A mix of unrelated elements has propelled the beautiful Caribbean island of Curaçao onto the radar of American vacationers since summer season 2022—and the development exhibits no indicators of slowing down.
In August, the Dutch island reported a 24 p.c improve in U.S. guests, welcoming 14,703 arrivals—the very best progress of any section for Curaçao, in keeping with information from the native Vacationer Board.
By October, the island recorded 12,544 arrivals from the United States, marking a 20 p.c rise in comparison with the ten,483 who visited throughout the identical interval the earlier yr.
To summarize, Curacao recorded 53,234 in a single day guests final month, reflecting an 11% improve in arrivals throughout completely different nationalities.
The Curaçao Vacationer Board additionally reported a noticeable uptick in households with youngsters, preferring to benefit from the island over the weekend.
This sample would possibly clarify why 74% of American vacationers are choosing all-inclusive resorts as their most well-liked sort of lodging.
“Most American guests (74%) most well-liked resort resorts, whereas 26% opted for different sorts of lodging. On common, guests from the USA stayed for five.8 nights, with most vacationers coming from New York, Florida, New Jersey, Texas, and Georgia.”
The Netherlands, Curaçao’s mainland, stays its second-most essential supply market. Final month, 20,114 Dutch nationals flew to the island, a 16% improve in comparison with 17,395 arrivals recorded in the identical month in 2023.
As soon as once more, Colombia emerges as one of many fastest-growing markets for Caribbean islands, with an 11% rise in guests in comparison with October 2023, totaling 3,914 arrivals final month.
“Thus far Curaçao welcomed 566,827 stayover arrivals, 23,730 day-trippers and 627,395 cruise passengers, welcoming a complete of 1,217,952 arrivals from January by means of October 2024, a 23% improve in comparison with the identical interval final yr,“ stated the Tourism Board.
This fairly optimistic development stems from the collaborations between the Board of Tourism, the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Affiliation, and native authorities, who’ve anticipated a powerful Christmas season and an equally excellent 2025.
“Curaçao’s tourism trade exhibits stable stability in 2024, with the strategic effort to remain constant in creating consciousness in its principal markets of focus. This progress highlights the island’s success in creating demand by displaying its choices to return “Really feel it for your self”,” reads the most recent Curacao Tourist Board press launch.
So, What’s Driving Individuals’ Rising Curiosity in Visiting Curaçao?
Recognized for its wealthy historical past, blended European and Caribbean tradition, colourful colonial structure, turquoise waters, and laid-back ambiance, this island has lengthy been a traveler’s haven—nothing new there up to now.
Nonetheless, as we’ve talked about, a number of elements are driving the surge in visiting numbers. These embody the event of a number of well-known American resort manufacturers, minimal arrivals of sargassum, and a lack of destructive hurricanes.
Prior to now two years, Curaçao has attracted main resort manufacturers historically in style with American vacationers, additional solidifying its attraction as a prime Caribbean getaway. Notable openings embody Sandals Royal Curaçao (June 2022), Courtyard by Marriott Curaçao (June 2024), The Rif at Mangrove Seaside Corendon Curaçao All-Inclusive, Curio by Hilton (2024), and an adults-only part at Goals Curaçao Resort, Spa & On line casino (2024).
One other key issue is that in 2024, Curaçao skilled minimal impression from sargassum, a seaweed that has severely affected different Caribbean hotspots just like the Mexican Caribbean. Whereas beachgoers might spot some accumulation of seaweed on the north coast, in style southern seashores remained largely clear and welcoming.
Final however not least, Curaçao’s location exterior the first hurricane belt considerably lowered the chance of direct hurricane impacts, giving it a bonus over many Caribbean rivals that suffered the arrival of devastating hurricanes this yr.
Featured Picture Supply: Supply: Sandals Royal Curacao
