WILLEMSTAD — A surge in anxiety among Canadian travellers over recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela has led some to reconsider or delay trips to the Caribbean, highlighting the broader impact of regional geopolitical tensions on tourism — a vital industry for islands like Curaçao.
The heightened concern stems largely from events in early January, when a U.S. military operation in Venezuela resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to temporarily restrict airspace over parts of the Caribbean due to safety concerns. That move forced multiple airlines to cancel or reroute flights as travel chaos rippled across the region, including hub airports such as San Juan and destinations as far reaching as Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.
Canadian travel experts say nervousness is spreading among would-be holidaymakers. John Gradek, an aviation management lecturer at McGill University and former Air Canada executive, said that many travellers are worried about being stranded or caught in similar disruptions again. “There’s a heightened level of anxiety for people travelling to the Caribbean for the next few months,” he told Canadian media, noting that the FAA closures from the weekend left passengers stranded and fuelled uncertainty about future travel stability.
Some travel agents in Canada report that clients are not only reconsidering their Caribbean plans but also asking about alternative destinations outside the region. Indeed, concerns appear to be especially acute for trips to the ABC islands — Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao — due to their geographic proximity to Venezuela and the perception that military operations nearby could affect commercial aviation.
Despite the unease, major Canadian carriers including Air Canada and WestJet say they have not yet seen a significant downturn in bookings, and flights to the Caribbean and South America are operating as scheduled. Both airlines emphasized that they are closely monitoring the situation and will adjust operations if necessary.
Travel industry advisers are urging caution but not panic. Kristine D’Arbelles, managing director of public affairs at the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), recommended that travellers keep a close eye on official travel advisories from the Canadian government and check whether airlines are offering to waive cancellation or change fees — particularly for travel to regions close to conflict zones.
Canada’s federal travel advisory system has already been updated in response to the U.S. action in Venezuela, warning that borders and airspace in the country could close at short notice and that conditions there remain unpredictable.
For Curaçao and other Caribbean destinations reliant on tourism, the episode serves as a stark reminder of how global political events can influence holiday travel patterns. Although regional tourism officials report that operations are returning to normal after the temporary airspace disruption, uncertainty — and lingering traveller anxiety — may affect bookings into the peak travel season.
As geopolitical developments continue to evolve, the tourism sector in Curaçao will be watching closely, hoping that confidence among international visitors, particularly from markets such as Canada, rebounds quickly.