WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao skilled a “tremendous optimistic yr” in tourism, in accordance with the Curaçao Tourism Bureau (CTB). The bureau expects the variety of staying vacationers to additional improve to 600,000 in 2024, constructing on the momentum from 550,000 guests in 2023, up from 450,000 pre-pandemic. 

With a rise in flights on the finish of 2023, the island is poised for progress, particularly from the Netherlands, its main market. The potential inflow is attributed to airways like Corendon, Tui, and KLM increasing their companies to Curaçao. Moreover, there’s a notable rise in flights from North America, the second-largest market, with elevated companies from Charlotte, Miami, and the graduation of Delta Airways flights in December. 

The CTB Director highlights optimistic prospects, emphasizing the correlation between elevated vacationer numbers and the rise in accessible lodging. The continuing lodge tasks, together with Corendon’s second part introducing roughly 400 extra rooms, contribute to this optimistic outlook. 

Whereas aiming for a million vacationers within the coming years, the CTB acknowledges the necessity to assess logistical challenges, together with infrastructure, capability in eating places, lodging, and roadways. The bureau plans to conduct a complete research in 2024 to handle these issues. 

The potential pressure on sources, reminiscent of vitality and the influence on native costs, are concerns. Nonetheless, discussions with utility supplier Aqualectra point out preparedness for elevated demand, and the CTB emphasizes the give attention to attracting high quality vacationers who contribute meaningfully to the native economic system. 

Because the island experiences a surge in tourism, the CTB sees the chance for residents to faucet into the sector, encouraging a shift in mindset towards hospitality and tourism potentialities. The bureau plans strong promotional efforts in 2024 to capitalize on elevated flights and locations, emphasizing Curaçao’s various choices past solar, sea, and sand. 

The CTB acknowledges the island’s important recognition within the Netherlands and plans to take a position extra in promotion to showcase the breadth of experiences Curaçao has to supply past conventional perceptions.