The Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies (DPI) within the Rosen College of Hospitality Management recently collaborated with the Aruba Tourism Authority.
DPI researchers completed a project titled “The Economic and Tourism Potentials of the Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival.” The six-day festival, held May 28-29, 2011, included a concert series with current Billboard chart artists, daytime events, nightclub parties and comedy events.
More than 250 festival attendees were surveyed with regards to their perceived value of the event and its overall economic contributions. The survey assessment showed that the festival was successful from both a management and destination perspective, although there are several areas for opportunities.