Restrictions on the Way for Aruban Tour Operators

The Aruban government is shifting away from its tourism boom mentality to focus on environmental protection, the Toronto Star is reporting. Amidst varied calls for increased environmental restrictions to reign in the abuses of the exploding tourism industry, the government is planning to limit the number of tour boats that operate in its waters at any one time and introduce standardized training for catamaran and scuba diving tour operators, according to the paper. It is also creating a Coastal Zone Management policy that some believe could impede future hotel development. Other restrictions are also in the works. Tourism on the island has exploded in recent years, growing from 200,000 annual visitors in 1985 to 2005's landmark of 1.2 million.