Curaçao’s tourism continues to surge, as the CTB is reporting double digit growth of 18% in stayover visitor arrivals for February 2019. Precisely, in total 6,372 more visitors were registered in the second month of 2019, bringing the total count to 41,145 stayover visitors against 34,773 in February 2018.
The Netherlands excel in performance recording 16% more stayover visitors in February. In total 17,277 stayover visitors were welcomed out of our main producing country. Germany also continue to grow as 1,708 German visitors were welcomed in February 2019, a 24% increase over February 2018. The exceptional growth performance out of Germany is directly related to additional airlift with Condor from Frankfurt, Germany.
The continuous support of CTB and partners to promote brand Curaçao in North America is reaping rewards for the island. The North American region holds 27% share of all the visitors to Curaçao in February. In total 10,896 stayover visitors were welcomed from USA and Canada. The USA grew by 15%, while Canada recorded 19% more stayover visitors. Both USA and Canada benefits from increased airlift, brought on by additional flights from American Airlines and Air Canada this winter season.
In total, stayover visitors from South America performed well recording double digit growth. The region grew by 32%. In absolute numbers 5,434 stayover visitors were welcomed in February 2019 from South America. Colombia with 1,609 visitors registered an increase of 33% stayover visitors.
From our neighboring islands in the Caribbean we increased by 23%. Aruba grew by 4%. It is well known that Arubans are likely to travel to Curaçao to attend the cultural music event, Festival di Tumba. This year was no exception. The Curaçao Tourist Board saw a peak in arrivals around the festival dates.
Year to Date Economic Impact and Visitor Nights
CTB and MEO utilizes the ‘Turistika Model’ to calculate the economic impact generated from the tourism industry. A direct impact of $ 132.7 million US dollars is generated for the local economy in the first two months of 2019. The direct impact generated from Tourism is 10% more when compared to same period last year. 46% of the total direct impact is generated from European visitors who are responsible for $ 60.5 million US dollars. The North American, South American and other regions generated $ 36.8, $ 20.4 and $ 15 million US dollars respectively.
The overall visitor nights grew by 10% in the first two months of 2019. In total 782 thousand visitor nights are registered. Out of Europe tourists spent 497 thousand nights in Curaçao, a 9% increase. North and South American visitors spent respectively 161 and 93 thousand visitor nights year to date.
