What are the main objectives of Aruba's participation in the ANATO Tourism Showcase?
For us, ANATO is a fundamental space, not only because of the importance of the Colombian market, but because it is the first fair of the year where we can measure expectations and understand the dynamics of tourism in 2025. It is the ideal time to evaluate the optimism of the sector, detect possible concerns and understand the general panorama. With the time elapsed at the event so far, we have found that expectations remain high, with an optimistic atmosphere and favorable prospects for achieving our objectives.
What are Aruba's goals in general terms?
Aruba's goals can be summed up in two key concepts: diversification and growth of spending on the island.
In terms of diversification, we seek to balance the arrival of tourists from North America, Europe and Latin America. Furthermore, within the Latin American region, our goal is to reduce dependence on a single market, such as Colombia, and strengthen markets such as Argentina, Brazil and Chile.
On the other hand, the growth in spending on the island responds to the reality that Aruba is a destination with limited capacity in terms of hotel infrastructure and services. We want to prioritize tourism of higher quality and economic value, rather than focusing only on the volume of visitors. We project a 6% growth for Latin America in general, with specific increases of 49% in Brazil, 5% in Argentina, 17% in Chile and Peru, and 4% in Colombia.
Who is participating in the event alongside Aruba?
We are proud to have a significant group of Aruba partners in ANATO. This reflects the importance of tourism for the island and the need to showcase and promote the destination. We have 35 partners present, including 15 companies coming directly from Aruba, including hotels such as Embassy, Hilton, Courtyard and Eagle, as well as tour operators and services such as The Palm, Pelican and First Class Experience. We are keen to highlight that Aruba is not just a hotel destination, but offers a comprehensive experience of exploration and varied activities.
What would a perfect day in Aruba be like?
For a local like me, a perfect day would be to spend the whole day on the beach. However, for a visitor, I would recommend combining beach time with exploration. Walking without a fixed destination is a great way to discover the island, as Aruba is a safe and conducive destination for this type of experience. In addition, the gastronomic offer is unmissable, with varied options throughout the territory. Activities can range from water sports to more relaxed experiences, such as walking through the National Park and enjoying an unforgettable sunset.
What are Aruba's projects in terms of sustainable tourism and social responsibility?
As a tourism authority, we have been working on sustainable initiatives for years. A notable example is the elimination of single-use plastic, which is not only prohibited, but is part of the conservation culture on the island.
We are also promoting the concept of "responsible tourism", promoting the idea that our visitors should share Aruba's values: keeping the beaches clean, respecting the corals and wildlife, and treating the island as their own home. We want to transform tourists into guests who care for and respect our environment.
What is Aruba's strategy regarding cruise tourism?
Cruise tourism is a global strategy in which Aruba seeks to generate interest in visitors who stay a few hours on the island so that they return for longer stays. However, we are also re-evaluating the volume of cruises we receive to minimize environmental impact and ensure quality of service. In 2024, Aruba received approximately 800,000 cruise passengers, and our strategy aims to reduce the volume, but diversify the type of cruises that visit us.
What is the projection of the MICE segment in Aruba?
The MICE segment has grown considerably in Latin America over the past two years. We have noticed an increase in interest from companies in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia, driven in part by the availability of direct flights. This type of tourism requires long-term planning, so we expect to see significant results in 2025 and 2026.
What is your final message for the community of operators, agencies and meeting planners?
Aruba is a non-traditional Caribbean destination. While there are destinations that sell themselves organically, Aruba is a premium, accessible destination with a seal of guarantee in quality, safety and climatic stability. It is true that its cost may be higher than other Caribbean destinations, but the experience it offers and customer satisfaction are unmatched. We invite travel agents and operators to promote Aruba with confidence, as it is a destination that guarantees a memorable experience and a high rate of return from its visitors.