Willemstad, November 13, 2025 – On November 13, 2025, the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association (CHATA) hosted its Annual General Meeting where members of the association voted for new members of the Board of Directors. The meeting took place at the Kura Hulanda Conference Center and was attended by more than 80 participants representing various sectors of the tourism industry.
This year’s AGM placed strong emphasis on consistent and balanced growth. CHATA highlighted that the island’s success relies on safeguarding Curaçao’s natural assets and continuing to grow responsibly while supporting community well-being and economic resilience.
CHATA Updates and Presentations
The AGM was opened by Chairwoman Mimi Luttge, who welcomed all members and presented CHATA’s 2024 financial results along with the budget for 2026. She highlighted CHATA’s strengthened focus on expanding local campaigns and increasing community visibility in the coming years.
Following the financial presentation, Ms. Anuschka Cova, CEO of CHATA, delivered the main update of the evening. Her presentation covered CHATA’s key achievements, Caribbean comparisons, workforce and training developments, lobbying efforts, and the overall future outlook for the sector. She emphasized the importance of long term planning and collaboration across stakeholders to maintain Curaçao’s position as one of the strongest performers in the region.
Ms. Cova also highlighted the recent success of CHICOS 2025, noting the strong international feedback and the value the event brought to Curaçao’s positioning in the Caribbean. She extended heartfelt appreciation to CINEX and the Curaçao Tourist Board for their partnership, emphasizing that the remarkable outcome of CHICOS demonstrated the power of collaboration when stakeholders unite behind a common purpose.
She further placed strong focus on sustainable growth, presenting CHATA’s new Limpi plaque, created entirely with sustainable materials. She also shared CHATA’s participation in Club 17, reinforcing the association’s dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and its slogan “Moving Sustainable Hospitality Forward.”
The meeting continued with insightful presentations from industry and academic experts, including:
- Ms. Peggy Croes, Senior Vice President of Aviation Market Development at Curaçao Airport Partners, who provided updates on airlift and airport developments.
- Ms. Zulaika Mook, Director of Economic Development and Innovation at the Ministry of Economic Development, and Dr. Roger Hosein, Professor of Economics at the University of the West Indies, who discussed Tourism Interlinkages and Economic Development Opportunities in Curaçao.
- Dr. Manfred van Veghel, Director at the CARMABI Foundation, who presented on promoting sustainability and environmental protection in Curaçao’s tourism. He underscored that Curaçao’s natural environment, including its ecosystems, sewage management, water quality, and reef resilience, remains essential for sustaining the island’s growing blue wave of tourism success.
- Mr. Menno George, Director at Deloitte Dutch Caribbean, who presented the findings of the Salary Survey. He noted a clear positive trend, with significantly more members participating this year and nearly double the number of employees represented. The results showed upward movement in salary levels, increased investment in training, and stronger personnel-based compensation structures across the sector. The general survey will be shared with CHATA members.
Election of the New CHATA Board
A key component of the AGM is the election of new members to the Board of Directors for the rotating seats. This year, members voted for three vacant positions representing the Hotel and Apartment membership category and two positions representing the Allied membership category.
After the votes were counted, with Mr. Thomas Aardenburg from SBA Advocaten and Mr. René Ignacia serving as witnesses, the newly elected CHATA Board Members for the 2025 to 2026 term were confirmed as: Mimi Luttge, Mark Nooren, Robbin Vogels, Peggy Croes, and Omar van der Dijs.
CHATA Board of Directors 2025 to 2026
- Antoin Klein Hofmeijer (TUI)
- Averilette Francis (Renaissance Wind Wind Creek Curaçao Resort)
- Biray Ogut (Corendon Hotels and Resorts)
- Jaime Osma (Kontiki Beach Resort)
- Jeffrey Speelman (Sandals Royal Curaçao)
- Peggy Croes (Curaçao Airport Partners)
- Mark Nooren (Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort)
- Mimi Luttge (LionsDive Beach Resort)
- Omar van der Dijs (Licores Maduro)
- Robbin Vogels (Avila Beach Hotel)
- Thomas van Balveren (Hyatt Inclusive Collection CCR, PBC, FL Holding)
Non-Voting Member of the Board
- Anuschka Cova (CEO, CHATA)
CHATA extends its gratitude to all members for their continued support and commitment to advancing Curaçao’s tourism sector. A special thank you goes out to MCB, Maduro and Curiel’s Bank, for sponsoring this year’s AGM.
