As many destinations around the world wrestle with the effects of overtourism, the Caribbean island of Curaçao is charting a different course—one that prioritizes sustainable growth, community well-being, and long-term resilience. With strong visitor numbers surpassing 700,000 stayover tourists in 2024 and even more expected in 2025, Curaçao is proactively planning for the future through a comprehensive Destination Carrying Capacity Study in partnership with Sustainable Travel International and the GW International Institute of Tourism Studies.
Grounded in Data and Community Insight
Since the plan’s approval in early 2025, our team has been analyzing a wide range of existing research and data to better understand current conditions and potential future trends. This data is being used to identify potential stress points and inform evidence-based recommendations for how Curaçao can manage growth without compromising the qualities that make it such a special destination.
Last week, our team traveled to Curaçao to present and validate initial findings. The visit included a series of in-depth one-on-one interviews and focus groups with government officials, tourism leaders, private sector partners, and civil society groups, and community town hall sessions with local residents. This qualitative research was essential to ensure that the study reflects local perspectives, values, and aspirations for tourism development.
The team also visited key attractions across the island to gain firsthand insight into the visitor journey and better understand the physical and cultural landscape of Curaçao’s tourism sector.
A Smarter Approach to Growth
Unlike traditional tourism planning models that focus solely on arrival numbers or revenue, Curaçao’s carrying capacity study aims to strike a balance, ensuring that tourism continues to generate economic opportunity while protecting natural ecosystems, preserving cultural heritage, and maintaining high levels of visitor and resident satisfaction.
As the project moves forward, GW will continue to support this groundbreaking initiative by offering data-driven insights, scenario modeling, and practical recommendations for stakeholder-led implementation. The ultimate goal is to empower Curaçao with tools and strategies to shape a tourism future that is as vibrant and resilient as the island itself.
