Bonaire is already seeing benefits from the new tourist tax.
Since the introduction of the tourist tax on July 1, 2022, the Public Body Bonaire (OLB) has generated an amount of $940,000 in income. The funds will be used for tourism-related projects that benefit the Bonaire community, such as infrastructure improvements, fisheries, etc. These projects are included in the 2022 budget.
In the coming period, OLB will conduct a thorough evaluation in collaboration with the tourism stakeholders regarding the operation of the new tourist tax. After this, the Executive Council will make proposals for improvement to the Island Council for amendments to the current bye-laws.
“One of the points for improvement is to prevent visitors, so-called ‘island hoppers’ who travel to another island for a few days, from having to pay the tax again when they return to Bonaire. This has never been the intention of the new tourist tax as we proposed it to the island council last year”, says deputy Hennyson Thielman.
Payment options
Due to the accelerated introduction of the new tourist tax, it is currently only possible to pay by credit card via the online system. In September, this will be expanded with iDEAL, PayPal, and other commonly used payment methods. Travelers who pay at the airport can pay with all types of credit and debit cards. Cash is not possible. The OLB emphasizes that the funds go directly into the bank account of the Finance Department of the OLB.
(Source: OLB)
