Strengthening Tourism



November 7th 2005, Aruba.


ORANJESTAD-The new government of Aruba is determined to further
strengthen tourism on the island in the next 4 years. This will be achieved
by privatising the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) and attracting new
tourism generating markets.

ATA will organize more special programs such as concerts and festivals in
the low-season in so to attract more tourists in that period. Aruba will
aggressively market itself as the conference destination of the Caribbean
now that it has the Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the U.S.

Employees in the tourism sector will follow additional courses in so to
further improve their motivation and qualities. This will improve the
service to tourists who may eventually be more inclined to visit Aruba
again.


The government will hold intensive contacts with air carriers serving the
island, hotels and other companies in the tourism sector in so to optimise
the Aruban tourism product. In addition the government is determined to
seek a partner for the start of a national air carrier.

The Sasaki master plan for San Nicolas that was presented in the last
government will be executed in the next 4 years. This will lead to a
substantial boost in economic activity for the San Nicolas region. The plan
to construct the longest park in the Caribbean will start soon. The park
will start from the airport through waterfront Oranjestad until the high-rise
hotel area. In the short run a definite decision will be made on what to
with the abandoned Bushiri Hotel property.


The economy of Aruba will be stimulated by further strengthening the
economic relations with the U.S., the Caribbean region and South
America. The government will continue to diversify the Aruban economy
by attracting international financial institutions to the island. To achieve
the latter an adequate tax law will be made. The government will also
stimulate locals to invest in the island's economy through offering more
investment possibilities via Aruba Investment Bank.








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