The Tourism Carrying Capacity Study published on August 13, 2026, reveals that Curaçao’s tourism accommodation capacity has increased by 81 percent since 2019, with stayover arrivals rising by approximately 50 percent between 2019 and 2024. The study was commissioned by the Curaçao Tourist Board alongside the Ministry of Economic Development to assess the sustainability of the island’s tourism expansion.
Housing, Infrastructure, and Labor Market Impacts
The rapid growth in Curaçao’s tourism sector has intensified demands on housing availability, road infrastructure, and public services. The expansion has created significant stress on local resources as existing infrastructure struggles to keep pace with the increase in visitor numbers and
tourism-related activities. This growth has also strained the local labor market, which cannot supply enough workers to meet tourism industry requirements.
Increased Reliance on Foreign Labor
Due to insufficient local labor, the tourism sector’s dependency on foreign workers has significantly increased. This reliance has contributed to higher demand for housing and further pressure on the island’s infrastructure and public services beyond the tourism establishments themselves.
Resident Experiences and Economic Leakages
Local residents are facing the tangible effects of tourism growth through increased traffic congestion and rising housing costs. The study also estimates that 58 percent of tourist spending leaves Curaçao’s economy because of imports, foreign ownership, and international supply chains.
This economic leakage reduces the net financial benefits that tourism could otherwise generate for local communities and public infrastructure.
The Tourism Carrying Capacity Study recommends the development of a national workforce strategy focusing on training and employment opportunities for local residents to improve local labor participation. It also advises strengthening local supply chains and aligning investment incentives to tourism projects that provide measurable economic benefits to Curaçao.
Future tourism policies, the study suggests, should balance visitor growth with housing availability, infrastructure capacity, workforce needs, and the quality of life for residents. The core challenge is accommodating tourism expansion while ensuring
that a larger share of economic advantages accrues to the island and its population.
