Amigoe: Ahata: Briesen should be better advised

As we reported yesterday, AHATA, placed a full page ad  stating they are “disappointed in the statements of minister Edison Briesen (MEP) of Tourism and Transport.”

The minister said recently that everybody should stop putting into their head that there is a crisis in the Aruban tourism, because that’s not the case.  Ahata is of the opinion that Briesen must let himself be advised better, because the facts are clear:  “in comparison with competing islands, we are doing badly.” 

Edison Briesen may be in line to becoming the next Baghdad Bob. Must be nice to be surrounded by “yes” men. Makes one feel important, but hardly effective or informed. Minister Briesen, your tourism is terrible. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) tourism has done well in the Caribbean exceeding the global growth average by 5.1 percent. Everyone except you. Aruba is on pace with Uruguay.

On November 2nd, Briesen said in a press conference that the tourism figures have dropped a little, but not alarming.  Compared with June of 2005, all the branches of tourism in Aruba have dropped considerably in same period 2006.  Only the passengers coming to Aruba by air have increased with 2 percent.  Where is the crisis then? 

(Animal House, Chip Diller: “Remain calm. All is well!”)

You can deny the fact all you want, the lack of tourists on your island is obvious. The lack of money in Arubans pockets will be obvious too come election time. How difficult can it possibly be for one to admit there is a problem in Aruba with tourism? Lying to Americans and a family about an investigation of Natalee Holloway is one thing, but misinforming and misrepresenting fact to your own people?

Amigoe, November 14, 2006: Ahata:  Briesen should be better advised 

ORANJESTAD — Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (Ahata) has put full page ads in the newspapers, saying that the association is disappointed in the statements of minister Edison Briesen (MEP) of Tourism and Transport.  The minister said recently that everybody should stop putting into their head that there is a crisis in the Aruban tourism, because that’s not the case.  Ahata is of the opinion that Briesen must let himself be advised better, because the facts are clear:  “in comparison with competing islands, we are doing badly.” 

Ahata published a comparison between the first six months of 2006 with the first six months of 2005.  The tourism figures of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) for the above comparison show a negative growth of 10.3 percent.  With the exception of St. Maarten that experienced a drop of 1.4 percent, the other Caribbean islands show a growth.  The tourism in Curacao increased with 4.6 percent and Bermuda with 11.7 percent.  On November 2nd, Briesen said in a press conference that the tourism figures have dropped a little, but not alarming.  Compared with june of 2005, all the branches of tourism in Aruba have dropped considerably in same period 2006.  Only the passengers coming to Aruba by air have increased with 2 percent.  Where is the crisis then? 

Briesen says that one of the reasons for lower room occupancy in the hotels is the room rates, which are extraordinary high and Ahata should acknowledge her share in this.  Ahata:  It is ironic that the government has given the mandate to invest millions in renovations and expansions and so attract the richer tourists.  In her promotion campaigns, the government is more and more targeting the top of the tourism market.  Besides, the government receives more room tax from these high room rates. The minister should not be focusing on ‘Aruba does not do that bad yet’, but on how to continue with the success, so that Aruba can assure herself of her position in the next 20 to 30 years. 

The permanent committee Tourism meets tomorrow.  During this meeting, the Members of Parliament will discuss with minister Briesen the situation with Ahata.