A total of 31,251 stayover arrivals were welcomed in May where last year 29,196 stayover arrivals were counted. Curaçao welcomed a total of 13,844 stayover visitors from the Netherlands, the main producing country closed May with double-digit growth of 14%.
It is the first time in history that we have surpassed thirteen thousand visitors from Holland in May. The Netherlands continues to be the leading country where 44% of our share from stayover arrivals is originating. The second main country in Europe is Germany. This year with no direct service from Germany we registered 1,361 German visitors, a 9% decrease in stayover arrivals. Overall the European region grew by 12% in May 2018. A total of 16,675 stayover visitors are recorded.
CTB registered a total of 7,012 stayover visitors from North America in May 2018, ranking North America the second biggest contributor in visitor arrivals. Curaçao welcomed a total of 1,089 stayover visitors from Canada. The prolongation of the WestJet flights in May resulted in 66% more Canadian visitors than May 2017.
From the United States of America, an increase of 14% is registered in May 2018. In total 5,923 stayover visitors are registered. Last year we recorded 5,186 stayover arrivals from the USA. The positive figures out of the USA are the effect of the second weekly flight out of Charlotte and the upgauge of equipment with American Airlines from Miami.
Both secondary focus countries from South America performed very well recording double-digit growth. From Colombia, we registered an increase of 11% to a total of 1,114 stayover visitors. The increase in stayover arrivals is the result of marketing efforts. Traffic from Brazil recorded growth of 24% in May 2018. In total, 755 Brazilians were welcomed. A total of 1,799 Caribbean visitors were welcomed in May 2018. From our neighbour island Aruba, a growth of 4% is registered. A total of 977 Aruban visitors travelled to Curaçao in May.
January through May visitor arrivals 2018
During the first five months of 2018, a total of 74,371 Dutch visitors were welcomed. Last year in the same period 67,560 Dutch visitors were counted, an increase of 10%. From the United States of America, the year to date growth is recorded at 11% counting a total of 29,249 US visitors from January through May 2018. In 2017 we welcomed 26,395 stayover arrivals from the USA. Canada grew by recording 7% visitors, counting a total of 12,837 stayover arrivals in the first five months of 2018.
The overall stayover arrivals in the first five months remained flat compared to last year. Curaçao welcomed in total 173,984 stayover visitors in the first five months of 2018. If we take the tourism count from Venezuela out of the total stayover arrivals we would have registered 6% growth. This is a total of 10,404 more visitors. The year to date stayover arrivals also show a strong growth out of the focus markets.
A direct impact of $ 262.5 million US dollars is generated for the local economy in the first five months of 2018. 47% of the total direct impact is generated from European visitors who are responsible for $ 123.1 million US dollars. The direct economic impact from the remaining regions is as follows: North America $ 69.2 million, South America $ 37.2 million and the Caribbean/other regions $ 33 million.
