.NOT relevant..most of these tripshave been planned, booked, and paid for well before she disappeared
This was surprising to me because I had seen articles that the tourism was declining:
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Aruba tourism takes a deep dive as Holloway case drags on
Powered by CDNN - CYBER DIVER News Network
by CARMEN SANCHEZ - CDNN Travel Editor
ORANJESTAD, Aruba (16 June 2005) -- Tourists returning from Aruba have told CDNN that much of the island looks like a ghost town as the investigation into the disappearance of American teen Natalee Holloway drags on.
According to reports from travel agents, thousands of North American and European tourists have switched to other holiday destinations that are untainted by what many are calling a botched police investigation and a deliberate cover up.
More: http://www.cdnn.info/news/travel/t050616a.html
Aruba tours cancelled due to fallout from Holloway case
by Norman 'Gus' Thomas
Caribbean Net News Senior Correspondent
E-mail: rc@caribbeannetnews.com
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
ORANJESTAD, Aruba: Tourism officials in Aruba are reeling from the heavy negative publicity brought about by the disappearance of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway, who had come to the island with 124 other students from the USA to celebrate their graduation from Mountain Brook High School in Alabama. . . .
Meanwhile, as officials continue their search for Holloway, they have come in for heavy criticism from many in the travel industry over the way the case in being handled.
One travel agent told Caribbean Net News, "We in the United States are extremely concerned about the way this case is being handled in Aruba," going on to add, "I know for a fact that many Americans have already cancelled plans to visit Aruba. Their fear is that, if a crime should occur, the police will handle it in an inept and incompetent fashion, as many feel this case is being handled in such a manner," . . .
In speaking to several travel agents across the USA, Caribbean Net News has been told that they are "discouraging travel to Aruba." However, a number of visitors have reportedly cancelled on their own after learning how the situation is being handled.
More: http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2005/06/14/tours.shtml