ATSA, The Aruba Timeshare Association, held a general meeting just recently at La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino.
The meeting was attended by members of the association, also present Dangui Oduber, the Minister of Tourism and Public Health, Ursell M. Arends, the Minister of Integrity, Nature, Transport and Elderly Care and Endy Croes, the Minister of Education and Sport.
The ministers came to the meeting to update ATSA members on a series of important issues. The Minister of Tourism and Public Health talked about the island’s pandemic exit-strategy, the Minister of Integrity, Nature, Transport and Elderly Care, wearing the environment hat, reported updates regarding RWZI, the gray water rehabilitation facility in Bubali, and the Minister of Education and Sport, discussed collaboration between the resorts and Scol Practico pa Ofishi, SPO.
In his address, the Minister of Tourism and Public Health announced an increase in the ICU capacity on island, the revision of entry protocols, the strategy for the local community, the flexibility introduced with the acceptance of Anti Gene tests, the reinforcement of the local health-department and the promotion of vaccines. As for the Tourism Policy, the Minister described six focal areas for the Aruba Tourism Product Enhancement Fund, TPEF, namely Attractions, Safety, Environment, Heritage, Awareness and Investments.
Among the projects introduced in 2022, Eagle Beach Beautification and Enhancement; dredging the Oranjestad Harbor to replenish Aruba’s white sand deposits; the Malmok Boardwalk Phase 3; the Hooiberg Stairs’ Maintenance and Beautifications; the Fort Zoutman Restoration; Sustainable Waste Management via the TPEF cleaner teams and TPEF garbage bins, also funds allocated to Stimami Sterilisami, the co-sponsoring stray cat & dog, spay and neuter program. The Minister of Education and Sport then discussed the efforts made at SPO to integrate students in the workplace, by providing guidance to companies, not just students. SPO he explained, promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all, improving living standards.
SPO, he said provides equitable education to students with limited learning abilities, IQs between 60 to 80, who can learn important life skills, providing they understand instructions clearly. If given sufficient guidance they are motivated, the minister stated, to deliver quality and loyalty to their employer. The school has students between the ages of 12 and 18, and when they graduate they are ready to integrate in the work force, after three years of practical training.
The Minister of Integrity, Nature, Transport and Elderly Care, gave a status update regarding RWZI, the gray water rehab facility in Bubali, sharing that since it is not part of the Landspakket, the reforms suggested by the Dutch, Aruba doesn’t have the funding available, however ATA provided the finances for 2022 and a business case is being researched at this moment, testing the possibility for a Build-Own-Operate, option.
The Minister pledged his dedication to the project, supporting the investment to increase RWZI’s capacity, introduce environmental laws governing waste policy and create a united Western Wetland protected area, managed by Fundacion Parlke National Arikok, FPNA.
ATSA also used the occasion to review its Year Ending, 2021 finances, by Treasurer Jurgen Schalijk along with a short update on the Security Foundation by Board Member, hotelier Bob Curtis, and the University of Aruba research project, March 14th to 25th, 2022.
An amicable farewell ceremony for retiring hotelier, former ATSA President, Andy Osborne, concluded the agenda, put together by President Luigi Heredia and Board Member Sulaika Kelly.
