Repetition of Talk

Repetition of Talk

May 22, 2026

The Antilliaans Dagblad extensively reports on a session organized by the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association (Chata) about the future of tourism. There is discussion about sustainability, balance, quality over quantity, carrying capacity, infrastructure, and the well-being of the population. All understandable and, in themselves, valid points. But honestly, I read very little that is truly new.

It reminds me of Chata’s cri de cœur a few weeks ago: “pas op de plaats.” Even then, there were warnings that Curaçao finds itself at a crossroads and that tourism needs to be reconsidered. Perhaps this new gathering is simply a logical continuation of that. Reflection. Reassessment. Once again emphasizing that growth alone is not enough.

But at the same time, I think: wasn’t the new tourism master plan only just presented? That document discussed exactly the same debate about the gap between economic growth and well-being. And if I go back even further, I arrive at the Tourism Summit of 2024 and the twelve resolutions for sustainable tourism development. Even there, the discussion already revolved around governance, sustainability, infrastructure, nature conservation, and community involvement.

In fact, as early as 2022, following a conference organized by the economists’ association, I raised similar concerns in an article titled “Is de toeristische sector op Curaçao uit ontwikkeld?” In that piece, I argued that Curaçao was increasingly displaying the characteristics of a Small Island Tourism Economy and warned about the structural tension between tourism growth, sustainability, and the carrying capacity of the island.

Meanwhile, the growth figures continue to rise. New records. More visitors. More cruise ships. More concrete.

And that is where the tension lies for me. I increasingly come to the conclusion that these kinds of gatherings are often elegant social events. People in beautiful dresses and suits. Panels. Presentations. PowerPoints. Networking. The ritual of polite conversation. But in the meantime, development continues charging ahead as if nothing is actually being slowed down.

At times, it feels as though the discussion about the “Blue Wave,” sustainability, and balance becomes a distraction from the real movement taking place: the Concrete Wave.

Perhaps I am too cynical. Perhaps fundamental choices are indeed being prepared behind the scenes. But as long as the island’s physical development continues at the same pace, while the public debate keeps repeating the same words over and over again, what remains for me above all is the feeling of repetition of talk.

Miguel Goede

Sources (APA Style)

Antilliaans Dagblad. (2024, September 28). Resultaten binnen een jaar: 12 resoluties voor duurzame toerisme. Artikel.

Antilliaans Dagblad. (2026, March 22). Chata: Pas op de plaats. Artikel.

Antilliaans Dagblad. (2026, March 23). Analyse: Gedurfd van Chata, maar hard nodig. Artikel.

Antilliaans Dagblad. (2026, April 9). Groei versus welzijn. Artikel.

Antilliaans Dagblad. (2026, May 14). Toerisme Curaçao groeit 10% in april. Artikel.

Goede, M. (2022). De toeristische sector op Curaçao uit ontwikkeld? LinkedIn article.