Page 16 - ARUBA TODAY

A16 LOCAL
Wednesday 21 March 2018

Happiness Index Study Identifies Aruba as Happiest Island In The World

ORANJESTAD - New re- lected a significant 2,000 soul of Aruba and ensure
search suggests the “One surveys, stratified across the quality tourism experi-
happy island” of Aruba is four core groups in Aruba, ence that has defined our
the happiest island in the and have seen the desired destination,” said Ronella
world, relative to size. Fol- stability in the island’s hap- Tjin Asjoe-Croes, CEO of
lowing a 5-year Happiness piness levels.” Aruba Tourism Authority.
Index study conducted in Aruba’s famous brand – “We evaluate the success
partnership between Aruba One happy island – has of our tourism not only by
Tourism Authority and the been around, with some its tangible benefits, but
Rosen College of Hospi- interruptions, for nearly 40 also by intangible benefits
tality Management at the years. But for Aruba, happi- including local happiness
University of Central Florida ness is more than a trendy and life satisfaction, as that
– results confirm 78 percent subject or tagline; it’s an directly impacts visitor hap-
of the Aruban population inherit part of the island’s piness.”
is happy, while 76 percent DNA that Aruba has com- While the study reveals Aru-
also express longer-term mitted to studying since ba’s tourism is not the main ism Authority use to per- ages nations of all sizes to
satisfaction with life. 2011. driver of happiness, the petuate local happiness. follow suit.
When compared to the “As the No. 2 most tourism- successful industry brings Island-wide wellness initia- “It is important to measure
2016 World Happiness Re- reliant nation in the world, satisfaction to the local tives and downtown de- the success of a country
port, commissioned by the Aruba greatly values the people and yields material velopments including the beyond economic indica-
United Nations to measure happiness of our local peo- benefits/resources the gov- Linear Park, for instance, tors and to make happi-
the happiness index of 157 ple – they are the heart and ernment and Aruba Tour- inspire quality time with ness and well-being an in-
larger countries, Aruba’s loved ones and personal tegral part of our national
results rank higher than fulfillment, which locals dialogue and intent,” said
No. 1 Denmark at approxi- value most. “Among all the Otmar Oduber,
mately 75.3 percent. destination research proj- Aruba Minister of Tourism,
ects our university has con- Transportation, Primary
“It’s important to note that ducted around the world, Sector and Culture. “We
while other Caribbean is- Aruba has been one of the would also like to see pres-
lands are included in the most compelling islands to tigious World Ranking Re-
World Happiness Report, make inquiries about qual- ports to incorporate ‘small
Aruba is the first and only ity of life and happiness,” island development states’
Caribbean island to ever said Dr. Manuel Rivera such as our One happy is-
measure its own happiness of UCF. “Throughout the land, in its studies.”
index,” said Dr. Robertico course of our studies we’ve Aruba’s approach to hap-
Croes of UCF. “Over the confirmed Aruba’s people piness already has caught
past five years, we’ve col- are generally happy with the attention and support
their quality of life as well of The United Nations World
as with the imperative con- Tourism Organization.
nection between the desti- “We’ve reviewed the re-
nation and tourism. sults of the study, which is
Happiness in Aruba can in line with our methodol-
be seen as a self-fulfilling ogy, and believe it merits
cycle, tourism develop- attention on a worldwide
ment drives happiness for level,” said UNWTO Secre-
the residents which in turn tary-General, Taleb Rifai.
results in happy tourists.” As “We would like to see this
the exclusive Caribbean is- model applied across oth-
land to measure its happi- er Caribbean islands and
ness index, Aruba encour- worldwide.”q