Dutch market declines due to increase in tourists from America

Willemstad – While tourist arrivals from Europe to Curacao fell sharply by 21 percent in April, the U.S. is on the rise. In total, nearly fifteen thousand North American visitors were welcomed at Hato Airport, almost double the number of last year.

One of the main reasons for this increase is what CTB calls the ‘great collaboration between the public and private sectors to promote Curacao in the United States.’ Additionally, increased service with JetBlue from New York JFK is also effective April 6.

April

Curacao Tourist Board CTB reports a total of nearly fifty thousand overnight visitors in April, a thirteen percent increase compared to April last year, which saw just over forty thousand tourists visit Curacao. According to CTB, the fourth month of 2023 was the strongest month of overnight arrivals so far this year.

Easter weekend falls on the first weekend of April 2023, which is historically known as a time when visitors flock to the island of Curacao, and this year is no exception.

region

The number of visitors from South America has also increased significantly. CTB reports 45 percent growth in attendance. The Caribbean region also showed growth with 56 percent more visitors than last year.

CTB sees a decline in overnight arrivals from the Netherlands. This is due to low seat capacity in the Dutch market, but the balance remains positive due to diversification from other top performing countries.

Immigration card

Information gathered from the immigration map shows that visitors spend an average of more than eight nights in Curacao. 62 percent of all visitors stayed in resort hotels. More than a third of visitors who traveled in April were between the ages of 25 and 44, and another third were between the ages of 45 and 64.

21 cruise calls and more than 52 thousand tourists have arrived in April this year. Last year, the Curacao Port Authority reported 19 ship calls and nearly 28 thousand ship passengers in April.