Tourism on Bonaire has developed into one of the most distinctive and carefully managed visitor economies in the Caribbean. Unlike mass-market destinations built on large resorts and high-volume arrivals, the island has consciously positioned itself as a niche destination focused on nature, diving and sustainability. Yet it still attracts substantial visitor numbers, and tourism now…
Tag: Curaçao
Aruba consolidates its position as a Caribbean tourism powerhouse
Tourism in Aruba has grown into one of the most robust and mature visitor economies in the Caribbean, driven by strong demand from North America, a highly developed resort sector and a reputation for reliability, safety and year-round sunshine. Unlike smaller or more niche destinations such as Bonaire, Aruba operates at scale, welcoming large volumes…
NETHERLANDS | Rising international visitor numbers, domestic travel showed signs of stagnation in 2025
Tourism in the Netherlands continued to grow in 2025, driven almost entirely by rising international demand, even as domestic travel showed signs of stagnation.
CURAÇAO | Tourism records for 2025, with 11,500 from Belgium
Curaçao closed 2025 with around 788,000 overnight visitors, TravMagazine reports, representing growth of 13% compared with the previous year. Including cruise passengers and day visitors, total visitor numbers rose to approximately 1.7 million, a year-on-year increase of about 9%.
REVIEW | Rijksmuseum van Oudheden or National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden
May 2025. I have a few days off so I decide to take a train to Leiden (Leyden, Leyde) in the Dutch province of South Holland to visit the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, or the National Museum of Antiquities. Steve, my former Latin and Ancient Greek teacher in my teen years, says it’s quite good. As…
SPARTACUS GAY TRAVEL INDEX 2025 | USA and Eastern Europe under observation
Iceland joins the world’s most LGBTQIA+ friendly travel destinations for the first time, according to the Spartacus Gay Travel Index 2025. The gay travel guide keeps a close watch on Eastern Europe and the United States of America. Belgium ranks now 12th.
European Union and 15 Member States challenge Hungary’s gay propaganda ban in court
The European Commission, the European Parliament and fifteen member states of the European Union are taking Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for its 2021 ban on communication about LGBTQIA+ topics.
Dreaming of a white Christmas destination
A white Christmas. In Western Europe, a white Easter is more likely than a white Christmas. But for this year’s holidays, we name a few scenic snow white destinations.
NETHERLANDS | Willemstad
On a colder than anticipated Sunday in March 2022, Oriol took me for a surprise one-day road trip to the Netherlands for a hike. First we walked the Moerputten Bridge near ‘s-Hertogenbosch, we then went to Gorinchem (also spelled as pronounced Gorkum or Gorcum), to Dordrecht and we ended the excursion at Willemstad.
Antwerp’s LGBTQI+ bookshop Kartonnen Dozen wins Çavaria Media Award
Boekhandel Kartonnen Dozen in Antwerp has won the annual Çavaria Media Award. Brussels based Protest to support the Polish LGBT+ community won the Çavaria Campaign Award.