It had been five years since the last edition of the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, long one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated music events.
And the 2024 edition did not disappoint — with the event drawing 6,232 visitors from around the world, joining 5,000 local fans for what was an undisputed hit.
In fact, the event generated more than $14.2 million in direct and indirect spending on the island during its late August run.
“Festival-Passion” tourists, those who traveled specifically for the event, actually totaled almost 80 percent of all attendees, tourism officials told Caribbean Journal.
Those visitors spent an average of $1,854 per person.
This year’s event included a high-profile lineup with stars like Marc Anthony, Juan Luis Guerra, Jennifer Hudson, Joss Stone, Eros Ramazzotti, and Maluma.
Most importantly, more than 84 percent of attendees said in a post-event survey that they plan to return to the island — and recommend it to their friends.
The event “was not just a festival—it was a celebration of life, culture, and resilience,” the Curacao Tourist Board said in a statement provided to Caribbean Journal.
“As it continues to grow, the festival plays a vital role in shaping Curaçao’s future as a destination where music, culture, and community flourish together.”
The event is another feather in the cap for what has been another sizzling year for tourism in Curacao.
