Curaçao

CURACAO TOURIST ARRIVALS INCREASE 32% FROM NORTH AMERICA

Visitors from the U.S. and Canada Flock to Curacao, a Hot Destination for 2011

WILLEMSTAD, CURACAO - April 1, 2011 - Curacao's tourism sector continues to record notable growth with a 32 percent increase in visitor arrivals from North America in 2010. Curacao has seen consecutively increasing arrival numbers from the U.S. and Canada since the start of 2010. Arrivals from Canada and the U.S. were up 17 percent and 35 year percent from 2009 to 2010, respectively.

The demand for travel to Curacao has been met with Continental Airlines launching twice-weekly nonstop service, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Curacao International Airport (CUR) in December 2010. The new service has made Curacao more accessible to the Tri-State area after Continental previously offered weekly, seasonal nonstop flights from Newark to Curacao. Curacao is serviced by American Airlines, twice daily, from Miami. The island's local carrier, InselAir, also services Curacao with one flight, Sunday through Friday, from Miami.

"Continental Airlines providing twice-weekly airlift has proven the demand for travel to Curacao is on the rise, and has helped to increase our overall arrival numbers, in addition to twice daily flights on American Airlines from Miami and INselAir service," says Curacao Tourist Board Marketing Manager, North America Andre Rojer. "Curacao is now more accessible than ever." Curacao's airlift capacity for 2011 is strong, with some 168,064 seats available for the United States. Catapulting Curacao on to every jetsetter's radar for 2011 is a host of impressive accolades from SmarterTravel, Fodor's and AOL Travel, among others. Most recently, Curacao's nightlife has been applauded by The Huffington Post as one of the 'Best Islands in the Caribbean for Bar-Hoppers.'

"With Curacao quickly becoming a must-visit destination for American and Canadian travelers, and on the heels of becoming an autonomous country, we are growing beyond informing consumers of who and where we are, and now in a position of providing sufficient airlift to meet this increased travel demand," Rojer says. "Curacao's time has come."

About Curacao

Selected as one of the 'Top 21 Places We're Going in 2011' by Fodor's, one of the 'Hottest Destinations for 2011' by AOL Travel and one of the 'Destinations to Watch in 2011' by SmarterTravel, Curacao is a unique Caribbean island paradise, boasting 35 uncrowded beaches, and an eclectic mix of history and culture. Explore the vibrant, culturally diverse capital city of Willemstad- a UNESCO World Heritage site- with its distinctive architecture, museums, monuments, and world-class shopping. Indulge in Curacao's vast selection of flavorful restaurants, with a mix of sophisticated international and tasty local cuisines. Discover Curacao's abundant natural beauty, pristine dive sites and spectacular snorkeling at secluded beaches - including Cas Abao Beach, selected as one of the 'Top 10 Beach Destinations for 2011' by SmarterTravel. Curacao offers idyllic weather, situated on the fringe of the Hurricane Belt. To learn more about the island of Curacao, visit Curacao.com.

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