WILLEMSTAD – August 12, 2025 – For the second consecutive year, Curaçao Tourist Board has organized the Youth Tourism Experience (YTE) Program. The goal of the YTE Program is to familiarize young people between the ages of 15 and 17 with the tourism and hospitality industry through a three-week vacation job. This year’s edition was organized in close collaboration with 16 companies in the tourism industry and took place from July 21 to August 8, 2025. The program recently concluded with a pleasant ceremony, during which Minister of Economic Development, drs. Roderick Middelhof presented certificate to the 27 participating teens.
The participants came from various schools and educational levels, including AGO, VSBO, SBO, HAVO, and VWO. Prior to starting their vacation jobs, they attended a three-day workshop that covered topics such as communication and professional behavior, customer experience & dress code, money management, discipline and self-management. They also took part in an Island Discovery Day, which included a scavenger hunt in Willemstad and a visit to the Kas di Pal’i Maishi. At the end of the three-week vacation job, they reflected on what went well, what did not go as planned, and how they plan to continue applying the knowledge they acquired.
Participating companies were: BC Private Chef, LionsDive Beach Resort Curaçao, Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort, Papagayo Beach Resort Curaçao, FBTT / Atlantis, Blue Bay Dive & Watersports, Coral Divers, Serena’s Art Factory / Chichi Garden, Curaloe, Coral Estate Luxury Resort, Avila Beach Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Curaçao, Curaçao Ports Authority, Curaçao Sea Aquarium, Dolphin Academy, 7.1 Experience, Curaçao Activities, and CTB. CTB extends its gratitude to all participating companies for working together to inspire more young people to pursue studies in tourism and hospitality and ultimately choose a career in this vibrant industry.
