Hi All,

National Geographic have compiled a report on the Islands of the world are managing the impact of tourism.

See this link for the overall report:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html

See this link for the report on the caribbean and of course Bonaire's rating:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands_caribbean.html

Thanks for posting Sharon. Excellent article!

Great article, but it point to the main problem Bonaire is facing, the sewage issue. Hopefully they will get something done about it someday soon. Does anyone have a status report on the waste treatment facility due to be built?

When you read all of the Caribbean entries and see the "downfall" of a lot of them it seems to be connected to too many cruise liners taking over the island. Shame....cb

Bonaire can still remain on the high side of the scoring scale if they remain vigilant and keep things in line....to include the folks in authority who are seeking mass tourism via cruise liners.

Sharon

Thanks a timely post and as Carole points out the dangers of cruise liners to the future of the islands.

Read how Anguilla rated and their comments on cruise ships.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands_caribbean.html

Amen, Ann.

I'd be curious to hear TCB's response to the statement that "Bonaire is poised to become over developed." The consistent argument from the TCB is that they do not intend to become another Cozumel or Grand Cayman when it comes to cruise ships. I assume this is independent source who does not have an agenda, so how does the TCB and the government continue to defend its position in the face of this report? (I've had several email responses from the TCB claiming they do not intend to induce mass tourism.)

If the cruise ships get in its just a matter of time , they are a curse of the environment . Try to stop them before they get their piers in . The dive community is probably more beneficial to locals than cruise corporations will ever be .Lloyd

Great link Sharon, thanks for posting!

We were in Cozumel this past Spring, and had the misfortune to be in town on a day with two huge cruise ships. It was awful. A real nightmare.

I wonder how much money these people spend? Is it enough to justify the cost of the pier, along with everything else? It just seems the cruise ship people were looking for cheap-cheaper-cheapest deals on everything. Certainly the people who come and stay are much preferred customers, no?

Sharon,
Thanks for the link. Very interesting.