News and Business news from Aruba

First one-hundred days Eman-cabinet 10 February 2010
ORANJESTAD — The Mike Eman I cabinet is celebrating the first one-hundred days as government. During a press conference at the entrance of the Administration Office, with members of the cabinet standing behind him, Premier Mike Eman (AVP) said he is proud of all that had been accomplished during the first one-hundred days.

Parliament agrees guarantee for Aruban Resort 10 February 2010
ORANJESTAD — The States unanimously agreed with the government's decision yesterday to act as guarantor for a loan of 1.4 million florins to The Aruban Resort. Tourism-minister Otmar Oduber (AVP) promised to come up with legislation for the guarantee-agreement within 160 days. The agreement is between investment bank AIB and the government.

First wave of Swine Flu vaccinations ends Friday 21 December 2009
ORANJESTAD - Health officials announced yesterday morning that Friday, December 18 will be the last opportunity for island residents to obtain their free H1N1 Flu virus vaccinations until the program continues with the second wave of vaccinations beginning well in the middle of January. Head Epidemiologist Maribelle Tromp reminded the public that Aruba has obtained 35,000 doses of H1N1 virus immunizations, but only 1367 individuals have taken advantage of the free vaccinations being offered daily until December 18. Today and tomorrow, Wednesday, December 16 will be the last time the shots will be offered at three locations in the late afternoon and evening, to accommodate most working schedules, announced Sharlene Koolman of the Department of Contagious Diseases.

Formation Mike Eman-cabinet official 5 October 2009
ORANJESTAD — AVP-leader Mike Eman submitted his list of ministers to Governor Fredis Refunjol yesterday afternoon, which was sooner than many people expected. The Governor had appointed him as the person charged with forming the new government and requested him to form a cabinet that arranges for a 'social and governmental climate during the coming years, which is targeted on cooperation and social cohesion'.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Adventure of the Seas abandons Aruba 30 September 2009
ORANJESTAD — The cruise ship Adventure of the Seas from Royal Caribbean will not be visiting the harbor of Oranjestad after April 20th, 2010. The ship, with a capacity of more than 3000 passengers, will be cruising in Europe. Various media have announced this. Alfonso Becloud, director of the Aruba Ports Authority (APA) confirms that the route of Adventure has been changed and that the ship will no longer be visiting Aruba as of the end of April. The cruise schedule, which can be viewed on the website of APA, also confirms the departure of the Adventure of the Seas

AHATA announces Hepple as its new President and CEO 30 September 2009
Oranjestad-- Sept. 21, 2009 -- The Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association (AHATA) and its board of directors is proud to announce the addition of James Richard Hepple as AHATA's next President and CEO. James Hepple is a distinguished tourism professional who holds ample experience in the Caribbean region, and who will undoubtedly prove a valuable asset in the development of programs for AHATA members and in the further promotion of the destination of Aruba.

Celebration week of the Wit Gele Kruis Aruba culminates 10 September 2009
PALM BEACH - The White Yellow Cross Foundation commemorated 50 years of community service this week with a number of festivities taking place at the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa. A daytime activity included a "muchila creativo" under the direction of Joan Danies, an interactive presentation in the Grand Caribbean Ballroom outlining all services rendered by the White Yellow Cross to members of the community, kids, the elderly and the infirm.

Terrific opening of CILO 10 September 2009
ORANJESTAD - `Tout everybody' was there at the grand opening of the City Lounge, CILO in short. The marina-view restaurant at the Renaissance Marketplace was packed with friends, business relations and colleagues last Sunday evening; they came to wish the owners of the gorgeous new place well. As more and more people poured in, the jazz festival's top act Anacaona started playing on a stage outside.

Chamber of Commerce: 'Valero's future looks dismal' 24 August 2009
ORANJESTAD — The Valero refinery, which closed down a month ago, will most likely not open its doors again, according to the Chamber of Commerce (KvK). There are supposedly no negotiations between Valero and other possible investors. The question that immediately arises is, 'What will happen with Valero now?'

Gloria Vega to perform at the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival 24 August 2009
ORANJESTAD - Born in Colombia in 1974, Gloria Vega moved to Aruba when she was just two years old. Here she learned to play the guitar from her grandfather and to sing. Gloria became the runner-up in the Scol-i-Landia Escolar competition and she sang in the groups Tutti Fruti and Crystal, both led by Maybelline Arends-Croes. When she was older she sang with bands like Oreo, Pride, Dushi Band and at the Crystal Casino. Returning to Colombia to find her musical roots has been wonderful for Gloria.

Sarah-Quita world champion again 4 August 2009
ORANJESTAD — For the second time in a row, Sarah-Quita Offringa has become the world champion in freestyle windsurfing. During the Professional windsurfers Association (PWA) World Tour on the Canary Islands this past weekend, Offringa was declared the best freestyler of the world together with Jose 'Gollito' Estredo. Moreover, she also won the windsurf competition on the island, which is actually not so remarkable in view of the fact that Offringa hasn't lost a heat in two years.

Mike Eman, AVP Delegation meets with American Airlines, Carnival Cruise Lines 4 August 2009
ORANJESTAD - With the goal to bring the lost American Airlines flights as well as the Carnival Cruises back to Aruba, Friday morning a delegation of the Aruba's People Party ( AVP) consisting of the Party Leader Mike Eman together with Mike de Meza, Otmar Oduber and newcomer in politics Michelle Hooyboer-Winklaar held two meetings in Miami with these two renowned organizations. These two are very important partners for Aruba's tourism sector.

No new dismissals for the time being 29 July 2009
ORANJESTAD -- In spite of continuous reports that contractors are still being dismissed, Valero informed this newspaper that there are no plans to dismiss contract workers for the time being. Spokesperson Bill Day announced this via e-mail.

Eight million euros for Monument Care 27 July 2009
ORANJESTAD — The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba will receive 8 million euros for the restoration of 'valuable monuments'. The Dutch Minister Ronald Plasterk of Education, Culture, and Science announced this on Aruba during the weekend.

Minister Swaen institutes proceedings against customs 22 July 2009
ORANJESTAD -- For the time being there will be no new protest actions from customs. Customs' trade union will now await the date for the summary proceedings, which was instituted by the Minister of Finances and Economical Affairs, Nilo Swaen. Minister Swaen found it most regrettable, that customs chose to take action during a period of international crisis.

'No tourism crisis on Aruba' 22 July 2009
ORANJESTAD - Last Friday, Minister of Tourism Edison Briesen responded to a news article, which had appeared in a local morning newspaper on July 9th. In that article, Otmar Oduber, one of the AVP-candidates responded to an assumed decrease of the tourism on Aruba.According to Oduber, the decline of the tourism was due to the poor governing of MEP. "We are the only ones who have arranged for a more substantial publicity of Aruba within the Caribbean"

Less passengers, more capacity 18 July 2009
ORANJESTAD — During the second quarter of this year, 2 percent fewer passengers were registered at the airport compared to the same period last year. However, there are more seats available - some 7 percent, the Aruba Airport Authority (AAA) announced. "In general the figures of the second quarter are encouraging", says AAA-director Peter Steinmetz. "The decrease in the number of passengers is less steep than the first quarter."

Insight costs more than 300,000 florins 18 July 2009
ORANJESTAD — Organizing the Insight Seminar for the scholarship students will cost the government somewhere between 300,000 and 370,000 florins. According to data from the organization, the cost per person will be between 740 to 1000 florins. These costs are incidentally passed on to the students.

Additional flights from Brazil 11 July 2009
ORANJESTAD/WILLEMSTAD — Past Sunday, the Brazilian airline company Gol started its weekly flights between the Reina Beatrix airport and the international airport of Sao Paulo, Brasilia, with an intermediate landing in Caracas, Venezuela. The airliine company works together with daughter company Varig.Since June 27th, the parent company flies under her own name Gol. Gol also flies to Curaçao every Saturday.

Valero closes next Wednesday 11 July 2009
SAN NICOLAS -- According to the current planning schedule, oil refinery Valero will stop production starting next week Wednesday. During the coming months, the company will be busy with maintenance, which will cost Valero many millions of dollars.

Passengers may leave Ocean Dream 22 June 2009
ORANJESTAD — Most of the passengers of the cruise ship Ocean Dream were allowed to leave the ship this morning, except for the three crewmembers that contracted the Mexican influenza. Passengers with influenza symptoms must remain in quarantine aboard the ship for at least seven days. If these passengers actually are infected with the AH1N1-virus, then the ship will be held under arrest for a longer period. The first to leave the ship, were the four Arubans upon explicit request of the authorities.

Appoints New Vice President & Managing Director 22 June 2009
ARUBA - Radisson Hotels & Resorts today announced the appointment of Gary Jutz to the position of vice president and managing director responsible for operations at its showcase property in Aruba, the Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa, in alignment with an established succession plan for the hotel. The hotel is in the process of interviewing candidates to fill the role of General Manager, which will report directly to Jutz, who brings 38 years of experience in the hospitality industry to the newly created position. Jutz will also lead several special projects for the Radisson brand.