Aruba Tourism Authority Cites Growth in Attractions, Access

With the highest amount of repeat visitors in the Caribbean, Aruba is continually developing its tourism product to meet the needs of its guests. The Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) makes it a point to cite renovations at resorts, restaurants and attractions, along with new air service and additional new offerings at existing hotels and resorts.

AirTran Airways launched new nonstop service to Aruba in December, with one flight on Saturdays out of Atlanta. Additionally, AirTran Airways launched new nonstop service from Orlando in January, marking the first nonstop service from Orlando to Aruba.

JetBlue Airways is increasing its service to Aruba from Boston Logan Airport. Boston will now feature five flights a week, two flights on Saturdays and one flight on Friday, Sunday and Monday. The additional flight will go into effect the spring of 2010.

Marriott just announced the Ritz-Carlton Aruba, a 320-room resort situated on Palm Beach. The resort will offer several restaurants, a spa, two pools and a 24-hour casino. The hotel will also include The Ritz-Carlton Club Level, a private floor accessible only by elevator key, offering light fare and dedicated concierge service throughout the day.

Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort features new suites housed in four eight-story buildings, each featuring studios, one bedroom suites, and two and three bedroom penthouses. The new Divi Aruba Phoenix is a high-rise which added 140 suites to the existing 101 beachfront studios.

The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino recently opened its newly remodeled Okeanos Spa featuring “Menu22,” a special spa menu with authentic indigenous Aruban Aloe in all of its treatments. For more information, visit http://www.renaissancearuba.com/. The Brickell Bay Beach Club located on Palm Beach recently finished a property renovation which included the Intermezzo Spa, fitness center, business center and upgraded hotel rooms. The Brickell Bay Club is a boutique hotel offering 100 rooms and suites.

The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino became Green Globe-certified in February. The resort is the first high-rise resort on Palm Beach in Aruba to receive certification. The resort received the Silver status under the Green Globe Earthcheck Certification, the premier international certification alliance for sustainable travel and tourism. For more information, visit http://www.aruba.hyatt.com/. The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino recently celebrated the re-opening of the resort’s free-form pool. The restoration included resurfacing the 180,000-gallon pool, restoring rock formations, installing new LED energy-efficient lighting and an updated pool bar.

Aruba’s National Archeological Museum in downtown Oranjestad offers a glimpse into 5,000 years of regional history with interactive displays. The complex also includes a research center and a cafeteria. The first temporary exhibition titled “Rancho” features Aruba’s traditional fisherman’s quarters on the western skirts of Oranjestad. The Arikok National Park of Aruba unveiled a new visitor’s center after its three-year makeover.

The center includes headquarters for the nearly 40 rangers who patrol the park and a souvenir shop for visitors. The national park occupies 18 percent of Aruba’s land mass and is home to the countless indigenous flora and fauna characteristics to Aruba’s unique tropical dessert climate, as well as families of goats and donkeys. The new facilities also include modernized roads and paths for visitors.