The Hotel occupancy rates for Curacao Highest Level in Years, Not so for Aruba … We wonder why?

As the occupancy rates in Curacao are at their highest levels in years, Aruba finds itself in a continual pattern of decline. Since Natalee Holloway went missing and the subsequent disaster of what was called an investigation into her disappearance, Aruba has suffered disastrous tourism numbers. While the rest of the Caribbean is up, Aruba finds itself mired in its own mess. One might say that the rest of the Caribbean may be benefiting from Aruba’s loss. So why is it a sister Island like Curacao has success and Aruba does not? I do not think it takes a rocket scientist to figure this one out.

Not only are the occupancy rates higher than in recent years, but the average room price is higher. How much higher the prices are, was not made available. 

To this point 2006 has been a super year in terms of occupancy rates. January started off well with a rate of 86.45 percent, followed by the top-month of February with an average occupancy rate of almost 90 percent (89.9 percent, to be precise). With a rate of 88.2 percent, March was also exceptionally good. April, May, June, and July respectively had occupancy rates of 81.5, 79.5, 72.9, and 75.6 percent. 

(ABC Islands)

We had warned from the outset when Natalee Holloway went missing that this would not be good for tourism. The manner in how Aruba conducted the investigation only added to their demise. The perception of safety and a tourist island doing the right thing is in the eye of the beholder, not a spin or marketing campaign.  As others in the Caribbean have seen increases, Aruba continues on the downward spiral. The 4th quarter of 2005 saw a 7.4% decrease in passengers to the Queen Beatrix Airport. The Central Bank of Aruba also reported a 14.7% decrease in airport passengers in the 1st quarter of 2006.  

As others prosper in tourism in the Caribbean, Aruba continues to falters even according to the most recent reports from the Central bank of Aruba. It is rather obvious that Aruba has not grasped the concept of what is needed to fix their dilemma. It is obvious by the success of other Caribbean Islands that Aruba is being singled out. Figure it out Aruba.

You have a second, third and fourth opportunity to make a first impression. A Dutch cold case team is supposed to come to Aruba to investigate the Natalee Holloway disappearance. If this is just for show, like everything else has been … your tourism will pay dearly. If this Dutch team walks away, suspects are released from the suspect list and the case is closed, your islands tourism will not even begin to know what hit it.

You have an opportunity to right a wrong. For your islands sake and for the decent, hard working people of Aruba’s sake … we sure hope you take advantage of this … Justice for Natalee.

The full Amigoe article, Hotel occupancy rates at highest level in years. (9/3/06)

WILLEMSTAD – The occupancy rates for Curacao’s hotels have not been so high in years. In the first seven months of 2006 an average occupancy rate of 82 percent was reached, according to information provided by the Curacao Hospitality and Tourism Association (Chata). 

Not only are the occupancy rates higher than in recent years, but the average room price is higher. How much higher the prices are, was not made available. 

To this point 2006 has been a super year in terms of occupancy rates. January started off well with a rate of 86.45 percent, followed by the top-month of February with an average occupancy rate of almost 90 percent (89.9 percent, to be precise). With a rate of 88.2 percent, March was also exceptionally good. April, May, June, and July respectively had occupancy rates of 81.5, 79.5, 72.9, and 75.6 percent. 

Never in the past fifteen years has the Curacao hotel occupancy rate been so high, according to Chata. That’s why everyone is looking forward to the promised expansion of hotel space. Before the end of the year the new Octagon Wing of the Avila Hotel will open with 68 new luxury rooms. Best Western Blue Bay Village at the Blue Bay Resort & Golf also plans to open the doors to 52 new bungalows (at least 100 rooms) by years end. 

The expansion of Lions Dive is scheduled to be completed before the end of next year, and expectations are that Renaissance Resort will also welcome their first guests by then. Hyatt, which broke ground on the construction of their new hotel December 1st and was the subject of much talk, is going to take a little while longer to finish. The same counts for La Palapa. 

When average occupancy rates are studied starting in 2002, the upwards trend is clear, with 57.4 percent in that year, 62.2 in 2003, 69.3 in 2004, and 75 percent last year. Every month so far in 2006 has been substantially better than the same months in any of the previous four years. 

In line with the better occupancy rates, the number of tourists visiting Curacao has also grown. Through July the American market had grown by 3 percent while the Dutch market had grown by 7.7 percent. South America and particularly the traditionally strong Venezuelan market were disappointing and continue to decline. The same is true for the Caribbean regions. Holland and the U.S. together comprise 60 percent of all tourists, the reason why the total number of visitors through July 2006 has grown by a solid 4.6 percent. 

Also, and for hotels this is even more important, the number of overnight stays has grown significantly. For the first seven months of this year the number of overnight stays grew 7.2 percent, according to statistics from the Curacao Tourist Board (CTB).