Marco Leal, director of the Curaçao Tourism Office, indicated that both countries should review agreements and other deals in this new stage. He explained that from Curaçao they consider that Venezuela has “a lot of potential” in the tourist part.
The director of the Curaçao Tourism Office, Marco Leal, said he felt “happy” about the opening of the border with Venezuela and stressed that for the island nation it is vital that it has happened, since it is an essential part of the economy and commercial exchange. .
In an interview granted to Circuit Hits, Leal stressed that once Curaçao is set foot on, the door to European territory opens as it is under the protectorate of the Netherlands. Despite how beneficial the opening of borders with Venezuela may be, Curaçao is aware that this process will not have a significant impact in the short term due to the situation.
He stated that they must once again recognize each other and reassess everything related to customs, visas and a reality different from what it was in 2019. For this reason, he emphasized that it is entering a stage of adjustments for the reactivation of various things, such as the commercial exchange with small boats because Venezuela has been replaced as a supplier and now they must fight to recover space.
He indicated that both countries should stimulate tourism between both countries and encourage high hotel occupancy, as well as active air traffic. From Curaçao they consider that Venezuela has “a lot of potential”, as explained by Leal, detailing that they are already planning the design of tourist packages so that the visitor can spend 10 days on vacation.
*Read also: Departure of vessels suspended due to demands from Curaçao and obstacles from Venezuela
He clarified that there is still uncertainty about what may happen when the first flight by the Albatros airline is registered next week and the reaction of the people. He also said that Laser could not fly to Curazo for “technical reasons and permits”, although the INAC and the civil aeronautics of the island have already approved the routes.
Similarly, he revealed that Curaçao has experienced growth in tourism in the last three years, where several chains such as Marriott, Reinassence, Sandals, among others, have entered, where they already have 4,000 rooms available.
Marco Leal recalled that in the Caribbean nation a visa is requested from Venezuelans, although he said that it is easy to obtain despite some “bad experiences” that occurred with the migratory disorder reported a few years ago.
On the subject of those detained for alleged immigration crimes, he explained that there are not 17,000 Venezuelans who are arrested but rather there are close to 400; figure close to that used by the Venezuelan ambassador in Curaçao.
To see the full interview, click here.
The authorities of Curaçao and Venezuela agreed to reopen the air and maritime border on Monday, April 3, after it has been closed for four years due to the attempt to enter humanitarian aid by the then president of the interim government, Juan Guaidó.
The authorities of both nations already signed an agreement on Friday, March 31, to open the air borders; It will be done in three phases: 1) April 3 for charter flights contracted by one or more specific clients; 2) May 1 for general aviation; and 3) on July 1st regular flights will begin.
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