Thousands Warmed Their Hearts This Valentine's Day on Aruba's One Happy Island in Times Square

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Feb 15, 2013, 06:23 ET

ORANJESTAD, Aruba, Feb. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Aruba, One happy island, invited New York City residents and visitors to celebrate their love this Valentine's Day on a heated pop-up beach in Times Square.

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Thousands of people stopped by Aruba's heated paradise, where couples enjoyed hourly trip giveaways to the One happy island, photo opportunities under the famous Fofoti tree, and warmth and relaxation.

The romance continued at 6 p.m. when more than 250 couples renewed their vows during a ceremony on the iconic Red Steps in Times Square, followed by a private reception on the pop-up beach. The ceremony was broadcast live on the American Eagle Times Square Digital Billboard and webcast live at TimesSquareNYC.org. One lucky couple won a second honeymoon to Aruba, including roundtrip airfare for two and a four night/ five day stay at the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusives. The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino and Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort also provided trip giveaways throughout the day.

Lovebirds outside of New York City were also invited to share and renew their own love stories through Aruba's Facebook page for a chance to win a second honeymoon to One happy island.

Celebrated as one of the most revisited islands in the Caribbean, Aruba is a premier destination for romance, weddings and honeymoons. The island paradise is beloved for its year-round 83-degree temperature, refreshing east trade winds, diverse land and sea activities, historic attractions, authentic and flavor-rich island cuisine, and world-famous sunkissed beaches. Learn more at www.aruba.com.

Aruba's Valentine's Day festivities were part of the Times Square Alliance's "Free Love in Times Square" initiative, featuring a number of activities and deals inspired by the most romantic day of the year.

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 resorts, boutique hotels in charming Eagle Beach, high-rise branded hotels in Palm Beach or a cosmopolitan city hotel in Oranjestad, the island of contradictions provides the perfect getaway for first-time guests and loyal visitors. www.aruba.com.

About Times Square Alliance

The Times Square Alliance works to improve and promote Times Square - cultivating the creativity, energy and edge that have made the area an icon of entertainment, culture and urban life for over a century. Founded in 1992, the Alliance keeps the neighborhood clean and safe, promotes local businesses, manages area improvements and produces major annual events with partners, including New Year's Eve, Solstice in Times Square and Taste of Times Square. As the custodians of Times Square, the Alliance works every day to improve the quality of life for the neighborhood residents and businesses while driving economic growth in New York City. www.timessquarenyc.org

SOURCE Aruba Tourism Authority