Bonaire, a captivating Caribbean island, is currently navigating a significant shift in its tourism landscape. While its allure continues to attract a growing number of visitors, the cost of lodging is on an upward trajectory. This evolving dynamic underscores the island's burgeoning popularity while also highlighting the inherent challenges of managing rapid growth within its hospitality sector.

The Escalation of Accommodation Costs in Bonaire

Bonaire, a jewel of the Caribbean, has witnessed a remarkable surge in its tourism sector over recent years. This increasing appeal, however, comes with a notable consequence: rising accommodation expenses. For travelers planning a visit in 2025, a stay on the island will likely be more costly than in previous years, reflecting a broader trend of price adjustments within the burgeoning tourism market.

Statistical insights from the Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association reveal a significant increase in the financial landscape of the island's hospitality industry. In the second quarter of the current year, average daily rates for hotels in Bonaire experienced an 11.5% uplift when compared to the same period in the preceding year. Furthermore, the revenue generated per available room (RevPAR) saw an even more pronounced increase, climbing by 13.4%. While occupancy rates registered a modest rise of 1.6%, these figures collectively paint a picture of a market where revenue growth is primarily driven by elevated pricing rather than a substantial influx of new bookings. This indicates a strategic shift by hoteliers to leverage higher rates to sustain profitability, even as the volume of guests experiences only moderate expansion. The CEO of BONHATA, Veroesjka de Windt, emphasizes that these statistics reflect both the sector's resilience in adapting to market demands and its underlying vulnerability to fluctuations in visitor numbers, as revenue generation becomes increasingly reliant on pricing strategies.

Navigating the Evolving Tourism Landscape

The latest data from Bonaire's tourism sector illustrates a scenario where the island's growing appeal is undeniably boosting its economic output, primarily through an upward adjustment of prices. This growth, while indicative of the island's success as a desirable destination, also prompts a closer examination of its capacity and the distribution of its increased visitation across its unique collection of accommodations.

Despite the substantial increases in hotel rates and revenue per available room, the relatively small increase in occupancy — just 1.6% — suggests a nuanced picture of the island's tourism development. While the total number of stayover visitors did see an increase, with approximately 45,000 arrivals in the second quarter of 2025, up from around 41,000 in the same period of 2024, the modest occupancy growth could be attributed to several factors. It might indicate an expansion in the overall supply of hotel rooms, allowing increased visitation to be spread across a wider array of properties. Alternatively, visitors may be opting for longer stays, thereby increasing overall visitor days without drastically altering daily occupancy percentages. Bonaire distinguishes itself with a diverse portfolio of accommodations, predominantly featuring smaller, more intimate boutique hotels. This unique lodging landscape, coupled with the island's emerging reputation as a vibrant culinary hotspot, contributes to its distinct appeal. As the island continues to flourish as a tourist destination, understanding these complex dynamics becomes crucial for sustainable growth and for ensuring that Bonaire remains an attractive option for future travelers.