Aruba´s Travel Industry Keeps Moving Right on Track

The Caribbean island of Aruba is recovering from the much-publicized disappearance of an Alabama teenager, Natalee Holloway, in the spring, island officials and agents say, citing strong occupancy and arrivals, and a renewed commitment to visitor safety.

The hospitality community is deeply concerned with the Holloway case, says Myrna Jansen, managing director for the Aruba Tourism Authority. “Aruba is a very safe place, and that´s why the case has been so widely publicized,” she says. “We certainly hope it´s solved very soon.”

Mrs. Jansen says Aruba´s reputation remains intact, noting that U.S. arrivals for June 2005 were up 9 percent over a year ago, and hotel occupancy forecasts are also higher than last year´s, with 79 percent island-wide occupancy estimated for October and 78 percent predicted for November.

“Aruba leads the Caribbean in repeat visits, with 40 percent of our visitors returning to the destination,” she explained. “They know that Aruba is a safe island, and it´s great to have that support.”

The southern Caribbean destination continues to see a strong mix of families and honeymoon travelers, especially in the high season between December 23 and Easter, when room rates can go up as much as 30 percent, says Rob Smith, general manager at the 481-room Wyndham Aruba Resort Spa & Casino.

Good air coverage, packages from wholesalers, and a diverse set of island attractions product are making for a good year in Aruba, agents say, despite the substantial publicity around Holloway´s disappearance.

Direct flights to Aruba, like those offered by US Airways from Philadelphia, are major selling points for the destination, says Donna Stoop, owner of Jade Travel Services in Aston, PA. “I´m continuing to see a lot of interest in Aruba, because of the variety there. It has beautiful beaches, excellent diving, and Vegas-style casinos,” she beamed.