Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association challenges 2026–2031 tourism plan

The Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA) has expressed formal opposition to the government’s 2026–2031 tourism implementation plan, stating that stakeholder recommendations were not adequately reflected in the final framework.

AHATA advocates for a shift in strategy from increasing total visitor volume to prioritizing high-value travelers who contribute more to the economy and respect the island’s culture and nature. To manage environmental and logistical pressure, the association suggests controlling the number of daily cruise ship arrivals and coordinating flight volumes.

The association also raised several objections to the government's proposals:

• Taxation: AHATA opposes proposed tax increases for the tourism sector, suggesting the government should instead focus on improving revenue collection and tax compliance, noting that an estimated 20% of the economy operates illegally. • Bureaucracy: The group opposes the creation of new government bodies, calling for better performance within existing structures to avoid increased bureaucracy. • Environmental Management: AHATA criticized the plan to close beaches and the sea one day per month, labeling it a symbolic measure. They argue that managing visitor numbers is a more effective way to protect coastal resources.