Page 31 - ATA

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LOCAL Wednesday 22 March 2017

Aruba Partners with United Nations Sanctioned International Day of Happiness

ORANJESTAD - United Na- GDP, and appreciate Aru-
tions sanctioned Interna- ba’s commitment to eval-
tional Day of Happiness uating the island’s prosper-
and the “One happy ity not only by its tangible
island” of Aruba an- benefits, but also by intan-
nounced a brand partner- gible benefits including lo-
ship with a mutual, long- cal happiness.”
term goal of inspiring acts Aruba and IDOH plan to
of happiness worldwide. grow together as partners,
Aruba is the first nation to collaborating on year-
formally partner with the round happiness-driven
organization, which is on initiatives and facilitating
track to become an inter- opportunities for other or-
governmental agency af- ganizations and nations to
ter five years of dedicat- join this global effort.
ing March 20 as the global “Aruba is the first and only
day of happiness. fined our destination.” Caribbean island to ever
“This partnership is a natu- Not only “One happy is- measure its own happiness
ral extension of Aruba’s land,” Aruba is also the index, and it is our distinct
brand, as happiness is happiest island in the world, honor to now be the first
more than a trendy tag- relative to size – according nation to formally pursue
line – it’s part of our is- to a five-year happiness happiness in partnership
land’s DNA,” said Ronella index study conducted in with the United Nations
Tjin Asjoe-Croes, CEO of partnership between ATA sanctioned International
Aruba Tourism Authority and Rosen College of Hos- Day of Happiness,” said
(ATA). “As the No. 2 most pitality Management at Tjin Asjoe-Croes. “Aruba
tourism-reliant nation in the University of Central is known to make grand
the world, Aruba greatly Florida. Results indicate 78 gestures of happiness, and
values the happiness of percent of Aruban popula- will do so again this year
our local people. They are tion is happy, while 76 per- – but in the meantime, it’s
the heart and soul of Aru- cent express longer-term the small, everyday acts
ba, and create happiness satisfaction with life. of happiness we hope to
for others, both in the mo- “Aruba beautifully embod- inspire.”
ment and in lasting ways, ies IDOH’s mission to per- On the fifth annual Inter-
through a quality tourism petuate happiness as a national Day of Happiness
experience that has de- fundamental human right
and goal,” said Jayme Il- specifically, ATA ambassa-
lien, founder and execu- dors visited elderly homes
tive chairman of IDOH, an worldwide, sharing authen-
international NGO. “We tic Aruban gifts, storytelling,
believe a nation’s success music, art and ultimately –
should be defined beyond happiness.q