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LOCALWednesday 6 April 2016
Top of the Caribbean:
Aruba Sweeps Awards Season As Most Decorated Destination
ORANJESTAD/ PRNewswire the Happiness Builder – a proprietary weighting of voters, as well as a Bronze sirable travel destinations
- While Hollywood’s hottest content-rich planning ex- various data, including so- award for “Most Luxury in the world,” said Otmar
celebrities dazzle as “lead perience on aruba.com cial media followings, web- Destination.” Oduber, Aruba’s Minister
actor” or “best new art- where travelers can build site inbound links, 3rd party Specific recognition for the of Tourism, Transportation,
ist,” Aruba stars as “best in and share their own cus- rankings and more. Aruba Tourism Authority is Primary Sector and Culture.
show” for advertising and tom video itinerary from “Our commitment to stra- indicative of the dynamic “It’s a true pleasure to see
marketing this awards sea- more than 100 adventure, tegic and savvy digital approach ATA takes to firsthand what our small is-
son – with achievements relaxation, romance and marketing directly impacts marketing – with digital land can accomplish.”
ranging from the most culture video vignettes. Aruba’s GDP, which is campaigns complement- For more information on
digitally-savvy island in the Aruba’s digital prowess has more reliant on travel and ed by award-winning in- the One happy island, visit
Caribbean to the most sus- been an increasingly hot tourism than any other na- market media events and www.aruba.com. Engage
tainable destination in the world-leading sustainability with Aruba via social me-
world. topic among industry lead- tion, relative to size, in the initiatives. dia at www.facebook.
“Receiving dozens of na- ers, as this small, but savvy world,” said Asjoe-Croes. Travel Weekly’s panel of in- com/ArubaFans or @Aruba
tional and global awards island currently ranks the “Aruba’s target audience dustry experts recognized on Twitter.
for 2015 efforts alone, the most popular digital des- visits more than 20 websites “Aruba Cultura,” an im- ABOUT ARUBA:
entire island of Aruba is tination in the Caribbean in their travel planning jour- mersive media experience As one of the most revisited
both humbled and inspired – according to Caribbean ney, so it’s essential for us in NYC showcasing Aruba’s destinations in the Carib-
to continue our quest for & Co., an expert source on to be front and center with art, culture and cuisine, with bean, Aruba — One hap-
innovation and creativ- Caribbean lifestyle and lux- relevant Aruba content at a Gold Magellan Award. py island — is an island of
ity,” said Ronella Tjin Asjoe- ury brands. each stage.” For the second consecu- contradictions, where pris-
Croes, CEO of Aruba Tour- Caribbean & Co. reports Solidifying its positioning as tive year, Aruba received a tine turquoise waters col-
ism Authority. “Now we’re Aruba ranks No. 1 of 35 Ca- the most innovative Desti- Magellan Award for its sus- lide against the desert-like
not only the sunniest and ribbean islands for overall nation Marketing and Man- tainability initiatives. terrain of the north shore;
happiest island in the Ca- “destination marketing in- agement Organization Aruba’s “Destination Lead- where peace and relax-
ribbean, but also the most dex 2015” and No. 1 of 10 (DMMO) in the Caribbean, ership” in green energy also ation coexist with wild and
decorated.” Most recently, Caribbean islands for Ins- the Aruba Tourism Authority took first place on a global rugged adventures; where
Aruba received a Platinum tagram, boasting double clenched the “Best Tourism stage during the National Dutch influence meets
Adrian Award for its “One the numbers of its runner Board Overall” in this year’s Geographic Travel World American ease and where
Happy Selfie” advertising up. The marketing index Travvy Awards, selected by Legacy Awards at ITB Ber- a diverse history parallels
campaign, honoring Trav- ranking was derived by a nearly 40,000 travel agent lin, the world’s largest tour- a bright future. Nestled in
el Marketing Excellence ism convention. More than the southern Caribbean
under the authority of the 150 award entries were outside the fringes of the
Hospitality Sales and Mar- received, representing 56 hurricane belt, the island is
keting Association Interna- countries and six conti- just a two-and-a-half-hour
tional (HSMAI). “One Hap- nents. Finalists in five cat- flight from Miami, a four-
py Selfie,” a social media egories were selected by hour flight from New York
driven outdoor campaign an international team of 18 City and boasts year-round
targeting key Chicago sustainable travel experts, cooling trade winds with
market travelers, was one who conducted thorough an average 82-degree
of only six Platinum awards on-site inspections before temperature. Aruba offers
in the advertising category, choosing the winners in beach-lovers, adrenaline
selected from more than each category. junkies, relaxation-seekers
300 entries by a panel of in- The global recognition and everyone in between
dustry experts. continued with several a slice of paradise with
Also recognized with a Sil- digital engagement-driven breathtaking beaches, a
ver award was Aruba’s TripAdvisor awards for the booming culinary scene of
newest digital innovation, destination, beaches, res- over 200 restaurants with
taurants and properties – in- 25+ located ideally on the
cluding Aruba’s adults-only water, world-famous fes-
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort tivals and events, exciting
as both the No. 8 hotel in land and water activities,
the world and No. 1 hotel in art galleries and museums,
the world for romance. sumptuous spas, cham-
Once again, The Knot pionship golf, exclusive
named Aruba one of the shopping and signature
world’s top 50 honeymoon experiences such as cool-
destinations, based on edi- ing off in Conchi, Aruba’s
tors’ research and personal natural pool — accessible
experiences. only by foot or off-road
“The variety of awards, vehicle. With all-inclusive
coupled with Aruba’s re- options, boutique prop-
cord-breaking tourism per- erties in charming Eagle
formance of more than a Beach, high-rise branded
million stay-over visitors an- resorts in Palm Beach and
nually, proves the creative cosmopolitan city hotels in
marketing and dedication Oranjestad, the island of
of the government, ATA, contradictions provides the
industry partners and locals perfect getaway for both
are successful in making first-time guests and loyal
Aruba one of the most de- visitors.q
