WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association (CHATA) has issued an urgent call for action as the island’s tourism sector faces a significant labor shortage. According to Anuschka Cova, director of CHATA, the demand for workers is growing rapidly, and while local talent is the top priority, the industry is increasingly being forced to look beyond Curaçao’s borders to fill critical roles. 

Recent assessments indicate that between 2,000 and 3,000 additional workers will be needed in the next two years to support the growing tourism industry. The demand spans across hotels, apartment complexes, restaurants, and tourist activity operators, and also includes essential support roles such as housekeeping, animation, and wellness services, where shortages are considered structural. 

Economic Significance 

“The tourism sector accounts for 48% of Curaçao’s GDP and provides employment to over 20,000 people,” CHATA stated in an official release. “It played a significant role in the island’s 5.4% economic growth last year.” 

Over the past five years, the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) and the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) have invested in training and apprenticeship programs to retrain and prepare local workers for careers in tourism. However, CHATA notes that despite these collaborative efforts, the available local workforce is still insufficient to meet the rapid pace of growth in the sector. 

Looking Abroad for Solutions 

As tourism continues to expand and Curaçao positions itself as a premier travel destination, stakeholders emphasize the urgent need to attract and retain skilled labor, even if it means recruiting internationally. The shortage, if not addressed, could hinder service quality and slow the momentum the sector has built in recent years. 

CHATA is calling on policymakers, educational institutions, and private sector partners to explore innovative solutions and streamlined procedures for workforce development and recruitment—both locally and abroad.