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LOCAL Wednesday 9 august 2017

Happiness Index Study Identifies Aruba as Happiest Island In The World

subject or tagline; it’s an “Throughout the course
inherit part of the island’s of our studies we’ve con-
DNA that Aruba has com- firmed Aruba’s people are
mitted to studying since generally happy with their
2011. quality of life as well as with
“As the No. 2 most tourism- the imperative connection
reliant nation in the world, between the destination
Aruba greatly values the and tourism. Happiness in
happiness of our local peo- Aruba can be seen as a
ple – they are the heart and self-fulfilling cycle, tourism
soul of Aruba and ensure development drives happi-
the quality tourism experi- ness for the residents which
ence that has defined our in turn results in happy tour-
destination,” said Ronella ists.” As the exclusive Carib-
Tjin Asjoe-Croes, CEO of bean island to measure its
Aruba Tourism Authority. happiness index, Aruba en-
“We evaluate the success courages nations of all sizes
of our tourism not only by to follow suit.
its tangible benefits, but “It is important to measure
When compared to the
2016 World Happiness Re-
port, commissioned by the
United Nations to measure
the happiness index of 157
larger countries, Aruba’s re-
sults rank higher than No. 1
Denmark at approximately
75.3 percent.
“It’s important to note that
while other Caribbean is-
lands are included in the
World Happiness Report,
Aruba is the first and only
Caribbean island to ever also by intangible benefits the success of a country
measure its own happiness
index,” said Dr. Robertico including local happiness beyond economic indica-
and life satisfaction, as that tors and to make happi-
Croes of UCF. “Over the
past five years, we’ve col- directly impacts visitor hap- ness and well-being an in-
piness.”
tegral part of our national
lected a significant 2,000
surveys, stratified across While the study reveals Aru- dialogue and intent,” said
Oduber,
ba’s tourism is not the main Otmar
Aruba
four core groups in Aruba,
ORANJESTAD - New re- Rosen College of Hospi- and have seen the desired driver of happiness, the Minister of Tourism, Trans-
successful industry brings portation, Primary Sector
search suggests the “One tality Management at the stability in the island’s hap- satisfaction to the local and Culture. “We would
happy island” of Aruba is University of Central Florida piness levels.” people and yields material also like to see prestigious
the happiest island in the – results confirm 78 percent Aruba’s famous brand – benefits/resources the gov- World Ranking Reports to
world, relative to size. Fol- of the Aruban population One happy island – has ernment and Aruba Tourism incorporate ‘small island
lowing a 5-year Happiness is happy, while 76 percent been around, with some Authority use to perpetu- development states’ such
Index study conducted in also express longer-term interruptions, for nearly 40 ate local happiness. Island- as our One happy island, in
partnership between Aruba satisfaction with life. years. But for Aruba, happi- wide wellness initiatives and its studies.”
Tourism Authority and the ness is more than a trendy downtown developments Aruba’s approach to hap-

including the Linear Park, piness already has caught
for instance, inspire quality the attention and support
time with loved ones and of The United Nations World
personal fulfillment, which Tourism Organization.
locals value most. “We’ve reviewed the results
“Among all the destina- of the study, which is in line
tion research projects our with our methodology, and
university has conducted believe it merits attention
around the world, Aruba on a worldwide level,” said
has been one of the most UNWTO Secretary-General,
compelling islands to make Taleb Rifai. “We would like
inquiries about quality of to see this model applied
life and happiness,” said across other Caribbean is-
Dr. Manuel Rivera of UCF. lands and worldwide.”q