I was browsing the topics on this forum and obviously came across this title that caught my attention. Unfortunately negative comments seem to draw the eye, as I'm sure this post is going to have a lot of viewers.
Nevertheless, the story posted by the person who started the thread pictures a doomsday scenario about many things on this island. I'm not going to get defensive about the comments as a native. Fact is that there are issues on this island that need urgent attention such as littering and not so nice areas.
As a local, born and raised, it pains me to see when people try to harm this island by littering and engage in activities that go against our common ways.
Fact is that Aruba has been through an explosive economic boom throughout the year where people lived with an average income per capita of US$ 11,000 to US$ 23,000. This means that more and more people have more means to apply for a mortgage, consequently home building skyrocketed. Automatically consumerism has skyrocketed as well. People can live with more dignity, however the downside is the excessive consumption and littering.
About half a million people visited us per year in early 90's to over a million in the present. This required more airlift and facility to house our visitors. Furthermore water and power consumption skyrocketed as well.
People liked the island that even considered owning a property in order to guarantee a place to stay next time.
Now more and more people are talking about overdeveloping. My question is: how much is enough? Who decides that? It is my personal believe that we might have reached and past the point that we need to determine what we want to do going forward. Indeed there are many locals like myself who believe that we need to channel current and future growth in a way that it is sustainable for the future.
I'm a 31 year old father of two young children, whose concern are having a good health care available, good schools safe and clean island and an island without debt for the future. I think it is the same hopes and dreams any other person on this forum has for their home country.
Despite a limiting local environment to pursue other venues in Aruba, I strongly believe we do have many options still available to guide this island into a direction that is acceptable for us locals first and automatically for our visitors as well.
Another criticism I read is that Aruba is losing its island touch, its Caribbean flair. I think that's a judgment call by all means.
Perhaps by that standard Aruba lost its Caribbean flair when the refinery opened its doors in the 20's and when the first hotel opened its doors in late 50's. My question is: what is Caribbean flair? I have enjoyed higher education in Europe, does that make me less of an islander?
Aruba's tallest building was Condorde (now Westin), inaugurated in the 70's. That must have been an eye soar back then. Coincidently it is Aruba's highest building.
Eagle Beach to busy? There is one big hotel that has facilities for their guests, namely La Cabana. Just south of it, the beach is long, stretched sandy and empty. There hasn't been a lot of construction until recently at Eagle Beach.
I have some more observations, but this post is way too long already for which I apologize.
I want to finish by telling people that sometimes we feel helpless with things that happen on our island, as we do not have a lot of direct control on what's happening. However, we have a huge say every four years. Next year in September it's our turn again.
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