by Brian Major
Last updated: 11:00 AM ET, Wed November 22, 2023
Curaçao has hosted its 500,000th overnight,
land-based visitor for the year in record time, according to Curaçao Tourist Board
(CTB) officials.
In all, the southern Caribbean nation has hosted 501,313
overnight visitors between January 1 and November 20, already exceeding
the 489,558 stayover visitors the destination hosted during all of 2022.
This year’s total follows a series of record visitor totals
achieved across several months and also surpasses the 463,652
land-based visitors who traveled to Curaçao in pre-pandemic 2019, according to
Caribbean Tourism Organization data.
“Gratitude extends to all stakeholders and the dedicated
tourism industry workers for their commitment in making this significant
milestone a reality,” said Ruisandro Cijntje, Curacao’s minister of economic
development and tourism, at a ceremony at Hato International
Airport this week.
Curaçao has also set records this year for the number of overnight
visitors the country has drawn from its top markets, including the United States,
Brazil, Canada and Colombia, CTB officials said.
In a statement, CTB officials attributed this year’s
visitor increases to new and added service from airlines including JetBlue, Air Canada, Delta,
WestJet, United and American Airlines.
“Additionally, new and renovated hotel and accommodation
options and elevated island experiences are appealing to travelers and
supporting demand,” said officials.
In local press reports, Cijntje said the June 2022 launch of the Sandals Royal Curaçao has
boosted the destination’s visitor arrivals while also supporting hospitality
training and airlift to the destination.
CTB is additionally, “committed to the Strategic Tourism
Destination Development Plan for responsible and sustainable tourism growth,”
as Cijntje and CTB officials aim “to enhance the overall experience for both visitors
and the local community.”
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