WILLEMSTAD – The opposition party Partido Nashonal di Pueblo (PNP) is calling for a fundamental shift in Curaçao’s tourism strategy, warning that the current pace and structure of growth risk undermining the island’s social fabric, environment and long-term economic stability.
The call comes ahead of a scheduled Central Committee meeting in the Curaçao Parliament in early May, where stakeholders from the Curaçao Tourist Board, the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association and Carmabi will discuss the island’s tourism capacity.
In a letter to Parliament, PNP members Ruthmilda Larmonie-Cecilia, Ornelio ‘Kid’ Martina, Sheldry Osepa and Ruisandro Cijntje frame tourism as both an opportunity and a growing challenge. While acknowledging the sector’s importance, they argue that the current development model lacks balance and sustainability.
The party states that Curaçao must ensure that tourism serves the interests of its residents, rather than the island becoming overly dependent on the demands of the industry. According to PNP, unchecked expansion is placing heavy pressure on essential infrastructure, including water and electricity systems, as well as transportation networks.
Beyond infrastructure, the party highlights broader social impacts. They point to increasing competition in the housing market, where tourism-driven demand is pushing residents out, and warn of the gradual erosion of the island’s cultural identity and natural assets.
The concerns raised by PNP align with recent signals from within the private sector. The Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association has called for a strategic reorientation toward high-quality tourism with a lower environmental and social footprint, suggesting that even industry stakeholders recognize the need for change.
Central to the debate is the long-delayed Destination Carrying Capacity Study, which is expected to define the limits of sustainable tourism on the island. PNP argues that without this data, policymakers risk making decisions that could irreversibly damage the very qualities that attract visitors to Curaçao.
The upcoming parliamentary session is expected to focus on how to translate these concerns into concrete policy, including the development of a Tourism Master Plan that prioritizes sustainability, community well-being and the preservation of Curaçao’s unique character.
As discussions intensify, the issue of tourism’s future direction is emerging as a key policy question, with potential implications for economic planning, environmental protection and the daily lives of residents.