Government: Tourism should no longer grow continuously

ORANJESTAD — The Government of Aruba says the goal for tourism is no longer continuous growth, but rather a more sustainable sector that is in balance with Aruba’s capacity and aspirations.

In the Government’s policy speech delivered by Governor of Aruba Alfonso Boekhoudt at the opening of the 2026-2027 parliamentary year, the Government acknowledges that tourism will continue to play an essential role in the country’s economic development. However, it marks a shift in focus: quality, sustainability, local participation and residents’ quality of life should be central.

This position forms part of a broader economic vision in which the Government wants to create more opportunities outside tourism, including agriculture, financial technology, the blue economy, the creative industries and clean energy.

According to the Government, economic progress must create prosperity for the entire community and should be felt in every home and every neighborhood. The speech emphasizes that as long as Aruba has not achieved shared prosperity, the work is not finished.