Delegates bid to attract operators’ attention

Aruba by Candida Brasnett

Delegates bid to attract operators’ attention

Island to capitalise on its appearance in more UKprogrammes

DELEGATES on the Aruba stand will be promoting Sovereign’s decision to become the latest tour operator to feature the Dutch Caribbean island since its drive for more UK business started last year.

Also encouraging is Kuoni’s announcement that it has recorded above target sales for Aruba just months after including the island for the first time in its programme.

The operator features the island in both its Tropical Sun and Worldwide brochures, offering all-inclusive packages and conventional holidays.

The island is also featured as an add-on to Peru tours.

Sovereign’s 2001 worldwide programme, which went on sale in late August, features five hotels and features the island across four pages.

The First Choice brand joins a growing list of operators helping to promote Aruba in the UK.

Following the launch of its marketing campaign last year, Aruba has won the support of several tour operators including Hayes and Jarvis and Kuoni.

As a result arrival figures for UK tourists to Aruba were up 11.6% for the first quarter of this year and the island’s tourism chiefs hope this is the start of an accelerating trend.

Rafael Estrada, European director of the Aruba Tourism Authority, who will be leading the island’s WTM delegation said: “This is an exciting time as we begin to see the benefits of our UK marketing activity translate into more UK sales.”

The ATA is keen to attract further operator coverage and hopes to host another fam trip later this year. Joint marketing funding is available through the ATA and the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association. Ultimately, the island hopes to secure a direct flight from the UK.

Aruba: the ATA intends to host another fam trip to the island later this year

NEWS FLASH

&#42 Honeymooners visiting Aruba from now until the middle of next month areentitled to numerousdiscounts and benefits as part of the island’s ‘One Cool Honeymoon’programme. Newlyweds need only mention they are getting married when booking with operators such as Hayes and Jarvis to receive their identity card on arrival at the resort. The card allows honeymooners to take advantage of discounts on a range of activities including 50% off a Red Sail Sports Sunset Sail and 25% off a De Palm Tours Jeep Safari.