AHATA says Aruba's 2026–2031 tourism plan overlooks its recommendations on visitor volume, tax collection, bureaucracy and beach management.
AHATA says its recommendations were not reflected
The Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association said it participated in three rounds of discussions with Tourism, Transport and Labor Minister Wendrick Cicilia and his advisers while the ministry developed its 2026–2031 tourism plan. AHATA said it supports establishing a new direction for the sector but believes recommendations it made during the consultations are not reflected in the current plan. The association's statement presents a distinct stakeholder response to the government's recently outlined framework.
Association favors value over visitor growth
AHATA said Aruba should move away from increasing visitor numbers and focus instead on travelers who contribute more to the economy and value the island's nature and culture. Its proposals include adjusting marketing, managing the number of cruise ships arriving on the same day and coordinating flight volumes and airline priorities. The association also objected to proposed tourism-sector tax increases, arguing that the government should improve revenue collection and tax compliance before raising costs for businesses that already pay.
Concerns include bureaucracy and monthly beach closures
The association opposed creating additional government bodies for tourism, calling instead for stronger performance within existing structures. AHATA also questioned the plan to close beaches and the sea one day each month, saying visitor-volume management would do more to reduce pressure on Aruba's coastal resources. Chief executive Tisa LaSorte said stakeholder participation should lead to recommendations being seriously considered. The AHATA tourism plan response calls for an urgent strategy change to protect Aruba's main industry and community well-being.
