Aruba Promises Families One Happy Summer With Launch Of New Program And Deals

ORANJESTAD, Aruba, May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As families seek the ultimate fun in the sun spots to spend their summer months, the island of Aruba shines brightly with a new island-wide program featuring attractive deals, incentives and activities, starting May 1 – Sept. 30, 2013. Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), several tour operators and more than 10 on-island properties have partnered on this "One Happy Family" program, which includes an interactive VIK (Very Important Kid) component and culminates in a week-long trip giveaway to the One happy island.  

Visitors who book a stay at a participating hotel or resort and mention the "One Happy Family" package receive free nightly accommodations and daily breakfast for children under 12 years old, a souvenir gift for the family, VIK benefits, and discounts and special offers on island attractions and activities through Red Sail Sports, De Palm Tours, Pelican Adventures, Mermaid Divers, Jolly Pirates Sailing & Snorkeling, Gold Mine Ranch, Discovery Glass Bottom Boat Cruise, Butterfly Farm, Fofoti Tours and more.

"Aruba has always been a top vacation spot for families, due in large part to the array of activities offered at properties, from sand castle building and shell hunting tours, to Papiamento language lessons and merengue dancing," said ATA CEO Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes. "But resort fun is just the beginning, and one of the coolest aspects of the 'One Happy Family' program is that it gives children the opportunity to venture beyond the hotels with their parents to discover the real Aruba – where everything from snorkeling above the Caribbean's largest shipwrecks and learning the island's popular beach tennis sport to off-roading through the island's exotic, desert-like terrain awaits."

Upon check-in at participating hotels, children enjoy a VIK cocktail and are awarded with a VIK passport featuring several of Aruba's kid-friendly hot spots, including the world-famous Baby Beach, Archaeological Museum, History Museum, California Lighthouse, Aruba Aloe Factory and the rugged and wild Arikok National Park, which covers nearly 20 percent of the island with caves, hidden beaches, cacti and indigenous fauna. As families visit and explore each of these locations, the VIK-holders are challenged with answering questions and completing puzzles. Once finished, kids submit their passports to the hotel to be entered into a drawing for the chance to win a one-week trip for four (airfare included) back to Aruba. Winners will be announced at the end of September.

Participating Hotel Partners Include:

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort
Divi Aruba All Inclusive
Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort
Divi Dutch Village
Divi Aruba Phoenix
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino
MVC Eagle Beach
Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa
Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
Talk of the Town Hotel and Beach Club
Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive
The Mill Resort & Suites

For more information on the "One Happy Family" program, family-friendly attractions and activities and summer-inspired hotel and tour operator deals, visit www.aruba.com. Engage with Aruba via social media at www.facebook.com/ArubaFans or @ArubaTourism.

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 resorts, boutique hotels in charming Eagle Beach, high-rise branded hotels in Palm Beach or a cosmopolitan city hotel in Oranjestad, the island of contradictions provides the perfect getaway for first-time guests and loyal visitors. www.aruba.com.

SOURCE Aruba