Curaçao has reached a major milestone in its tourism efforts with the arrival of its 500,000th overnight visitor this month. The Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) reports that a total of 501,313 overnight visitors have landed in Curaçao from 1 January 2023 to date. In comparison, Curaçao received a total of 489,558 overnight visitors in 2022.
This is not the first record the island has broken this year, also in terms of the number of stayover visitors from top markets such as the United States, Brazil, Canada and Colombia. Taken together, the island has now set an overall record of over half a million overnight visitors.
To celebrate this historic milestone, CTB, in close partnership with Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP), presented local treats to arriving passengers at Hato International Airport on 20 November. The Minister of Economic Development, Mr Ruisandro Cijntje, was on hand at the airport to personally greet visitors and share in the excitement.
“Today’s remarkable achievement is a testament to the fact that when we combine our efforts, we can achieve the extraordinary. I would like to thank all the stakeholders and the dedicated staff of the tourism industry for their commitment in making this important milestone a reality,” said Minister Cijntje.
A number of factors have contributed to the island’s significant growth and success in tourism, including the expansion of year-round flights. In the US and Canada, this includes new or increased service from half a dozen airlines, including JetBlue, Air Canada, Delta, WestJet, United and American, connecting more travellers to Curaçao than ever before. In addition, new and renovated hotel and accommodation options and upscale island experiences are appealing to travellers and supporting demand.
At the same time, the CTB is committed to the Strategic Tourism Destination Development Plan for responsible and sustainable tourism growth, which aims to enhance the overall experience for both visitors and the local community.