Aruba Breaks Tourism Records and Projects Strong Visitor Numbers for 2011

Aruba has announced that tourism to the island is off to a strong start in 2011, with a 5.2 percent increase in visitors in January 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, allowing the island to break their January 2008 record (71,262 stay-over visitors) as they welcomed 74,965 visitors in January 2011.

An increase in bookings for the first quarter from the North American market, compared to the same period last year, is also anticipated. Additionally, improved air service from the Canadian market and generally positive market conditions indicate that visitor numbers from Canada will continue to increase.

“The island of Aruba is proud to announce such strong tourism arrivals for the start of 2011, especially since the effects of the recession are still being felt in many key markets,” said Ronella Tjin Asjoe - Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority. “We are working hard to attract visitors to the island through high-profile events – including our upcoming Soul Beach Music Festival, second annual Aruba International Film Festival and our first ever fashion week, Aruba In Style.”

In 2010, Aruba experienced an overall increase in visitor arrival numbers of 1.48 percent when compared to 2009. Aruba’s top three markets accounted for 80.85 percent of the total visitors and the USA remained the largest visitor generating market with a 64.96 percent market share, followed by Venezuela (11.01 percent) and the Netherlands (4.90 percent).

The local cruise industry is also faring well. While the 2009-2010 season received 289 calls and 516,000 passengers, the 2010-2011 cruise season will see an increase to 310 calls and approximately 530,000 passengers, which is an approximate 5% increase over the 2009 season. Aruba expects to surpass the 100,000 cruise visitor per month mark in March 2011.

Tourism is Aruba's leading industry and the island is currently undergoing a major development program designed to rejuvenate the downtown center of Oranjestad, as well as expand and enhance its tourism product and facilities. This new program, coupled with careful plans to preserve the island’s beautiful beaches and waters and to protect the island from over-development, has led to Aruba’s success with a nearly 60 percent repeat visitor rate, one of the highest in the Caribbean.