Market Research in the Dutch Caribbean
The Dutch Caribbean islands are part of the Lesser Antilles chain. Three of the islands are north, near the Virgin Islands. Those three are Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten.
The southern islands, known as the “ABC Islands,” are Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. There’s also Klein Bonaire (Little Bonaire) and Klein Curacao (Little Curacao).
These islands were formerly known as the Netherlands Antilles. In 2010, the Netherlands Antilles dissolved its status as a country. In fact, Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten are now a unique grouping. They became constituent countries in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The other islands, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba, became special municipalities of the Netherlands.
Key Industries
The economy depends on two colossal oil refineries in Aruba and Curacao. These two ports are among the busiest in the world because of the high volume of inward and outward shipments.
Petroleum products form the backbone of the economy. The next most important industry is tourism, followed by banking and investments.
Neighborhoods
Oranjestad: the capital and largest city in Aruba, located on the southern coast. This city boasts several shopping malls and other modern amenities.
Willemstad: Curacao’s capital city. Willemstad was the capital of the Netherlands Antilles before its dissolution in 2010.
Philipsburg: the capital city of Sint Maarten. Front Street is the central shopping district in the heart of the town.
Trends
Special Municipalities
Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius have a combined population of 26.5 thousand. This figure is rising, and the islands have slightly more males than females.
More than 80 percent of the people on these three islands are Internet users. Most of them are also social media users. The data suggest that Facebook’s ad reach is better than Instagram’s. So far, LinkedIn adoption has been abysmal.
Constituent Countries
The countries in this group, Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten, are on an upward trend. Tourism is on the rebound, and stayover and cruise ship visitors are on the rise. The recovery is gaining ground, but it is facing headwinds from inflation and other setbacks.
Benefits and Strengths in the Market
The Dutch Caribbean features exciting nightlife. Island hopping is easy, and there are beautiful beaches and excellent shopping. Most stores accept US dollars. The official language of the islands is Dutch, but most residents speak English. Several airlines provide nonstop flights from US, Canadian, and European cities. The Dutch Caribbean is also a cruising mecca.
Consumer Base
The consumer base of the Dutch Caribbean is diverse since it covers six islands. The more well-known islands are Sint Maarten, Aruba, and Curacao. They have well-developed economies based on oil refining and tourism. Thus, their consumers have more sophisticated tastes than those on the other islands. Despite their development, all the islands have a laid-back vibe. The people reflect that vibe.
Reasons to Grow Your Business in the Dutch Caribbean
The Dutch Caribbean is excellent for growing a business. Why? Because it gives companies direct access to the European market. The Netherlands is part of the European Union. Your company can derive several benefits from that. The islands also have a well-developed tourism product. That is a boon if your company serves that market.
About Market Research in the Dutch Caribbean
At SIS we are happy to partner with companies needing market research in the Dutch Caribbean. We offer Quantitative, Qualitative, UX, Strategy, and Market Entry Research. Our services also include Market Sizing Research and Go-To-Market Strategy. We can put together Focus Groups and conduct Surveys and Interviews. That way, we help you figure out if investing in the Dutch Caribbean is right for you.