ORANJESTAD, Aruba / March 19, 2001--Visitors who return to Aruba year after year have long recognized the island's warm hospitality and luxurious accommodations. In the first quarter of 2001, four resorts won several international awards including excellent service.

Aruba Wyndham Beach Resort was voted number one by guests in 2001 among all Wyndham Resorts worldwide and it was also rated number one for "employer of choice" among its offshore resorts by employee surveys.

Aruba Marriott Resort earned a spot in Conde Nast Traveler's "2001 Gold List." The resort was selected among the world's best places to stay. This prestigious recognition is based on the responses of 26,000 Conde Nast Traveler readers. Winners are chosen from hotels and resorts that received the highest ratings in six categories including accommodations, service, restaurants, design/layout, location and activities. The resort was also recognized by Travel and Leisure's 2001 "World's Best Value List." The list is a result of Travel and Leisure's "World's Best" survey among its readers, who chose the hotels that delivered the most for the money.

Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino rated "Resorts & Great Hotels Connoisseur's Choice for 2001." This prestigious award was presented by Resorts & Great Hotels magazine in recognition of an extraordinary commitment to the highest degree of hospitality, service, amenities and the overall guest experience. Aruba's Ramon Heiliger, reservation manager, was elected this year as "Employee of the Year" of Radissons worldwide. Heiliger, who is restricted to a wheelchair, has not allowed his limitations to get in the way of pursuing excellence and is a role model for all employees.

La Cabana Aruba was awarded the prestigious Green Globe Distinction Award for Outstanding Environmental Performance this year in the annual Achievement Awards. The award was presented in recognition of La Cabana's environmental activities since joining Green Globe last year. Achievements include waste minimization, energy efficiency, management of fresh water and water waste, hazardous substance, land-use planning, actions involving staff, customers and the community in environmental issues, etc. Criteria for the award is defined by the tourism industry by the World Travel & Tourism Council, the World Tourism Organization and the Earth Council.

Several of Aruba's Hotels and Resorts were recently recognized for achievements in 2000:

Aruba Sonesta Resort was rated number one on the island for product and service during the AHATA Freeman Survey conducted in 2000. Other awards in 2000 were the Incentive Magazine Web Site Award, Successful Meetings Pinnacle Award, and Incentive Magazine Platinum Partner Award.

Holiday Inn Aruba Beach Resort & Casino graduates to "Holiday Inn SunSpree" status in 2000. The Holiday Inn was awarded the "SunSpree" recognition, which upgrades the resort with additional services and amenities not found in typical Holiday Inn properties. Requirements for achieving this honor include destination recognition, providing numerous on-site recreational amenities, water-sport facilities, multiple full-service food & beverage outlets, medium to large meeting facilities and much more.

Bucuti Beach Resort and Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort earned "Green Globe 21 Certification in 2000," which is presented to destinations and resorts that make use of the environment without damaging it and practicing sustainable tourism while allowing locals to benefit from tourism without destroying the culture. In addition, The Bucuti Beach Resort is also one of Fodor's "recommended" resorts, rated 4.5 on a scale of 5. Fodor's review recognizes Bucuti for its peaceful and luxurious rooms, impeccable landscape and distinguished owner, Ewald Bieman, winner of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association's "Hotelier of The Year" award.

Aruba Grand Resort & Casino earned Interval International's Five Star Award in 2000. This award is in recognition of superior quality standards that provide an exceptional vacation experience.

Hyatt Aruba earned several awards in 2000 including the prestigious "Gold Key" award, Apple Vacations' "Golden Apple" award, and AAA's "Four Diamond" award.

In addition, Divi Village Resort earned "Gold Crown Resort Award," presented by R.C.I. and Dutch Village Resort earned the title of, "Resort of International Distinction."

Aruba is a vacationer's paradise located in the heart of the Caribbean, 15 miles north of Venezuela and only two and a half hours by air from Miami. Ideally located outside the hurricane belt, Aruba boasts great weather, cooling trade winds and friendly people. For more information on planning a trip to Aruba, contact the Aruba Tourism Authority at 1-800-TO-ARUBA, or visit our Web site at www.aruba.com.

This Material is distributed by Everett Clay Associates and Shandwick International on behalf of the Aruba Ministry of Economic Affairs, Tourism, Social Affairs and Culture. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.