WILLEMSTAD.- The closure of Hotel Venetto will not have no impact on tourism. This because for a long time the Hotel was not directed exclusively to the stay tourism and also the hotel was not going thru the best of times.
This was the explanation given by the acting Director of the Tourism Office, mr. Hugo Clarinda this week to EXTRA. As already known, after several weeks of uncertainty that resulted in a general strike, the Court declared both the Hotel and Denny’s restaurant bankrupt. The list of hotels no longer active grew longer, taking into account that Plaza Hotel was also declared bankrupt and Marriott Hotel is under construction but now will be ready for next year.
The closure of Venetto will have no impact on tourism according to Clarinda, since half of the Hotel was occupied by employees of the FOL base at Hato, while the other half was destined for tourists who eventually arrived. But for some time the Hotel was not going through its best moment.
During a meeting with the press, the question arose as to whether it would be possible to have more hotel allocations taking into account that of the 7,500 facilities available only 3,500 correspond to hotel rooms. Moreover, in 2018 an average occupation of 76% was recorded. But according to Miles Mercera, Director of Chata, this type of accommodation is normal in the Caribbean when there is a low season. In the winter period, there are more occupations due to the high season.
But taking into account the number of rooms available, if Curaçao wants to grow its tourism, it should increase the amount of rooms. At the moment one can speak of a relatively high occupation since during the year it remains stable between 75% to 80%. There are countries in the Caribbean, such as the Bahamas, which close their hotels during low season and open up again in the new season of April. In Curaçao, the hotels open all year. But this is a benefit that we enjoy here.
If we have more Hotels and more Rooms there will be more tourism.
