Sustainable Tourism Zone of the Caribbean

LOCATION

Geographical placement:
12° North, 68° West.

Inland/coastal:
Curacao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast.

Distance from capital/town in Km:
Airport: Hato is located at the northwestern end of Curaçao, about 11km from the capital Willemstad.

Flight time from (hours):
9 hours and 15 minutes from Amsterdam
30 minutes from Aruba
2 hours and 50 minutes from Miami
45 minutes from Caracas

POPULATION

Number of inhabitants:
Curacao: 141,766 persons

Inhabitants density:
319 persons per km2

Ratio of residents to visitors:
Curacao: 1:4
There are 4 visitors to every one resident.

CLIMATE

Wind:
Cooling trade winds blow constantly from the east, picking up in the spring months.
Average wind speed 5.6 m/s.

Precipitation:
Curaçao has a climate with a dry season from March to September and a wet season from October to February.
Total annual rainfall averages only 535 mm. Curaçao is outside the hurricane belt.

Temperature:
The temperatures are relatively constant troughout the year. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of 26.5 °C and the warmest month is September with an average temperature of 28.9 °C. The year's average maximum temperature is 31.2 °C.
The year's average minimum temperature is 25.3 °C.

GEOGRAPHY

Area:
444 square km

Geographic features:

Physical characteristics:
Sun, beaches, coral reefs, sandy and rocky shorelines and culture rich in experience. Soft, white sand bathed by an almost emerald-colored ocean, warm, with gentle waves.

ACCESSIBILITY

Distance from International/local airport:
Airport: Hato is located at the northwestern end of Curaçao, about 11km from the capital Willemstad.

Air carriers:
To Curacao: American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines,KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Martinair, Arkefly, Aserca Airlines, Avianca, Avior Airlines, Aires Surinam Airways, Air Jamaica, Dutch Antilles Express (DAE), Tiara Air, Liat Airline, Divi Divi Air, Insel Air International, Sol America.

Cruisers:
Cruise Lines: Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Windjammer Cruises.

Public/private transport:
Licensed taxi operators 200
Licensed tour companies 40 busses

TOURIST

Annual arrival:
Curacao: 766,512
Stay-over: 413,615 - Cruise: 352,897

Annual arrival by type of transport:
Air 54%
Sea 46%

Annual arrival by market:
Curacao: 37% Venezuela, 28% Netherlands, 11%US, 13% Other America & Europe, 4% Aruba.

Annual tourist expenditure:
Curacao: total foreign exchange earnings Naf. 677 million.

Population employed in tourism:
4546 people employed in restaurants and hotels.
8% of total labor force.

ACCOMMODATION

Number of hotels and rooms:
Hotel units 37
Hotel rooms 4,367
Of which all inclusive 1
Non all inclusive 36

Other types:
Guest house rooms 130
Appartments rooms 600
Total rooms 5,097

Number of restaurants and types:
16 Asian, Italian & Latin American
8 Beach Bar & Restaurant
17 Fast Food
5 Fine Dining
10 Grill & Steakhouse
6 Ice cream
47 International
10 Lunchroom
4 Krioyo (local food)
3 Seafood