WILLEMSTAD – Economic growth driven by tourism does not necessarily translate into a better quality of life for residents, according to tourism expert Robertico Croes, who addressed the issue during a lecture in Curaçao.
Croes, a professor at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida and advisor to the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB), presented his keynote titled A Journey to Happiness: Discovering Well-Being Through Tourism at the University of Curaçao, where he also introduced his book on the same topic.
The presentation, delivered on Wednesday evening, focused on a central question: why strong tourism growth does not always lead to a greater sense of well-being among the local population.
According to Croes, tourism clearly contributes to economic development, job creation, and income generation. However, he argued that the traditional assumption—economic growth leads directly to improved well-being—is incomplete. While economic indicators may show progress, they do not capture how people actually experience their lives.
Drawing on examples from countries such as Ecuador and Aruba, Croes explained that a gap often emerges between economic growth and perceived well-being. Tourism can expand opportunities, but it also raises expectations and aspirations among the population.
He described this phenomenon as the “aspiration-expectation gap,” which occurs when what people hope to achieve grows faster than what they believe they can realistically attain. This imbalance can create social tension and affect how individuals perceive their quality of life, even in periods of economic expansion.
Croes emphasized that tourism should not be viewed solely as an economic sector, but as a broader system that shapes opportunities, influences social dynamics, and alters expectations about the future.
Research from multiple countries, he noted, shows that economic growth can also increase inequality and that its impact on well-being tends to diminish over time. Ultimately, the key factor is not just income, but whether people have the ability—referred to as “capabilities”—to make use of opportunities and improve their lives.
The discussion is particularly relevant as Curaçao prepares its Tourism Master Plan 2027–2032, with Croes playing an advisory role in shaping the island’s long-term tourism strategy.
His message underscores a growing debate: as tourism continues to expand, the challenge is no longer only how to grow the sector, but how to ensure that its benefits are felt meaningfully across society.