ORANJESTAD (AAN) – The Aruba Tourism Association (FTA) is calling for stronger regulation of the island’s vacation rental sector, saying better oversight is needed to protect both tourism and the local housing market.
FTA representative Hose Figaroa said vacation rentals have grown significantly over the past several years and now offer more accommodation units than Aruba’s hotel sector. While he acknowledged that vacation rentals contribute to the economy and support restaurants, supermarkets and other local businesses, he stressed that the sector should not remain unregulated.
Figaroa noted that hotels operate under strict rules governing capacity and expansion, while vacation rentals currently face far fewer controls. He said introducing regulations would help ensure balanced growth without eliminating the sector.
He also warned that the rapid expansion of vacation rentals is contributing to rising home prices, as investors purchase properties for short-term rentals rather than residential use. According to Figaroa, regulating the sector could help improve housing affordability for local residents while maintaining a healthy tourism industry.
