Aruba Tourism Authority Celebrates “Over Fifty Years of Aruba Tourism” Exposition

Fifty Years of Tourism History now on display at Aruba’s Archaeological Museum

In July, 50 years ago, the era of tourism as an economic foundation of Aruba was heralded by the opening of the Royal Caribbean Resort, the “Grand Dame” of Palm Beach. Now under the Radisson Flag, the 50th anniversary celebration of the resort complex was celebrated with the opening of a historic exposition chronicling the growth of tourism on Aruba.

This exhibition will now be on display for two weeks at Aruba’s new National Archaeological Museum on the Schelpstraat in Oranjestad for all to enjoy. Yesterday, staff of the Aruba Tourism Authority, ATA, led by Director Myrna Jansen-Feliciano, cut the ribbon on the extensive collection now located in the Rosenberg House of the museum complex.

A vast selection of photos and memorabilia traces the development of the tourism industry on Aruba from the first KLM Knip flight to arrive in 1935 to Aruba’s latest campaign “90,000 Friends You haven’t met yet”, and everything in between. A visit by the Queen Elizabeth II in 1971 inaugurated the cruise tourism industry. The faces and places were fundamental to Aruba becoming a premier vacation destination are remembered and revered for their contributions to this pillar of the island’s economy.

“Over fifty years of Aruba Tourism” is opened to the public Monday through Friday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm through Friday, October2. It is a remarkable trip down memory lane: a fascinating look into the past, present and possibly a hint of the future of Aruba’s tourism industry.