History of Tourism

• Aruba's economy has benefited substantially over the years from the discovery of two valuable commodities. First, in the 19th century, the island hosted a gold rush, while in 1924, oil was first found and mined from the island. Following the temporary demise of the oil refineries in 1985 (they reopened in 1991), Aruba chose to concentrate its efforts on its tourism industry, placing considerable investment in the sector, leading to the development of various projects.
  
  

Tourism Today

• Aruba attracts around a million visitors a year, according to the Trip Report website. Tourists are drawn by a stable government and a reputation for grand beaches and good weather. Many of these visitors arrive by cruise ship, while airlines fly to Aruba from several continents, including North and South America and Europe, particularly from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
  
  According to the Aruba tourism industry website, the vast majority of visitors are from the United States, while most others are from Western Europe or Canada.
  
  

Beaches

• Many tourists flock to Aruba's Palm Beach, which offers a range of activities from snorkeling to simply relaxing on the sands. A clutch of hotels and entertainment facilities are nearby, while visitors have an opportunity to enjoy Aruba's cuisine while dining on the beach.
  
  Meanwhile, for those who want a more secluded beach, Arashi Beach is an option that's popular with the locals and features the California Lighthouse, along with opportunities to spot a range of underwater wildlife while diving in the gentle waters.
  
  

Festivities

• Aruba's Carnival season, popular with visitors, begins in November of each year, and is "hosted" by a Carnival prince, queen and Pancho, a humorous figure; together, these characters keep order during the Carnival and direct the parades. Entertainments during the Carnival include steel and brass bands and the Grand Parade processions.
  
  Other festivities on Aruba include the arrival of Gaita groups around December, who welcome the holiday season with their take on Venezuelan folk music. Gaita bands are large, sometimes containing about 20 musicians, and feature guitars as well as instruments favoured by Gaita culture, such as the raspa percussion instrument.
  
  

Other Attractions

• Visitors often enjoy a stroll through one of the island's historic coconut plantations, while those who are after a long walk can hike through the Arikok National Park, with its selection of exotic trees and rare cacti plants. Also present in the park are ancient drawings made by the Arawak tribe who originally lived on the island. Meanwhile, adventure fans will be racing to head out to explore the island's landscapes on an off-road jeep tour.