Aruba, “One Happy Island:” Justice Minister Rudy Croes Blasts director Myrna Jansen of Aruba Tourism Authority

One Happy Island, huh. Can’t we all just get along? Not on Aruba and not when the private tourism sector is in direct conflict with government denial. What is the Aruban government and Justice minister Rudy Croes afraid of, the truth?

Croes says that the report states that criminality in Aruba has negative consequences for the tourism.  He called this nonsense.   

Nonsense? Actual Minister Croes “nonsense” would be the continued denial on your and Aruba’s part that crime does exist and that it has a direct impact on why your tourism is in the tank. STOP LYING TO PEOPLE! Maybe we should take a look at the crime and murder on Aruba. You would attack someone within the Aruban tourism sector for speaking the truth. The ATA witnesses the destruction of Aruba’s tourism on a monthly basis. Maybe Minister Croes would like to offer an answer as to the plight of Aruba’s tourism.

The minister says that these kinds of assumptions hurt Aruba, while from the figures it actually appears that the criminality has dropped, considering the enormous increase of the population and compared with other countries.

It is not the assumption that hurts Aruba, its the reality. Earth to Rudy Croes … Natalee Holloway was not an assumption. The manner in how suspects confessed and then somehow did not confess is not an assumption. The method in how the ALE pathetically investigated Natalee’s disappearance was not an assumption. The fact that Aruba has three suspects that they refuse to prosecute is not an assumption.

Aruba in fact has two strikes against it as opposed to other Caribbean islands. Most people deem these places as not safe; however, in Aruba post-Natalee Holloway tourists realize that any crime that happens to them will be swept up under the carpet to protect tourism and those responsible with friends in high places.

Aruba, your tourism has fallen ever since the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in May 2005. While the rest of the Caribbean sees increases, you are in the red and at best break even these days. Why do you think that is? Beth Twitty, Natalee Holloway’s mom, goes from high school to college to public speaking event discussing International safe travels. She is a one woman wrecking crew and Aruba is the face of crime, corruption and missing persons on an international stage.

Justice Minister Rudy Croes, Aruba’s problem is no assumption … its a reality.

Amigoe, March 7, 2007: Justice-minister reprimands tourist bureau 

ORANJESTAD – Regarding a report of ATA on tourism, Justice-minister Rudy Croes (MEP) lashed out at director Myrna Jansen of Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) during a press conference yesterday.  Croes says that the report states that criminality in Aruba has negative consequences for the tourism.  He called this nonsense.   

“I hereby have a message for the ATA-director.  She must not make assumptions just like that and check the figures first; figures that the ministry and the Public Prosecutor have.”  The minister says that these kinds of assumptions hurt Aruba, while from the figures it actually appears that the criminality has dropped, considering the enormous increase of the population and compared with other countries.  Only car theft and joyriding have increased, says the minister.  “We just had a very successful Caribbean Marketplace, during which there was not one incident”, said Croes.