Aruban Tourism … Right From AHATA Rob Smith’s Mouth … “Helpfulness doesn’t mean that you must take up a submissive position”

Welcome to Aruba, One Happy Island … where hospitality and being helpful is looked upon as being submissive. Aruba, how do you really feel about tourists who come to your island? A better question is, tourists … how do you feel spending your hard earned money and being looked upon as a burden? Just when you thought you have heard it all.

Ever wonder what is really wrong with Aruban tourism? If one ever wondered why such a callus attitude was taken following the disappearance of Natalee Holloway and the almost blaming of the victim and her family for the disappearance rather than holding the criminals responsible for the obvious crime that occurred. One needs to take a look at the following to understand. The following comments wins the WTF moment of the week. What a shocker that it comes from Aruba and has to do with tourism.

 … there are sufficient possibilities to move on financially as well as professionally.  The most important message of Ahata is that Arubans distinguish themselves by their hospitality and that the passion to be helpful must be stirred again.  “Helpfulness doesn’t mean that you must take up a submissive position” (Rob Smith)

Submissive position??? What??? People in Aruba think that being hospitable and helpful is being submissive??? OK, wake me because we are obviously in the twilight zone. The comments come from the head of a AHATA, Rob Smith and speak volumes of the attitude that has to exist in Aruba toward tourists. Why else would Rob Smith say it if it was not an issue by many Arubans.

(Classic Vanderbilt)

So much for the customer always being right. Aruba, a Caribbean island where 70% of their economy is based off of tourism and the head of tourism is telling the Aruban people that being friendly and nice is not submissive. In other words, its not a bad thing and that they won’t be disrespected if they are nice. WOW!!!

Ahata: ‘1000 openings in tourism’ (Amigoe: 5/14/2008)

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Aruba: First Quarter Deficits Over 100 million Florins already … A Sign of Things to Come

Budget deficits in Aruba …

For the first quarter of the year Aruba is already showing a 100 million florin budget deficit. Over government spending could be one cause; however, do not think that anticipated revenue from taxes from visiting tourists is also not part of the problem as well. Tourism is still not yet at pre-Natalee Holloway disappearance numbers, energy costs are higher and people are not spending as much in vacations. Opposition AVP leader claiming that budget deficit is because of MEP’s excessive expenses for the apparatus of government. However, these issues never used to happen during the Aruban tourism bonanzas.

Deficit first quarter 100 millions already (Amigoe: 5/14/2008)

AVP-leader Mike Eman and his wife Doina have surprised elderly mothers with their visit.  The couple was accompanied by the well-known folklore singer Robert Maduro, who gave the elderly mothers a serenade.

ORANJESTAD – The budget deficit in the first quarter of 2008 is about 100 million florins, concluded opposition party AVP after comparing the budget for the current year with the figures of the income from income-, import-, and excise taxes in the first three months.

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Aruban Minister Booshi Wever Suing Diario, Freedom of the Press, Not in Aruba

In Aruba, words are more offensive than individuals actions …

It appears that once again an Aruban political official is suing Jossy Mansur and Diario for of defamation. Minister Candelario (Booshi) Wever is suing Diario claiming that his reputation was tarnished by statements made in Diario. So much for freedom of the press or free speech.

The minister says that ‘desgraciado’ is one of the worst insults in Papiamento.  That word is translated as ‘unhappy’ in the Diccionario Avanza of Jossy M. Mansur (also director of Diario), but in the normal linguistic usage, the meaning is much stronger and very offensive.  The article also insinuates that the minister is the owner of a brothel in Venezuela and that Wever’s days are numbered and that he will feel the Colombian Community breathing down his neck.  That is actually the reason why the minister instituted the lawsuit to demand a rectification from Diario.  

Is it any wonder why Aruban officials could not cope with the American press during the Natalee Holloway disappearance and investigation? These people are more worried about what is said about them than the actual facts that transpire during a story. Its not always the politicians, but the people themselves. Was there anything more heinous than Beth Holloway, the mother of missing Natalee Holloway having to apolgize to the Kalpoe’s for comments made when all signs pointed to the fact that they were some how involved at took part with her daughters disappearance.

Booshi Wever wants to see his name cleared (Amigoe: 5/10/2008)

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Teachers Union Chairman Sues Education Minister Marisol Tromp for Offensive comments During the Strike

The teachers union chairman has taken the Education Minister Marisol Tromp to court over offensive comments she made during the strike. Could these people possibly be any more thin skinned? You are suing because she “hurt you with her words”? How pathetic is that? Seems that these type of ridiculous lawsuits get heard while real crimes go un-noticed and un-prosecuted.

Aruba: where words are legal actions and crimes against Natalee Holloway are not

Van Varsseveld is of the opinion that the comments Minister Tromp made on TeleAruba on April 7, 2008 were offensive and a slur on his professional ethics. 

In the TV-broadcast, Tromp questioned the education capacity of Van Varsseveld.  He would be held responsible for bad school results and students doubling the year, if the strike had continued, said the minister in the broadcast.

Chairman teachers’ union takes education-minister to court (Amigoe: 5/6/2008)

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Justice for Aruban/Antillean homo-boat, but Not Natalee Holloway … JUSTICE FOR NATALEE

More priorities out of Aruba and the Antilles.

Once again we are presented with the priorities that take place in Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles. Aruban/Antillean “homo-boat”, yes … Justice for Natalee, no! What a shining example that you continually set for future tourism.

Bon Bini Events, organizer of Aruban parties, assumes the organization around the Aruban/Antillean gay boat.  The Gay Pride in Amsterdam takes place from July 28 till August 3 inclusive.  The parade of boats takes place on August 2.

The presence of a gay Aruban/Antillean boat shows that all things are possible if they are pushed to go so. Then why is it more important for this Aruban/Antillean “homo-boat” than it is for Justice for Natalee?

Antillean boat on Gay Pride (Amigoe: 5/2/2008)

WILLEMSTAD/AMSTERDAM – An Aruban/Antillean homo-boat is for the first time going to officially take part in the parade of boats during the annual Gay Pride in Amsterdam.  

“It is time to show our face.  With this boat we give openness and evidence to homosexuality within our own culture”, said Charlene Oduber, chair of Epoca Nobo Foundation to the Gay Krant (paper).

“Homo-emancipation within the Aruban and Antillean community can only be done by us.  Dutch organizations often talk on behalf of Aruban and Antilleans, and it is well-meant.  It therefore looks as if homosexuality is something typical Dutch.  And it is this that had a disturbing effect on the social acceptance of Aruban and Antillean homosexuals within our own community.”

Bon Bini Events, organizer of Aruban parties, assumes the organization around the Aruban/Antillean gay boat.  The Gay Pride in Amsterdam takes place from July 28 till August 3 inclusive.  The parade of boats takes place on August 2.

RED Reports Against Premier Nelson Oduber & Minister of Tourism and Transport Edison Briesen … Accountability, Forgery & Bribery?

Corruption in government in Aruba? Say it isn’t so. So says Rudy Lampe and Armand Hessels of RED. Supposedly Prime Minister Nelson Oduber and Minister of Tourism and transport, Edison Briesen, are being accused of violations of the accountability act, forgery and possible bribery. So the thought is brought to mind, how does a tourist who has a crime committed against them get a fair shot of justice then?

Party-leader Rudy Lampe of opposition party RED and his fellow party member Armand Hessels reported violation of the accountability act and forgery in the harbour project in Aruba against Premier Nelson Oduber (MEP) and his fellow party member Minister of Tourism and transport, Edison Briesen, with the Public Prosecutor (OM) on Monday afternoon.  According to RED, there is supposedly also bribery involved.

RED reports against Premier Oduber and Minister Briesen  (Amigoe: 4/22/2008)

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Labor Strike Continues in Aruba … Who Does it Really Hurt & What Must Tourists Think?

The labor strikes continue in Aruba, but ultimately who is being hurt by the protests? A strike is generally not supposed to hurt the very people that it is intended to help. A protest for higher wages destroying the very economy where the wages are derived. What a concept. Does anyone is Aruba not think that is a tourist was inconvenienced in any manner during their vacation that they will have anything good to say? Arubans are obviously unfamiliar with the concept that when an individual goes to a restaurant and has a good meal they tell a friend, when they have a bad meal, they tell 10.

A number of teachers indicated that they want to resume the classes for the students that need to take exams.  Vice-chair of Simar Anna Tromp said that she can understand that.  Several other teachers also indicated that they want to go back and prepare their students for their First Holy Communion. 

Hear no Evil, See no Evil and Speak no Evil Scared Monkeys in Houston, TX  at the Houston Travel Show standing with the girl and “Justice for Natalee”

One thing is for certain with the on going protests, strikes and boycotts taking place in Aruba … No one can say that individuals who protest for “Justice for Natalee” do not have a right to do so and that they behave themselves better than those striking in Aruba. The right to peacefully demonstrate is one of the corner stones of American Democracy.

Unions talk with governor (Amigoe: 4/21/2008)

The entrance of the Government Building was seriously damaged by fireworks this weekend.

ORANJESTAD – The demonstrating union members that gathered at DOW at the L.G. Smith Boulevard this morning, have blocked the entrance of the container harbour again.  The blockade was lifted when the lawyer of Aruba Ports Authority gave the demonstrators a letter, pointing out the illegality of the blockade.  The unions now hope that governor Fredis Refunjol will mediate in the long-term labour dispute.  The governor has met with the unions this afternoon.

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Aruban Public Workers Protetsts Destroying their Own Economy Affecting Cruise Ship Passengers

Aruba, you do not get a second chance to make a first impression. Imagine what the lasting impression was on the cruise  passengers this weekend when you blocked the entrance to the cruise terminal and caused utter chaos. The cruise ship passengers and tourists not only did not get off the boat, do you think they ever will return? If tours are being canceled, roads blocked and tourists are being affected in such an adverse manner, what would be the reason to even book a vacation to Aruba? A vacation is supposed to be just that, a vacation …. not a chore.

Due to the actions that extended to the cruise terminal, some cruise passengers decided to spend the day on their ship, instead of going shopping or taking a tour of the island.  A number of island tours were even cancelled.  Cab drivers on the the cruise terminal were angry, because they have missed income.  

The actions of the public employee strikes are very similar in nature to the actions of law enforcement, the justice department and the Aruban government in the aftermath of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. Making decisions in matters without the slightest idea of the consequences that would occur and  affect tourism and the economy. Not just for the present, but for years to come. 

Entrance harbour blocked (Amigoe: 4/19/2008)

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Aruba: Judge Rules that Near Closing of Airport Due to Striking Fireman Not that Serious … “Unbelievable”

How is it that an island that is 80% dependent upon tourism can continually take the tact that the tourist is not that important?

So tourists that continue to go to Aruba, even after the Holloway and Twitty families have been denied justice by some peculiar Aruban judges decisions. They think that such decisions do not affect them at all rather than looking at the larger systemic problem. Those “all about me” tourists may want to rethink that logic. Listen to the judges logic in the case of striking fire fighters and that the near closing of the Aruban airport was no big deal and not that serious, the problem was not so serious; that the problem was not serious because the duty officer has anticipated the actions. A judge actually thinks that the near closing of an airport with no fire fighting support with flights in the air to Aruba is not that serious. Wonder if the people on the fight think it was serious? What do you think?

Doesn’t this remind one of the bizarre, circular logic used in the Natalee Holloway case providing Joran Van der Sloot and others a free pass of getting a get out of jail free card in the death and disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

ORANJESTAD – Lawyer Anthony Ruiz refers to the verdict of last Friday I the lawsuit against fire fighters’ union Sinba as ‘unbelievable and unacceptable’.  “The judge has twisted his own words in the verdict of April 3 and that of his colleague in the verdict of April 8.”

After the verdict last Friday, Ruiz, who represents the Land, immediately lodged an appeal against this verdict, even before it was put on paper.  “This is unacceptable.”  The appeal comes up in court tomorrow afternoon and also the verdict of last Friday will most probably come up.  The lawyer is pleased with the fast handling.  “It proofs that the Court is taking the case seriously, because the procedure is usually not so fast.”  The ‘unannounced’ actions of the fire fighters on Friday had almost caused the airport to close.  “That’s what Buckley (lawyer Lisette Buckley that represents AAA, red.) tried to explain.  Thanks to the duty officer that immediately called reserve personnel that immediately answered, the airport could remain open.  And the judge now says that because of that, the problem was not so serious; that the problem was not serious because the duty officer has anticipated the actions.  Unbelievable.”

Lawyer Land: ‘Judge’s verdict unacceptable’ (Amigoe: 4/14/2008)

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Isn’t Tourism Supposed to be About the Tourist? Not in Aruba with the Airport Strike as Planes were Diverted

What part about tourism does Aruba not understand has all to do with the tourist? Keep it up Aruba, here is one sure fire way to further destroy your tourism. Maybe the AHATA would like to sue all the striking public employees as they tried to do with Greta Van Susteren?

Can one only imagine spending all the time planning, let alone saving for a vacation, only to have your plane diverted to another island due to striking airport employees. That is what happened to 4 planes that were bound for Aruba but instead her diverted to Bonaire, Curacao and Puerto Rico. Maybe the tourists should have made their travel plans to those locations instead. In past events when arriving passengers to Aruba saw the strike caused them to be troubled. At least they got to their intended destination. Or maybe that was actually a bad thing?

The airport of Aruba has missed four flights yesterday due to actions of the fire brigade.  Two Continental flights diverted to Bonaire and Curacao.  Also an American flight diverted to Curacao and one of US Airways to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The diversion of the 4 flights was an inconvenience for the passengers, mostly tourists, because it was not until they were in the aircraft that they heard that the aircraft received a different destination, without hotel reservation.  The diversion of the aircrafts had also consequences for the hotel- and the entire tourism sector.

Airport is coping with consequences of the strikes (Amigoe: April 9, 2008)

The airport fire fighters started their actions immediately after the verdict of the judge.

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