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Thursday 27 sepTember 2018

World Tourism Day Conference 2018 by A.T.A.

“Tourism and the digital ism sector with it digital
transformation” is the inter- advances can get better
national theme according commercial initiatives, in-
to the World Tourism Or- clusion and get the local
ganization (WTO) for the community to participate.
World Tourism Day 2018. Also how to efficiently
The conference will be manage important objec-
conducted by 2 experts in tives for development. The
this area. Daniel Newman, purpose of this year’s World
CEO of Broadsuite Media Tourism Day is to help ex-
Group and co-founder plore more opportunities in
of Futurum Research. He the tourism industry_ thanks
works with the biggest to the technological ad-
technology companies ex- vances such as big data,
ploring digital transforma- artificial intelligence and
tion and the influence of digital platforms.
this in the commerce.
ORANJESTAD – World Tour- Tourism Day is Thursday By transforming our way The second moderator is Aruba Tourism Authority
ism Day is a special oc- September 27th and Aruba of doing things and en- Sam Sheffer, who works wants to wish all its mem-
casion in which the Aruba Tourism Authority will be couraging innovation, we with different companies, bers in the tourism sector a
Tourism Authority (ATA) will conducting a conference will learn the best possible specializes in technol- happy World Tourism Day.
take the opportunity to not which emphasizes the digi- ways of promoting Aruba ogy such as Engadget, Remember to take a mo-
only bring awareness to the tal transformation of tourism as a tourist destination by The Verge and Mashable, ment and reflect on our
community on the impor- and the impact that it has. acknowledging the es- functioning as social media daily duties and renew our
tance of the tourism indus- sentials of understanding manager, photographer, commitment to excel in our
try to our island but also to ATA has been following the economic, social, and writer, producer and editor. level of service and to offer
share knowledge in order how digital advances has technological impact and the best experience to all
to achieve the objective transform the way we con- innovation of tourism. Content of the conference visitors. q
of “best practices.” World nect and inform ourselves. is based on how the tour-

Aruba’s Tourism: Past and Present

ORANJESTAD — In the tion with only two employ- from 2,776 to 5,625. During high level of safety, its po- Educating our youth about
1920s, Aruba had only ees: Ernst Bartels remained this period, the number of litical stability, and its suc- the importance of Aruba
a few visitors. Between chief, assisted by Casper timeshares also increased cess in various niches such tourism has created a ser-
1924 and 1928, about 200 Wever. The ATB continued about fivefold, from 337 as activities, nightlife, shop- vice oriented and wel-
yachts, motor vessels, and the vital work of promoting units to 1,967 units. By the ping, and restaurants. coming attitude among
tankers were registered, Aruba as a tourism destina- end of 1996, there were our people. Many of our
bringing American busi- tion, especially in the Unit- 7,103 rooms, of which time- Tourism in Aruba isn’t just visitors come for the beau-
nessmen and visitors to ed States, one of the key share units totaled 2,272. our livelihood; it has also tiful beaches, but they re-
the island. For many years markets for the Caribbean. become a part of our turn because they left the
since its opening in 1924, Tourism Today identity as a community. island feeling like family. q
the Lago Oil Refinery was The Caribbean Hotel, Aru- Hotels are concentrated in
the main source of employ- ba’s first multi-story resort two main areas: the high-
ment for the island of Aru- hotel, opened its doors rise area in Palm Beach
ba. In the 1950s, however, in 1959, quickly becom- and the low-rise area in
due to automation, many ing a favorite getaway for Eagle Beach and Punta
employees lost their jobs. world-famous jet-setters. Brabo. The majority of to-
To boost the economy, a From that time until 1977, day’s hotels fall under for-
new industry was sought, the number of hotels in- eign ownership, and many
and the Dutch government creased to 16, with five of of them are international
proposed the most feasible them proudly housing their brands. Despite its increase
choice—tourism. own casinos, and the total in hotel capacity, Aruba
number of rooms reached enjoys one of the highest
In 1947, the Aruba Tourist 2,148. In the period from hotel occupancy rates in
Commission was estab- 1986 to 1996, tourism in the Caribbean, averag-
lished to promote and di- Aruba grew at almost ing about 75% year-round.
rect tourism on the island, twice the rate of tourism in Aruba’s popularity has re-
with Ernst Bartels at the the entire Caribbean. From mained consistent, due
helm. In 1953, the commis- 1986, when the construc- not only to the perfect
sion officially became the tion of hotels resumed, until combination of sun, sand,
Aruba Tourist Bureau (ATB). 1991, the total number of and sea, but also to the
This was a small organiza- rooms more than doubled hospitality of its people, its