In de zondagse estafette-rubriek ‘Bericht uit…’ belichten columnisten uit de Caribische delen van het Koninkrijk bij toerbeurt de kanten van hun eiland waarvan zij vinden dat die de aandacht van alle koninkrijksburgers verdienen. Vandaag komt het bericht uit Sint Eustatius.
Stability, Vision, and Opportunity
By Alfred E. A. Harley
St. Eustatius is changing, quietly, steadily, and in ways that demand thoughtful leadership and a clear vision. Though just eight square miles with a population of around 3,500, the island is experiencing pressures familiar to larger societies including population growth, rising expectations, infrastructure demands, and increased visitor interest. These trends place growing demands on public services and raise a critical question of whether governance can rise to guide the island responsibly into the future.
This is not about enlarging government or criticizing recent developments. It is about ensuring reliable representation in both the executive and legislative councils, as well as public service departments. Leadership must be local, capable of completing full terms, planning beyond election cycles, and executing policies that genuinely improve lives. At the same time, fairness must remain central. Public works and development decisions must include local expertise, ensuring that those with generations of experience are not sidelined as opportunities expand.
Housing highlights the opportunities ahead. A new generation of independent young professionals is emerging on the island who want to live, work, and invest at home. St. Eustatius can meet this moment by planning strategically, creating policies that support sustainable housing, ease land pressures, improve affordability, and expand opportunities for residents to build and own. Housing can become a clear pathway to security rather than a source of anxiety.
Infrastructure offers similar potential, although filled with years of history, roads can be upgraded to handle heavier and increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Energy systems will ned to be strengthened to meet rising demand, and transportation hubs expanded to accommodate new airlines and improve harbour facilities. Work is already underway at the F.D. Roosevelt Airport to welcome new carriers, and projects along Oranjebaaiweg (Orange Bay Road) and at the harbour are being planned, with some already in progress, to protect against erosion and increase capacity. These initiatives show that St. Eustatius can respond proactively to growth, enhance connectivity, and support both tourism and economic development.
However, connectivity remains one of the island’s most urgent opportunities. St. Eustatius currently relies on a single airline for passengers and a once-weekly ocean cargo service for essential goods. One disruption can halt travel, trade, and supply chains. Expanding airlift and ocean services is essential, but access alone is not enough. Fairness and transparency must also be ensured. Travelers deserve clear pricing for baggage and inter-island connections, without hidden or repeated fees. Strong consumer protection measures will safeguard St. Eustatius’ reputation as a mid- to high-end destination for leisure and relaxation.
Taken together, housing, infrastructure, energy, tourism, and the complexity of governance, reveal a broader institutional need. As such, meeting today’s challenges requires capable public institutions with clear mandates and authority. Economic policy, tourism development and marketing, infrastructure planning, and energy transition must be coordinated, professionalized, and forward-looking. Within this framework, a bureau of standards or consumer protection authority with real enforcement power is essential to maintain confidence and accountability.
As a great driver of economic activity, St. Eustatius’ Tourism is at a crossroads. Interest in the island is growing, and that attention should be welcomed. But St. Eustatius is not, and should not aspire to be, a mass-tourism destination. Its value lies in its tranquillity, natural beauty, and deep history spanning more than 250 years. Growth must therefore be intentional. Private-sector investment must be matched by public-sector readiness in infrastructure, marketing, and policy alignment.
In this context, expanding Island Councils and Executive Councils is part of this vision. Democracy is strengthened, not weakened, by inclusion. Broader representation improves oversight, distributes responsibility, and builds resilience into decision-making. It ensures that St. Eustatius is prepared to guide growth, respond to opportunities, and maintain stability that benefits all residents.
The future of St. Eustatius is full of promise. With thoughtful planning, collaboration, and vision, the island can transform emerging opportunities into real benefits for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. From housing and infrastructure to tourism and investment, the potential is enormous. By embracing growth strategically, St. Eustatius can create a vibrant, resilient, and prosperous future that celebrates its heritage, supports its people, and welcomes the world to experience the unique charm of “The Golden Rock.”