Airbnb and Aruba Tourism Authority Sign Historic, Tourism Agreement

This is Airbnb's First Partnership in the Caribbean Region

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Nov 07, 2016, 10:15 ET

ORANJESTAD, Aruba, Nov. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today in Aruba, the Aruba Tourism Authority and Airbnb, the world's leading community-driven hospitality company, signed an agreement that will position Aruba as a regional leader in the sharing economy and help to promote more tourism to the island. It will also create a framework to allow the Aruba Tourism Authority and Airbnb to address the issue of taxes, host accommodation standards and regulations and ensure that it is in line with Aruba's tourism policy.

"As the No. 2 most tourism-reliant nation in the world, Aruba's continued growth relies on having a healthy balance of on-island accommodations, offering a quality of experience to our visitors, ensuring that we meet consumer expectations and demands, and making sure the benefits of the sharing economy are beneficial for the industry, community and island as a whole," said Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority. "Aruba embraces the shared economy and is eager to formalize the first partnership in our region with Airbnb. Together as industry leaders, we will add value to authentic travel experiences while ensuring this on-island development is managed successfully." In this way, A.T.A. will ensure fair competition between all on-island accommodations providers.

Airbnb's presence within the island's tourism industry is rapidly growing. In the past year, Airbnb hosts in Aruba received 13,000 guests from around the world. Hosts in Aruba typically earn $4,400 USD a year, affording expanded economic opportunities.

"We are excited to announce the first ever partnership between Airbnb and a Caribbean nation. Building on Aruba's reputation as a world class tourist destination, we will work closely with the Aruba Tourism Authority to broaden the island's appeal to the millions of Airbnb users who are interested in unique travel experiences," said Shawn Sullivan, Airbnb's Public Policy lead for Central America and the Caribbean. "This collaboration will give those visiting Aruba more traveling options while promoting sustainable tourism as part of the local economy."

Currently, there are 1,360 Airbnb listings across the Island, welcoming a broad range of travelers to the country's award-winning beaches, diverse culture and delectable culinary scene. This is part of A.T.A.'s strategy, which focuses on the diversification of the tourism industry and maintaining a good balance by keeping the happiness of its people at its core.

About Aruba

As one of the most revisited destinations in the Caribbean, Aruba -- One happy island -- is an island of contradictions, where pristine turquoise waters collide against the desert-like terrain of the north shore; where peace and relaxation coexist with wild and rugged adventures; where Dutch influence meets American ease; and where a diverse history parallels a bright future. Nestled in the Southern Caribbean on the fringes of the hurricane belt, the island is just a two-and-a-half hour flight from Miami and a four-hour flight from New York City and also boasts year-round cooling trade winds and an average 82-degree temperature. Aruba offers beach lovers, adrenaline junkies, relaxation seekers and everyone in between a slice of paradise, including breathtaking beaches, a booming culinary scene, world famous festivals and events, exciting land and water activities, art galleries and museums, sumptuous spas, championships golf and exclusive shopping. With all-inclusive options, boutique properties in charming Eagle Beach, high-rise branded resorts in Palm Beach or cosmopolitan city hotels in Oranjestad, the island of contradictions provides the perfect getaway for first-time guests and loyal visitors.www.aruba.com.

For more information: Sjeidy Feliciano / [email protected]

About Airbnb

Founded in August of 2008 and based in San Francisco, California, Airbnb is a trusted community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world – online or from a mobile phone. Whether an apartment for a night, a castle for a week, or a villa for a month, Airbnb connects people to unique travel experiences, at any price point, in more than 34,000 cities and more than 190 countries. And with world-class customer service and a growing community of users, Airbnb is the easiest way for people to monetize their extra space and showcase it to an audience of millions.

For more information: Jasmine Mora / [email protected]

SOURCE Aruba Tourism Authority