Curaçao shows no sign of slowing down

WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao – With the year coming to a close, the Southern Caribbean island of Curaçao shows no sign of slowing down, with a myriad of events, new flights and offerings this quarter:

WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao – With the year coming to a close, the Southern Caribbean island of Curaçao shows no sign of slowing down, with a myriad of events, new flights and offerings this quarter:

ISLAND NEWS

• Transat Begins Service to Curaçao

Beginning December 20th, 2015, Transat will fly to Curaçao from Toronto on Sundays through to April 3, 2016, adding the island to its destination portfolio. It will offer eight premium resorts, namely the Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino, the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort, the Hilton Curaçao, Sonesta Kura Hulanda Village & Spa, Kura Hulanda Lodge & Beach Club, Kontiki Beach Resort Curaçao, Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino, and the Sunscape Curaçao, Spa & Casino.

• North American Arrivals Up 21%

According to the latest data, the Curaçao Tourist Board saw a significant influx in visitor arrivals from North America, up 14% and 50% from the United States and Canada respectively. Combined, North American arrivals have increased 21% from last year, largely due to the new airlift from New York with JetBlue and from Toronto with Air Canada.

• Dolphin Academy Welcomes New Baby Dolphin

This September, the Curaçao Dolphin Academy welcomed the newest addition to its team with the birth of baby Samì. The Curaçao Dolphin Academy is located in the Curaçao Sea Aquarium and offers a wide variety of activities for families to enjoy, including swimming with dolphins and dive excursions.

• Curaçao Hosts Annual State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC)

On October 21 – 23, 2015, in conjunction with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Curaçao successfully hosted the region’s annual SOTIC. The conference brought together top Caribbean tourism practitioners, policy makers, strategic partners from the public and private sectors, academics and travel professionals, to discuss issues, identify solutions and develop courses of action to benefit the tourism industry in the Caribbean.

HOTEL NEWS

• New Curaçao Hotel Opens

Situated on the beautiful Blue Bay Resort within close proximity to downtown Willemstad, the Bayside Boutique Hotel recently opened its doors to the public. The property features 36 luxurious rooms and a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, Pictures. Guests of the hotel can also enjoy free use of the 18-hole golf course, a challenging and exciting course for players of all levels, as well as a swimming pool, several tennis courts, a dive center, beach shop and children’s playground.

• Scuba Lodge & Ocean Suites Completes Restoration

One of the island’s boutique hotels, Scuba Lodge & Ocean Suites, recently finished restoring its Merchant Villa, with the addition of nine well-appointed rooms. The property features a Caribbean-inspired restaurant, a PADI dive center, and is conveniently located in one of Curaçao’s most lively and up-and-coming areas, Pietermaai Smal.

• City Suites Curaçao To Open in November

Scheduled to open November 1, 2015, City Suites Curaçao is a new 43-room boutique hotel that will be located in the heart of the flourishing Pietermaai District. Rates begin at $85 per night based on double occupancy.

• Baoase Luxury Resort to Open Health Club

Considered one of the island’s premier luxury resorts, Baoase, has plans to open a health club in the coming months to compliment its existing amenities. The resort will also build dressing rooms and restrooms for its private beach, which is ideal for visitors utilizing the resort’s exclusive day pass.

EVENTS

• Curaçao Baseball Week, November 27 – December 4, 2015

Curaçao’s annual baseball week will take place this year on November 27 – December 4, 2015 at Blue Bay Curaçao Golf & Beach. Known for its baseball prowess, the island honors local baseball stars this week, including Andruw Jones, Didi Gregorius, Coco Balentien, and more. The event will include an exclusive charity auction, coach seminars and a spectacular Ball Park Night hosted at Tio Daou Ball Park.

• KLM Curaçao Marathon, November 29, 2015

Taking place on November 29, 2015, the island will host its second annual KLM Curaçao Marathon. The event includes both a marathon and half marathon, and takes runners along Curaçao’s stunning waterfront, across the famous Queen Emma pontoon bridge, as well as over one of the highest bridges in the world, the Juliana Bridge, at 185 feet above sea level!

• Curaçao Extreme Finals, December 3 – 5, 2015

Considered one of the most exciting drag race events of the year, the Curaçao Extreme Finals will take place on island December 3 – 5, 2015. Hosted by the Curaçao Extreme Foundation, this racing event is the largest in the region and features cars from all over the world.

• ParadiseWorld Music Festival, December 4, 2015

As one of the most popular electronic music festivals in the region, ParadiseWorld Music Festival will take place this year on December 4, 2015. Past years have included performances by Skrillex and Diplo.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...