How did Aruba expand tourism after the 1985 refinery closure?

Following the closure of the oil refinery in 1985, which triggered a serious economic crisis, Aruba responded by aggressively promoting and expanding its tourism industry to leverage the island's idyllic setting. Key initiatives included the construction of luxury hotels and casinos to attract visitors.1

This strategic shift helped diversify the economy, which also grew to include a free-trade zone, a data-processing sector, and international offshore financial services. Today, services—centered primarily on tourism—form the basis of the Aruban economy.1