WILLEMSTAD – Tour operators and environmental organizations have expressed surprise and concern over the Curaçao government's recently announced environmental and visitor regulations for Klein Curaçao. While all parties support conservation efforts, they are frustrated by the lack of consultation and worry about potentially inefficient policies driven by a government that, they say, is starting from scratch in managing the area.
For years, tour operators claim they have voluntarily taken responsibility for maintaining the uninhabited island. In fact, three years ago, they jointly established the Klein Curaçao Conservation Foundation, which has conducted bird counts and kept the island clean and orderly.
Major Shift in Management Approach
The island is set to become an officially protected Ramsar nature reserve, which would trigger a series of new regulations. Among the proposals being considered:
A tourist tax of $10 to $15 per visitor
Tighter enforcement against illegal activities
A cap of 100,000 visitors per year, equating to approximately 250–275 people per day
This would mark a dramatic reduction from the 200,000 visitors the island currently receives annually.
Concerns from Tour Operators
Jan Geerings, owner of Blue Finn Charters, questioned the proposed visitor cap in an interview with the media. He said the current average is 400 to 500 visitors per day, and believes the island could easily handle up to 750 visitors per day without crowding. “We’re talking about the largest beach in Curaçao,” said Geerings. “Even with 750 visitors a day, there’s still more than enough space for everyone.”
Lack of Stakeholder Engagement
The main concern among both tour operators and environmental groups is that the new policy has been developed without any meaningful dialogue. They argue that those who have long been involved in preserving Klein Curaçao should have had a seat at the table.
While supportive of the government's goals to protect the island's fragile ecosystem, stakeholders are urging authorities to adopt a more inclusive and transparent approach moving forward.
