Aruba Tops Digital Marketing Index 2015 And Social Media Rankings In Caribbean & Co. Analysis

News provided by

Oct 27, 2015, 11:11 ET

ORANJESTAD, Aruba, Oct. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In addition to being one of the most popular islands to visit in the Caribbean, Aruba ranks the most popular digital destination in the Caribbean -- according to Caribbean & Co., an expert source on Caribbean lifestyle and luxury brands.

Caribbean & Co. reports the One happy Island of Aruba ranks No. 1 of 35 Caribbean islands for overall "destination marketing index 2015" and No. 1 of 10 Caribbean islands for Instagram reach, boasting 23,000 followers, double its runner up. The marketing index ranking was derived by a proprietary weighting of various data, including social media followings, website inbound links, 3^rd party rankings and more.

"Caribbean destinations like most throughout the globe spend millions each year to attract new and returning tourists to the region. Many of the marketing campaigns are via traditional television and print media, but we are starting to see more marketing activity online," reported Ursula Barzey, founder of Caribbean & Co.

The Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), who welcomed a record 1.07 million annual stay-over visitors to Aruba in 2014, attributes much of the island's success to digital marketing.

"Our commitment to strategic and savvy digital marketing directly impacts Aruba's GDP, which is more reliant on travel and tourism than any other nation, relative to size, in the world," said Ronella Tjin-Asjoe Croes, CEO of ATA. "Aruba's target audience visits more than 20 websites before booking their vacation, so it is essential for us to maintain a presence throughout that process with a timely, persuasive message at each stage. By engaging the best strategists and leveraging targeted technologies, we can ensure our marketing dollars are spent effectively against desired consumers in-market for vacation travel."

Solidifying its positioning as the most digitally innovative DMMO, the ATA recently launched The Happiness Builder -- a content-rich planning experience where travelers can explore nearly 100 videos featuring adventure, relaxation, romance and cultural activities in Aruba, before creating a personalized "Shortcut to Happiness" video that can be easily shared socially. Create a shortcut on aruba.com/shortcuts.

For more information on the One happy island, visit www.aruba.com. Engage with Aruba via social media at www.facebook.com/ArubaFans or @Aruba on Twitter.

About Aruba
As one of the most revisited destinations in the Caribbean, Aruba -- One happy island -- is an island of contradictions, where pristine turquoise waters collide against the desert-like terrain of the north shore; where peace and relaxation coexist with wild and rugged adventures; where Dutch influence meets American ease and where a diverse history parallels a bright future. Nestled in the southern Caribbean outside the fringes of the hurricane belt, the island is just a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Miami, a four-hour flight from New York City and boasts year-round cooling trade winds with an average 82-degree temperature. Aruba offers beach-lovers, adrenaline junkies, relaxation-seekers and everyone in between a slice of paradise with breathtaking beaches, a booming culinary scene of over 300 restaurants with 25+ located ideally on the water, world-famous festivals and events, exciting land and water activities, art galleries and museums, sumptuous spas, championship golf, exclusive shopping and signature experiences such as cooling off in Conchi, Aruba's natural pool -- accessible only by foot or off-road vehicle. With all-inclusive options, boutique properties in charming Eagle Beach, high-rise branded resorts in Palm Beach and cosmopolitan city hotels in Oranjestad, the island of contradictions provides the perfect getaway for both first-time guests and loyal visitors.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
LAUREN NOVO
THE ZIMMERMAN AGENCY | 850.668.2222
[email protected]

SOURCE Aruba Tourism Authority