The number of UK visitors to the island of Aruba in the Dutch Antilles hit five figures for the first time last year, reaching 10,265 – up from 7,235 in 2008. And the island is hoping for even more visitors this year with the introduction of new air routes and a £150,000 advertising campaign in the UK.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines resumed its twice-weekly Amsterdam-Aruba service in February (Mondays and Thursdays). More importantly for UK agents, Thomson’s flights from Manchester and Gatwick will go from fortnightly to weekly in May.
New developments in the pipeline include the 320-bedroom Ritz-Carlton, Aruba, which is set to open in late 2012 in Palm Beach, while the Westin Resort Aruba and the Okeanos Spa at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino have both been renovated.
On the events side of things, actor Richard Gere is due to host the first Aruba International Film Festival (June 4-10).
To help agents keep up with these new developments and to improve product knowledge, the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) is offering agents discounts at 18 hotels and resorts.
The offer is part of ATA’s Travel Agent Months (TRAM) programme, which runs from May 1 until December 15. Other discounted deals include cruises, island tours, car rental and spa treatments.
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