Aruba Tourism Authority continues its industry leadership in digital marketing innovation with a record 11 HSMAI Adrian Awards

News provided by

Feb 21, 2018, 05:23 ET

ORANJESTAD, Aruba, Feb. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) presented Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) and their agency, Concept Farm, with 11 awards for innovation in travel marketing at the 60^th Annual Adrian Awards. Categories in which the accolades were given included: Social Media, Mobile Marketing, Virtual Reality and Website User Experience.

"Our mission is to be the most innovative and creative Destination Marketing and Management Organization in the Caribbean," said Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, CEO of Aruba Tourism Authority. "The Adrian Awards represent the world's best in our industry, and we are honored by these distinctions for efficacy and creativity."

ATA was also awarded with a coveted Platinum Award for a breakthrough Social initiative titled, "Happy People Read Sad Tweets" as well as being recognized with the special Libris Pioneer in Visual Storytelling Award for their interactive "360 Map of Happiness."

"As the number two tourism-dependent island in the world, we must ensure that Aruba stands out in the 'Caribbean Sea of Sameness,'" said Ed Malone, Area Director, North America for Aruba Tourism Authority. "Finding bold and exciting ways to engage in the digital space is our real difference maker."

Progressive marketing tactics have contributed to Aruba achieving record highs in visitation as well as steady increases in on-island spend and hotel occupancy.

"Aruba is blessed with incredible natural beauty and the happiest, friendliest people you will ever meet," said Gregg Wasiak, Partner at Concept Farm. "What we strive to do is harness the connectivity of digital to express the warmth and authenticity of Aruba and its people."

The 2017 Adrian Award wins mark the third consecutive year the ATA has received Platinum recognition, winning last year for their "Local Shortcut" series. The ATA has been blazing a digital innovation path since 2012, which in addition to the Adrian Awards, has included multiple Travel Weekly Magellan Awards as well as a coveted Effie Award.

The HSMAI Adrian Awards have been recognizing creative pioneers and marketing achievements since 1956.

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 on the fringes of the hurricane belt, the island is just a two-and-a-half hour flight from Miami and a four-hour flight from New York City and also boasts year-round cooling trade winds and an average 82-degree temperature. Aruba offers beach lovers, adrenaline junkies, relaxation seekers and everyone in between a slice of paradise, including breathtaking beaches, a booming culinary scene, world famous festivals and events, exciting land and water activities, art galleries and museums, sumptuous spas, championships golf and exclusive shopping. With all-inclusive options, boutique properties in charming Eagle Beach, high-rise branded resorts in Palm Beach or cosmopolitan city hotels in Oranjestad, the island of contradictions provides the perfect getaway for first-time guests and loyal visitors. www.aruba.com

About Concept Farm
Concept Farm is an integrated, independent digital advertising agency headquartered in New York City. Concept Farm unifies brands around a bold strategy and creates compelling content that engages consumers across all channels. Concept Farm has reaped a bumper crop of creative and efficacy accolades including Cannes Cyber Lions, Effies, Emmys, Webbys and One Show awards, as well as Ad Age's "Best Places to Work in Marketing" and "Small Agency of the Year," Northeast. Friends of The Farm in the Travel and Tourism space include: The Aruba Tourism Authority, The Empire State Building and Margaritaville Resort Orlando. www.conceptfarm.com

for more information:
the zimmerman agency • 850.668.2222
[email protected]

SOURCE Aruba Tourism Authority