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Tourism

Tourism has contributed positively to the economic growth and continues to be the main economic activity. Furthermore, tourism is the main employer and foreign exchange earner.

In 2008, the number of tourist arrivals increased with 6.8% to 825,137, while tourism receipt increased with 12.7% to Af 2,528.7 million.
The United States continues to be the major tourist market, accounting for 64.9% of the total stay-over visitors, followed by Venezuela with 13.6% and The Netherlands with 5.5% respectively.

During 2008, stay-over visitors spent 6,249,472 nights, averaging 7.6 nights.
At the end of 2008, the hotel room capacity totaled 7,323 rooms. In 2008, the number of cruise ship passengers experienced an increase of 15.4%, and the number of cruise ship calls decreased from 315 to 299.

Year Hotel rooms Stay-over visitors Visitor nights Cruise ship passengers Tourism Receipts(Af million)
1999 6,596 683,323 5,143,302 257,829 1,419.5
2000 6,980 721,224 5,247,824 289,038 1,546.9
2001 7,004 691,420 5,144,594 490,148 1,614.1
2002 6,831 642,627 4,862,548 487,296 1,628.6
2003 6,912 641,906 5,097,571 542,327 1,522.7
2004 7,198 728,157 5,639,869 576,320 1,882,7
2005 6,532 732,514 5,694,501 552,819 1,952.6
2006 6,834 694,372 5,470,544 591,474 1,926.2
2007 6,786 772,036 5,887,309 481,775 2,242.0
2008* 7,323 825,137 6,249,472 556,090 2,528.7

Source: CBS, CBA, * provisional.

Aruba enjoys a natural stretch of white sand beaches that continues for miles along the west coast and belongs to the finest in the world. Most of the resorts and casinos are located along this beach. Tourists can spend the evening in exotic restaurants and nightclubs, discos or casinos. Restaurants serve a wide range of cuisines.

For more information, please contact

Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA)
L.G. Smith Boulevard 172
tel: 297 582 3777
fax: 297 583 4702
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.aruba.com