Aruba at odds with Another Hotel; This Time the Radisson Renovations

At What Point do these Hotels Just throw their hands up in disgust?

(AM Digital: click on article to enlarge)

There comes a point where a government that draws tax dollars from hotel revenues needs to stop being so myopic. Over-regulation of hotel practices and renovation on an island with a slumping economy and declining over-night guests leads to hotels leaving the island for greener pastures.

A Monkey Wrench in the Aruban Tourism and Economic Works

Is it any wonder why the Aruban Tourism machine is not working properly?

(Vanderbilt – ‘06)

Normally Vanderbilt – ‘06 provides us with their great artwork and we provide the words to go a long. This one is all Vanderbilt including the comments and we thank Vanderbilt – ‘06 for the kind words.

Finally an Aruban Newspaper Discussing the Possible pending Halt to the Economy

Finally a newspaper in Aruba is discussing the cold, hard, inevitable facts of what a decline in tourism means. A decline in tax revenue, increase in import tax and a government that is still spending at the status quo means trouble.

I think we predicted this as well when we began to see the bottom continually fall out of the tourism market. Rather remarkable that AM Digital is actually stating that there are various factors that could cause the Aruban economy to halt.

What is the cause and effect of a declining economy, loss of tax revenue and no change in government spending? Aruba  will find out. Less tax revenues result in a need to cut programs or risk an out of control debt. No wonder Aruba had been budgeting less for tourism.

(AM Digital:Â  click on article to enlarge)

Aruban Investigation: Paulus Van der Sloot Pulling in the Favors

Paulus Van der Sloot and the never ending Favors.

(Hat Tip: Klaas, click on picture to enlarge)

When one has friends in high places, favors are not only a premium, they are a necessity. One never knows when they will need to call in their mark. After all is said and done, Paulus Van der Sloot awaits the judges decision in his civil law suit against Aruba for false imprisonment. A law suit where not only Paulus stands to gain financially, but his son Joran as well who is still a suspect the last time I looked.

Let us remember back to the 48 Hours – CBS – Saturday, 3/25/2006, interview with Gerold Dompig.  Dompig accuses the elder Van der Sloot of being knowing more and being involved.

Dompig says he believes Paulus van der Sloot does know more than he has been telling about the circumstances surrounding Holloway’s disappearance.

The exact quote from the interview was as follows:

Troy Roberts (CBS): Do you believe Paulus Van Der Sloot knows more than he has been telling?
Gerold Dompig: Yes I Do…

Not only is a suspect in Joran Van der Sloot somehow given the right by a judge to receive monies for damages, but also Paulus was given the right to sue when the chief of police thinks he is complicit in the crime.

Paulus, its good to know people in high places isn’t it?

Favoritism & Privilege Alive & Well on Aruba; Nearly 5000 Government Employees … what other privileges are provided?

Mike Eman, leader of AVP, is on the attack again. This is almost hard to believe. According to an AP Digital article, Aruba Government is reaching almost 5000 employees, while the Federal and Island Governments in the Netherlands Antilles have only 4300. 5% of the population in Aruba is a government employee. Aruba only has a population fluctuation around 100,000.

Of course Mr. Eman it would have been more beneficial to your party if such comments were forcefully made prior to the last election.

With the recent drop in tourism and the lower tax revenues gained because of the decline, there best be some concern from many of these government employees as to where their next  pay check is going to come from. The real question is, how and why  does an island have so many governmental employees? I am sure favoritism and political influence have nothing to do with it.

With this illustration Eman wishes to point out the ridiculous administration of the Aruban Government.

“Between 1,500 and 2000 people have been employed by the Aruban Government in 5 years. Not to improve education; not to improve public health; not to improve social assistance in this country; but to benefit and privilege of Mr. Nelson Obuber and his family; Mr. Rudy Croes … not to the benefit of this country”.

(AM Digital: click on article to enlarge)

With all of these political appointments made for favors and influence, one wonders just why those in Aruba have kept so quiet as to tips and what really happened to Natalee Holloway. Or do we?