Page 14 - ATA
P. 14
A16 LOCAL
Wednesday 11 april 2018
Outcome of research by University of Central Florida:
Weddings and Honeymoons to Aruba make up for 4 % GDP
As part of the first phase of essary. There were also
the Action Plan ‘Cu Mira points to be improved, but
Pa Futuro’, ATA decided to the allover conclusion was
have a research done that that the research shows a
ORANJESTAD – The island of the market and had ex- the Knot- A Guide to the determines the priorities of positive result for the island.
of Aruba proves more and plored what this means to Economic Impact of the the development of the dif- “There is a lot of potential”,
more to be a destination our Gross Domestic Prod- Aruba Wedding Market’ ferent niches in the tourism Rivera says. ATA will get to
to say the magical words: uct (GDP). How does this was recently presented to industry. One of these mar- work with the results of the
Yes, I do! And of course to part of the touristic market the CEO of ATA and several kets is the Wedding/Hon- research and in collabora-
spend the honeymoon in influence our tourism, but stake holders like the hotel eymoon market. Professor tion with their stake hold-
our tropical paradise. The more important what is the sector, event organizers, Dr. Manuel Rivera and Dr. ers will revise their strate-
Aruba Tourism Authority contribution economical- audiovisual producers and Robertico Croes of the Uni- gies of communications for
(ATA) focused on this niche ly? The studies called ‘Tying florists among others. versity of Central Florida the short, middle and long
executed the study over term to determine the right
a period of nine months, image for tourists, bearing
starting at the half of 2017. our locals in mind.
The gathered data is of
great value to ATA who is “The total impact of the
enforcing her strategies of wedding industry is a little
communication, but also bit over 100 million dollars,
the fact that visitors see meaning around 7 % of
Aruba as a destination that the consumption in tourism
can keep their authentic- in 2016 and in the frame
ity to be more competitive of the total economy of
with the other destinations Aruba we are looking at
in the Caribbean. approximately 4 % of our
GDP which makes this a
Rivera: “We have identified significant market for Aru-
what are the preferences ba” as is the conclusion of
of the bride, the broom Rivera.q
and the invites. This gave
us a good idea for all what
is the image they have of
the destination and what
actually influences their
choices.” Registered were
great satisfaction with the
destination, the experi-
ences and the available
facilities to arrange all nec-
linda.reijnders@cspnv.com