Aruba Vulnerable to Tourism Dependency … No Kidding … Justice for Natalee

Protesting and boycotting is a personal choice. It always has been and is a sign of solidarity for Natalee and her family. Aruba … this is America where people have the right to protest anything they deem unfair and unjust. That would be you and how you have handled the Natalee Holloway investigation and how you have treated the family of a victim.

Here’s the worst kept secret in Aruba, that Aruba is vulnerable to tourism dependency. OK, its the second worst kept secret. The disappearance of Natalee Holloway is #1.

With Aruba’s continued refusal to provide “Justice for Natalee,” the question continues to be asked … why would anyone go to a Caribbean island like Aruba and spend their hard earned money when “if something bad happens” they will be provided no justice and be treated like a suspect?

At the same time he pointed out the vulnerability of the island by depending so much on the income from tourism.  That became clear in 2006, when the growth of the gross national product (BNP) practically came to a standstill and the debt on the current accounts increased drastically after a drop in the number of visiting tourists.

Aruba is most certainly vulnerable to tourism and those that have traveled to tourism trade shows can confirm. Letting individuals and future vacation go’ers know that Natalee Holloway is still missing and no justice has been provided is a powerful tool in informing people.

• Boston Travel Trade Show
• New Orleans Travel Trade Show
• Miami Travel Trade Show
• Valley Forge, PA Trade Show

Tourism should never be considered a given by any destination. Tourism is cyclical; however, when one goes out of their way to bring negative attention upon themselves when in the 21st century people have options … that is tourism suicide.

“A grassroots effort to boycott Aruba began after all other attempts to find justice or even truth had failed”

Natalee Holloway Editorial; It’s not about the Politics, It’s about the Pressure

Aruba vulnerable by tourism dependency

Hasanali Mehran (left) of the Central Bank of Aruba and Harm Zebregs of the International Monetary Fund during the presentation of the report on the financial position of Aruba.  

ORANJESTAD – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expressed his satisfaction with the efforts of the government to stabilize the public finances.  This appears from the report that was presented last Tuesday.  The report was put together based on consultations with several institutions on the island.  The report includes the reducing of the government debt and the changing of the tax system.

Presentation of the report took place in the building of the Central Bank of Aruba in the presence of Prime Minister Nelson Oduber, Minister Nilo Swaen of Finance and Economic Affairs, and Governor of the Central Bank, Hasanali Mehran.  The Dutchman Harm Zebregs led the IMF delegation.  

Zebregs indicated that Aruba had experienced an impressive development in the past 20 years.  The income per head of population has tripled in that period.  At the same time he pointed out the vulnerability of the island by depending so much on the income from tourism.  That became clear in 2006, when the growth of the gross national product (BNP) practically came to a standstill and the debt on the current accounts increased drastically after a drop in the number of visiting tourists.

If Aruba manages to achieve a balanced budget in 2009, the national debt can be reduced from 45 percent to under the 40 percent of the BNP in 2012.  Zebregs predicted that the inflation that is estimated to be 6 percent this year, will drop to a little under the 4 percent next year.  Minister Swaen is pleased with the conclusions of the IMF.  He says that the IMF has indicated in his report that the short-term prospects are favourable and that there is a number of challenges to continue the path taken with consolidations of the public finances and the economic developments.  Possible drawbacks from the outside can be set off with the observed stability.  

Swaen says that the government is aware of the challenges and how important they are for a sustained development of Aruba.  He hopes for a continuation of the ‘productive relation’ with the financial institution.   Once again Swaen sees a confirmation of the financial-economic path that Aruba travels.  That confirmation was already given in the report of Fitch Ratings in September of this year, when Aruba was granted a ‘stable assessment BBB+’ and in the praising words of State Secretary Ank Bijleveld about the financial-economic policy.  (Amigoe, 12/5/07)