Willemstad, January 13, 2026 – The Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association (CHATA) kicked off 2026 with a vibrant New Year’s Reception at the scenic Villa Maria Arena, bringing together over 120 guests from the hospitality sector, government, and key tourism stakeholders such as the Curaçao Tourism Board (CTB), Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP), Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA), and high-ranking government officials, including the Governor, Mauritsz de Kort, Prime Minister Pisas, Minister Middelhof, Minister Cooper, and Minister Van Heydoorn. The event celebrated Curaçao’s achievements in 2025, including record-breaking tourism growth and historic international exposure and set an optimistic tone for continued collaboration and growth in 2026.
CHATA Vice President Peggy Croes opened the reception by celebrating a standout year for Curaçao, highlighting the island’s historic first-ever World Cup qualification and another record-breaking year for tourism arrivals. She emphasized the global exposure and national pride generated in 2025, while reaffirming the importance of strong public-private partnerships to safeguard Curaçao’s tourism industry and the well-being of the local community.
CHATA CEO Anuschka Cova reflected on a challenging yet meaningful year, emphasizing resilience, collaboration, and responsible growth. She noted December 2025 as the strongest month for stayover tourism in Curaçao’s history, welcoming more than 80,000 stayover visitors in a single month. For the year as a whole, stayover tourism grew by 13%, reaching nearly 788,000 visitors, while cruise tourism rose 6% to over 881,000 arrivals. Cova also highlighted strong performance metrics: revenue per available room in November 2025 increased by 20% compared to November 2024, driven by a 10% rise in average daily rate and a 7% increase in occupancy. She emphasized the importance of continued public-private collaboration, particularly during geopolitical developments in December, and reaffirmed CHATA’s commitment to balanced, future-focused growth that protects Curaçao’s culture, authenticity, and community.
A highlight of the evening was CHATA’s recognition of Mr. Gilbert Martina, President of the Curaçao Football Federation, for his pivotal role in Curaçao’s historic World Cup 2026 qualification. CHATA presented him with a painted portrait by artist AEmy Niafeliz, who was present for the moment. Reflecting on the journey, Mr. Martina, shared how it all began three years ago and how today Curaçao is recognized globally as a top destination, a success made possible with the support and sponsorship of Corendon and CAH. Minister Middelhof joined the tribute, thanking CHATA for its continued efforts to attract new investors and emphasizing the importance of having a strong organization like CHATA. He expressed confidence that 2026 will be a landmark year for Curaçao, further enhancing the island’s international profile, and pledged to continue working tirelessly to advance the sector in a sustainable way.
The 2026 New Year’s Reception celebrated the strength, resilience, and unity of Curaçao’s tourism sector, honoring remarkable achievements while looking forward to the year ahead. With continued collaboration, commitment, and dedication to authentic Curaçao experiences, CHATA and its partners are poised to drive sustainable growth, elevate the island’s global profile, and ensure that Curaçao remains a top destination for visitors worldwide.
