Kòrsou ta plania pa kresementu di turismo sostenibel ku Estudio di Kapasidat di Destinashon / Curaçao Proactively Plans for Sustainable Tourism Growth with Destination Carrying Capacity Study
Kòrsou ta plania pa kresementu di turismo sostenibel ku
Estudio di Kapasidat di Destinashon
WILLEMSTAD – 20 di mart 2025 – Ofisina di Turismo di Kòrsou (CTB) i Ministerio di Desaroyo Ekonómiko (MEO) den estrecho kolaborashon ku Sustainable Travel International i George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies (GW IITS) ta bai ehekutá un Destination Carrying Capacity Study esta un estudio di e kapasidat ku e destinashon por karga basá riba data, pa por guia kresementu sostenibel di turismo. Miéntras diferente destinashon ta lucha ku ‘overtourism’, Kòrsou ta tuma un paso importante dunando prioridat na kresementu di turismo di balor haltu, ku impakto abou i ku alabes ta resiliente riba término largu. E estudio lo enserá un evaluashon di 360 grado riba e impakto ekonómiko, ambiental i sosial relashoná ku kresementu di turismo. Dor di kita e enfoke for di kantidat pa un manera mas holístiko di midi e balor di turismo, e inisiativa aki ta enfoká riba krea un industria balansá ku ta maksimalisá e benefisionan ekonómiko miéntras ta protehá ekosistema di nos pais, preservá e herensia kultural, mehora satisfakshon di bishitantenan i bienestar di komunidat.
Preparando promé ku retonan presentá
Turismo na Kòrsou ta kresiendo di manera eksepshonal, ku un rèkòrt di riba 700 mil turista di estadia na 2024 i un kontinuashon di e kresementu fuerte aki den 2025. Esaki ta mustra e interes kresiente pa nos isla su kultura vibrante, playanan bunita i nos herensia riku. Sinembargo rekonosiendo e importansia di planifikashon stratégiko, Kòrsou di un manera proaktivo ta dal e stapnan pa prevení retonan den futuro.
Mas ayá di sistemanan tradishonal pa midi kresementu
Durante dékadanan éksito di turismo a keda midí pa e kantidat di bishitantenan i entrada di divisa. Pa por midi e impakto di turismo riba komunidat, medioambiente i sostenibilidat di e destinashon riba término largu, mester amplia e indikadónan aktual. P’esei Kòrsou ta bai implementá un aserkamentu mas progresivo, kaminda lo bai basa éksito riba persepshon di komunidat, un ekosistema salú, kapasidat di infrastruktura, loke ta atraé e bishitante i identidat kultural. E enfoke prinsipal ta pa garantisá ku tur stakeholder tin un bos den forma e futuro di Kòrsou. E estudio lo envolví di manera aktivo stakeholders di sektor públiko i privá, komunidat lokal i lidernan di industria miéntras ta inkorporá e perspektiva di bishitantenan i stimulá e sentido di responsabilidat kompartí den toma di desishon.
Curaçao Proactively Plans for Sustainable Tourism Growth with Destination Carrying Capacity Study
WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO (March 17, 2025) – As destinations worldwide struggle with overtourism, the Caribbean island of Curaçao is taking a forward-thinking approach that prioritizes high-value, low-impact tourism growth and long-term resilience over short-term gains. In partnership with Sustainable Travel International and the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies (GW IITS), Curaçao is implementing a Destination Carrying Capacity Study, a 360-degree framework evaluating the economic, environmental, and social impacts of increasing tourism. By shifting the focus from sheer volume to a more holistic measure of tourism’s value, this initiative aims to create a balanced, mutually-benefi cial industry that maximizes economic benefi ts while safeguarding the island’s ecosystems, preserving its cultural heritage, and enhancing visitor satisfaction and community well-being.
Getting Ahead Before Challenges Arrive
In 2024, global tourism rebounded to 1.4 billion international arrivals, virtually reaching pre-pandemic levels. While this surge fueled economic recovery, it has also led to overcrowding, environmental degradation, community resentment, and infrastructure strain in many destinations.
Tourism in Curaçao is soaring to new heights, highlighted by a record 700,000+ stayover visitors in 2024 and continued strong arrivals into 2025—underscoring the island’s global appeal driven by vibrant culture, pristine beaches, and captivating heritage. However, in anticipation of growing pains and recognizing the importance of strategic planning, Curaçao is taking proactive steps to prevent future challenges.
Beyond Traditional Success Metrics
Curaçao is partnering with Sustainable Travel International and the GW International Institute of Tourism Studies to conduct a data-driven Destination Carrying Capacity Study to guide sustainable tourism growth. For decades, tourism success has been measured by visitor numbers
and revenue, but these metrics fail to capture tourism’s broader impact on communities, the environment, and long-term destination sustainability. Curaçao is embracing a more progressive approach, tracking success through community perceptions, ecological health, infrastructure capacity, visitor appeal, and cultural identity. This includes:
● Assessing tourism impacts and modeling future growth scenarios to inform policy and planning.
● Developing an action plan aligned with local priorities to ensure a high-value, low-impact tourism model.
● Creating an adaptable system for Curaçao to track tourism’s impact on the destination as a whole and maintain balance by adjusting key levers that infl uence it.
A key focus is ensuring that all stakeholders have a voice in shaping Curaçao’s tourism future. The study will actively engage public and private sector stakeholders, local communities, and industry leaders, while incorporating visitor perspectives, fostering a sense of ownership and shared responsibility in decision-making.
“This isn’t about limiting tourism—it’s about managing it wisely,” said Paloma Zapata, CEO of Sustainable Travel International. “Instead of depleting resources or leading to overtourism, the goal is to create a virtuous cycle where thoughtful tourism growth strengthens community well-being and preserves the island’s unique appeal over time. This, in turn, enhances visitor experiences and generates economic returns that can be reinvested in continual improvements.”
For more information, please contact kaitlynb@sustainabletravel.org.
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SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL
Sustainable Travel International is a social enterprise dedicated to protecting our planet’s most vulnerable destinations and transforming tourism’s impact on nature and people. We engage travelers, businesses, and destination leaders in responsible practices that safeguard nature, combat climate change and pollution, and empower communities to preserve the integrity of destinations around the world. Our comprehensive climate solutions help the travel industry reduce its carbon footprint, advance the global net zero transition, and strengthen its resilience to climate change impacts. To learn more, visit http://www.sustainabletravel.org.
GW INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TOURISM STUDIES
The GW International Institute of Tourism Studies is a global leader in sustainable tourism consulting and technical assistance, research, and professional development, helping to solve critical industry challenges by providing guidance and support to tourism development and destination governance projects. With more than 30 years of experience, GW International Institute of Tourism Studies’ applied research and technical assistance projects focus on a wide range of areas: sustainable tourism planning, destination management, tourism governance, sustainability monitoring systems, visitor management, tourism resilience building, and cultural tourism.
CURAÇAO
Home to more than 35 captivating beaches, a diverse heritage spanning 55 diff erent cultures, including Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese, a “love it or love it” attitude, and stunning European architecture, Curaçao – which sits on the outer fringes of the Hurricane Belt – remains an unrivaled tropical escape in the Southern Caribbean. Ranked by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the “best islands in the Caribbean,” Curaçao’s natural beauty, world-class dive sites, pristine beaches and idyllic weather have won it further accolades and recognition. Its capital city, Willemstad – a UNESCO World Heritage site – features the iconic and colorful Handelskade backdrop, vibrant street art, and a growing portfolio of boutiques, al fresco restaurants and trendy cafes, just to name a few of the many reasons why Curaçao continues to fl ourish as one of the most exceptional islands in the region. For general travel updates, visit http://www.curacao.com or call toll-free 1-800-328-7222. Connect with the Curaçao Tourist Board on social media by following us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/curacaotb, Twitter: @CuracaoTravel and Instagram: @CuracaoTB
