WILLEMSTAD – April 15, 2026 – The Curaçao Tourist Board reports that stayover tourism showed steady performance in March, reflecting ongoing demand for the destination across source markets. During the month, a total of 79,763 stayover visitors were welcomed, representing a 10% increase compared to March of last year.
Visitor profile indicate that the majority of stayover tourists traveled for leisure purposes (90%), with smaller proportions visiting friends and relatives (3%) or traveling for business (3%). The stable average stay of 7.8 nights per person suggests visitors spend significant time on the island. This type of travel supports consistent engagement with local businesses, including accommodations, restaurants, transportation services and tour operators.
Top 3 Source Markets in March 2026
United States of America: The US market outperformed the Dutch market in March, recording 24,043 US visitors, representing a 9% growth compared to the same period last year. Visitors form the USA stayed an average of 5.7 nights, indicating consistent engagement with the destination. In terms of accommodation, 65% of US visitors opted for resort hotels, while 35% chose alternative accommodations.
The Netherlands: Curaçao welcomed 21,385 visitors from the Netherlands, a 5% decrease compared to 22,477 arrivals in March 2025. Most Dutch visitors (53%) chose non-resort accommodations, while 47% stayed at resorts. On average, Dutch visitors stayed for 11 nights during their visit. The decline in Dutch arrivals should be viewed within the broader context of overall European market performance. All three European carriers servicing Curaçao recorded growth during the month, with the German market standing out recording a strong increase of 93%. Since both markets use the same travel gateway, this indicates a shift in source market distribution rather than a reduction in overall demand from Europe.
Canada: Curaçao welcomed 8,400 visitors from Canada, a 40% increase compared to March 2025. In overall, Canadian visitors spent 7.8 nights in Curaçao, and 57% chose resort hotels as their preferred lodging choice.
Ongoing Monitoring
Overall, the March stayover arrival performance met expectations. The Curaçao Tourist Board will continue monitoring tourism performance and visitor behavior to support balanced, value-driven growth that benefits local businesses while respecting residents’ quality of life and the island’s capacity.
