Curaçao Ports Authority launches tourism development Waaigat project
WILLEMSTAD - Recently, the Curaçao Ports Authority announced that it has launched the project “Tourism Development Waaigat”. The objective of this project is to develop the Waaigat area in such a way that it will become attractive for local residents and for tourists to spend time in this area. The project scope includes the development of a marina, commercial real estate and multiple areas for leisure activities.
This project resulted from the “Curaçao Port Policy and Implementation Plan (2014-2024)” which was finalized in December 2013 by MTBS. The study was conducted on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Development. Main recommendations of this study were:
- Develop a solid institutional framework with a landlord port authority as pro-active port manager
- Leverage on the strong existing maritime cluster (containers, cruise, liquid bulk and dry dock)
- Development of new sectors which are most promising; yachting sector / marinas. A network of marinas is to be developed of which the “Waaigat” should have priority.
Furthermore, the CPA implemented an institutional reform of which a new formulatation of its coporate strategy with more focus on landlord activities such as port development and aorganisational reform of the tugboat company KTK are the main parameters.