Aruba Tourism Authority Honored with 2026 Aquila Whalesong Destination Award

Award recognizes excellence in people investment and sustainable tourism practices

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:49am

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A highly stylized, geometric illustration in the Art Deco style, featuring sweeping gradients of vibrant blues and greens, towering architectural forms, and sleek, streamlined shapes, conveying the grand scale and romance of travel without any literal depictions.The Aruba Tourism Authority's award-winning commitment to sustainable, people-centered tourism is reshaping the future of cruise destinations worldwide.Today in Miami

The Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) has been awarded the 2026 Whalesong Destination Award for Excellence in People Investment by the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence. The award honors ATA's exceptional leadership and long-standing commitment to sustainable, responsible and regenerative tourism through comprehensive capacity building across the island.

Why it matters

The Whalesong Award represents Aquila's recognition of organizations that invest not only in infrastructure or marketing, but in the human spirit behind tourism. Aruba's model demonstrates that true success in cruise tourism is built on sustained investment in people, partnership and continuous improvement, setting a powerful example for destinations worldwide.

The details

Through its partnership with Aquila, ATA has led a transformative journey to break down silos and foster stronger cross-stakeholder alignment across the destination. This has included ongoing service excellence and responsible tourism workshops, targeted coaching for tour operators, and multi-sector training initiatives designed to elevate both guest experience and community benefit. The impact of these efforts has been significant, with participants reporting increased collaboration with local partners, improved operational coordination and new business opportunities.

  • The award was presented at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami Beach this week (April 16, 2026).
  • Aquila has worked alongside Aruba to support the destination's evolution as a leader in cruise tourism excellence for more than a decade, with the partnership deepening since 2016.

The players

Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA)

The national tourism organization responsible for promoting and developing Aruba as a premier travel destination.

Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence

The leading destination training provider for the global cruise industry, committed to cruise destination success through values-driven partnership with cruise lines and destinations.

Ronella Croes

Chief Executive Officer of the Aruba Tourism Authority.

Beth Hatt

Founder of Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence.

Wendrick Cicilia

Aruba's Minister of Tourism, Transport and Labor.

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What they’re saying

“The Aquila Whalesong Award represents our deep appreciation for organizations that invest not only in infrastructure or marketing but in the human spirit behind tourism. The Aruba Tourism Authority exemplifies this ethos. The passion and commitment we have witnessed across their training initiatives are a true testament to the island's leadership in sustainable tourism and world-class service excellence.”

— Beth Hatt, Founder, Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence

“This recognition is a powerful affirmation of Aruba's belief that true destination excellence begins with people. By investing in our community, our partners and our shared values, we are shaping a tourism model that is sustainable, inclusive and deeply rooted in our identity.”

— Ronella Croes, Chief Executive Officer, Aruba Tourism Authority

What’s next

The Aruba Tourism Authority will continue to work closely with Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence to further develop and expand its people-centric approach to sustainable tourism, with plans to host additional training workshops and collaborative initiatives in the coming years.

The takeaway

Aruba's model for cruise tourism excellence, centered on investing in people, partnership and continuous improvement, sets a powerful example for destinations worldwide seeking to build sustainable, inclusive and community-driven tourism experiences.