ORANJESTAD, Aruba – The “One Happy Island” is giving travelers a new reason to visit with the launch of its inaugural voluntourism campaign, Aruba VTO. Designed to help people make use of their often-unused Volunteer Time Off (VTO), this initiative offers immersive, purpose-driven travel experiences that blend leisure with social and environmental impact.
According to Double the Donation, only one in three employees take advantage of their company’s paid VTO days. Aruba VTO seeks to change that by inviting travelers to use those days to give back while getting away, participating in local volunteer opportunities that connect them with the island’s culture, nature, and community.
🌍 Aruba VTO: Where Giving Back Meets Getting Away
With curated voluntourism hotel packages, Aruba VTO offers guests a chance to:
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Restore coral reefs
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Care for rescued donkeys
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Clean up beaches
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Engage in cultural preservation
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Support wildlife conservation
The campaign is part of a growing trend of meaningful travel and mindful tourism, emphasizing connection over consumption.
🧳 Hotel Partners and Voluntourism Packages
The Aruba VTO program includes tailored hotel packages from some of the island’s most beloved resorts:
🏖️ Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort Aruba
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Beach cleanup
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Visit to Aruba Donkey Sanctuary
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Breakfast at Passions on the Beach
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Sunset cocktails & eco-friendly welcome gift
🌱 Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort
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Coral reef restoration
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Sea turtle nest monitoring
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Lionfish culling
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Mangrove rehabilitation
🐦 Courtyard by Marriott Aruba Resort
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Birdwatching at Bubali Bird Sanctuary
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Eco-crafts & kids’ nature activities
🧘♀️ Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino
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Volunteer at the Donkey Sanctuary
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Daily breakfast + spa treatments for two
🌸 Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino
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Beach cleanup
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Aloe-based body scrub-making class
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Spa and casino access
🎨 Radisson Blu Aruba
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Care for rescued animals
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Explore San Nicolas art district
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Suite stay, private transfers, local welcome amenity
🌅 TRYP by Wyndham Aruba
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Palm Beach cleanup
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Sunset sail & 4-course dinner
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Paddleboard rental and champagne welcome
🎥 Social Buzz and Sweepstakes
To drive awareness, Aruba teamed up with Corporate Natalie, the viral social media star who showcased her own VTO journey on the island. Her experience included a beach cleanup and a volunteer visit to the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary, inspiring thousands to consider a more conscious vacation.
Now through August 12, 2025, travelers can enter to win a custom out-of-office message from Corporate Natalie herself via aruba.com/VTO.
The site also offers a pre-written VTO request letter, making it simple to ask your employer for time off to travel and volunteer.
💚 The Aruba Promise
As part of the campaign, visitors are encouraged to take the Aruba Promise—a pledge to:
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Travel mindfully
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Respect the island’s natural and cultural heritage
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Reduce their environmental impact
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Help preserve Aruba for future generations
“Aruba is more than just a beautiful destination,” says Ronella Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority. “With Aruba VTO, we invite guests to build deeper, reciprocal connections with our island community. This is a call to experience travel with impact.”
🌞 Discover the Aruba Effect
Beyond its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, Aruba is now offering something truly unique: the opportunity to leave a positive legacy while enjoying a Caribbean escape.
Learn more and book your voluntourism journey at: www.aruba.com/VTO
Experience the Aruba Effect — and make your out-of-office time matter.
Photo credits : https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20250805cg42952/aruba-turns-unused-volunteer-time-off-into-purpose-driven-travel-with-launch-of-its-first-voluntourism-campaign
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