Curaçao Tourism Soars with Record-Breaking 63,556 Stayover Numbers in March 2024

Published on April 21, 2024

By: Rana Pratap

Curaçao sees a remarkable 38% spike in March stayovers, hosting 63,556 visitors and marking an all-time high in tourism growth.

The Curaçao Tourist Board is delighted to announce a remarkable increase in stayover tourism for March 2024, with a 38% surge in visitors compared to the same month last year, totaling 63,556 tourists. This marks the most successful month on record for stayover tourism in Curaçao, continuing a trend that began in December 2023 of hosting over 60,000 visitors monthly. The peak in arrivals occurred during the last weekend of March, coinciding with the Easter Holiday, underscoring Curaçao’s escalating appeal as a leading vacation spot in the Caribbean.

The island’s allure is broad and international, with European tourists making up 40% of the total market. North American visitors are close behind at 38%, predominantly from the U.S. and Canada, while South American and Caribbean tourists represent 17% and 4% of the total, respectively. These numbers reinforce Curaçao’s status as a top-tier global tourist destination.

Regarding specific markets, the Netherlands is the foremost contributor, with 19,295 Dutch tourists in March alone, an increase of 18%. Of these, 22% hail from South Holland, 20% from North Holland, and 13% from North Brabant. The Dutch visitors display a wide age range, with 38% aged between 45 and 64, and 32% between 25 and 44. When it comes to lodging, 54% preferred non-resort accommodations, while 46% stayed in resorts.

The United States set a new record this March, exceeding 18,000 visitors for the first time, reaching a total of 18,741—a significant 58% rise from the previous year. This marks the narrowest margin yet between Dutch and American tourists, with just 561 fewer Americans than Dutch. The U.S. is rapidly solidifying its position as a primary source of tourism for Curaçao. American tourists, predominantly from New York (18%), Florida (7%), and equally from New Jersey and North Carolina (6% each), mostly fall into the 45 to 64 age group (36%), with 33% between 25 and 44. In terms of accommodations, 68% chose resorts, while 32% opted for alternative lodging, with an average stay of 6.2 nights.

Canada observed a notable increase in tourism in March, registering a 34% rise in stayover arrivals, totaling 5,144 visitors. This period marks the third consecutive month where the number of visitors has surpassed five thousand. Canadian tourists typically spent 8.1 nights in March, predominantly choosing resort hotels (58%) for their accommodations.

Colombia also experienced significant tourism growth, with stayover arrivals increasing by 54%, bringing the total to 4,228. Colombian visitors stayed an average of 5.4 nights, with 41% preferring resort hotels and the remainder 59% selecting other types of accommodations.

Brazil’s tourism figures were particularly impressive, with a 150% surge in stayover arrivals, amounting to 3,329 visitors—an increase from the 1,329 recorded the previous year. Brazilian tourists averaged 7.0 nights per visit in March, with 56% opting for resort hotels.

March 2024 Key Highlights:

• Accommodation Choices: 54% of visitors stayed in various types of resort hotels, while 46% chose other lodging options available on the island.
• Demographics: The primary age groups were 25 to 44 years and 45 to 64 years, comprising 36% and 35% of the total visitors, respectively.
• Duration of Stay: The overall average stay was 8.4 nights in March, reflecting a 5% decline from the previous year.
• Cruise Tourism: Curaçao hosted 42 cruise ship arrivals in March, with 107,436 passengers, maintaining stability in cruise tourism figures compared to the previous year.

2024 Year to Date Highlights:
The year commenced robustly, with 184,696 stayover visitors in the first quarter, a 35% increase over the previous year. All targeted markets have contributed to this growth, presenting promising prospects for the year. The Curaçao Tourist Board is keen on leveraging strategic partnerships and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors to enhance tourism accessibility and establish Curaçao as a top destination in the Caribbean, inviting visitors to experience the island firsthand.