Curaçao’s National Tourism Conference, held on September 27, 2024, marked a significant milestone in the island’s tourism sector, focusing on sustainable growth and strategic planning. The event was the culmination of five pre-conferences held earlier in the year, all designed to address the pressing need for actionable solutions to ensure the long-term success of Curaçao’s tourism industry.
Organized by the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO), the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB), and the Curaçao Hospitality & Tourism Association (CHATA), the conference gathered over 300 participants, including government officials, stakeholders, and experts.
During the conference, CHATA’s CEO, Anuschka Cova, expressed her excitement about the results of four months of intensive strategic sessions. She noted, “We are extremely proud of the hard work and collaboration between CTB, MEO, stakeholders, and the community. This joint effort has resulted in concrete actions outlined in the resolutions. While we will begin by addressing the low-hanging fruits, we also have a solid long-term plan and vision for sustainable growth, which CHATA has been developing with its members for quite some time.” Cova emphasized the importance of working together, stating, “Collaboration matters. Together, we are stronger and more efficient.” Cova also highlighted the critical role of the government as a facilitator and the importance of these resolutions in building a resilient hospitality sector. “We are grateful for the involvement of everyone who contributed, including the volunteers and hotels that participated in the pre-conference sessions. Now, let’s make this happen!” she added.
Following the Minister of Economic Development, Mr. Charles Cooper, who opened the conference, the Director of the Curaçao Tourist Board, Muryad de Bruin, underscored the importance of building Curaçao’s tourism sector in a sustainable way, with a focus on authenticity, the local people, and Curaçao’s rich culture. He emphasized that protecting and promoting these unique elements are crucial to the island’s identity and future growth.
The conference’s keynote speaker, Mrs. Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, addressed the attendees, noting that “The Caribbean is the most tourism-dependent region in the world, contributing 11.4% to the region’s GDP, supporting 2.75 million jobs, and generating an estimated $41.4 billion in international visitor spending.” Her speech focused on the 5 P’s of sustainable tourism: People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose, and Partnership, with an additional P for Peace, which aligned with this year’s World Tourism Day theme. As part of the conference’s interactive sessions, local experts shared insights on building a sustainable future and involving the local community in tourism initiatives. Companies were also invited to present their strategies for operating sustainably within the industry. Chairman of CHATA Mimi Luttge presented one of the sessions with Clayton Lasten, Director of Bario Hotel, and Edwin Oostenbrink Director of Chobolobo along with Shenna Heykoop Director of Aquafari presented in another captivating session.
During the final session, 12 key resolutions were unveiled, chosen from a list of 24 recommendations that emerged during the pre-conferences. These resolutions are aimed at fostering sustainable growth in the tourism sector. One major resolution involves the creation of a new implementation structure, which will include five key ministries: Economic Development, Transportation and Infrastructure, Environment, Education and Culture, and Social Affairs and Labor. This structure, formalized through a national decree, will accelerate the actions outlined in the Strategic Tourism Destination Development Plan. The formation of two consultation platforms with participation from the private sector, NGOs, and the community will also be part of this new structure, further ensuring that the voices of all relevant stakeholders are heard and included in the process. The conference concluded with the signing of the national decree, solidifying the commitment of all parties involved to work toward a more resilient and sustainable tourism future for Curaçao.
