A.T.A. reports on the spending patterns of VISA cardholders during the first three quarters of 2025. During this period, Aruba recorded 254,261 VISA cardholders from 129 countries, who spent over USD 163 million on the island. This represents a 12.3% increase in total spending compared to the same period in 2024.
The increase includes a 12.9% rise in the number of cardholders and a 15.7% growth in transaction volume, while cash withdrawals totaled USD 15 million. Spending per cardholder remained nearly the same compared to the same period in 2024.
Spending Categories:
· Restaurants & Dining: USD 48 million, up 16%
· Hotels & Lodging: USD 38 million, up 13.1% (excluding prepaid payments prior to arrival)
· Retail: USD 35.5 million, up 10.2%
Based on the latest forecast, the number of tourists visiting Aruba in 2025 is expected to show a minimum 5% increase (stay-over arrivals), with all regions showing growth compared to 2024.
Tourism Industry Statistics Update:
· 15.9% growth in stay-over arrivals in November 2025 compared to November 2024
In November 2025, Aruba received 123,831 stay-over tourists, a significant absolute increase. The most notable growth came from Latin America, particularly Argentina and Brazil. From North America, Canada also contributed significantly to the overall growth.
Markets and Market Share:
· North America: 75.8%
· Latin America: 16.0%
· Europe: 5.4%
· Other regions: 2.9%
The strong growth from Latin America was mainly driven by Argentina and Brazil. Europe showed a slight decline, while Canada saw a notable increase in arrivals from North America.
Short-Term Vacation Rentals (STVR):
A.T.A. continues to use the Lighthouse platform to monitor and analyze the STVR sector. Compared to November 2024, the average occupancy rate rose to 60%. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for November 2025 was USD 307, while total YTD revenue through November 2025 was USD 27.3 million, compared to USD 20.8 million in November 2024.
