In response to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, the Government of Aruba and the Aruba Tourism Authority pledge their full support and cooperation to Ms. Holloway’s family.
A thorough investigation is has been underway for over a week now with the support of both local and international authorities. Hundreds of concerned Aruban citizens have also joined the national search efforts along with Americans residing on island and tourists. The massive island-wide search is taking place on land and sea. Aruba Search and Rescue Teams, Dutch Marines, and Coast Guard, who have provided helicopters to assist in the search from the air, are aiding efforts.
Everyday approximately 50 to 250 search volunteers including locals, Americans living in Aruba, along with visitors, comb different areas of the island. This comes as a shock to Aruba where crime against tourist is almost non-existent. Aruba is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean and a favorite amongst travelers with a repeat visitor rate of 40%, the highest of any Caribbean destination.
The island extends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to Ms. Holloway’s family and friends for a positive outcome.
About Aruba:
□ Aruba is the only island in the Caribbean with US pre-clearance facilities (Customs and Immigration) at Queen Beatrix International Airport Aruba.
□ Thousands of visitors, about 40%, from around the world return to the island each year, in fact 30% of Aruba’s room inventory are timeshare units.
□ Aruba has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean with an average income of US $22,000 (Central Bank of Aruba, 2004).
□ The island has a literacy rate of 97% (Central Bank of Aruba, 2004).
□ Aruba’s unemployment rate is 7% (Central Bank f Aruba, 2004).
