WILLEMSTAD - On a monthly basis the associations CHATA & CASHA publish the figures regarding hotels, alternative accommodations, car rentals and diving schools. By doing this together, both associations aim to create a broader and balanced overview of Curaçao’s tourism & hospitality sector’s performance and recovery.

CASHA presents occupancy figures for February 2022

Occupancy was 85,5%, which is an increase of 2,4% compared to January of this year. At least 8 accommodations spread over the island reported an occupancy over 90%, of which 2 reported a full 100% occupancy. Thus, all nights booked!  The rest of the accommodations reported an occupancy between 53-87%. These figures are almost at 2019-levels. Surprisingly, a lot of members reported in February for the first time. The importance of reporting and of sharing this data is clearly being recognized, as it is an important tool to prove that CASHA and its members are an important pilar to the economy of Curaçao.

Bookings were still being canceled in February, mostly related to COVID. The main reason for cancelation was the positive PCR-test result, and the Air-Canada lock-down. Guests were booking last minute and tried to extend payment as much as possible until they were sure of their departure. Rebooking is also still a reality, however, sporadically. After speaking to a few members, CASHA concludes that the March performance is also looking positively. Especially now that the travel measures have been relaxed and that face masks will soon not be mandatory on the plane to Curaçao.

CHATA presents occupancy figures for February 2022

February was also a positive month for CHATA members in terms of hotel occupancy. In the month of February 2022, the larger hotels had an average occupancy of 71,5%. Compared to the year before (26,7%) this is a substantial increase of 167,7%. However, if we look at the occupancy data pre-COVID (February 2019: 84%), this is a decrease of 14,8%. The average daily rate also increased with 46,2% compared to 2021, to $225,70. Compared to February of 2019, this is also an increase of 24,2%.

As for the revenue per available room, numbers indicate a significant increase of 291,5% compared to 2021. From $41,19 in 2021 to $161,26 in 2022. Compared to the pre-COVID data, the revenue per available room also slightly increased with 5.6%.

The table below, showcases the STR data compared to the last two years:

*Source: STR. Smith Travel Research (STR) is the leading global provider of competitive benchmarking, information services and research to the hotel industry

Unpredictable future, however, cautiously optimistic

It’s remarkable that the ADR continues to increase compared to 2019. In February Curaçao was in the top 5 list with the highest occupancy rates in the Caribbean region. Even though it feels like we are nearing the end of the pandemic, unfortunately, the situation of Russia and Ukraine, makes these times still unpredictable. Consequently, this makes the future in general, for all of us, including the tourism sector still difficult to predict. However, CHATA and CASHA remains cautiously positive and focusses on the string recovery and the new developments in Curaçao, which reflect the trust investors have in our island and our tourism product.