Aruba's tourism economy is delivering a significant boost to local businesses, with international visitors spending US$184.9 million on the island during the first six months of 2026, according to new figures released by the Aruba Tourism Authority.

The data showed that 304,308 foreign Visa cardholders from 136 countries made electronic purchases in Aruba between January and June, spreading tourism revenue across restaurants, hotels, retail stores, supermarkets, transportation and entertainment businesses.

Restaurants and food establishments received the largest share of visitor spending at US$56.7 million, followed by accommodation at US$44 million and retail at US$39.3 million. The figures highlight how international tourism supports a wide range of businesses beyond hotels and resorts.

Aruba also welcomed 160,858 stayover visitors in July 2026, generating more than one million visitor nights, according to the latest tourism update.

The strong spending figures underline the importance of tourism to Aruba's business community, particularly for restaurants, retailers, transport operators and entertainment providers.

As Aruba continues attracting visitors from an increasingly diverse range of international markets, the challenge for local businesses will be to convert growing visitor numbers into sustained spending and long-term economic growth.