern portion of the island offered a different perspective, with visits to 1000 Steps, Gotomeer, Rincon, and The Cadushy Distillery.

A key component of the program was experiencing Bonaire’s diverse accommodations firsthand. The travel professionals visited Grand Windsock Dive & Beach Resort, The Bellafonte Bonaire, Delfins Beach Resort, Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort, Harbour Village Beach Club, Buddy Dive Resort, Habitat Bonaire Oceanfront Resort, Boutique Bonaire (Bamboo Bonaire), Sorobon Luxury Beach Resort, Boutique Hotel Wanapa, and Divi Flamingo Beach Resort. These visits gave them opportunities to meet property representatives, tour the accommodations, and learn more about the experiences available to future clients.

Food and hospitality were also key parts of the FAM experience. Participants enjoyed hosted meals at Delfins Beach Resort, Joe’s Restaurant, Buddy Dive Resort, Sorobon Luxury Beach Resort, and Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, as well as a beach dinner hosted by Van der Valk Plaza Resort Bonaire.

The group also had the opportunity to connect directly with Bonaire’s tourism industry during the Flash Flamingle Business Speed-Date Edition at Biña Restaurant, where visiting travel professionals held short one-on-one meetings with local tourism partners. The format allowed participants to learn directly from businesses about their products and services while creating new opportunities for future collaboration.

To experience Bonaire from the water, participants joined Epic Tours Bonaire for a Chill & Grill Catamaran Tour along the coast of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire. The experience included snorkeling with a professional guide, time to swim and relax, and dinner at sea while taking in the island’s coastline at sunset.

The FAM trip also connected the visiting professionals with the broader tourism conversation taking place on Bonaire during the Annual Bonaire Tourism Summit 2026. Held under the theme Everything Is Connected.

“Bringing travel professionals to Bonaire allows them to experience the destination in a way that cannot be fully captured in a presentation,” said Elesiër Angel, CEO of Tourism Corporation Bonaire. “We want our partners to experience firsthand the diversity of Bonaire, from our natural environment and culture to our culinary scene, accommodations, outdoor experiences, and the hospitality of our people. These firsthand experiences help them confidently introduce their clients to everything Bonaire has to offer.”

TCB extends its appreciation to all the local partners who contributed their time, hospitality, meals, activities, tours, and expertise to make the FAM trip possible. Special thanks go to Van der Valk Plaza Resort Bonaire, Grand Windsock Dive & Beach Resort, The Bellafonte, Delfins Beach Resort, Joe’s Restaurant, Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort, Biña Restaurant, Harbour Village Beach Club, Buddy Dive Resort, Habitat Bonaire Oceanfront Resort, Boutique Bonaire (Bamboo Bonaire), Sorobon Luxury Beach Resort, Boutique Hotel Wanapa, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, and Epic Tours for helping showcase the island and creating memorable experiences for the visiting professionals.

Through meaningful connections, firsthand experiences, and collaboration with local tourism partners, the FAM trip offered participants a closer look at the many ways travelers can experience Bonaire. TCB looks forward to continuing to strengthen relationships with travel professionals throughout North America and sharing the many sides of Bonaire with future visitors.