Page 31 - AHATA

A16 LOCAL
Friday 28 September 2018
Tourism also has its limitations and economic diversification
ORANJESTAD – Aruba Tour- Digital Transformation: How theme regarding this day ume but by taking the nec-
ism Authority (ATA) gave
special attention on World
Tourism Day through a con- Director of ATA, Ronella Tjin reflects on the digital trans- the industry with the high- island to make it a more
ference named: Tourism & Asjoe-Croes declared the formation in the tourism in- est economic income and pleasant and more acces-
dustry. and CEO of Broadsuite Me-
dia Group and Sam Sheffer
It is very important to see a well-known Youtuber &
how Aruba has developed Technologist. Sheffer used
itself in the industry through to work for big technology
digital transformation. It is companies such as Engad-
time to reflect on the tour- get, The Verge and Mash-
ism product that has more able.
than 60 years of existence
and as is the case with any These speakers talked
product, no matter that it about the impact online
is a destination, it does not media has on a tourist
only have its maturity but when they need to decide
has its challenges too. Ac- where will be their next va-
cording to Tjin Asjoe-Croes cation destination. They
the model we are following also gave ideas and sug-
with the goal for tourism to gestions to the public on
become an economical different facilities and digi-
pillar by continiously ex- tal instruments that can be
panding and developing it, useful to make the tourism
has been reached. product better. Seeing the
limitations Aruba has, be-
We must continue putting ing a small island, we can
attention into it, in order say that we are a few steps
for it to be sustained. This is ahead compared to other
limited in expansion of vol- tourist destinations in the re-
gion. The speakers admired
it impacts our lives. was in line with the World essary steps to insure the the idea of ATA to put Wi-
Tourism Organisation that tourism to continue being Fi in different parts of the
contribute to the quality of sible stay for the tourist. By
life for our people. Also very doing this, the tourist will
important is for it to contin- promote Aruba instantly
ue to be a satisfying indus- from their point of view. This
try for our visitors. is certainly the best way to
get free marketing. ATA
ATA tries to illustrate that also put “beacons” that
tourism not only consists way they can record which
of economics but aspects are the most visited plac-
such as social, environmen- es by the tourists. Through
tal protection and culture. these “beacons” ATA aims
All these aspects goes han- in the future to be able to
di-in-hand with the tourism. give immediate informa-
And the all need proper at- tion to the tourist via mes-
tention. If not, at the end sages that will inform them
of the day you will have a about events happening in
product that will not be at- the areas they are. This will
tractive to the visitor. This elevate the experience for
will have a negative out- the tourist by giving them
come to our quality of life. more options and that way
Eventhough it’s our eco- they will ccontribute more
nomic pillar, tourism has its to our economy during
limitations and economic their stay. Both speakers
diversification is important. stated that we need to be
ATA forecasts a continu- more innovative in order
ous increase in our tourism to secure our leadership in
industry and they are tak- tourism.
ing the necessary steps to
make this possible through The Minister of Transport
the following: Chris Romero, was present,
representing the Minister of
Innovation Tourism. The Minister of ed-
During the conference ucation Rudy Lampe and
ATA had two guest speak- other members of the Par-
ers that were the perfect liament were also present
examples to explain more at the conference.
about the digital transfor-
mation in the tourism indus- This report was done by
try. The Main speakers were Benjamin Romero.q
Daniel Newman, co-found-
er of Futurum Research