The Caribbean island of Curaçao has achieved a significant milestone by welcoming its 500,000th overnight visitor this year.
The Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) announced that from January 1, 2023, to the present, the island has seen a record-breaking number of 501,313 stayover visitors. This figure surpasses the total of 489,558 visitors recorded in 2022 and marks a new high in the island’s tourism history.
This year’s achievement is not a standalone event. Curaçao has consistently broken records in attracting stayover visitors from its top markets, including the United States, Brazil, Canada, and Colombia. The combined inflow from these countries has propelled the island to reach over half a million stayover guests for the first time.
To commemorate this historic achievement, the CTB, in collaboration with Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP), organized a special celebration for arriving passengers at Hato International Airport on November 20th. The Minister of Economic Development, Mr. Ruisandro Cijntje, personally greeted visitors at the airport, underscoring the importance of this event for the island.
Minister Cijntje expressed his gratitude and emphasized the collective efforts behind this success: “Today’s remarkable achievement stands as a testament: when we unite our efforts, we can achieve the extraordinary. Gratitude extends to all stakeholders and the dedicated tourism industry workers for their commitment in making this significant milestone a reality.”
The surge in Curaçao’s tourism can be attributed to several key factors. The island has seen an expansion in year-round flights, particularly from the US and Canada, with increased or new services offered by airlines like JetBlue, Air Canada, Delta, WestJet, United, and American. This improved connectivity has made Curaçao more accessible to a broader range of travelers.
Moreover, the island has been enhancing its appeal with new and renovated hotel accommodations, along with elevated island experiences. These developments are attracting more travelers and supporting the growing demand. Concurrently, the CTB remains committed to its Strategic Tourism Destination Development Plan, which focuses on responsible and sustainable tourism growth. The plan aims to enrich the experience for visitors while positively impacting the local community.
Curaçao’s recent tourism success is a clear indicator of its growing appeal as a premier Caribbean destination. With its unique blend of cultural experiences, beautiful landscapes, and improved accessibility, the island is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory in the global tourism market.
