Bonaire opened with tourism figures for 2026 essentially the same as a year ago. This is consistent performance as the island adapts to the loss of one of its U.S. air routes.
According to preliminary data from Tourism Corporation Bonaire, the number of overnight visitors to the island in January 2026 was 18,606, compared to 18,598 in January 2025, an increase of only 0.04% year-on-year.
The difference is equivalent to 8 additional visitors. Results: January was flat.
Slowing growth due to changes in air defense
The January numbers come just weeks after JetBlue ended nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Bonaire Flamingo International Airport. The airline was taken out of the market effective January 3, eliminating year-round connections to the New York metro area at the height of the winter season.
January is one of the most active months for travel from the Caribbean to the United States, especially the Northeast. Eliminating non-stop routes in New York reduced seating capacity during peak demand periods.
The total number of arrivals did not decrease from year to year. But they also haven’t grown in any meaningful way.
With overall visitor numbers flat, attention will turn to how the island’s source markets performed and whether the U.S. sector has absorbed the impact of route losses.
The Netherlands remains a key market.
There were 9,004 visitors from the Netherlands in January, accounting for 48.4% of total stay traffic.
The United States attracted 5,000 visitors, accounting for 26.9% of total arrivals.
Curaçao accounted for 7.7% with 1,432 visitors. Canada generated 938 visitors (5%). Germany had 311 visitors, followed by Aruba with 239, Belgium with 206, Colombia with 135, the United Kingdom with 134, Switzerland with 113 and Brazil with 118.
Bonaire’s performance continues to be supported by Dutch demand, with almost half of all arrivals coming from the Netherlands. The sector remained strong in January, helping to avoid a sharp decline in total arrivals.
American Traveler: Vacation and Diving Focus
Among visitors to the United States, vacation was the primary travel purpose for 52.4% of arrivals. Diving accounted for 35.9%, reinforcing Bonaire’s longstanding position as a dedicated diving destination. Visiting friends or family was 3.1%.
Most U.S. visitors traveled with partners, followed by solo travelers. Almost half, 48.7%, stayed in hotels. Villas were 16.2%, apartments were 8.5%, personal property was 6.4%, and relatives’ houses were 5.8%.
The hardest-hit U.S. states were Florida, New York, California, Texas and North Carolina.
The age profile is older. Among visitors to the United States, visitors aged 65 or older accounted for 29.6%, and visitors aged 55 to 64 accounted for 27.7%. More than half of American visitors were over 55 years old.
With JetBlue no longer serving the New York route, domestic access now centers around American Airlines from Miami, Delta Air Lines from Atlanta, and United Airlines from Newark and Houston. Without JetBlue, it would eliminate a nonstop option in the New York area and reduce overall competition on that corridor.
Visitors to the Netherlands: Broad leisure needs
Travelers to the Netherlands mainly came for vacation purposes, accounting for 72.1% of arrivals to the Netherlands. Visiting friends or family accounted for 9.6%, and business trips accounted for 5.3%.
Most visitors to the Netherlands stayed in hotels: 46.4%. Apartments were 16.9%, relatives’ houses were 10.4%, villas were 7.1%, and personal assets were 4.5%.
The largest source areas included North Holland, South Holland, Gelderland, North Brabant and Utrecht.
Travelers aged 55-64 accounted for 26.7% of arrivals in the Netherlands, while travelers aged 25-34 accounted for 16.9%.
changing market
January data shows stability in total volume, but no measurable increase. The island avoided a decline despite non-stop losses in the United States earlier this month, suggesting Dutch demand and other markets helped offset changes in airlift volumes.
At the same time, the flat results highlight how closely Bonaire’s performance is tied to its core markets. Without new airlift additions or greater demand from young segments, growth remains limited.
There were 18,606 visitors in January. This is an increase of 8 people from the previous year.
