By Peter Gatt
Curacao tourism officials have done their best to get the travel industry to focus on “a different C this week”……that being the “C” in Curacao and it’s emerging travel and tourism scene. The Curaçao Global Trade Symposium held May 23-25, 2022 at the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort is organized by the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) and Curaçao Hospitality & Tourism Association (CHATA)and various private sector partners and attracted nearly 200 leading wholesalers, airline, attraction, dive operators, and hotel partners for a series of 1 to 1 pre-scheduled meetings, site inspections, and social events to highlight Curacao’s culture, burgeoning culinary scene, and diverse tourism offerings.
Welcoming all delegates at the official grand opening of Curaçao Global Trade Symposium 2022 are (pictured above from left to right) Andre Rojer, Marketing Manager South America Curacao Tourism Board, Maria-Helena Seferina-Rojas, Managing Director of CHATA, Ruisandro Cijntje, Hon. Curacao Minister of Economic Development, Hugo Clarinda, Deputy Director Curacao Tourism Board, and Janine De Windt, Regional Manager Caribbean & MICE Curacao Tourism Board. In opening remarks Ms. Seferina-Rojas lauded overseas buyers for attending, “this way you can gorge yourself in the unique combination of color, arts, heritage, adventure, and the sublime culinary offerings besides our beaches and in one word experience hospitality at it’s best”. Mr. Clarinda was very enthusiastic about his destination’s robust recovery. From a record year of 465,000 air arrivals in 2019, Curacao recorded 260,000 arrivals in 2021, and despite a still limited air capacity the island is projected to hit 420,000 arrivals this year. Clarinda added the Curacao Tourism Board is “eager to get increased lift from airline partners and increased funding for tourism promotion”.
Hotel Sector Updates
There has been a lot of movement in Curacao’s hotel sector, most especially in the all-inclusive category. The Curacao Marriott Beach Resort, (pictured above) formerly the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino, reopened in November ’21. It has been closed for three years for a spectacular $40 million renovation of guestrooms, food and beverage venues, adult and family pools, kids’ club and public spaces. as part of the renovation the property added 70 rooms for a total of 336. The property offers an all-inclusive option.
Recent all-inclusive additions to the island include Dreams Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino nestled on the sandy beaches of Piscaderas Bay, part of the islands southern coast. Close by and also part of the AMR Resorts family is Zoëtry Curaçao Resort & Spa offering a more luxurious 72- suite boutique resort option. Plans call for an additional 52 beach front suites to be added and completed in 2023.
Sandals Resorts is putting the final touches on its all-new and highly-anticipated Sandals Royal Curaçao, opening in June. This will mark Sandals’ entry into its ninth destination in the Caribbean and its 16th all-inclusive property overall.
Mangrove Beach Corendon Curaçao All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton is now open. In addition to offering 399 spacious guest rooms, the resort offers four pools, spa cabanas and a large waterpark that is perfect for the family market. An additional 293 room phase two is currently under construction. The new section will be adults only.