The economy of Aruba is an open system, with tourism currently providing the largest percentage of the country's income.

With such a large part of its economy dependent on tourism, a few political parties are striving [citation needed] to increase business in other sectors to protect against possible industry slumps to prevent another economic shut-down like what was experienced during 2020.

Unlike many Caribbean islands, a plantation economy never developed on Aruba due to its arid climate.

Despite setbacks caused by the troubled gold and aloe industries, Aruba's economy didn't suffer long.

By early 1939, a more consistent supply of crude oil was achieved, allowing the refineries to operate at full capacity.

Due to mistakes by the German deck gunner the refinery was not damaged but three of the Lago tankers were torpedoed in San Nicolaas harbour.

Its reopening didn't raise Aruba's oil industry to its previous heights although it did revive that sector and continued to be a key contributor to the country's economy until 2009 when it was closed.

In 1947, Aruba's government founded a tourist board to explore the possibility of developing a tourism industry.

Aruba stepped up its visible security force in tourist areas to heighten safety and reassure visitors.

Another potential threat to the industry occurred in 2005, when the May 30 disappearance of vacationing Alabama teen Natalee Holloway made international news.

Claiming that Aruban authorities weren't taking the case seriously enough, her mother and the Governor of Alabama called for a nationwide boycott of Aruba.

Aruba's reputation as one of the safest islands in the Caribbean may have helped it overcome any negative stigma caused by the case.