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