Miles Mercera is the new Director of Tourism Corporation Bonaire Photo Credit Tourism Corporation Bonaire
BONAIRE ANNOUNCES A NEW TOURISM LEADERSHIP TEAM
The Dutch Caribbean Island is Welcoming Visitors
Kralendijk, Bonaire: July 2021 – Bringing decades of experience in the global hospitality and tourism industry, Tourism Corporation Bonaire announces the appointment of Miles B M Mercera as Director. New to the role having led programs in both the private and public sectors, his focus is on business strategy, marketing, and brand and destination development. “It is a privilege to work alongside industry partners to continue to not only build on Bonaire’s reputation as a pristine, eco-conscious and welcoming destination, but to also enhance that image by showcasing the great strides the island has made in recent years in providing diverse culinary offerings, upscale accommodation options and elevated experiences,” Mercera said. “It is an exciting time to be in tourism, and, together with a dynamic team, I am eagerly anticipating the opportunities ahead.”
Colorful architecture dots Kralendijk, the capital city Photo Credit Tourism Corporation Bonaire
Most recently, Mercera was serving as an independent tourism professional via his consultancy firm, having stepped down from the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association to pursue a political role. He spent nearly 10 years with the private sector organization, the last four leading the charge as its President & CEO. Throughout his career, Mercera has been involved in various projects for the Ministry of Economic Development for the island of Curaçao, including management of the Level Playing field committee, with the aim to increase the collection of taxes from all accommodation providers including an Airbnb agreement; a role with the transition committee of the Curaçao Tourism Board to develop a recommendations report and implement a program for the transition to a Curaçao Tourism Authority; and participating in the Curaçao Airlift committee, with the aim to increase air service to the destination. A visionary, he also successfully transformed the hotel association to meet the expectation of the new era by implementing and developing a new strategy, team and way forward.
Bonaire Salt flats is home to the Flamingo Sanctuary Photo Credit Tourism Corporation Bonaire
Coincidentally, Mercera is not a stranger to Tourism Corporation Bonaire, as he spent two years with the organization early in his career as its Online Marketing & Product Development Executive before joining the hotel association in Curaçao as marketing and product advocate.
“I’m excited to be back in Bonaire, now with many more years served in the industry and a deep understanding for tourism in this region,” Mercera said. “My objective is to use my experience to place Bonaire in a position of growth by capitalizing on opportunities as we move into a new age in tourism.” Born in the Netherlands but raised on the ABC islands in the Dutch Caribbean, Mercera holds an Associate degree in hotel management from the Aruba Hotel School, a Bachelor’s degree in international hospitality and tourism management from the University of Curaçao, and a Master’s degree in consultancy and entrepreneurship from the Rotterdam Business School.
Dr. Robertico Croes is the newly appointed Tourism Strategist & Advisor Photo Credit Tourism Corporation Bonaire
On the heels of Bonaire appointing its new Director of Tourism, Miles Mercera, Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB) is also happy to announce the addition of Dr. Robertico R. Croes as its Tourism Strategist & Advisor. Dr. Croes, a Professor and the Associate Dean who also currently serves as the Director of the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, will bring over 40 years of tourism and foreign affairs experience to the role. “It’s an exciting time to contribute to the tourism strategy for Bonaire as the island looks to not only recover, but to also renew its positioning as a destination,” said Croes. “I’m honored to be able to lend my expertise to help lead Bonaire and its economy in a positive direction as it gains awareness in new segments.”
Diving and snorkeling are popular activities and among the finest in the world Photo Credit Bonaire Tourism via Facebook
His extensive background includes publishing four books about tourism management in warm-water island destinations, tourism and poverty reduction, the challenges facing small island destinations, and the application of demand models to a small economy. Croes will publish his fifth book, Small Island and Small Destination Tourism, in December 2021. Additionally, he has contributed to many more books, has issued over 130 published works, emitted more than 30 industry reports, and made presentations on these topics throughout the world, Croes has also consulted in numerous countries including Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Brazil, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Grenada, Italy, and the United States. Since receiving his doctorate from the University of Twente, the Netherlands, Croes has published countless articles in a variety of tourism journals and served on the editorial board of four. Croes is the recipient of the 2015 and 2018 Thea Sinclair Award, the 2015 UCF Research Incentive Award (RIA), 2015 Best Graduate Student Research Paper, presented at the 32nd International Association of Hospitality Financial Management Education Research Symposium. New York University, N.Y., November 7, 2015, and several other awards.
ABOUT BONAIRE
The world’s first Blue Destination, surrounded by shores renowned for unrivaled scuba diving as well as year round sunshine, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire is a blissful beach escape bursting with a history and culture as colorful as its architecture and tropical fish. Long recognized as a diver’s paradise, Bonaire’s renewed focus on celebrating its pristine ocean, abundant nature, and rich heritage, has helped evolve the destination into one of luxury, culture and adventure. Now home to a burgeoning culinary scene, the likes of Michelin star talent have anchored some new brilliant options for foodies on the island, while elevated accommodations from luxury villas to beachfront boutique hotels, are attracting a variety of sophisticated travelers from around the globe. Bonaire’s animal sanctuaries, National Parks and interesting landscapes, ranging from salt flat coastlines to cactus-filled stretches of desert, are a must visit for nature lovers. Abounding with outdoor activities such as kayaking, caving and kite surfing, the island is also a hotspot for adventure seekers ready to explore. As the destination continues to grow, the island’s sweeping conservation efforts go beyond the regeneration of its spectacular coral reefs, to include a commitment to the sustainable use of ocean resources and a pursuit of conscientious social and economic development, positioning Bonaire as one of the Caribbean’s most eco-friendly islands.
To learn more about Bonaire, please visit www.tourismbonaire.com or follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Bonairetourism, Twitter: @BonaireTourism, Instagram: @bonairetourism and YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BonaireTourismTCB.
