Travel Trends - May 2025 Curaçao’s Tourism Statistics

Traveler Trends & Insights 

As the high season drew to a close, Curaçao’s tourism sector showed no sign of slowing down. The first four months of 2025 brought a steady influx of visitors, affirming the island’s growing presence across key international markets. Between January and April, Curaçao welcomed nearly 681,000 guests across all segments; stayovers, day-trippers, and cruise arrivals, demonstrating the combined impact of broader marketing reach and strengthened airline connectivity. April alone delivered an 18% YoY rise in stayover visitors, marking double digit growth for the final month of peak season. The consistency of this performance reflects both resilient demand and a maturing strategy aimed at long-term, diversified expansion.

Cruise tourism saw a modest dip in April with YTD cruise calls totaling 156, down 4% from 163 last year. The drop in passengers, however, was more significant. Cruise arrivals fell 11% YoY, with roughly 48,500 fewer visitors reaching Curaçao by sea. This suggests smaller average ship capacity or changes in itinerary dynamics, underscoring the importance of bolstering on-island experiences to drive higher engagement per visitor.

More than 20 carriers offer direct flights to Curaçao. American Airlines, as they’ve done all year, led all carriers in arrivals to the island, accounting for 15% of travelers during April. Delta’s direct routes continue to show remarkable strength, logging another near 500% increase. Additionally, two new direct routes to the island were announced.  More on that below. 

Tourism Trends & Opportunities

April showed remarkable strength for the last month of Curaçao’s high season, with 145,366 total arrivals across all categories, marking a 9% increase YoY. Stayover tourism led the way with 68,188 visitors, up 18% from the same period last year. This brings the ytd total to 283,555 stayover guests, a 17% improvement over 2024. Cruise traffic remained stable despite a minor dip in volume, though the number of cruise calls increased by 16%. Day-trippers to the island more than doubled, driven in part by expanded short-haul itineraries. These numbers affirm the continued strength of Curaçao’s tourism fundamentals, even as seasonal patterns begin their shift.

What’s particularly noteworthy is the sustained growth from North and South America. U.S. arrivals surged nearly 26% compared to last April, while Canada posted a 14.2% gain. The South American market was even more dynamic, with countries like Colombia up 19.7%. This diversification is significant. It reflects Curaçao’s increasing visibility in non-European markets, backed by airline partnerships and more strategic international marketing. And while Europe remains the dominant regional contributor, the pace of growth in the Americas is beginning to reshape the island’s visitor mix in ways that carry broader implications.

For real estate investors and second-home buyers, these shifting dynamics suggest a need to reevaluate target demographics and adapt offerings accordingly. Properties that appeal to North American travelers (open-plan layouts, modern amenities, well equipped kitchens, comfortable furnishings, private outdoor spaces and flexible short-term use) are likely to gain value as demand from this segment continues to climb. Additionally, rising visitor numbers correlate with longer-term demand for accommodations, property management services, and renovation-ready inventory. The trend toward market diversification means fewer lulls and greater year-round income potential for well-positioned vacation rentals.

April's strong performance is not just a seasonal peak but part of a broader narrative. Curaçao is expanding its reach and deepening its appeal, one market at a time. For those involved in hospitality, development, or residential investment, this continued momentum offers both reassurance and opportunity.  As travel patterns evolve, so too do the preferences of Curaçao’s visitors, offering valuable insight for property owners and investors looking to remain aligned with demand. In April, 149,000 travelers selected traditional hotel resorts, while 134,000 opted for alternative accommodations. This near parity reinforces what’s become increasingly evident: short-term rentals are no longer a fringe choice. When well-managed and thoughtfully marketed, these properties can directly compete with resort experiences, particularly among North American guests seeking privacy, space, and a sense of local connection.

Guest behavior is shifting in other ways as well. The average stay length in April declined slightly across most regions, with North America averaging 6.18 nights (down from 6.25 in March), and South America at 6.05 (from 6.44). While Europe still leads with longer visits at 11.2 nights, its growth is now more moderate compared to the surging American markets. This subtle shortening of stays, especially outside of peak months, signals a shift toward more frequent but shorter getaways, a pattern that favors flexible booking calendars and high-velocity turnover models.

For owners, this means one thing: agility is key. Properties that can seamlessly adapt to shorter stays, deliver hotel-like consistency, and differentiate through design, amenities or service, will be best positioned to capture this next wave of demand. As Curaçao continues to diversify its audience, the most successful investments will be those that understand and anticipate the expectations of today’s traveler.

Visitor Deep Dive Analysis

Netherlands (22,154 visitors | ↓0.2% YoY)

•  Visitors stayed the longest on average with a stay of 11.4 nights

•  47% chose hotels, the rest in alternative accommodations

 ******Continues to represent a high-value segment, ideal for extended bookings 

or premium rentals that emphasize space, privacy, and a local feel.

United States (18,004 visitors | ↑25.9% YoY)

•  Visitors stayed on average 5.86 nights, down slightly from March

•  67% chose resort hotels, the highest percentage of any nationality

 ***U.S. travelers continue to favor convenience and hotel-style services, with two-thirds 

choosing resorts. Stay lengths are holding steady under 6 nights making this a key market 

for short-stay strategies, flexible calendars, and fast-turnover properties that still deliver polish.

Canada (3,893 visitors | ↑14.2% YoY)

•  Visitors stayed on average 7.64 nights, down from 7.73 last April

•  59% chose hotels, up from 54% last month

 ***Canadian visitors remain a steady mid-length segment, with a growing preference 

for comfort and reliability. As hotel share rises, rentals that blend home-style living with 

resort-level service will have the edge.

Takeaways

April’s trends highlight the opportunity with Curaçao’s evolving visitor base. While Dutch visitors continue to dominate long-stay travel, their preferences reflect more than just vacation habits. Curaçao’s connection to the Netherlands means many of these travelers are returning to second homes, visiting family, or staying for extended periods because of local ties. Nearly half opt for non-hotel accommodations, reinforcing the importance of residential-style properties that cater to longer stays. For investors, this underscores the opportunity in offering premium, home-like spaces that align with cultural familiarity and the rhythms of extended island life.

North American visitors, particularly from the U.S., are shaping a more fast-paced booking environment. With shorter trips and high hotel usage, there's a growing case for offering hotel-style convenience in a private setting.  Frictionless check-in, late check-out flexibility and concierge-level service are expectations that must be met. 

Canadian travelers are proving dependable yet adaptable. Though stay lengths dipped this month, their accommodation choices remain split, suggesting they’re open to alternatives that promise value and comfort. For property owners, this is a market well-suited to consistent pricing, mid-length booking incentives, and shoulder-season targeting.

Across all markets, traveler behavior is shifting from one-size-fits-all to expectation-driven decisions. The most successful rentals will be those that read the trends, match the mood, and stay agile enough to capture opportunity in both high and shoulder seasons.

New Routes, New Reach

Curaçao’s international airlift continues to expand, strengthening the island’s connectivity and global appeal. Two major routes were announced in April: American Airlines will introduce direct weekly service from Chicago starting December 6, 2025, providing vital access to the U.S. Midwest market.  Additionally, LATAM Airlines will begin three weekly flights from Lima, Peru on December 2, opening the door to key South American hubs including Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay. These new connections are more than just added convenience. They represent strategic growth into high-potential markets making Curaçao more accessible to a broader range of travelers while boosting opportunities for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.