The Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao is poised for tourism growth after becoming an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Curaçao has been one of five island territories of the Netherlands Antilles, which has had its seat in Willemstad, Curaçao.
According to a news release:
“Curaçao will now exclusively reap the benefit of taxes brought in from its rapidly developing tourist industry. The change in Curaçao’s status to that of being an independent nation within the Dutch Kingdom translates to more tax dollars available for tourism development. Now, greater resources will be available on-island to develop new port facilities and hotels, positioning Curaçao for significant growth in its tourism product."
“With this historic change brings huge potential for growth in our tourism landscape to meet the demands of the North American market,” said Hugo Clarinda, the country’s Tourist Board Executive Director.
The anticipated increase in hotel rooms will be welcomed by the North American market, which is showing a growing demand for an exotic, off-the-radar destination such as Curaçao, visible in the sheer number of Americans and Canadians visiting.
Curaçao has seen an increase of nearly 40 percent in arrivals from North America, as of August 2010, the most of any other Caribbean island.
The country was named one of the “9 Top Sports for the Savvy Luxury Travelers" in a recent CNN article.
Tourism officials expect more hotels to follow the example of the 350-room Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, which opened last April. Other chains are expected.
By David Wilkening
