TUI Forest Curaçao

Willemstad is one of the Caribbean’s most distinctive cities. Its colourful architecture, rich history and UNESCO World Heritage status attract visitors from around the world. Its four historic districts form the cultural and economic heart of Curaçao. The city offers museums, restaurants, markets, public spaces and historic landmarks that provide visitors with an experience extending far beyond the island’s beaches.

Yet despite its many strengths, Willemstad faces an environmental challenge shared by cities around the world. Large areas of the historic centre contain extensive paved surfaces, limited tree cover and few green public spaces. As a result, temperatures can become significantly higher than surrounding areas, particularly during the hottest parts of the day. This phenomenon, known as the urban heat island effect, affects comfort, liveability and the overall experience of spending time outdoors.

For residents, this can mean fewer comfortable public spaces and increased heat stress. For visitors, it can discourage exploration beyond key attractions, reducing the time people spend in the city and limiting opportunities for local businesses to benefit from tourism. At the same time, limited vegetation reduces biodiversity and weakens the environmental resilience of the urban landscape.

TUI Forest Curaçao addresses these challenges by helping bring nature back into the city.

The project forms part of wider efforts to create a greener, more liveable and economically vibrant Willemstad. Working alongside government agencies, local stakeholders and urban development initiatives, four Tiny Urban Forests are established in strategic locations across the historic city centre. Together, these forests will cover approximately 1,000 square metres and introduce around 3,000 native trees and plants into the urban environment.

Unlike traditional parks, Tiny Forests are designed as dense pockets of native vegetation. By planting several species within a compact area, they create layered mini ecosystems that maximise biodiversity and environmental benefits. This density enables the forests to provide shade, retain water, improve soil quality and create cooler microclimates far more quickly than conventional tree-planting approaches.

The project involves careful site selection. Working with local authorities, educational institutions and other stakeholders, urban locations are identified where the forests can deliver the greatest environmental and community benefits. Each site undergoes environmental assessments and soil analysis to determine the most appropriate planting strategy and native species mix.

Forest designs tailored to local conditions are developed at confirmed locations. Native trees, shrubs and ground-cover plants are selected to replicate natural ecosystems found on Curaçao, helping strengthen local biodiversity while ensuring strong survival rates and long-term resilience.

Planting activities actively involve local communities. Volunteers, residents, schools and partner organisations participate in the creation of the forests, helping foster a sense of ownership and connection to the spaces. Where forests are established near schools, students are involved in caring for the sites and using them as outdoor learning environments. Teachers are able to incorporate the forests into lessons focused on nature, biodiversity and climate resilience, creating lasting educational value.

The environmental benefits of the project are substantial. The new forests provide shade and cooling, helping reduce temperatures in surrounding areas and making public spaces more pleasant for residents and visitors alike. Native vegetation creates habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife, contributing to biodiversity within the city centre. In addition, the forests improve soil quality, support water retention and increase awareness of the importance of urban greening in a changing climate.

The project also supports Curaçao’s broader tourism ambitions.

As visitor numbers continue to grow, there is increasing recognition that the island’s tourism offer must extend beyond the coast. A greener city centre is more attractive to explore, encouraging visitors to spend more time in Willemstad and supporting local businesses, restaurants and cultural attractions. By improving the quality of public spaces and creating a more comfortable urban environment, the project contributes to efforts to position Willemstad as a destination in its own right rather than simply a place visitors pass through.

Importantly, the project combines environmental action with long-term sustainability. Each Tiny Urban Forest is designed to grow and evolve over time, with increasing ecological benefits as the forest matures. Maintenance agreements are established with site owners and local stakeholders to ensure the forests continue to thrive long after the project period ends.  Ongoing guidance and support is provided to maximise long-term success

Monitoring and learning are also central components of the initiative. The project tracks forest growth, biodiversity development and environmental impacts over time, generating valuable knowledge about the role that Tiny Forests can play in Caribbean urban environments. This information helps inform future greening initiatives and strengthens understanding of how nature-based solutions can contribute to climate adaptation and urban resilience.

Willemstad’s four Tiny Urban Forests restore 1,000m² of urban habitat and plant approximately 3,000 native trees. Around 1,350 people benefit directly through engagement with the forests, and the wider population of Willemstad gain from a greener, cooler and more attractive city centre.

Ultimately, TUI Forest Curaçao demonstrates how environmental restoration and tourism development can work hand in hand. By bringing nature into the heart of the city, the project helps create public spaces that are healthier, more resilient and more enjoyable for everyone. The result is a greener Willemstad that benefits residents, supports biodiversity and offers visitors a richer experience of Curaçao beyond its beaches.

Hòfi Chikí is a non-profit foundation dedicated to reforestation, environmental education and biodiversity conservation in the Caribbean. Through the creation of Tiny Forests, the organisation works to restore native vegetation, improve urban environments and increase awareness of the importance of nature among both young people and adults. Working closely with schools, communities, volunteers and local partners, Hòfi Chikí uses innovative nature-based solutions to create greener, healthier and more resilient places to live and visit.