Page 34 - ATA
P. 34
LOCAL A13
Thursday 9 March 2017
Happiness Index Study Identifies Aruba as Happiest Island In The World
ORANJESTAD - New re- Authority use to perpetu- and tourism. Happiness in
search suggests the “One ate local happiness. Island- Aruba can be seen as a
happy island” of Aruba is wide wellness initiatives and self-fulfilling cycle, tourism
the happiest island in the downtown developments development drives happi-
world, relative to size. Fol- including the Linear Park, ness for the residents which
lowing a 5-year Happiness for instance, inspire quality in turn results in happy tour-
Index study conducted in time with loved ones and ists.”
partnership between Aru- personal fulfillment, which As the exclusive Caribbean
ba Tourism Authority and locals value most. island to measure its happi-
the Rosen College of Hospi- “Among all the destina- ness index, Aruba encour-
tality Management at the tion research projects our ages nations of all sizes to
University of Central Florida university has conducted follow suit.
– results confirm 78 percent around the world, Aruba “It is important to measure
of the Aruban population has been one of the most the success of a country
is happy, while 76 percent compelling islands to make beyond economic indica-
also express longer-term inquiries about quality of tors and to make happi-
satisfaction with life. life and happiness,” said ness and well-being an in-
When compared to the Dr. Manuel Rivera of UCF. tegral part of our national
2016 World Happiness Re- “Throughout the course dialogue and intent,” said
port, commissioned by the of our studies we’ve con- Otmar Oduber, Aruba
United Nations to measure firmed Aruba’s people are Minister of Tourism, Trans-
the happiness index of 157 generally happy with their portation, Primary Sector
larger countries, Aruba’s re- quality of life as well as with and Culture. “We would
sults rank higher than No. 1 the imperative connection also like to see prestigious
Denmark at approximately between the destination World Ranking Reports to
75.3 percent. incorporate ‘small island
“It’s important to note that development states’ such
while other Caribbean is- as our One happy island, in
lands are included in the its studies.”
World Happiness Report, Aruba’s approach to hap-
Aruba is the first and only piness already has caught
Caribbean island to ever the attention and support
measure its own happiness of The United Nations World
index,” said Dr. Robertico Tourism Organization.
Croes of UCF. “Over the “We’ve reviewed the results
past five years, we’ve col- of the study, which is in line
lected a significant 2,000 with our methodology, and
surveys, stratified across believe it merits attention
four core groups in Aruba, on a worldwide level,” said
and have seen the desired UNWTO Secretary-General,
stability in the island’s hap- Taleb Rifai. “We would like
piness levels.” to see this model applied
Aruba’s famous brand – across other Caribbean is-
One happy island – has lands and worldwide.”
been around, with some
interruptions, for nearly 40 Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, happiness.”
years. But for Aruba, happi- CEO of Aruba Tourism Au- While the study reveals Aru-
ness is more than a trendy thority. “We evaluate the ba’s tourism is not the main
subject or tagline; it’s an success of our tourism not driver of happiness, the
inherit part of the island’s only by its tangible benefits, successful industry brings
DNA that Aruba has com- but also by intangible ben- satisfaction to the local
mitted to studying since efits including local happi- people and yields material
2011. “As the No. 2 most ness and life satisfaction, as benefits/resources the gov-
tourism-reliant nation in the that directly impacts visitor ernment and Aruba Tourism
world, Aruba greatly values
the happiness of our local
people – they are the heart
and soul of Aruba and en-
sure the quality tourism
experience that has de-
fined our destination,” said
