Former Finance Minister urges Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire to target wealthier tourists

Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire should shift from volume-driven tourism to attracting higher-spending visitors, former Dutch finance minister Hans Hoogervorst told RTL. Visitor numbers have grown sharply in recent years, but the increase is harming the quality of life and the environment.

On Curaçao, for example, tourism is increasing pressure on nature and the road network. “Curaçao has a high hotel occupancy rate, but it is relatively cheap,” Hoogervorst said, who visited the island in recent days.

“Have the courage to choose tourists who spend more, so tourism generates greater returns,” he added. “Hotels received tax advantages in the past. It is time to review those critically and partially withdraw them.”

Government must manage the sector well to keep the islands livable, he said. “It is clear that policy should not be left to the private sector.”

As current chair of the Board of Financial Supervision (Cft), an independent body that oversees the public finances in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Hoogervorst is urging the island government to manage tourism more carefully.

“During the coronavirus period there was an enormous crisis because tourism collapsed. In recent years we have seen impressive growth figures, and the islands are enjoying favorable economic development."