Tourists are not passive observers; they experience both the curated highlights of a destination and the unfiltered realities of its environment and social dynamics. In Curaçao, the gap between what we want visitors to see (pristine beaches, historic sites, luxury resorts) and what they inevitably encounter (poor cleanliness, deteriorating infrastructure, or neglected areas) highlights the urgent need for transparent assessment and prompt action.  

Failure to address these visible realities can undermine Curaçao’s reputation, reduce repeat visits, and harm its ability to attract higher-value tourists. To create a sustainable and appealing tourism model, local communities must be empowered to participate in identifying problems and contributing to solutions.  

The New Concept: Empowering Curaçao through Community-Driven Tourism Insights  

A new concept should combine mystery shopping, real-time inspections, and community-driven reporting to improve Curaçao’s tourism experience. It’s about inviting locals to become active participants in maintaining and elevating Curaçao’s standards, while dramatizing the need for urgent improvements to decision-making bodies.  

Proposed Name: Curaçao Eyes  

“See It, Say It, Fix It Together”  

Core Elements of the Curaçao Eyes Program  

1. Mystery Observers: Hidden Tourists and Inspectors 

• Concept: Train local volunteers, NGOs, and even tourists to act as “mystery observers” who assess tourism hotspots, lodging, dining, transportation, and public spaces. 

• Purpose: 

• Evaluate cleanliness, accessibility, and service quality. 

• Provide unbiased feedback directly to tourism boards and municipal bodies. 

• Execution: Observers submit feedback through an app or hotline, ranking key areas such as hygiene, staff friendliness, and visual appeal.  

2. Curaçao Clean and Green Inspectors 

• Concept: A dedicated team of locals who patrol and inspect public spaces (beaches, streets, parks, and tourist hubs) for immediate issues, such as trash, graffiti, or safety hazards. 

• Purpose: 

• Act as a “rapid response” team to address complaints and visibly improve tourist zones. 

• Partner with local government for faster problem resolution. 

• Execution: Publicly report areas of improvement and successful interventions on a weekly basis, creating transparency.  

3. Community-Driven Reporting 

• Concept: A platform where locals can report tourism-related issues—dirty streets, broken signs, unsafe areas—to decision-makers. 

• Purpose: Involve residents in shaping Curaçao’s public image and ensuring their voices are heard. 

• Execution: 

• An app called Curaçao Improvers, allowing citizens to upload photos and descriptions of problems. 

• A public dashboard showing reported issues and resolutions for accountability.   

Dramatizing the Problem: The “Curaçao Eyes” Campaign  

Theme: “What They See is What We Are.”  

This campaign uses dramatization to highlight that tourists see the real Curaçao, not just the polished highlights. It urges immediate action from communities and decision-makers to bridge the gap between perception and reality.  

Key Elements: 

1. Video Series: 

• Show split-screen comparisons: the “perfect postcard Curaçao” vs. the reality of trash, neglect, or poor service. 

• Highlight stories of local inspectors or community members working to improve conditions. 

2. Interactive Installations: 

• Place symbolic “eyes” in public areas (e.g., murals, sculptures, or augmented reality features) to remind everyone that Curaçao is always being seen by its visitors—and its own people. 

• Include QR codes linked to the Curaçao Improvers app for instant reporting. 

3. Community Events: 

• Host clean-up days, where locals join forces with tourism stakeholders to beautify key areas. 

• Offer incentives such as discounts or prizes for participants. 

4. Local Education: 

• Workshops and town halls explaining how Curaçao’s image impacts tourism revenue, local businesses, and job creation.  

Benefits of the Curaçao Eyes Concept 

1. Improved Transparency: 

• Decision-makers gain real-time, actionable insights into the island’s shortcomings. 

2. Community Empowerment: 

• Local residents become stakeholders in Curaçao’s tourism success, fostering pride and accountability. 

3. Enhanced Visitor Experience: 

• Faster responses to problems create a cleaner, safer, and more appealing destination. 

4. Economic Growth: 

• A better tourist experience leads to higher satisfaction, longer stays, and increased spending.  

Conclusion: Bridging Perception and Reality  

The success of Curaçao’s tourism lies in creating an authentic, high-quality experience that matches the island’s rich heritage and beauty. By implementing the Curaçao Eyes program, locals and decision-makers can work together to identify and resolve issues, ensuring that what visitors see truly reflects the best of what Curaçao has to offer. This transparency-driven model will not only improve visitor satisfaction but also ensure that tourism becomes a win-win for all.