Tourism alarm from Craane raises questions: TCB figures show no decline

KRALENDIJK – The warning from UPB leader Jolinda Craane about an imminent sharp decline in tourism has raised questions, as the most recent figures from Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB) for the first five months of 2026 show no clear downward trend.

Craane stated on Thursday in a press release distributed by the UPB that Bonaire must prepare for a "serious decline" in tourism. According to her, the risk of a sharp downturn is real because too little has been invested in the sector in recent years. She points, among other things, to the loss of JetBlue flights and also expresses concern about the development of cruise tourism. She therefore calls for prompt consultations between the Executive Council and the tourism sector.

The official figures from Tourism Corporation Bonaire paint a different picture for now. In the period from January through May 2026, Bonaire received 90,428 stay-over visitors, compared to 89,920 in the same period a year earlier, a slight increase of 0.56 percent. The strong double-digit growth of previous years is no longer visible, but there is equally no sign of a notable decline. Of the five published months, four showed growth compared to 2025. Only April recorded a very modest dip of 0.4 percent.

For cruise tourism as well, the TCB monthly reports do not yet show a structural sharp decline. While monthly figures fluctuate, the published statistics do not currently support the tone of alarm struck in the press release.

Craane’s statements prompted critical reactions online. Various people questioned the basis of her analysis, while others pointed out that concerns about the longer term, such as air connections, marketing and Bonaire’s competitive position, are a different matter from an actual decline already visible in official figures.

Tourism Corporation Bonaire has so far not publicly responded to Craane’s statements.

Political leader?

Also noteworthy is that Craane signs the press release as ‘Líder Polítiko di UPB’. As far as publicly known, she was appointed as interim political leader of the party following the departure of the previous party leader. No public announcement has yet been made confirming her definitive appointment as political leader.