WILLEMSTAD – Tourism industry organization CASHA is calling on the Curaçao government to publish the results of the Destination Carrying Capacity Study before approving additional large tourism developments or major expansions.
The study is intended to determine how much additional tourism growth Curaçao can accommodate without placing excessive pressure on the island’s economy, environment, infrastructure and society.
According to CASHA, the study was initiated by the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) and the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO), in cooperation with Sustainable Travel International and George Washington University.
CASHA wants the results made public and formally incorporated into the decision-making process for new hotels and other major tourism developments.
The organization argues that Curaçao’s tourism capacity should not be measured simply by how many additional visitors or hotel rooms the island can accommodate. Available electricity, drinking water, internet capacity, waste processing, sewage infrastructure, roads, parking and airport capacity should also be considered.
CASHA says the assessment should additionally examine pressure on the housing market, availability of workers, public safety and the impact of continued tourism development on beaches, nature and water quality.
The call comes amid rapid expansion of Curaçao’s accommodation sector.
According to figures used by CASHA in its submission to the Curaçao Parliament, the number of rooms is expected to increase from 9,689 in 2024 to an average of 14,627 in 2027. That represents growth of approximately 51 percent in just three years.
CASHA represents primarily small and medium-sized businesses in Curaçao’s tourism industry. Its position was submitted to Parliament in response to questions raised during a parliamentary meeting on the future of tourism.
The organization argues that the carrying-capacity study should provide policymakers with an objective framework for determining how much additional development the island can sustain.
For CASHA, the central issue is not whether Curaçao should continue developing tourism, but whether growth is taking place at a pace that the island’s infrastructure, environment and community can support.