Long known as a paradise for scuba divers, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire has now been certified as a Culinary Capital by the World Travel Food Association (WFTA). It is the second destination in the Caribbean to qualify for the honour (after Grenada).

Through the program, the WFTA, a non-profit organization recognized as the world’s leading authority on food and beverage tourism, vets destinations based on their scores across five culinary criteria: culture, strategy, promotion, community and sustainability.

The program was launched to give food lovers confidence to travel to new and unexpected food and beverage destinations by assessing, certifying, and promoting places that showcase their unique gastronomy and culinary culture to visitors.

“I loved reading Bonaire’s application because it opened up a rich culinary culture that we knew nothing about before,” said Erik Wolf, WFTA’s Executive Director and Founder. “Now the rest of the world will begin to hear more about the fantastic food and beverage products and experiences that this destination offers.”

The collaboration between both the island’s public and private sectors, along with the support of Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association (BONHATA), was instrumental in bringing the Culinary Capital certification process to fruition.

“This certification is a great boost for Bonaire and all the hardworking professionals who have put the diverse culinary culture of our small island on the map in recent years,” said Tourism Corporation Bonaire’s CEO Miles B. M. Mercera.

“It’s also an important step in our overall vision to develop and promote our gastronomic scene along with other island experiences that go beyond the fantastic diving we’ve always been known for,” he added.

Now home to a burgeoning culinary scene, Bonaire boasts brilliant new options for foodies on the island, ranging from chef’s tables to food trucks, while elevated accommodations from luxury villas to beachfront boutique hotels, are attracting a variety of sophisticated travellers from around the globe.

Launched in 2001, WFTA provides professional programs and services to 200,000 professionals in 150+ countries. The Culinary Capitals program was launched in mid-2021 to help lesser-known culinary destinations recover economically from the pandemic. The unique program is now gaining momentum, as more culinary destinations around the world are becoming aware of it.