Missing Aruba teen having impact on tourism?
The continuing investigation into the disappearance of an American teenager in Aruba is not having a major impact on tourism, according to officials.
Aruba had a 15% increase in the first half of June and “we plan to strengthen marketing efforts,” said Myrna Jansen-Feliciano, managing director of the Aruba Tourism Authority.
There was a record 725,000 visitors to Aruba last year.
The disappearance of Natalee Holloway is stretching into its fifth week.
Ms Jansen-Feliciano said Aruba’s target market was not teenagers but sophisticated travelers aged 35 to 63.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization issued a statement “of heartfelt concern” regarding the teen’s disappearance. The organization also pointed out that they had no direct jurisdiction over members, “but we have a commitment from each that the rule of law will prevail.”
Meanwhile, an Aruban judge, the father of a 17-year-old suspect in the disappearance of an Alabama teenager, also has been arrested as a suspect in the case on Thursday.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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