Editorial: According to tourists
Travel agents in the US advising against going to Aruba
DIARIO Aruba
11/07/2005

ORANJESTAD(AAN): Recently, DIARIO conversed with a few tourists about the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway and the fact that, among others, Natalee Holloway’s mother has asked for people to not come to Aruba until the case is solved.

Different tourists explained that given that they have been coming to Aruba for some time, they are not affected by this because they know how dear and safe Aruba is.

DIARIO also spoke with tourists who came to Aruba for the first time, and they said that when they first came to Aruba, they were trying to find more information about the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway and during the conversation with them, it was evident that they want to be up to date about the latest developments of this case.

They also asked DIARIO a few questions related to the case, to compare with the information that they were receiving in America.

Some of the American tourists explained to DIARIO that when they went to purchase their ticket to come to Aruba, the travel agents were advising not to go to Aruba and suggesting other destinations.

This could have something to do with the supposed boycott of Aruba, however one of the tourists explained to DIARIO that there is something more behind this.

The couple from New Jersey told DIARIO that currently the prices to come to Aruba from America are very low.

According to the couple, they paid in total for two people, only $2,800 for a vacation of 10 days in Aruba. This includes the trip and the stay at a good hotel.

They explained to DIARIO that the travel agencies, who earn a commission on the tickets they sell, want to make more money so they are advising people not to go to Aruba because they are offering other more expensive destinations like the Bahamas, to earn a higher commission.

[translated by Getagrip]