KRALENDIJK- Bonaire ranks as one of the most tourism-reliant islands in the Caribbean, with a staggering 58% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024 stemming from direct tourist spending. This places the island second only to Aruba in the region in terms of tourism’s share of the economy, according to recent economic analysis.
A comparison of available data from 2019 shows that most other Caribbean nations, including the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and Curaçao, had significantly lower tourism-to-GDP ratios. Only Aruba, with 62.1%, exceeded Bonaire’s level of dependence.
The analysis, compiled by Economisch Bureau Amsterdam on behalf of the Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association (BONHATA), highlights the economic vulnerability that comes with such reliance, particularly for smaller economies like Bonaire, which also import a larger share of the goods and services sold to visitors. This makes the island both economically exposed and logistically dependent on external markets.
Diversification and planning
As tourism continues to play a central role in Bonaire’s economy, the findings may prompt renewed attention to diversification and long-term resilience planning.
