Bonaire, the Dutch Caribbean island, has a new government, and it’s already making waves in the tourism industry. The tiny country has a problem: it’s a really popular destination, and it doesn’t have enough hotels to meet the demand. New Bonaire Tourism Corporation CEO Erika Geelhoed has a solution: she’s convinced the islands’s shallow waters are perfect for underwater hotels.
The Bonaire Tourism Corporation (BTC) is the government-owned entity in Bonaire responsible for the promotion of Bonaire as a tourist destination. On Wednesday, 22 October, the BTC announced the appointment of Jerry J. Easterling (R) as CEO and Brian Parish (L) as Executive VP. The BTC is the parent of the Bonaire Cruises, Bonaire Airport, Bonaire Tours, Bonaire Destination, Bonaire Airport Shuttle, and Bonaire Airport Shuttle.
Bonaire, a tiny island in the Caribbean Sea, is the only Caribbean island to offer visa-free access to US citizens. The island’s limited size is actually a key reason that it is such a popular vacation spot with US visitors.. Read more about bonaire travel restrictions and let us know what you think.
Bonaire’s Tourism Corporation announced the appointments of Miles Mercera as director of tourism and Robertico R. Croes, M.D. as tourism strategist and adviser earlier this month. The duo brings decades of expertise in the global hospitality and tourism, as well as international affairs, to their respective positions.
“It’s an honor to work alongside industry partners to not only maintain Bonaire’s reputation as a pristine, eco-conscious, and welcoming destination, but also to enhance that image by highlighting the island’s recent progress in providing diverse culinary offerings, upscale lodging options, and elevated experiences,” Mercera said.
Mercera most recently worked as an independent tourism consultant via his consulting company after resigning from the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association to pursue a political career. He worked for the private sector firm for almost ten years, the final four as its president and CEO. Mercera has worked on a variety of projects for the Ministry of Economic Development on the island of Curaçao, including a role with the Curaçao Tourism Board’s transition committee to develop a recommendations report and implement a program for the transition to a Curaçao Tourism Authority; and participation in the Curaçao Airlift Committee to increase air service.
Mercera is no stranger to Tourism Corporation Bonaire, having worked there for two years as an internet marketing and product development executive early in his career before joining the hotel association in Curaçao as a marketing and product advocate.
Dr. Robertico R. Croes
Dr. Croes was hired as tourism strategist and adviser shortly after Bonaire selected its new head of tourism. He is a professor and assistant dean of the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, as well as the director of the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies.
“It’s an exciting moment to be a part of Bonaire’s tourism strategy, as the island seeks to not only recover, but also revitalize its status as a destination,” Croes added.
His background includes publishing four books about tourism management in warm-water island destinations, tourism and poverty reduction, the challenges facing small island destinations, and the application of demand models to a small economy. Croes will publish his fifth book, Small Island and Small Destination Tourism, in December 2021. Additionally, he has contributed to many more books, has issued over 130 published works, emitted more than 30 industry reports, and made presentations on these topics throughout the world, Croes has also consulted in numerous countries, including Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Brazil, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Grenada, Italy and the United States.
Visit www.tourismbonaire.com.
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The Board of Directors of Bonaire Tourism Corporation (Bonaire) has announced that they have appointed the following individuals to their Boards of Directors:. Read more about bonaire travel restrictions november 2020 and let us know what you think.
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