Crowds

[mleajanko]

Has anyone seen a diminish in crowds due to the US economy? I know Aruba has been getting more crowded every year and I'm hoping this yr we can have a spare pool chair or inch of beach space to occupy by ourselves - and be able to go to a restaurant without a reservation made a week before. Wishful thinking I'm sure!

[DiviRob39]

I was down last week and you'd never know there was an economic downturn. Our hotel was very close to 100% capacity and the strip at palm beach was very very busy. Nice to see we're doing our part to stimulate the economy..even though it may mean fighting over chickees!
cheers

[Snidely]

We'll be down for a couple weeks in the near future and the Tamarijn is nearly full for both weeks. Few rooms available mid-week.

[fattypatty]

generally, the timeshares are always full no matter the economy. why? b/c the people who have the wherewithal to purchase a timeshare are usually the ones that can afford to withstand economic headwinds. also, people who own an unit are compelled to use it since they've already paid for it + the maintenance. i noticed this when i went last thanksgiving and stayed at the stellaris....the surf and ocean clubs were brimming with people as usual when the stellaris beach and pool were practically empty.

[hockeymom]

I just checked out flight to Aruba to see if it was full - there are two seats left and the return is almost full also. We are going March 16-23. I hope it's not too crowded !!

[DushiHeidi]

Soon places in Aruba are going to be changing more and more because of the American economy. Hotels have plans of decreasing happy hours, cutting staff, adding charges for housekeeping essentials (ex:extra towels, washclothes), and all different sorts of things. I talked to a good friend that works at the Marriott and they have already started cutting staff. I wonder whats going to become of everything.

[Arubalisa]

Interesting article in the Royal Gazette.

Aruba ranked 3rd in increase in tourism last year according to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.

"According to the latest statistics from the CTO, cruise and hotel visits to many Caribbean and Atlantic island destinations declined last year, but many turned in increases. ... Cuba (+9.1 percent January to December) and Curaçao (+31 percent January to September) fared the best, followed by Aruba which saw arrivals increase 15 percent in peak months January to June. "

[ANTHONY]

Just returned from 3 weeks stay.what one has to remember, those that were there this year, were already booked from 2008.2010 will be the real test not many people including me have made reservations before we left.we usually make reservations while we are there for the following year, SO WE CAN LOOK FOR A GOOD DEAL ON AIR PRICE.

[danadog56]

all I can say is..unless I get laid-off I will continue going until I can't...physically I mean...may even go if I can get Dh to push wheel chair !!!!!

[Chadd]

Originally Posted by hockeymom

I just checked out flight to Aruba to see if it was full - there are two seats left and the return is almost full also. We are going March 16-23. I hope it's not too crowded !!

On the five flights my airline has to Aruba on the 14th, there are at least 38 empty seats on each flight.