WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s tourism industry has seen remarkable growth in recent years, thanks in part to strong collaboration with travel agents and tour operators, and significant demand from the Netherlands — the island’s most important source market, according to Muryad de Bruin, Managing Director of the Curaçao Tourist Board.
Speaking at a tourism industry event in Amsterdam, De Bruin said that 2025 closed above expectations, with visitor numbers hitting new records. Curaçao welcomed a total of 788,427 stayover visitors throughout 2025, a 13 percent increase compared to 2024, and the island also saw growth in day trips and cruise arrivals, bringing the total number of visitors to more than 1.7 million.
De Bruin emphasized that intensive cooperation with travel partners, particularly in the Dutch market, played a key role in achieving strong results. The Netherlands remains Curaçao’s leading market, followed by the United States and Colombia, with continued promotional efforts helping to maintain high visibility for the destination.
Opportunities Despite Global Events
Looking ahead to 2026, the Curaçao Tourist Board anticipates that some travelers may be more cautious about booking vacations due to the FIFA World Cup being held in Canada, Mexico and the United States. However, De Bruin highlighted that this situation also creates unique opportunities. With its favorable time zone and broad range of beach clubs, resorts and other attractions, Curaçao is well positioned to appeal to visitors who want to combine sports travel with a tropical getaway.
At Monday evening’s industry event, around 75 tourism stakeholders — including hotels and travel service providers — showcased their offerings to colleagues and partners. Many exhibitors expressed confidence that recent regional geopolitical tensions, such as the U.S. military action in Venezuela, would only have a temporary impact on travel interest to the island.
Strong Visitor Data Backing Growth
The positive outlook is supported by solid visitor statistics. According to CTB data, Curaçao welcomed over 1.32 million visitors, including 642,000 stayover tourists, by October 2025, representing solid year-on-year growth. This increase was driven largely by arrivals from the Netherlands, other European markets and the United States.
The continued rise in tourism not only underscores Curaçao’s appeal as a vacation destination but also reflects broader trends of recovery and expansion in the global travel industry.
With strong performance in key markets and proactive efforts to attract new visitors, the island’s tourism sector aims to carry momentum into 2026 and beyond.