Commemorating World Tourism Day 2025: Tourism and Sustainable Transformation

The event emphasized the transformative role of tourism as a catalyst for social progress, innovation, and sustainable growth. It was part of the preparation for the official celebration of World Tourism Day in Melaka, Malaysia, on September 27.

Event Highlights

The morning program began with welcoming words from Wendrick Cicilia, Minister of Tourism, Transport, and Labor, setting the tone for the day's discussions.

Aaron Salā, president and CEO of the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, shared Hawaii’s pioneering journey to regenerative tourism, highlighting the lessons in aligning tourism with the values of community, sustainability, and systemic transformation.

Ronella Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority, continued with her speech, leading to the presentation of the Nominate Your Local Vacation Hero Award 2025. This award recognized three extraordinary locals who left a lasting impact on visitors through kindness, hospitality, and cultural pride, representing the true spirit of Aruba.

The program continued with Zeek Coleman, vice president for the Americas at Tourism Economics (an Oxford Economics company), presenting perspectives on "How US Economic Shifts Are Reshaping Travel Demand" and their implications for Aruba.

The morning concluded with a panel discussion and a Q&A session, providing participants with a platform to exchange ideas on creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism sector.

A shared call to action

The theme of this year's World Tourism Day is "Tourism and sustainable transformation," calling on governments, industry leaders, and communities to work together to ensure that tourism is not just an engine of economic growth but also a force for education, employment, equality, and environmental regulation.

As Aruba prepares to join the global community in celebrating World Tourism Day this September 27, the event reaffirms the island's commitment to placing sustainability, resilience, and social equality at the heart of its tourism future.