dvrliz1
Guest
Bill,
Fortunately, we are holding our own. I think the fact that our price point is less than the waterfront property (much less!) we are giving divers an opportunity to take those much needed dive vacations, so that is good.
The big thing we are hearing on the island is it is REALLY quiet, and and businesses expected to start seeing some kind of recovery, based on the news reports. I have to tell you though, this past week we have been seeing a tremendous drop in rental vehicles driving around and the restaurants are very quiet.
Ancillary spending is way down on the island. People who are coming to Bonaire are paying the airfare, hotel, dive package, truck, taxes, and not much more. Our apartments have full kitchens and we are DEFINITELY seeing them cooking in much more. A lot of them are opting to go out to dinner once, maybe twice, then eat in the rest of the time.
I can tell you this, Ed and I used to go out to dinner a couple of times a week, now, as a plan option that something drastically might happen, for safety reasons, we are really cutting back personally as well. Dinner once a month, no mini vacations to Aruba or Curacao, hanging out at the beaches here for the day, bringing sandwiches and drinks...
Fortunately, we are holding our own. I think the fact that our price point is less than the waterfront property (much less!) we are giving divers an opportunity to take those much needed dive vacations, so that is good.
The big thing we are hearing on the island is it is REALLY quiet, and and businesses expected to start seeing some kind of recovery, based on the news reports. I have to tell you though, this past week we have been seeing a tremendous drop in rental vehicles driving around and the restaurants are very quiet.
Ancillary spending is way down on the island. People who are coming to Bonaire are paying the airfare, hotel, dive package, truck, taxes, and not much more. Our apartments have full kitchens and we are DEFINITELY seeing them cooking in much more. A lot of them are opting to go out to dinner once, maybe twice, then eat in the rest of the time.
I can tell you this, Ed and I used to go out to dinner a couple of times a week, now, as a plan option that something drastically might happen, for safety reasons, we are really cutting back personally as well. Dinner once a month, no mini vacations to Aruba or Curacao, hanging out at the beaches here for the day, bringing sandwiches and drinks...
There still IS an economy out there somewhere? Wouldn't know it from the visitor counts here on the island. DVD sales have dropped to the lowest levels ever despite my having 20 titles available now.
Plans to travel to places like the Red Sea, Philippines, South America and Bonaire all on hold until my local bank builds up enough deposits to make robbing it worthwhile.
Good thing I live in a world class dive destination.