Page 32 - min.soc 9 jan,2016

A14
LOCALSaturday 9 January 2016
Online tool enhances visitor ease to island:
ATA’s Digital Embarkation and Disembarkation Card a Success!
ORANJESTAD (PRNews-
wire) – The Aruba Tourism
Authority (ATA), Aruba Im-
migration Services (IASA)
and Gamma introduced a
new service to the island’s
visitors in December. As a
country that continually
strives for the pursuit of inno-
vation and modernization
in guest services, Aruba’s
new service allows guests
the option of digitally filling
out the required Embarka-
tion and Disembarkation
card (ED-card) before ever
stepping foot on the popu-
lar Caribbean island.
In the past, the ED-card
was given to travelers while
still onboard their flight. With
the introduction of the new
online version, visitors are
now able to go to www.
edcardaruba.aw as soon
as they book their flights to along with travel industry
fill out the digital ED-card
as a convenient and green
alternative, contributing
to Aruba’s commitment to
sustainable action.
Families, couples and
friends heading to Aruba
leaders will appreciate the
digital ED-card for offer-
ing visitors the opportunity ers”—travelers who have
to easily complete the in-
formation requirements
before embarking on their
journey, as well as expedit- appreciate that they only
ing the airport flow once
they arrive on-island.
Aruba’s “Happy Return-
been to Aruba at least
once before or continue to
return, year after year—will
have to update their digi-
tal ED-card with new travel
dates and trip details, as
the system will save their
basic information for future
use. All visitors to Aruba
are required to fill out an
ED-card, although the tra-
ditional paper card will still made from six chosen clips
be available for visitors who
prefer this. Guests can fill
out their digital ED-card as
soon as they have booked
their flights and up to 48
hours before departing to
Aruba. After 48 hours have
passed, all visitors must
fill out the paper ED-card
upon arrival.
“ATA and IASA are thrilled
to be industry leaders with
this time saving digital tool. remain crucial to Aruba’s
Aruba’s tourism partners
and local people are all
committed to the contin-
ued enhancement of our
One happy island,” said
Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes,
CEO of ATA.
“Upon landing with their
ED-card already com-
pleted, visitors will be fur-
ther delighted to discover
the Aruba’s Happy Flow
program, designed to
streamline and expedite
the passenger process with
enhanced digital airport
checkpoints.”
Once more, Aruba has
been differentiated from
other destinations and ATA
from other Destination Mar-
keting and Management
Organizations (DMMOs)
for this innovative focus on
meeting the modern trav-
eler’s needs and exceed-
ing expectations.
ATA has also recently
launched the Happiness
Builder, a game-changing
digital tool that allows visi-
tors to begin their vacations
early and enjoy the trip
planning process almost as
much as their time on island.
A content-rich planning ex-
perience where travelers
can explore aruba.com/
shortcuts for nearly 100 vid-
eos featuring adventure,
relaxation, romance and
cultural activities in Aruba,
the Happiness Builder cre-
ates a personal ‘Shortcut to
Happiness’ video itinerary
with the addition of happy
music and a personalized
message which can then
be shared with friends and
loved ones via email and
social media.
As Aruba continues to
evolve from both a product
and marketing perspec-
tive, new and innovative
tools like digital the ED-card
and the Happiness Builder
success as one of the most
popular tourist destinations.
Fill out your own ED-card
online at www.edcarda-
ruba.aw. For more infor-
mation on the One happy
island, visit www.aruba.
com. Engage with Aruba
via social media at www.
facebook.com/ArubaFans
or @Aruba on Twitter.q