Bonaire today announces that it is the recipient of the prestigious Islands Magazine/Caribbean Tourism Organization 2008 Sustainable Tourism Award. The Island was awarded the honor in recognition of their longstanding commitment and leadership role in marine conservation and for their proactive measures in protecting the marine environment.

The award was presented by Mr. Ty Sawyer, the Editorial Director for Islands, during an awards luncheon at the 10th Annual Sustainable Tourism Conference in Turks and Caicos. Bonaire’s Lieutenant Governor Herbert Domacasse accepted the award on behalf of the Island and was accompanied by Mrs. Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, Director of Tourism and Elsmarie Beukenboom, Director of STINAPA.

“Bonaire is particularly gratified by this honor as our commitment to preserving and protecting the environment is a deeply held Bonairean belief and guiding principal behind our tourism policy,” said Lieutenant Governor Herbert Domacasse. “We especially thank Bonaire's visitors, who continue to support our community and inspire us to remain leaders in sustainable tourism.”

The Sustainable Tourism Award recipient was selected by a panel of judges from Islands Magazine and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), who reviewed all of the entries submitted by CTO member countries. Last year, three of Bonaire's eco-programs were honored in the Islands Magazine Hot 100 Blue List, and in 1994 the Bonaire National Marine Park won the Islands Magazine Ecotourism Award.

Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean.