III. L A OBLIGACIÓN INTERNACIONAL DE PROTECCIÓN DEL ESTADO RECEPTOR DE LA INVERSIÓN
5. La prohibición de expropiar injustificadamente
Through interviews with several stakeholders in the area information is gathered about what the opinion is about the current number of entrepreneurs in the area, and whether the area could use more development, more facilities or perhaps less of those.
Maarten de Groot, manager of the Beach Hut, thinks that the current quantity of tourism on Bonaire is enough and should not be extended to further levels. He has a positive opinion about the current
rules in the Lac area about not allowing more constructions. He believes that people visit Lac Bay for the current scenery, developing the area would change this view.
Elly Albers, Mangrove Info & Activity Centre, is against more development in the Lac Bay area. Only this would be an unrealistic aim, since entrepreneurs are always looking for ways to make money. It has to be remembered though, that tourism on Bonaire exists because of the nature, thus this should be maintained.
Harry van den Ouweelen, manager of Sorobon Beach Resort, tells that people visit Lac Bay for the scenery and tranquillity. By developing the area and facilities short term profit can be made, but in the end this will exceed the carrying capacity, destroy the original nature and drive out the tourists who came for this. He thinks that development is possible, but only with the present number of entrepreneurs, they have to develop only their own property and this should be done in line with nature.
Martin and Miriam van Bekkum, owners of Kontiki Beach Club, mention that people visit Lac to enjoy the nature, they often have guests visiting Bonaire multiple times because they love the area so. Development is ok, providing that this is done in an eco-friendly way. Expanding the current number of facilities or entrepreneurs should not be done; the area has reached its maximum. Educational development would be a good idea, information signs and trails through the mangroves or watch towers.
Christine van Dijk, owner of the Jibe City Beach Bar together with Willem van Dijk, is not in favour of more development in the area. She likes the scenery as it is now, and believes that this is what attracts the tourists.
Robert and Monique van Berkel, owners of Jibe City, are realistic about them being entrepreneurs and hereby development of their company is desirable. They try to do this as much as possible in accordance with nature. They say the current number of entrepreneurs in the area is in good balance.
Elvis Martinus, owner of The Windsurf Place, would not like to see more entrepreneurs in the area. He claims that it would be too difficult to make more money out of the area, also the pressure on nature would become too high. In the years developing The Windsurf Place he has always tried to do this as much as possible in line with nature, this should always be done.
4.2.4 Answer to sub question
From the results of the question if people would like to see more / less / just as many or it does not
matter how many beach visitors at the time of questioning, associated with the actual number of
beach visitors at that time, it can be concluded that most people answer with ‘just as many’. For respondents to choose the option ‘More’, the maximum number of beach visitors is close to 250. The number of beach visitors starts overreaching social carrying capacity from about 250; with higher numbers respondents do not answer they would like to see more visitors. From 401-500 beach visitors majority of respondents is of the opinion the social carrying capacity is over reached. The social carrying capacity for Lac Bays Sorobon peninsular lies here for at a maximum of 500 beach visitors, people start to feel uncomfortable with higher numbers than 250.
This value for respondents to answer ‘Just as many’ is close to 300. Based on this, it can be concluded that the social carrying capacity based on user opinions, lies around a maximum of 300 beach visitors at the same time on the Sorobon peninsular of Lac Bay.
All facilities are according to the majority (at least 61,7%) of the respondents of the questionnaire in adequate amount, no more or less is necessary. The facilities wherefore respondents answer ‘prefer more’ in highest amounts are shading (30,3%) and toilets (18,9%).The facilities wherefore
respondents answer mostly ‘enough’ are parking (87,4%) and Restaurants / Bars (77%). Based on this it can be concluded that no more facilities are very necessary, least to be expanded is the parking availability. The one facility to expand would be to offer more shading on the beach, more umbrellas, (palm) trees or huts. Based on the number of facilities the social carrying capacity according to respondents of the questionnaire is at a good balance.
Looking at the results from the question whether people think tourism in Lac Bay is a threat to its environment with the number of visitors at the time of asking, it appears that people think tourism in Lac Bay is harmful when the visitor numbers reach over 410.
The majority of the interviewed stakeholders agree that Lac Bay is an extraordinary habitat, and that tourism exists here for the area and nature as it is now, with this number of facilities, entrepreneurs and visitors. According to the interviewed stakeholders the social carrying capacity is at a good balance at the moment, and should not be exceeded more.