Curaçao to charge tourists $75 entry fee starting 2027

SSI Benelux has announced a commitment to train two Curaçao residents per year as certified dive professionals, entirely free of charge, according to evening newspaper Amigoe. The program is designed to provide islanders with a professional-level diving qualification that can open doors to careers in the marine tourism and diving industry. SSI, or Scuba Schools International, is one of the world's largest scuba diving training and certification organizations, lending significant credibility to the initiative. By targeting local residents specifically, the program aims to build diving expertise within the Curaçao community rather than relying solely on imported talent. Curaçao's economy is heavily tied to tourism, and its coral reefs and dive sites are among its most prized attractions, making certified local dive professionals a valuable asset. The annual cadence of two trainees suggests a modest but consistent long-term investment in local human capital development. No application process or start date was specified in the initial report.

The Aruban government has signaled a major shift in its tourism strategy, declaring that continuous growth is no longer the goal. Instead, officials say the focus will be on building a more sustainable tourism sector that is balanced with the island's capacity and the aspirations of its residents. The policy direction was outlined in the Government's address delivered by Aruba's Governor Alfonso Boekhoudt at the opening of the 2026-2027 Parliamentary Year. This marks a notable departure from the long-standing model of pursuing ever-increasing visitor numbers. The shift reflects growing concerns across the Caribbean about overtourism and its impact on local communities, infrastructure, and the environment. By setting sustainability and balance as the new benchmarks, Aruba joins a broader regional conversation about the long-term viability of mass tourism-dependent economies.

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has relaxed its travel advisories for several Middle Eastern countries, including Israel and the United Arab Emirates, effective Tuesday. Previously, the ministry discouraged leisure travel to these destinations amid regional tensions, but that guidance has now been lifted. The updated advisories reflect an assessment that conditions have improved sufficiently to no longer warrant a blanket warning against vacation travel. This change is relevant to residents of Curaçao and other Dutch Caribbean islands, who fall under the Kingdom of the Netherlands and are guided by the same foreign ministry travel advice. Travelers are still encouraged to monitor local conditions and check the latest advisories before booking. The relaxation does not necessarily mean the destinations are entirely risk-free, but that the ministry no longer considers the situation severe enough to discourage tourism outright.