CURAÇAO IS WORLD’S NEWEST COUNTRY
Destination Poised for Tourism Growth as Autonomous Island-Nation

WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO – October 11, 2010 – The Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao is now an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands as of October 10, 2010. Curaçao has been one of five island territories of the Netherlands Antilles, which has had its seat in Willemstad, Curaçao, and no longer exists as of October 10, 2010.

The installation of the first Prime Minister of Curaçao, Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte, the youngest prime minister in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, at age 36, is an epic event for Curaçao.

Curaçao will now exclusively reap the benefit of taxes brought in from its rapidly developing tourist industry. The change in Curaçao’s status to that of being an independent nation within the Dutch Kingdom translates to more tax dollars available for tourism development. Now, greater resources will be available on-island to develop new port facilities and hotels, positioning Curaçao for significant growth in its tourism product.

“Curaçao is thrilled to announce our status as the newest country in the world,” says Curaçao Tourist Board Executive Director Hugo Clarinda. “With this historic change brings huge potential for growth in our tourism landscape to meet the demands of the North American market which, as evidenced by Curaçao’s consistently rising arrivals numbers, is increasingly interested in traveling to the Hidden Treasure of the Caribbean.”

The anticipated increase in hotel rooms will be welcomed by the North American market, which is showing a growing demand for an exotic, off-the-radar destination such as Curaçao, visible in the sheer number of Americans and Canadians visiting. Curaçao has seen an increase of nearly 40 percent in arrivals from North America, as of August 2010, the most of any other Caribbean island.

Looking forward to 2011, Curaçao is well-positioned, proving popular among sophisticated, upscale travelers, having been named as one of the “9 Top Spots for the Savvy Luxury Traveler” in a recent article on CNN.com. Curaçao also has plans to increase airlift from the Eastern Seaboard in the coming months, which will further enhance tourism to the island. The new flight schedules are projected to launch by the end of 2010.

With the opening of the island’s largest hotel, the highly anticipated 350-room Hyatt Regency Curaçao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, in April 2010, Curaçao is expecting to see other well-known U.S. and Canadian hotel chains to follow in those footsteps.

Curaçao becoming its own country, in addition to the new hotel development, will help to propel the island on to the North American travel radar as an emerging destination for Americans and Canadians to consider for travel in 2011.

On October 10, 2010 Curaçao also celebrated its heritage of shaping baseball stars in the Major League. Pitcher Jair Jurrjjens of the Atlanta Braves played the San Francisco Giants, whose batting coach is Hensley Meulens. The Giants won, three to two.

Curaçao, now its own country, with endless natural beauty and innate cornucopia of cultural offerings is perfectly positioned to become one of the hottest destinations for North America in 2011.

About Curaçao

Selected as one of the top 10 Destinations for 2010 by Bing.com, Curaçao – a UNESCO World Heritage site - boasts an eclectic mix of history and culture that welcomes visitors to this unique island paradise. With its pristine dive sites, secluded beaches, championship golf and rich local cuisine, Curaçao offers a little something for everyone – from the adventure traveler to those who simply want to unwind and enjoy its perfect climate. Curaçao enjoys an ideal locale, situated in between Aruba and Bonaire, just 35 miles north of Venezuela. Unlike many Caribbean islands, Curaçao sits on the fringe of the hurricane belt, and has avoided hurricane activity for 123 years.

For more information about traveling to Curaçao please call 248-666-5045 or email barbara@experiencetravelonline.com