Colombian tourism in Curaçao grows by 8% and aims to exceed 47,000 visits.

With a projected 47,000 Colombian visitors by the end of 2025, Curaçao is consolidating its position as one of the Caribbean's most attractive destinations for Latin American tourism. In an interview with Portafolio, Gerardo Fajardo, head of commercial strategy and business development for Latin America at the Curaçao Tourism Office, discusses the sustained growth in Colombian travelers, air connectivity, strategic investments, and the challenges of the island's sustainable development.

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Curaçao strengthens its tourism position in Colombia with sustained growth and new investments.

Curaçao is steadily gaining ground as one of the Caribbean destinations preferred by Colombian travelers. This is according to Gerardo Fajardo, who highlights that by the end of June 2025, the island had received 25,800 Colombian visitors, representing an 8% increase compared to the same period last year.

“We have a clear goal of welcoming 47,000 Colombians by December 31st, and we're already 55% complete. This indicates that we're not only going to meet the goal, but exceed it,” says Fajardo. The performance of the Colombian market has been, according to him, “completely exponential.”

A comprehensive and diverse tourist offer

The growth of Colombian tourism in Curaçao is supported by an increasingly robust and diverse offering. “From the moment you arrive, you can enjoy the gastronomy, culture, nature, and all the water sports. Our capital, Willemstad, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which adds another attraction. It's a vibrant island, where you'll always be encouraged to be in a completely happy environment,” explains Fajardo.

The travel experience is built with a holistic approach. "We are working on product development in terms of culture, gastronomy, and festivals. This whole range of possibilities allows us to welcome more tourists without losing the authenticity of our destination," he emphasizes.

For example, the second half of 2025 will bring an events calendar that reinforces the island's cultural appeal. "We have the North Sea Jazz Festival, one of the largest and most anticipated in the Caribbean, featuring international and regional artists. We also have the KLM Marathon and the Kaya Kaya Festival, which celebrates urban and cultural richness with gastronomy, traditional dances, graffiti, and street art," he explains.

These events not only boost the local economy, but also help position the island as a high-level cultural and sports tourism destination.

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Expanding connectivity: five airlines now operate routes from Colombia

One of the key factors driving this growth is air connectivity. Currently, five airlines offer routes between Colombia and Curaçao.

“Avianca operates 14 weekly flights, and Copa Airlines also has 14 flights via Panama City. Wingo operates four flights, two from Bogotá and two from Medellín, on seasonal flights. Latam Airlines Colombia is a newcomer, with three weekly flights starting December 2. And Zier connects from Barranquilla with two weekly flights,” Fajardo explains.

Furthermore, proximity is an added value: "We're approximately an hour and thirty minutes by flight from Bogotá. And entry for Colombians only requires a valid passport and yellow fever card," he points out.

When asked how Curaçao competes with other, more established Caribbean destinations, Fajardo highlights climate stability as a key differentiator: “Curaçao is outside the hurricane line, which allows us to have a completely pleasant season year-round. This gives us an advantage over other destinations that must suspend operations at certain times.”

Additionally, he mentions current developments that seek to improve capacity and the visitor experience. "We are increasing the number of rooms for tourists and expanding the offering with new culinary and cultural projects," he states.

Strategic investments to attract Colombian travelers

The island continues its efforts to consolidate its position. One of the most significant projects is the Saquito Passage, a traditional beach area where local cuisine has taken center stage.

"We want to give more strength to this place, which is indigenous, very authentic, and has attracted many tourists. We're investing to increase its visibility and enrich the experience," says Fajardo.

In parallel, the Curaçao Tourism Office has opened a Curaçao experience center with immersive technology. “It's common to learn about a destination through digital marketing or static advertising. We went further: we created an immersive metaverse experience, with interactive technologies that allow you to explore streets, enter the sea, dive—all before the trip. You can even purchase your tour packages from there,” he explains.

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Challenges of sustainable tourism and Colombia's role as a strategic market

Fajardo is emphatic in pointing out that the great challenge is to maintain Curaçao's cultural authenticity and promote a sustainable tourism model: "We want to preserve the island's traditions and indigenous character. Despite its significant size, growth must be progressive and responsible."

Sustainability is also reflected in infrastructure development and airline agreements. "We are in negotiations with airlines to improve connectivity, both for Colombians to Curaçao and for Curaçaoans to Colombia. There is a lot of interest in exploring Medellín, Bogotá, Cali, Barranquilla, and the Andean region," he states.

The Colombian market is a priority for the island. " It's the third largest tourist market for Curaçao, after the United States and the Netherlands. That's why we're focusing our efforts on innovation, creativity, and sustainable plans to strengthen this bond," he concludes.

Therefore, the expectations for the end of 2025 are ambitious: the island expects to welcome 700,000 travelers from around the world. "We already see that this goal will be achieved. We want to continue developing an innovative, sustainable, and differentiated product that allows each traveler to enjoy a unique experience," Fajardo emphasizes.

Paula Galeano Balaguera

Portfolio Journalist