ORANJESTAD – The Government’s Department Aruba Cruise Tourism and the University of Aruba’s Faculty of Tourism Studies have joined forces to establish the ‘C.I.A.’ – Cruise Industry Alliance. The C.I.A. is a strategic alliance based on the power of partnership and collaborative expertise to create a competitive and sustainable (cruise) tourism destination.

This partnership taps in to countless opportunities for both the Faculty of Tourism Studies and the Aruba Cruise Tourism (ACT) to benefit from each other. The first scheduled project will be the launch of the Aruba Cruise Profile (ACP) study 2010, in which Aruba’s Cruise Visitor Profile will be analyzed through a survey that will allow the ACT to gain insight into the experiences, perceptions and behaviors of Aruba’s cruise visitors. This collaborative study will allow for quality improvements and will strengthen marketing and promotional efforts.

Graduating students from the Faculty of Tourism Studies will also have the opportunity to do their internship at the Aruba Cruise Tourism Department as part of their senior year project. Students will have the opportunity to receive hands on experience. Likewise, ACT employees will also have the opportunity to take specific courses related to their field of work at the university which will enable them to stay updated and in sync with current tourism trends and practices.

The Faculty of Tourism Studies and the ACT are committed to working collaboratively towards positioning Aruba as a quality, vibrant, and sustainable tourism destination, which will create the tomorrow’s leaders, and work towards the wealth and welfare of our community.