Is my love affair with Aruba coming to an end?

[shariuno]

Hi All,

I just wanted to share something with you. I know so many users love Aruba just as much as me!

I am always reading things on the net about Aruba, it makes me feel better when I've got a long way to go until my next trip . Not sure if anyone picked up on the paragraph in the article about low volume, high value tourists......

ORANJESTAD – On October 24, 2022, the Minister of Tourism and Public Health, Mr. Dangui Oduber, announced the beautification project of Roger Beach’s stairs with mosaic art.

The stairs were in a deteriorated state. That is why the government decided to refurbish these and invest in product Aruba. They announced the renovation work on October 20, 2021, and now we have a fully restored staircase.

The embellishment with mosaic art financed with funds from the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) is the next phase. The local and international mosaic artists will execute this project under the supervision of Tito Bolivar. The project is also in close cooperation with the marine park.


The government policy is to attract low-volume, high-value tourists with an annual income of more than 150 thousand dollars.


That is why it is imperative to invest in product Aruba by maintaining the expectation of a quality destination. The aim is to embellish the area of Rodgers Beach, the same as Baby Beach.

--------End

I'm sure the reasoning behind this will be to do with the impact that tourism has on the island, however, the statement made me feel a bit financially discriminated! We save hard every year to be able to visit Aruba and have been visiting for 14 years, I'd hate to be told i cannot visit because i don't earn enough.
Not sure how they'd check peoples salary but everything is possible these days with technology, one other way to do it would be to price the average earning person out by raising room rates, airbnb taxes, tourist tax, airport tax etc. which may make the destination too expensive for many.

It has been talked about for some years now, lowering the tourism levels but I've never heard any specifics.......until i read this.

The airline who had been providing flights from the UK to Aruba since 2005 will not be flying to Aruba from next year. Flights from the UK are now provided by British Airways, the cost of flights and hotels are nearing double that of TUI - so it's possibly already started.

All comments are my opinion only

[Pegmeister]

Where was the article published? I hadn’t seen it prior to your post.

I would take the statement regarding salaries with a grain of salt. No one is going to be checking your annual income. It makes sense they would prefer to attract a more affluent tourist. However, I personally don’t see that as a reality.

I love going to Aruba and really miss it. Our last trip was Nov/Dec of 2019. Prior to the pandemic we went twice a year. So, we have been planning a return trip for May. That said, with all the new construction, price changes, airport issues etc. I have been debating if we should spend our vacation somewhere new.

[cpjones]

The government policy is to attract low-volume, high-value tourists with an annual income of more than 150 thousand dollars.

I don't love it..... but I've already heard the rumbles too.

Thank you for a well thought out post and point of view. We too, work diligently each year to put aside the right funds for our stay. This year it does look like we'll be making some sacrifices to be able to continue to go.

[shariuno]

Where was the article published? I hadn’t seen it prior to your post.

I would take the statement regarding salaries with a grain of salt. No one is going to be checking your annual income. It makes sense they would prefer to attract a more affluent tourist. However, I personally don’t see that as a reality.

I love going to Aruba and really miss it. Our last trip was Nov/Dec of 2019. Prior to the pandemic we went twice a year. So, we have been planning a return trip for May. That said, with all the new construction, price changes, airport issues etc. I have been debating if we should spend our vacation somewhere new.

Hi Pegmeister,
I found it on the government.aw website in the news section.

We also haven't been since Sept 2019 due to the pandemic and really miss it too! We are planning to go next year April/May, but it'll be a different holiday this time as we no longer have TUI coming to Aruba from the UK. So we will be renting an apartment this time rather than staying in the Riu Antillas and booking flight only with BA.

[shariuno]

I don't love it..... but I've already heard the rumbles too.

Thank you for a well thought out post and point of view. We too, work diligently each year to put aside the right funds for our stay. This year it does look like we'll be making some sacrifices to be able to continue to go.

Thanks CP, yes, sacrifices - but we love the place so we are willing

When you've been visiting somewhere for so many years you really do see all of the changes. So much has changed since we first visited the island in 2006 (and i know many of you have been visiting way before that!) and so much is still changing.

[Pegmeister]

Hi Pegmeister,
I found it on the government.aw website in the news section.

We also haven't been since Sept 2019 due to the pandemic and really miss it too! We are planning to go next year April/May, but it'll be a different holiday this time as we no longer have TUI coming to Aruba from the UK. So we will be renting an apartment this time rather than staying in the Riu Antillas and booking flight only with BA.

Are you able to take advantage of Cyber Monday sales from the UK! If so, it may be worth checking to see what deals are being offered. Years ago we stayed at the Divi AI and would always book their sale as it was 50% off.

[WaltVB]

It's kinda sad to see it in writing and I'm trying to figure it out. When we went in 2020, they were really glad to have us... wonder if they would have been as happy if they knew my salary? Shouldn't make a difference, right?

[cpjones]

I would take the statement regarding salaries with a grain of salt. No one is going to be checking your annual income. It makes sense they would prefer to attract a more affluent tourist. However, I personally don’t see that as a reality.

Frankly.... as prices continue to rise, more and more folks will bail out. Nobody has to see who's making what, just the results! It's natural attrition.....

[Andrea J.]

attracting a more affluent tourist, sure why not?
keeping the average (I know that no one likes to be called average) tourist is VERY important.

look at what has happened at Disney with Chapek leading the way.
Disney is now priced so high that average Joe Q Citizen, wife and 2.5 children cannot afford to visit.

I just smh.

[Pegmeister]

Frankly.... as prices continue to rise, more and more folks will bail out. Nobody has to see who's making what, just the results! It's natural attrition.....

Sad but true.