I wrote to some of my friends sharing a chat:
For a column. I will use materials anonymously.
Question 1. Do you think Aruba is starting to suffer or has been suffering from over tourism?
Question 2. If you find it is, how does it affect you in your everyday life? Where do you feel it?
Question 3. Bring up one or two practical suggestions what we as an Island can do, you can keep it short or long. Thank you. We have been seeing protests around the world and I’m wondering if people here feel the same.
From an engineer, mother of one
#1: Yes, bigtime.
#2: Traffic Congestion, finding employees.
#3: Where to begin…
From the owner of a small hotel, in business since 1995
#1: YES
#2: Traffic, prices at the supermarkets, people are less accepting of each other, less friendly, the middle finger more frequent.
#3: Mom & Pop shops, hotels, inns, must be kept local, less Americanized, we need less of everything, and more environmental protection. Sometimes I think that if we put our children in charge of this project, our 9-, 10-, and 11-year-olds they can have this straight, in a day.
From a businesswoman, a marketing specialist
#1: Yes.
#2: The increase in tourists has led to increased traffic congestion and a higher number of traffic accidents.
The airport is often overcrowded, making travel more stressful and time-consuming.
There are not enough residents to fill jobs which leads to service delays and lower-quality Aruba experience.
Our beaches, roads, and tourist attractions are often overcrowded, lessening experience for both locals and visitors.
The huge rise in Airbnb rentals has driven up the cost of apartments, making housing unaffordable for our young people.
Many quiet neighborhoods where you once knew your neighbors are now with Airbnb rentals which changes our community. Plus –
Sewage overflow and its unpleasant odors, particularly around Eagle Beach, Tamarijn and downtown, have become all too common.
There are not enough cabs or car rentals available to meet the demand, inconveniencing tourists and causing stress to restaurants waiting for guests.
#3: Lesson the strain on resources and infrastructure, by reducing the number of cruise ships.
Improve tourism management and the island’s vision to improve sustainable tourism practices.
Set a maximum number of tourists allowed on the island at any given time.
Develop more alternative attractions and activities away from the main tourist spots to spread visitors more evenly across the island.
Improve our public transportation system to reduce traffic.
Provide alternatives to car rentals and taxis.
Regulate the number of properties converted to short-term rentals to keep housing affordable for our people.
Upgrade sewage plant, our roads, and public facilities to manage the increased tourists.
Encourage tourists to visit during the off-peak season.
Offer more eco-friendly activities: nature hikes, biking tours and cultural tours. Lessen the congestion in Palm Beach by creating tours in San Nicolas.
Provide training and incentives in our schools to work in the tourism industry.
Enforce our regulations to safeguard our island and especially natural parks.
From a content provider, entrepreneur, self-employed:
#1: Yes
#2: Traffic is overwhelming even before the opening of the next wave of resorts. Cost of goods, especially restaurants, went sky high. It feels crowded everywhere, especially on our beaches. It makes the island feel even smaller and it’s hard to find an “escape” because everywhere you go there’s people, and many of them.
Nature suffers from all the buildup of the island, and we lose beloved places for locals like Pet Cemetery to make room for more tourists. There’s really not many hidden gems and local spots, anymore. “Off the beaten path” is almost nonexistent here now because we’re beating the entire island to death.
#3: Stop building hotels and strip malls. Enough. Recycling needs to be the law as in most places. Everyone must separate garbage, plastic glass, and paper into bins for automatic weekly collection.
From a second homeowner, a senior
#1. Yes
#2. I am not on Facebook so resorting to the old fashioned way….email!
I have been reading your column for many years and always enjoy the topics.
Your post on tourism a few days ago was spot on! I agree with all the responses listed in the column by the writer.
We are in our 70’s…US citizens…. have owned a home in Aruba for about 14 years (we began vacationing here in the 80’s…!). We do not rent out our home.
We do understand progress and change but Aruba is clearly killing their product.
Aruba is more expensive than some islands, that is true. In the past it has created a positive by attracting tourists who have money to spend, and they spend.
The surge in unregulated vacation rentals has changed all that. Many times either at the beach or in a casino I feel like I am in Cancun on spring break with the accompanying behavior!
Not a pleasant experience.
The Aruba Tourism Authority insulted their loyal visitors (many in our age group) recently by saying they want to attract more affluent tourists. In addition to insulting, all who helped “make Aruba” the ATA has done just the opposite.
Hotel guests are charged high taxes…are vacation rental guests charged the same? The tax should be charged to each guest. 10 can crowd into a 3 bedroom…no one is checking…they use the island’s resources/infrastructure and create a neighborhood nuisance.
We are fortunate to live in a stable neighborhood…but I hear many complaints from homeowners who live among many rental homes. The quality of life has suffered.
#3. We support you and all your influential friends in doing whatever you can do to put Aruba on a better path.
