Page 36 - ECEM

A13
LOCAL Thursday 9 March 2017

Happiness Index Study Identifies Aruba as Happiest Island In The World

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