Dark skies as a business model: Bonaire crowns first Tourism Business Academy winner
KRALENDIJK – Jeanny Sint Jago won the first edition of the BONHATA Tourism Business Academy Final Pitch on June 20 and will receive USD 10,000 in support to launch her nighttime stargazing experience on Bonaire. An independent jury at the Chamber of Commerce in Kralendijk selected her project from five proposals submitted by six graduates.
The Academy is a seven-week entrepreneurship programme developed by BONHATA and KvK Bonaire, aimed at increasing the share of local ownership in Bonaire’s tourism sector. The programme is based on the KvK Academy format and an RVO curriculum, adapted to the local context, and equips entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools needed to set up viable tourism businesses.
Eleven modules, seven weeks, five concepts
Eight participants completed eleven training modules covering topics such as marketing, CRM, financing, and business plan development. Six of them advanced to the final, where they presented their concept live for the first time. The jury, comprising representatives from KvK Bonaire, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, Grand Windsock Bonaire, and Dive Friends Bonaire, assessed the pitches on innovation, feasibility, relevance, and clarity.
The winning concept
Sint Jago’s proposal is to offer structured stargazing experiences, making use of Bonaire’s dark skies, free from artificial light sources. The jury selected her project as the strongest entry. Following the announcement, all six finalists received their certificate during a ceremony at the Delfins Beach Resort Event Center.
Acknowledgements
BONHATA thanks main sponsor Grand Windsock Bonaire, partner KvK Bonaire, and sponsors Delfins Beach Resort, Dive Friends Bonaire, and Epic Tours for their contribution to the first edition of the programme.
