WILLEMSTAD – With the decline of the offshore banking sector and the refinery industry, successive governments have shifted their focus to promoting Curaçao as a tourist destination. The Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) now receives nearly 30 million guilders annually for tourism promotion, and as a result, the sector has grown to become the island’s primary economic pillar.
According to data from CTB and CHATA, the island has seen a significant surge in tourism, particularly from the Netherlands. While this is good news, local politician Omar Gill believes Curaçao must continue improving its service quality to sustain growth.
Long Queues at Hato Airport
Gill points out the frequent issue of long lines at Hato Airport, especially when flights from Corendon, KLM, or TUI arrive. These delays create frustration among visitors and often lead to negative social media exposure.
“We must focus on making the experience smoother for visitors from the moment they decide to come to Curaçao. It is our responsibility to ensure their journey is as pleasant as possible,” Gill stated.
Proposal for Pre-Clearance Between Hato and Schiphol
To address these issues, Gill is advocating for a pre-clearance system between Hato International Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol.
“With Curaçao being part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, we should explore the possibility of implementing a pre-clearance system at Schiphol,” he explained.
Under this system, travelers would undergo rigorous customs and immigration screening in Amsterdam before boarding their flights to Curaçao. Upon arrival in Curaçao, they would be able to move through the airport more quickly, eliminating congestion during peak arrival times.
Benefits of a Pre-Clearance System
This initiative could help reduce bottlenecks at Hato Airport, especially when multiple international flights land back-to-back. Additionally, it would create new job opportunities and enhance Curaçao’s overall tourism experience.
However, Gill acknowledges that implementing pre-clearance requires bilateral agreements between the governments of Curaçao and the Netherlands and financial investments in airport infrastructure.
A Successful Model in Aruba
Gill pointed to Aruba’s U.S. pre-clearance system as a successful model that has added significant value to their tourism industry.
“If Aruba—without being part of the U.S.—managed to establish a pre-clearance system with the United States, then Curaçao, as part of the Dutch Kingdom, should be able to achieve this with the Netherlands,” Gill emphasized.
He concluded by urging local stakeholders to embrace innovation and work towards making Curaçao the first destination in the Kingdom to establish a pre-clearance system.
“Let’s take tourism to the next level and ensure visitors leave with a seamless experience—one that makes them want to return,” said Gill.