You have arrived to your dream vacation in Curaçao. Drop your luggage to go catch that Curaçao sunset everyone raves about, and unwind with your feet in the sand…

At the heart of this island, with nature that is largely protected both above and below the sea, visitors can discover a little-known biodiversity located right before their eyes. Exploring from the east to the west of Curaçao, I cannot help but acknowledge the importance of sustainable ecotourism in less developed parts of the world. I applaud volunteers, dive operators and non-profit organizations who devote their time to this cause. They actively collaborate with clean-up operations and do their utmost to protect wildlife and marine life whilst educating both the young and old, in a fun and educational way, through a multitude of activities. One example: Curaçao’s community-based ecosystem preservation projects are regenerating missing or damaged coral by creating coral nurseries, restoring broken corals and creating coral transplantations.

We can’t deny the clear shift in global sentiment towards caring for our planet, and Curaçao is no stranger to this movement as an active player in so many restoration and clean-up projects in the region. We see the value in our beautiful nature and recognize its importance to our mere survival. Thanks to the development of responsible tourism and pioneering projects in Curaçao, we hope that these initiatives will impact and strengthen awareness on a global level, bridging Curaçao with people across the seas and borders.

Through the years, I have been sharing my countless stories and adventures about this hidden gem with so many tourists. My attachment to this island also carries a responsibility to share a deeper message: “There are no bad tourists, just uninformed travelers.” This statement motivates responsible tourism and provides information that implements awareness to travelers all over the world.

by Sheila Botton