This ought to generate quite a few replies, and I'll probably get bashed but here goes:
I've been coming to the island since 1976, (my honeymoon) on and off, but consistently every August the last 5 years. This year will be my 14th or 15th trip, I lost count.
Obviously the island has changed since I first started going. But I still love it every time I come down. My next trip is August 1st for 11 nights, and believe it or not, I dont have a timeshare.

So here's the issue: so much building, so many more rooms, and now, in just one year, rather than 1 direct flight a day each way from JFK (American), we;ve gone to 3! (the original AA flight, and Jet Blue, after having one flight a day each way, is now up to 2). Airfares have been cut in half, lots more places to stay. On the surface, this is great. But I fear the end result might lead to another overcrowded place, which might lose its charm in another year or three.

Comments?

totally agree!! They really need to stop building now before it is too late. My mother and father inlaw USED to go to Aruba every year UNTIL they started building. It became too Americanized for them! They liked it when there was nothing but some great places to eat and endless stretches of beach with no buildings!! They have not been there for 8 years. Of course this was when you walked off the plane onto the tarmac!! Loved that!

The island is changing for sure. Like so many places around the world, when one side demands, the other tries to respond to those demands.

This little pebble in the ocean has been through so much and yet it continues to be one of the best vacation spots in the Caribbean.

Are we headed to being overbuilt? Probably
Will it cause changes? For sure
Will those changes make us a bad destination? Not sure if "bad" is the answer, perhaps "different" is a better way of looking at it.

Be well
charles
arubafastphones.com
Modo_Won

I agree, I have been going to aruba since 1973 , this year will be my 41 st trip. I own at the casa del mar. I love Aruba, Can't wait till Nov. Good Luck

we also think aruba is changing for the worst, to much building ,more taxing, prices are getting higher etc. we go back on may 23rd for 10 days but will be awhile after that before we return because of the above, this will be our 43rd trip to aruba but will not be going 3 times a year as in the past, will be going to st. maarten more.

It's the airlines. Less flights so the planes are fuller. My airfare doubled since last year.

>>>> "result might lead to another overcrowded place"
---- Come in May or June and stay on Eagle Beach. Will be making like my 20th
trip this June.

Last visit (December) we had lots of space on both Arashi and Eagle beaches.

I'm sure that will soon no longer be true.

In addition, there will be a lot more imported hospitality staff in the future. So the hotel experience will not always be one of Aruban hospitality. (Several years ago someone on administrative staff at Manchebo said that was already a problem.)

(ArubaJoey has been right all along. We shouldn't have been telling people how great Aruba is. Should have kept it our secret. )

Aruba Trip Reports

Auntie,
That is kind of like taking a six year old kid to Disney world for a week solid and then telling him to not tell anyone.

Do not think that will ever happen.

be well gal
charles

There is not much anyone can do with the buildout in Aruba. Just as Virginia Beach grew out from the 70's. Now you can not see the ocean much when driving there because of all the buildings (hotels,etc). All we can hope for is that there is some restrictions placed in the building process on Aruba.

PS: I am one of those that tell everyone about Aruba, Sorry. It caused my son to book his honeymoon this Oct in Aruba.