Curaçao’s Hotel Industry Thrived in December 2023

Curaçao’s hotel sector celebrated a robust performance in December 2023, as reported by leading global hotel performance data provider, STR. The average room occupancy reached an impressive 69.7%, reflecting a noteworthy 1.9% increase from December 2022. Additionally, there was a substantial 17% growth in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPar).

According to the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB), the island welcomed 63,390 stopover visitors in December 2023, demonstrating a remarkable 41.1% surge compared to the same period in 2022. Jim Hepple, the interim managing director for the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association (CHATA), expressed satisfaction with the high level of stopover visitors. However, he highlighted a shift in accommodation preferences, with 55.3% of visitors choosing alternative accommodations, a notable increase from December 2022.

Mr. Hepple pointed out that the introduction of new air service from Amsterdam contributed significantly to a 28.7% increase in stopover visitors from the Netherlands. Interestingly, a majority of the additional Dutch visitors opted for alternative accommodations, showcasing evolving traveler preferences.

In terms of hotel performance, December 2023 saw hotels achieve an Average Daily Rate (ADR) of $252.27, marking a 13.8% increase from the previous year. RevPar, another key metric, reached $175.81, demonstrating a substantial 17.0% growth.

The data from STR included a sample of 18 local hotels with 3,260 rooms, representing 62% of all hotel rooms in Curaçao. Notably, the sample for December 2023 included four additional hotels, one of which was Corendon’s Rif at Mangrove Beach, newly opened during the month.

Comparing the entire calendar year 2023 with 2022, CHATA reported positive growth for Curaçao’s hotels. Average room occupancy increased from 70.0% to 72.0%, ADR grew by 8.3%, reaching $224.67, and RevPar increased by 11.5%, reaching $161.80.

The CTB reported that Curaçao received a total of 582,409 stopover visitors during 2023, marking an increase of 92,850 compared to 2022. The share of visitors opting for alternative accommodations grew from 42.2% to 44.8%.

Despite a slight decrease in the number of visitors from the Netherlands, those choosing alternative accommodations increased, underscoring a shift in the Dutch visitor profile. In contrast, the number of visitors from the USA grew, with a slight decrease in the share of those opting for hotel accommodation.

Source: curacaochronicle.com