WILLEMSTAD - The Maal family, owners of Oostpunt, have big plans for the eastern part of the island. The family is currently fighting a lawsuit brought by environmental organizations such as Carmabi and Amigu di Tera.
Oostpunt covers about 10 percent of the total surface of Curaçao. The family argued in the case that they wanted to use the area for agriculture, housing, tourism, recreation, conservation, economic development and environmental protection.
The owners regret that due to lawsuits from environmental organizations, an organization such as Atlantis Resort has moved to the Bahamas and has grown into one of the best hotels in the world.
Because the area is untouched, according to Willy Maal, spokesperson for the family, a lot of criminal activity takes place in the area. With human presence and activity, that too will come to an end.