Page 16 - ARUBA TODAY

A16 LOCAL
Friday 10 November 2017
Happiness Index Study Identiies Aruba as Happiest Island In The World

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