by Brian Major
Last updated: 6:02 PM ET, Fri April 5, 2019
Aruba's government has extended its 2016 agreement with home-stay provider Airbnb to "continue with the promotion of sustainable tourism in Aruba through home sharing," said Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) officials in a statement.
The extension followed a recent ATA meeting at which recent developments, achievements and performance for Aruba and the Caribbean region were presented, followed by a meeting with the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHTA).
Airbnb officials signed a memorandum of understanding in a ceremony attended by Danguillaume Oduber, Aruba's minister of tourism, public health and sports; Xiomara Ruiz-Maduro, minister of finance, economic affairs and culture; Ronella Tjin Ajoe-Croes, ATA's chief executive officer and Carlos Muñoz, Airbnb's campaign manager of public policies, and communications for the Caribbean and Central America.
In 2018 Airbnb properties in Aruba hosted 47,200 visitors with an average stay of approximately six days. The travelers were hosted by 940 individuals, said Airbnb officials. There are 2,300 Aruba properties listed on Airbnb.
The original ATA-Airbnb agreement was intended to "create a framework" that will ensure Airbnb is "in line" with Aruba's tourism policy regarding "taxes, host accommodation standards and regulations."
The Aruba agreement also comes as Airbnb accommodations have spread widely across Caribbean vacation destinations where traditional hotels and resorts long dominated.
Airbnb's extension of its Aruba program follows pacts the provider has reached over the past three years with governments in Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Curacao, Jamaica and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
This week the Bermuda Tourism Authority announced a partnership with the sharing economy provider to launch "Airbnb Experiences," offering visitors "immersive experiences" hosted by local residents.
In 2016 Aruba government officials approved legislation to restrict all-inclusive resort development on the southern Caribbean island. At the time, suggesting additional measures to regulate the hospitality industry was under consideration. Ajoe-Croes said the Airbnb pact will "ensure fair competition between all on-island accommodations providers."
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