Aruba reaffirms its tourism leadership with growth and new openings

What is your impression of this edition of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace?

In Aruba, we are always committed to staying connected with our strategic partners, and this is an excellent opportunity to do so, especially considering that the North American market represents approximately 80% of our tourism business.

What goals does the Aruba Tourism Authority have for this year?

One of our main goals here is to validate our projections for the remainder of the year. This, of course, takes into account the economic and political context in the United States, which has a significant impact on our industry. Despite global challenges, Aruba has seen 3% growth in arrivals through April of this year compared to the same period last year. Furthermore, the average daily rate has increased by 11%, contributing positively to our tourism revenue and national GDP.

How would you describe the outlook for tourism in Aruba for the remainder of the year?

Although we see some moderation in growth, we remain positive. We estimate a continuation of the current trend, with an increase similar to that recorded so far, around 3%. It will be important to continue monitoring the evolution of the average daily rate. Overall, we maintain an optimistic outlook, although we recognize that the global context is complex.

What new features are you introducing at this edition of the Marketplace?

We're sharing the performance of our new properties with our partners. For example, the St. Regis, which opened this year, and the Joya, which began operations last December. We're also close to opening Secrets, an all-inclusive property that represents a completely new offering for Aruba, scheduled to open in June.

We're also promoting major renovations. The Marriott, for example, is undergoing a significant renovation, and the Riu remains very well positioned. Beyond accommodations, we continue to innovate in other areas, such as gastronomy. In October, we will hold the second edition of a culinary event that has been very well received.

What other areas are you prioritizing in your tourism strategy?

We're focusing on segments such as wellness, romance, and responsible tourism. We recently launched an international campaign with the message "When you love Aruba, Aruba loves you back," which reflects the emotional and sustainable focus of our destination offering. We firmly believe this message is powerful and resonates well with today's travelers.