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LOCAL Friday 17 February 2017

Happiness Index Study Identifies Aruba as Happiest Island In The World

ORANJESTAD - New re- Aruba is the first and only
search suggests the “One Caribbean island to ever
happy island” of Aruba is measure its own happiness
the happiest island in the index,” said Dr. Robertico
world, relative to size. Fol- Croes of UCF. “Over the
lowing a 5-year Happiness past five years, we’ve col-
Index study conducted in lected a significant 2,000

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