In an interview with Matutino DIARIO, President of the Federacion di Trahadonan di Aruba (FTA), Mr. Hose Figaroa, explained that the rising demand for vacation rentals is directly impacting hotel room occupancy. While AHATA has already issued multiple warnings, the government has yet to respond, leaving hotels—who carry the economic weight of Aruba’s tourism industry—in a state of concern.
“I believe that the moment AHATA brought this issue up, the alarm bell began ringing. It is essential not only to sound the alarm but also to ensure that the government listens. We should not wait until the situation worsens before acting. We must address it now, as there are clear signs that the lack of regulation is already affecting our economy,” stated Figaroa.
He emphasized that the labor market depends heavily on the hotel sector. “A vacation rental often does not employ many workers. You typically have a small team—maybe housekeeping only when cleaning is needed. In contrast, a hotel employs a large, permanent workforce every day: housekeeping, front desk, food & beverage, maintenance, and more. We’re talking about 500 or more workers depending on this sector,” he highlighted.
Figaroa reiterated that the hotel industry is far more labor-intensive than the vacation rental sector. Therefore, while vacation rentals should be welcomed, there must be regulation to maintain balance. Without it, an oversupply of vacation rentals could place hotels at a disadvantage—an issue already visible today, as tourist numbers rise while hotel occupancy declines.
“In other words, tourists are staying elsewhere and not in hotels. It is crucial to tackle this immediately because the delay is becoming harmful,” said FTA President, Hose Figaroa.
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