Research initiative measures staffing shortages and tourism carrying capacity in Aruba’s Food & Beverage sector
The Aruba Food & Beverage Association (AF&BA), in collaboration with VIAMOON Consultancy and Connect2Teach.us, and sponsored by the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), today announced the 2026 F&B Industry Labor Force and Carrying Capacity Survey — a research tool designed to measure staffing demand, training needs, and tourism carrying capacity within Aruba’s food and beverage sector. Properly identified AF&BA representatives will be reaching out to schedule appointments and conduct the survey.
The survey is anonymous and confidential, and both AF&BA members and non-member F&B establishments are invited to participate. The collected data will be used to build a clearer, objective, and data-driven picture of the current state of Aruba’s Food & Beverage industry.
The primary objective of the survey is to identify and understand the challenges facing businesses in the industry, particularly regarding staffing shortages, talent availability and needs, and the impact these issues have on business operations and growth. Additionally, the survey aims to gauge industry sentiment, providing a better understanding of confidence levels, concerns, expectations, and growth perspectives among F&B businesses.
The findings will provide AF&BA and the F&B sector with a reliable information base to identify trends, needs, and areas of opportunity for collaboration, training, talent development, and other initiatives aimed at strengthening the industry. The data may also be shared with relevant stakeholders to promote a better understanding of the realities, challenges, and opportunities confronting the F&B sector.
AF&BA’s role in this process is to listen to, represent, and connect the industry. The association aims to use the sector’s feedback and insights to better understand business needs and facilitate dialogue and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. While AF&BA is a non-political entity, as the industry’s representative, it brings the sector’s perspective and operational reality to the attention of key decision-makers.
The research instrument was designed by Dr. Earney F. Lasten, PhD, based on his doctoral research framework (Lasten & Pizam, 2013, Journal of Hospitality & Tourism).
Staffing shortages are a widespread challenge that historically have not been systematically measured across the industry. “We know anecdotally that F&B businesses in Aruba struggle to maintain adequate staffing to operate their businesses,” notes the survey introduction, “but until now, there has been no systematic way to measure the magnitude of the problem — nor its relationship to the visitor volume our F&B sector can sustainably absorb,” stated Ms. Miriam Dabian, CEO of AF&BA.
The survey results will help AF&BA assess the sector’s labor force situation with greater precision, identify patterns and needs, and shape upcoming AF&BA initiatives — including a new job and recruitment platform designed to help member businesses connect with prospective staff and fill vacancies.
ABOUT THE SURVEY The survey takes approximately 8–12 minutes to complete and is available in both physical and digital formats. It incorporates built-in verification mechanisms — including location, timestamp, and review status — to ensure data quality and reliability. The findings will be compiled into a formal report for AF&BA, its industry partners, and relevant stakeholders.
ABOUT AF&BA AF&BA is a recognized professional organization committed to promoting and advancing the food and beverage industry in Aruba. Serving as a hub for networking, collaboration, and advocacy, the association unites businesses and individuals across all facets of the island’s food and beverage sector.
AF&BA’s mission extends beyond industry promotion; it actively works to enhance Aruba’s culinary landscape. Whether presenting industry perspectives, facilitating stakeholder dialogue, or driving educational initiatives for professionals, AF&BA is dedicated to community building and fostering excellence across the industry.
The association brings together stakeholders from restaurants, bars, cafés, hotels, retail stores, and other establishments with the goal of elevating Aruba’s culinary reputation locally and internationally. Furthermore, AF&BA serves as a voice for its members, representing their interests and identifying opportunities that benefit the sector as a whole. Through this collective strength, the association collaborates with government agencies, suppliers, and other partners to facilitate information exchange and support industry growth.
VIAMOON CONSULTANCY & PAVILION VIAMOON Consultancy, founded by Dr. Earney F. Lasten, PhD, is a consultancy and software development firm operating out of Aruba and Colombia. The firm specializes in research-based planning, education, and technology solutions for tourism, hospitality, and workforce development.