Three Local Vacation Heroes honored for their impact on Aruba tourism

ORANJESTAD — The Aruba Tourism Authority (A.T.A.) honored Maidel Yero, John Marvin Kelly and Jandor Lampe as the 2026 Local Vacation Heroes during the Aruba Global Travel Conference (AGTC) on September 15. The three tourism professionals were recognized for their dedication, hospitality and positive impact on visitors’ experiences.

Maidel Yero has 24 years of experience in tourism and works in Activities & Entertainment at Playa Linda Beach Resort. Jandor Lampe, a bartender at La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino, has 28 years in the industry, while John Marvin Kelly, better known as “Uncle Johnny,” is a tour guide at ABC Tours with more than 40 years of experience.

The Nominate Your Local Vacation Hero campaign is based on nominations submitted directly by visitors. In just three weeks, A.T.A. received more than 160 nominations for the 2026 edition, featuring stories about service, kindness and personal connections with local tourism professionals.

Across the three editions of the campaign, more than 400 nominations have been received. A committee evaluates the entries and selects three winners each year from different areas of the tourism industry.

According to A.T.A. CEO Ronella Croes, the recognition celebrates the people who represent the service, care and hospitality for which Aruba is known.