Bonaire Back to Business Following Tropical Storm Omar
Kralendijk, Bonaire -- (October 17, 2008) -- Bonaire located in the Dutch Caribbean, announces that after 48 hours of rain and heavy surf due to Tropical Storm Omar, the island remains open for business. Flamingo Airport Bonaire did not close and is fully operational with slight disruptions in flights. Hotels are operating and report minimal damage beyond beach erosion, trees down, standing water in low-lying areas and loss of planking on docks. A report on reef conditions pending receipt of data from the Bonaire Marine Park.
All roads are accessible and island-wide clean-up continues. Structural damages to public areas are being evaluated and technical assistance is already in place to repair their infrastures.
Lt. Governor Mr. Eddy Thielman indicated that he did not activate the highest level state of emergency, as all places on the island are accessible. The Lt. Governor also requested yesterday that all commercial services and tourism sectors resume their activities and reestablish normal operations.
Travelers who are scheduled to go to Bonaire in the next few days and have specific questions about airline schedules or hotel accommodations should contact their travel professionals, airlines and hotels directly for information.
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.
Bonaire is the recipient of the prestigious Islands Magazine/Caribbean Tourism Organization 2008 Sustainable Tourism Award and continues to be recognized as one of the top destinations worldwide for its sustainable tourism as reported by National Geographic Traveler magazine (March 2004) and Islands magazine (December 2007), and as one of the top diving destinations in the Atlantic/Caribbean for six years in a row in the Scuba Diving magazine's Readers' Choice Awards (2003-2008); and was designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as having the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean (January 2008).
For more information on Bonaire contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S. at 1-800-BONAIRE or visit Bonaire's official website at www.tourismbonaire.com.
Kralendijk, Bonaire -- (October 17, 2008) -- Bonaire located in the Dutch Caribbean, announces that after 48 hours of rain and heavy surf due to Tropical Storm Omar, the island remains open for business. Flamingo Airport Bonaire did not close and is fully operational with slight disruptions in flights. Hotels are operating and report minimal damage beyond beach erosion, trees down, standing water in low-lying areas and loss of planking on docks. A report on reef conditions pending receipt of data from the Bonaire Marine Park.
All roads are accessible and island-wide clean-up continues. Structural damages to public areas are being evaluated and technical assistance is already in place to repair their infrastures.
Lt. Governor Mr. Eddy Thielman indicated that he did not activate the highest level state of emergency, as all places on the island are accessible. The Lt. Governor also requested yesterday that all commercial services and tourism sectors resume their activities and reestablish normal operations.
Travelers who are scheduled to go to Bonaire in the next few days and have specific questions about airline schedules or hotel accommodations should contact their travel professionals, airlines and hotels directly for information.
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.
Bonaire is the recipient of the prestigious Islands Magazine/Caribbean Tourism Organization 2008 Sustainable Tourism Award and continues to be recognized as one of the top destinations worldwide for its sustainable tourism as reported by National Geographic Traveler magazine (March 2004) and Islands magazine (December 2007), and as one of the top diving destinations in the Atlantic/Caribbean for six years in a row in the Scuba Diving magazine's Readers' Choice Awards (2003-2008); and was designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as having the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean (January 2008).
For more information on Bonaire contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S. at 1-800-BONAIRE or visit Bonaire's official website at www.tourismbonaire.com.
