WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao Parliament will hold a special committee meeting in the first week of May to examine the island’s tourism capacity amid growing concerns about whether Curaçao can sustain its rapid tourism growth without damaging infrastructure, nature and quality of life.
The debate was requested by opposition party Partido Nashonal di Pueblo (PNP), whose members are demanding answers about what they describe as the island’s tourism carrying capacity.
The session will bring together representatives from the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB), the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association (CHATA) and the environmental and scientific organization Carmabi Foundation.
The central topic will be the question of how much tourism Curaçao can realistically accommodate without harming the island’s economy, infrastructure and environment.
The request was formally submitted by PNP parliamentarians Ruthmilda Larmonie-Cecilia, Ornelio 'Kid' Martina, Sheldry Osepa and Ruisandro Cijntje.
PNP says the issue can no longer be ignored, pointing to what it describes as explosive tourism growth and fragmented permit approvals that are putting increasing pressure on local communities.
In its letter to Parliament, the party stressed that while economic development and tourism remain important, growth should not come at the expense of Curaçao’s residents.
According to PNP, the expansion of tourism is creating visible strain on essential infrastructure such as water supply, electricity distribution and road networks.
The party also warned that tourism-related development is contributing to pressure on the housing market, making it increasingly difficult for local residents to secure affordable housing.
At the same time, PNP argues that Curaçao’s natural environment and cultural authenticity—key assets for the tourism sector itself—are at risk if growth continues without clear limits.
The upcoming parliamentary session is expected to focus heavily on the long-awaited Destination Carrying Capacity Study, a report that has yet to be publicly presented despite growing calls for transparency.
According to PNP, that study should serve as the foundation for Curaçao’s future Tourism Master Plan.
Without it, the party warns, policymakers risk making decisions that could undermine the very qualities that make Curaçao attractive to visitors.
The debate comes as Curaçao continues to report record tourism arrivals, intensifying the national conversation about balancing economic gains with sustainability.