By Larry Friedman (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 10:52 am: |
I recently heard that some of the properties are going to be charging a $7.50 per room night energy surcharge. This is due to the rising energy costs on Bonaire. This surcharge is supposed to be on your room bill at time of check out. I would like to hear from anyone who has already experienced this and what properties are doing this.
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By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #690) on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 12:29 pm: |
Sorry, can't answer your specific question but wanted to pass this information on.....
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By T-Shirt Divers John and Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #269) on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 12:57 pm: |
Yes. This is true. We paid it @ the Divi starting Oct.1. I think all the hotels are doing it. The energy costs have doubled so the hotels are passing on the cost.
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By andrew hamilton (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #104) on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 5:31 pm: |
Interesting. I started a thread some time ago about the impact of the ever increasing oil price on Boanaire, but it was rather side-tracked into a discussion of Mr Chavez of Venuezuela and the rather strong attitudes of some against him.
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By Menno de Bree (BonaireTalker - Post #32) on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 6:34 pm: |
Not all hotels do this. Maybe you can just ask the hotel where you will be staying if they are going to do so and what that charge will be.
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By The Ginocchio's @ Golden Reef Inn (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #884) on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 6:48 pm: |
I have to second Menno, not all are doing it. I highly suggest that when you contact accommodations you ask if they are charging the surcharge. This way you will know what you are going to be charged prior to arriving. This will help you plan your holiday accordingly. There is also a note in Flotsam and Jetsam about the WEB (Water and Electric Bureau) in the Bonaire Reporter, and about alternative power options, if anyone is interested in checking it out.
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By Larry Friedman (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 11:43 am: |
T-Shirt,
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By John P. Wahlig (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #196) on Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 1:00 pm: |
Will shops also be adding a energy surcharge to each purchase? When I get ice cream, will they tack on an extra $1?
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #429) on Friday, October 14, 2005 - 7:30 pm: |
I think we'll all notice many price increases soon, if not already. Shops, markets, restaurants, etc, have the flexibility of being able to adjust prices more rapidly because we haven't pre-sold vacation packages at what now might be unreasonably low prices. Though there's only so much the market can absorb; I'm sure I'm not alone with the dilemma of how much to raise prices or change my menu mix, etc, to accommodate my huge costs due to the world fuel prices, that affect every aspect of life on an island where everything has to be shipped in. Between the increased shipping costs, and WEB-YIKES. I'm still in shock at having written a cheque to WEB (water/power co.) today for 11k fls (over $6k) for September's bills (double compared to just 4 mos ago). And that's just for KFC, not our house.
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By andrew hamilton (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #105) on Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 5:00 am: |
Thanks for that input Ruth, very interesting. I think its fair to say that smaller, poorer nations will disproportionately feel the pain of rising energy costs (witness reports from other nations in Central America, such as Nicaragua), and when the nations concerned are small islands which are effectively 95% import dependent the problem is even worse. To then further compound the problem - Bonaire's main revenue earner is tourism which is an extremely price sensitive commodity; if the island was to become progressively more expensive a vicious cycle could be set up with increasing prices cutting the tourist take etc. Other islands in the Carribean stand to suffer to a greater or lesser extent of course, but I do think Bonaire is uniquely exposed to these problems. I am sure business people on the island must be minded to ensure the administration takes the problem very seriously; and if the supporters of peak oil theory are correct then this is really only the beginning of the energy surge. Time for the island to think urgently about the place of renewables in its energy mix, or to do deals to ensure oil supplies can be maintained at reasonable prices in the short term.
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By Alan (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 1:20 pm: |
Just wonder how this happens with a group trip and a contract? I'm not sure all our folks will appreciate an added cost when they think they are paid in full. There is no "surcharge" exception stated in any paperwork. I can understand costs going up, but.....
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #14978) on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 6:31 pm: |
Alan, if you have a group contract already going, and have paid, or are about to pay, I would find out what the status is at the resort you are staying at. I stayed at Belmar for 3 nights a couple weeks ago and there was no extra charge, so not everyone is doing it at this point.
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By pat murphy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #282) on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 7:56 pm: |
i do know of some resorts as well as people who rent out thier houses and condos who might add a surcharge for leaving the airco on all day. most of the time it's not needed and it is an extra expense. but i haven't heard of anyone adding a charge just because their normal costs from WEB have gone up. some might, i just haven't heard of them.
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By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #215) on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 7:59 pm: |
Do these surcharges apply to already booked all-in packages? I'm at BelMar in February with a pre-paid package.
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By Jake Richter - NetTech (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5663) on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 10:45 am: |
Pat,
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #14981) on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 12:46 pm: |
Jake, can WEB charge whatever they want? Increase rates whenever they want? I guess I'll not complain about my last electric bill which was double ($188.00) what it normally is ($95.00).
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #14982) on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 12:48 pm: |
Sue, having just stayed at Belmar, and had prepaid my room, there were no extra charges.
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By Jake Richter - NetTech (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5665) on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 1:28 pm: |
You sleep 9 hours a day? Whoa! :-)
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #14990) on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 1:32 pm: |
Jake, at least 9! I have always needed a lot of sleep...LOL!
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By pat murphy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #285) on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 5:51 pm: |
cyn....i know what you do....9 hours of hard sleep followed by 15 hours of hard play...then repeat. keep it up.
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #14998) on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 7:34 pm: |
Pat, you got it!
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By veronique ammon (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 11:04 am: |
When I was on the island I just wondered why the solar energy is not taken as an option. I couldn't see any of it on the island... or am I wrong and they are well hidden?
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By John Hines (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 3:59 pm: |
I just received a proposal through Maduro for Captain Don's. They are charging $12 per night per unit for fuel surcharge. They also increased the 7-day package rate they offered us on 10/28/05 by $52 pp on 11/01/05. Things must be getting bad very fast!
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By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15171) on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 5:53 pm: |
Veronique, I have a friend on the island who has been installing solar energy panels on houses...the problem is, 1. It's expensive shipping them to bon...2. having someone who knows what they are doing installing them...
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By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2213) on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 6:18 pm: |
With the rate of electricity price increases, even expensive panels could be amortized in a reasonable time.
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By Cynde Lee (Moderator) (Moderator - Post #35) on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 6:30 pm: |
To clarify on John's post, I just received this information (and I assure you it's accurate). Captain Don's, Divi, and Plaza have introduced "energy surgcharges."
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