“Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take ya…” The classic Beach Boys tale of an ethereal Caribbean paradise by the name of Kokomo is one that has inspired countless people to leave their lives behind and escape to a place where the weather is warm and the drinks are cold. In places like Aruba, this exodus translates into a flurry of tourists and part-time residents—a staggering 1.2 million tourists, to be exact.
This, in turn, has created significant economic benefits for islanders. It is estimated that the sector generates more than 90 percent of the island’s GDP. Yet this growth has come at a price. Academic research has shown that Aruba experiences the second-highest tourism intensity globally, putting a strain on local services, prices, and infrastructure. At the same time, Aruba’s sister island Curaçao is facing some of these same anxieties.
One way an outside observer can see this phenomenon is by visiting the website of one of the islands’ main airlines, such as Divi Divi Air or Z Air (formerly EZ Air). At the height of the peak season, travelers may find that they have to book a flight many weeks in advance if they wish to make their way between the ABC islands without taking a cruise ship.
This capacity shortage exists partly because the airlines rely on small, approximately 20-seat turboprop aircraft, but also because flying such short distances with anything much larger is economically impractical. The problem is compounded by the fact that a ferry service connecting these islands—a distance of only about 120 kilometers (70 miles) in the case of Aruba and Curaçao—does not currently exist.
This situation must be particularly frustrating for island residents who wish to travel for non-tourism purposes.
For the last decade, the governments of these island nations have been discussing plans to change this situation by introducing a new ferry service linking Aruba and Curaçao. Yet at the end of July, the Curaçao Chronicle confirmed that the future of the project was uncertain because of a setback in the tender process. It appears that all proposals came in at least 20 percent above the intended price.
I urge officials to move forward with the project nonetheless. The introduction of a catamaran-style ferry system with room for 300 to 400 passengers, operating in conjunction with existing air services, could help ease capacity constraints while increasing the number of travel options available to residents and visitors.
While it may seem obvious, I should state that I support this project for reasons that go far beyond simple technical limitations.
I recently visited the island nation of Dominica. There, I was pleasantly surprised to see the existence of a ferry network linking four islands in the Lesser Antilles: Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and St. Lucia.
This system addresses one of the most important gaps affecting the livability of Caribbean countries: the infrastructure deficit. Yet it has also accomplished something else. It has connected islanders in a way that is still lacking in many other parts of the Caribbean.
While no statistics appear to exist on the ratio of tourists to local passengers aboard the L’Express des Îles ferry, my observation from traveling on the service was that these vessels carry significant numbers of both, including many local business owners.
It is my belief that such a system for the ABC islands—and yes, I am suggesting that Bonaire be given serious consideration as part of this system—could do something similar for the Leeward Islands. It could create stronger and more resilient economic and social links between Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.
As for us tourists, I believe a ferry service could encourage us to stay on the islands—and to stay longer.
I, for one, have no need to take a cruise to visit these islands. I want to enjoy them at my own pace, spend more time in their communities, and patronize local businesses.
A reliable ferry connection between the ABC islands would not simply provide another means of transportation. It could expand capacity, improve mobility for residents, encourage longer stays by visitors, and strengthen the economic and social connections among three islands that are geographically close but remain surprisingly difficult to travel between.
That is why capacity is the name of the game—and why an ABC islands ferry is an idea worth pursuing.
Desmond Mills is an engineer, aspiring historian and world traveller. He is interested in urban issues, politics and culture.