WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao, May 20, 2026 – The Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association (CHATA) successfully hosted its Membership Meeting this week, welcoming more than 130 attendees, including decision makers from hotels, restaurants, tourism partners, allied members, government representatives, and industry stakeholders for an evening focused on the future of Curaçao’s tourism industry, responsible growth, and long-term destination development.
The meeting, held under the theme “Together Building a Stronger Curaçao, People. Planet. Prosperity.”, combined important association governance matters with broader discussions surrounding sustainability, infrastructure readiness, workforce challenges, and maintaining Curaçao’s authentic identity amid continued tourism growth.
The evening opened with welcoming remarks by CHATA Chairwoman Mimi Luttge of LionsDive Beach Resort, who emphasized the importance of continued collaboration, resilience, and industry alignment as Curaçao continues evolving as a destination.
Board members, government representatives, and key industry stakeholders in attendance included Antoin Klein Hofmeijer of TUI, Jaime Osma of Kontiki Beach Resort, Omar van der Dijs of Licores Maduro, Averilette Francis of Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort, who also heads CHATA’s Sustainability Task Force, Thomas van Balveren of Hyatt Inclusive Collection, Manfred van Veghel, President of Carmabi Foundation, Minister of Economic Development Roderick Middelhof, and Zulaika Mook of the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO), alongside various hospitality leaders, tourism stakeholders, and strategic partners from across the sector.
During the official proceedings, the count of the Financial Statements voting process was witnessed by Soleana Bonapart & Aardenburg Attorneys At Law, after which the 2025 Financial Statements were formally adopted by the members.
CHATA leadership also provided updates on the association’s ongoing work and advocacy efforts across several strategic areas, including:
* Workforce development and permit processes
* Airlift and route development collaboration
* Sustainability initiatives and environmental stewardship
* Infrastructure and carrying capacity discussions
* Hospitality training and workforce readiness
* Community engagement and sector partnerships
* Airport developments and destination accessibility
CHATA CEO Anuschka Cova emphasized that Curaçao’s tourism success should continue to be guided by quality, balance, and long-term planning rather than growth alone.
“We have a responsibility to ensure tourism continues benefiting Curaçao economically while also protecting the authenticity, culture, people, and environment that make our island so special. The future of tourism must remain balanced, thoughtful, and aligned with the kind of Curaçao we want future generations to inherit,” said Cova.
Anuschka further emphasized that Curaçao’s long-term success can only be achieved through strong cooperation, alignment, and collective responsibility across all stakeholders, while continuing to work together on key topics such as destination development, infrastructure, sustainability, workforce readiness, tourism quality, and community wellbeing.
During the meeting, Muryad de Bruin addressed attendees and shared updates on the overall direction and priorities of the Curaçao Tourist Board, including ongoing collaboration with stakeholders across the tourism sector.
He elaborated on the development of the new Tourism Master Plan and reinforced the importance of continued collaboration between public and private sector partners to successfully address the opportunities and challenges facing Curaçao’s tourism industry.
An important presentation for stakeholders and members was also delivered by Caroline Manuel of the Ministry of Traffic, Transportation and Urban Planning (VVRP), focusing on the requirements, regulations, procedures, and laws related to building permits, maintenance requirements, development processes, and overall permitting procedures.
The presentation was considered highly valuable for hospitality stakeholders, developers, and investors, as it provided additional clarity regarding development compliance, planning expectations, and the importance of proper alignment with national regulations and long-term destination planning.
A major highlight of the evening was the keynote presentation by Cresenzia Biemans, Managing Director of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort Aruba, who delivered a thought-provoking presentation on sustainable tourism, destination stewardship, climate pressures, and the importance of intentional growth strategies.
Her presentation encouraged attendees to reflect on the future direction of tourism in the Caribbean and the choices destinations must make today to remain resilient and authentic tomorrow.
“What does our tourism look like in twenty years? Whatever we decide,” was one of the central reflections shared during the presentation.
Several strong themes emerged throughout the evening, including:
* Managing tourism growth responsibly
* Protecting community wellbeing and authenticity
* Sustainability beyond marketing
* Workforce and housing pressures across destinations
* Climate resilience and environmental responsibility
* Infrastructure readiness and long-term planning
* The importance of genuine collaboration between stakeholders
The meeting also included updates regarding Curaçao Airport Partners’ outbound terminal mid-expansion project and the continued modernization of Curaçao’s airport infrastructure to support future passenger growth and visitor experience improvements.
In addition, members were informed about ongoing workforce and administrative developments, including the transition by the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) toward a fully digital employer portal system and CHATA’s continued lobbying efforts for simplified administrative procedures and progress toward a future “One Permit” approach.
CHATA reiterated that the island still has an important opportunity to proactively shape its tourism future while learning from regional experiences and maintaining the balance between economic growth and preserving Curaçao’s identity.
“The discussions during this meeting clearly showed that the industry is thinking beyond short-term performance. There is strong awareness that Curaçao’s long-term success depends on how well we manage growth, infrastructure, sustainability, and community wellbeing together,” Cova added.
CHATA extends a special thank you to our main sponsor MCB, for their valued sponsorship and continued contribution in supporting meaningful industry dialogue and collaboration surrounding the future of Curaçao’s tourism sector and to Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort for their hospitality and excellent service during the Membership Meeting.
CHATA thanked all members, speakers, sponsors, and stakeholders for their continued engagement and commitment toward building a stronger, smarter, and more resilient tourism sector for Curaçao.
For more information, please contact us at:info@chata.org
