Tapping in on the Slow Travel Trend at Boardwalk Hotel
Aruba tops the list of highest repeat visitors to the Caribbean for decades on end. When asked about reasons for choosing a trip to this island, or returning over and over again to Aruba, visitors do not automatically mention the beaches or the sunny weather as their number one. In all fairness: great beaches and sunny vacation days can be had on most Caribbean islands. So what is it that makes Aruba so special?
Unique local experiences
What is the main reason for visiting, and returning to this Caribbean vacation destination you might wonder. The secret sauce of Aruba (sssssssttttt, you did not hear this from us) is made up of three ingredients: warm, friendly people that truly welcome you and make you feel at home; local experiences such as tasty food and vibrant cultural activities; and a feeling of calm, safety and inclusion. In Aruba ‘bai poco poco’ (go slow, take your time) is a state of mind that never goes out of fashion. Here, every sunrise and sunset is a moment to take in, to enjoy and experience. Dining out goes hand in hand with the sensation of feeling soft powdery sand between your toes. Waking up at our hotel means hearing tropical birdsong and swaying palm trees. And each day is a new reason to celebrate, to get together and connect with our local community made up of people from 138 different countries.
Slow travel - quality over quantity
In recent years travelers and destinations worldwide have given this concept of seeking and providing unique experiences and meaningful local connections a new name. Slow travel. Today’s traveler has come to appreciate it so much that the travel industry tapped slow travel one of the fastest growing trends in recent years. For those not too familiar with the term, slow travel focuses on in-the-moment experiences, purposeful connections and a more sustainable approach to travel and tourism. Slow travel is about prioritising quality over quantity: embracing the here and now and enjoying the experience in stead of chasing rainbows and rushing through jam packed itineraries to see and do as much as possible. And being mindful of your actions and the environment you are vacationing in.
Creating meaningful moments
With a constant stream of stimuli from news, social media, work obligations and busy social agendas, vacations more and more focus on the luxury of time. Time to relax and unwind. Time to engage and truly connect with loved ones. Time for self-care and for purposeful experiences. As a guest at Boardwalk the options to create meaningful moments, to live like a local and unwind are endless. From floating meditations and sunrise yoga guided by a local wellness professional to relaxing massages, long beach walks and dance lessons in the privacy of your own casita, or even a ‘parental recharge package’ for those who wish to take full advantage of their adults-only stay. It’s all about you. Be happy, be in the moment.
Do Good Program
The popularity of slow travel can also be linked to the growing focus on sustainability and meaningful connections to local people, culture, food and music. At Boardwalk, each hotel guest has access to our exclusively developed Do Good Program, listing many ways to contribute to the local community and educate and engage in local initiatives. In addition, one of Boardwalk’s unique Treasure Maps is solely dedicated to meaningful and sustainable encounters and experiences in Aruba. For guests who don’t wish to leave the lush gardens of Boardwalk we created an inspirational and educational Sustainability Tour of our premises, including insights in local flora and fauna, energy saving tips and a local rum tasting.
Cultural gems
Consuming local food and drink is a key element in exploring Aruba’s local culture and one of the main components of slow travel. Boardwalk’s front desk and concierge staff are known for their local scoop and insightful knowlegde on the best food and drink addresses and hidden gems on the island, and we highly recommend you consult them during your stay. And don’t forget onsite restaurant and bar The Coco Café. Here you don’t have to venture far to savor local tastes, sip refreshing drinks and classics like the Aruba Ariba.
Local nights
Our local chefs also made it their mission to infuse as many local flavors and locally sourced ingredients as possible to stay true to Aruba’s culinary traditions and support local farmers and vendors. Besides culinary and cultural explorations from The Coco Café’s all day menu, specialty packages and cultural nights are provided to enhance your local culinary experiences. Options include private dining with a local chef on your own patio, barbecue packages with the freshest catches from local fishermen to enjoy on your private grill, as well as Caribbean carnaval and tapas night at The Coco Café.
The power of pause
While the long list of experience-based and locally infused options in itself can start feeling dawnting as you’ve reached the end of this blog, our staff at Boardwalk mostly wants you to explore and experience Aruba at your own pace. Make your own conscious decisions. Do what you want, go as you please. In our tropical hidden oasis amidst the vibrant Palm Beach area, you’re invited to embrace the power of pause. To sip an early morning coffee while the soothing tradewinds breeze strokes your skin. Sway in your own hammock to the rythm of rustling palms. Linger in one of our swimming pools, retreat with a favorite book in one of the many nooks inside our garden. Snooze on the beach, float in the ocean, and be. Just be. Be you, and be happy. On our One happy island, where slow travel was trending long before it became a world wide trend.
