WILLEMSTAD- June 14, 2020 – In preparation for the gradual reopening of our borders, the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB), in close collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, the Environment and Nature (GMN), the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO), the Curaçao Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA) and the private sector are all working on the implementation of a new set of protocols for the hospitality industry. With these protocols, the industry will be ready to apply the hygiene practices, enhanced sanitation procedures and physical distancing laid down by the public-health authorities. At the same time, this information will come in handy to our partners abroad who sell our destination. This set of protocols will be branded “A Dushi Stay, the Healthy Way.” With “A Dushi Stay, the Healthy Way”, the CTB wishes to convey that Curaçao is virtually COVID-Free and is a destination offering visitors a safe, healthy and pleasant stay, while ensuring that visitors and workers in the industry alike adhere to the protocols that come with the new normal.
The health of our visitors, workers in the industry and the local population remains paramount as we strive to reopen our borders very soon. The hospitality-industry protocols will include instructions on communication with personnel, as well as with tourists before and after their arrival, during their stay, around and after their return to their home country. They also cover personnel training, measures to prevent the spread of infections, physical distancing, hygiene and sanitation guidelines, and the procedures to be followed if someone is showing COVID-19 symptoms.
To assure that the industry is well-informed on the content of these protocols, the CTB, in close collaboration with GMN and the private sector will be providing ‘information sessions’ for the hospitality sector, specifically for businesses in the accommodation, restaurant, attractions, public transportation and watersports industries. The Curaçao Hospitality & Tourism Association (CHATA) will take care of communicating the “A Dushi Stay, the Healthy Way” protocols to their members.
For travel agents abroad and the island’s future visitors, the CTB has prepared a digital welcome card and a video with a clear and easy breakdown of the arrangements that our destination has put in place to start receiving visitors once again.
Like many other countries around the globe, Curaçao has been affected by COVID-19. The developments in connection with this pandemic brought our tourism industry to a full stop. With the responsible and gradual reopening of our borders, Curaçao will begin to receive tourists once more. The CTB will continue monitoring all developments and remain in consultation with the relevant and competent authorities in order to be able to share all relevant information across our target markets. We have left the old normal behind. Together, we are about to embark on the road to the new normal.
