WILLEMSTAD - CASHA, the association of small entrepreneurs active in the tourism sector, announces its figures for the month of March 2021:
Accommodations have achieved an occupancy of 25.1% in March: slight decrease of 3.2% percent compared to February 2021, in which we had 28.3% occupancy.
In March, 5 accommodations indicated that they had an occupancy of more than 50%. The highest occupancy is for an accommodation with 58%, this small resort consists of 5 apartments and is centrally located on the island. The other 4 accommodations score between 50 and 57%. 4 accommodations indicate that they had no guests in March. 14 accommodations had an occupancy of between 4% and 40.3% in March.
After the adjusted measures on March 24: extra PCR test on the return flight, Keda Kas, Plachi di dia and curfew, cancellations are pouring in, at some accommodations even 100% in April, for many an empty house again. Cited as reason for cancellations is: COVID-19 and all related measures.
New bookings for May and June, 56.6% of the accommodations indicate that they have no bookings for May and June.
These members indicate that they are not sure whether the bookings will actually go ahead in May, this depends on the measures in force at that time.
Some guests canceled their stay at the small-scale resorts in March after the introduction of the new rules and moved to hotels by the sea, where swimming in the sea is allowed and where they can use the restaurant. We see a tendency towards last minute bookings with a minimum number of nights, this way guests can respond to the situation, which can change every day.
We receive the same messages from the car rental, diving schools, tours and attractions also affiliated with CASHA, the occupancy is decreasing and the cancellations are increasing.
One car company has indicated that it has sold cars to keep it afloat.
The average occupancy at diving schools is only 7% in March.
An off-road tours company stated that it had only done one tour in March 2021 compared to 13 tours in March 2020.
A company that organizes boat trips has achieved less than 20% of the occupancy in March 2021, which they achieved in February 2020.
Members of CASHA are desperate and don't understand why they don't qualify for (additional) support, such as TVL for freelancers and BVs without personnel, after all, they also have fixed cost.
The mortgage, Aqualectra and other fixed costs will continue as usual and banks are no longer willing to grant any delay.
Some entrepreneurs and members of CASHA have not received support since November 2020.
They got through 2020 with pain and difficulty, but as far as they can foresee, they will not make it to the end of 2021.
The MEO is barely accessible, the process is slow and the payment is irregular.
According to the ministers involved, there is still money up to and including May for the current expenditures NOW, ZZP and TVL.
All aid seems to be put on hold pending the new government.