Aruba is officially reopening for tourism, with a phased plan that will see the return of its largest source market, American travelers, on July 10.
On June 15, Aruba will first open its borders to travelers from nearby Bonaire and Curacao.
On July 1, visitors from Canada, Europe and the Caribbean will be able to return to Aruba.
And on July 10, visitors from the United States will be able to visit Aruba.
The phased reopening makes sense — it’s a dramatically different travel landscape, and this will give the destination, its airport and travelers the chance to get used to the new protocols.
Many top Aruba hotels will be reopening, from the recently-expanded Boardwalk Boutique Hotel near Palm Beach to the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort.
“There are no words to express how happy we are to reopen Renaissance Aruba,” said Paul Gielen, General Manager at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino. “It is not just as a sign of reopening for the resort, but for our entire community and the industry that we love. While we realize there is a longer road ahead, this first step is monumental, and we look forward to welcoming our guests back to Aruba.”
The island’s hotels have had to shift their protocols, too, with new practices like at-home or in-room check-in, enhanced sanitation, social distancing and reduced capacity at eateries and the like.
Even the island’s casinos are reopening with new protocols.
The Wind Creek Crystal and Seaport Casinos, for example, will have maximum numbers of players at table games, slot machines with acrylic panels, required masks and “reservations” for play.
Official opening dates for other markets like South and Central America “have yet to be determined,” officials said.
“Aruba’s health and safety protocols will be revisited and reevaluated on an ongoing basis,” the ATA said.
For more, visit Aruba.